Antifungal or algicidal material for hydroponics

Abstract

To provide an antifungal or algicidal material for hydroponics that enables long-term suppression of mold and algae and is easily separable from a plant holder after use.SOLUTION: An antifungal or algicidal material for hydroponics comprises a molded product containing activated carbon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an anti-fungal or anti-algae material for hydroculture that inhibits the proliferation of mold or algae. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, hydroculture, in which a plant-holding member such as a hydroball is placed in a container and plants (e.g., ornamental plants) are grown indoors or outdoors (e.g., on a balcony, veranda, terrace, etc.), has become popular.

[0003] Since hydroculture is used for interior or exterior purposes and requires a beautiful and clean appearance, transparent or translucent glass containers are often used.

[0004] However, glass containers used for hydroculture usually do not have holes at the bottom for draining water, etc., so water, nutrients, and waste products from the plants tend to accumulate at the bottom. Moreover, because the plant holding members inside the glass container are exposed to humid environments and environments exposed to sunlight for long periods of time, mold and algae, especially algae, grow and adhere to the plant holding members and the bottom and inner wall surfaces of the glass container while the plants are being grown, resulting in problems such as impaired appearance and hygiene and root rot of the plants.

[0005] It has been recommended in the past to provide an adsorbent such as ion exchange resin, silica, or zeolite at the bottom of a glass container in order to adsorb waste products and the like that have accumulated at the bottom of the glass container. However, these adsorbents are unable to suppress the proliferation of mold and algae over the long term and therefore must be replaced frequently. In addition, because they are in particulate form, they are difficult to handle, and furthermore, they tend to adhere to the bottom of the glass container, making maintenance time-consuming and laborious.

[0006] On the other hand, Patent Document 1 proposes a cleaning agent containing as a main component a mass of silicate clay to prevent deterioration and spoilage of the culture solution used in hydroponics. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 50-9697 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, if the silicate clay described in Patent Document 1 is left at the bottom of a glass container for a long period of time, the silicate clay will dissolve in water and crumble into pieces, ruining the aesthetic appearance, and the dissolved fine silicate clay will disperse into the plant holding materials such as hydroballs, making it difficult to separate the two when reusing the plant holding materials.In addition, the dissolved silicate clay tends to adhere to the bottom of the glass container, making maintenance time-consuming and laborious.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture which is capable of inhibiting mold and algae for a long period of time and which can be easily separated from the plant-holding member after use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present inventors conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and found that a molded body containing activated carbon can inhibit the growth of mold and algae for a long period of time in hydroculture, and that the shape of the molded body is unlikely to change even after long-term use, so that the molded body can be easily separated from the plant-holding member after use. The present invention was completed through further research based on this knowledge.

[0011] That is, the present invention provides the following aspects. Item 1. A molded body containing activated carbon and an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture. Item 2. The molded product is a sheet-like molded product. The molded product according to item 1, wherein the molded product is an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture. Item 3. The anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture according to Item 2, wherein the sheet-like molded product is a nonwoven fabric containing fibrous activated carbon. Item 4. A hydroculture plant cultivation kit comprising a container and / or a plant holding member and the antifungal or antialgae material for hydroculture according to any one of Items 1 to 3. Item 5. An ornamental plant comprising a container, a plant, a plant holding member, and the anti-fungal or anti-algae material for hydroculture according to any one of Items 1 to 3. Item 6. An anti-mold or anti-algae method for hydroculture, comprising placing the anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture according to any one of items 1 to 3 in a container. Item 7. A method for reusing a plant-holding member in an ornamental plant, the plant-holding member being held in a container containing a plant, an anti-fungal or anti-algae material for hydroculture according to any one of Items 1 to 3, the method comprising the steps of separating the plant, the plant-holding member, and the anti-fungal or anti-algae material for hydroculture, and washing the separated plant-holding member. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The antifungal or antialgae material for hydroculture of the present invention is characterized in that it can inhibit the proliferation of mold and algae for a long period of time, and since its shape is unlikely to change even after long-term use, it can be easily separated from the plant-holding member after use, and since it is unlikely to adhere to the container, it can be easily replaced. Furthermore, the antifungal or antialgae material for hydroculture of the present invention can inhibit the proliferation of mold and algae for a long period of time even if the container used does not have a hole for draining water or the like at the bottom and waste materials or the like are likely to accumulate at the bottom, or even if the plant-holding member or the like in the container is exposed to a high humidity environment for a long period of time, or even if the container is transparent or translucent and exposed to a sunlight environment for a long period of time. Therefore, by using the antifungal or antialgae material for hydroculture of the present invention, it is possible to maintain the hygiene of the container for a long period of time, and to prevent root rot of plants for a long period of time, and further, it is possible to facilitate the maintenance of hydroculture, thereby reducing the time and labor required for maintenance. The anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture of the present invention exerts its excellent effect particularly when used in a transparent or translucent container, and since mold or algae do not adhere to the bottom or inner wall surface of the container, the beautiful appearance can be maintained for a long period of time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of an ornamental plant of Comparative Example 1, three and a half months after the start of cultivation. [Diagram 2] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of an ornamental plant of Comparative Example 2, three and a half months after the start of cultivation. [Diagram 3] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of an ornamental plant of Comparative Example 3, three and a half months after the start of cultivation. [Figure 4] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of an ornamental plant of Comparative Example 4, three and a half months after the start of cultivation. [Diagram 5] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of an ornamental plant of Example 1 three and a half months after the start of cultivation. [Figure 6] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of an ornamental plant of Example 2, three and a half months after the start of cultivation. [Figure 7] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Comparative Example 1 10 months after the start of cultivation. [Figure 8] Photographs showing the condition of the sides and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Comparative Example 2 10 months after the start of cultivation. [Figure 9] Photographs showing the condition of the sides and bottom exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Comparative Example 3 10 months after the start of cultivation. [Figure 10] Photographs showing the condition of the sides and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Comparative Example 4 10 months after the start of cultivation. [Figure 11] Photographs showing the condition of the sides and bottom exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 1 10 months after cultivation began. [Figure 12] Photographs showing the condition of the sides and bottom exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 2 10 months after cultivation began. [Figure 13] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Comparative Example 5, 321 days after the start of cultivation. [Figure 14] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Comparative Example 6, 321 days after the start of cultivation. [Figure 15] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Example 3 321 days after the start of cultivation. [Figure 16] Photographs showing the condition of the side and bottom exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 4 321 days after the start of cultivation. [Figure 17] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Example 5 321 days after the start of cultivation. [Figure 18] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Example 6 321 days after the start of cultivation. [Figure 19]1 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Example 7 321 days after the start of cultivation. [Figure 20] 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom exposed to sunlight of an ornamental plant of Example 8 321 days after the start of cultivation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] 1. Anti-mold or anti-algae materials for hydroculture The anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "anti-mold / anti-algae material") has a molded body containing activated carbon. In the present invention, "hydroculture" means placing a plant holding member in a container and cultivating a plant indoors or outdoors, and "anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture" means a material that is used in hydroculture and can inhibit the proliferation of mold or algae in the container. The anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0015] 1-1. Raw materials for compacts containing activated carbon [Activated carbon] The shape of the activated carbon is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, and fibrous activated carbon. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the present invention, "powdered activated carbon" refers to activated carbon having a powdered form and a particle size defined in JIS K1474:2014 of less than 0.150 mm. Here, the particle size defined in JIS K1474:2014 of less than 0.150 mm means that 95 mass fraction % or more of the sample has a particle size range of less than 0.150 mm. "Granular activated carbon" refers to activated carbon having a granular form and a particle size defined in JIS K1474:2014 of 0.150 mm or more. Here, the particle size defined in JIS K1474:2014 of 0.150 mm or more means that 95 mass fraction % or more of the sample has a particle size range of 0.150 mm or more. "Fiber activated carbon" refers to activated carbon having a fibrous form.

[0016] Examples of powdered or granular activated carbon include known activated carbons such as coconut shell activated carbon made from coconut shells, coal-based activated carbon made from coal, wood-based activated carbon made from wood, and resin-based activated carbon made from resins such as phenolic resins. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0017] Examples of fibrous activated carbon include those obtained by infusibly treating fibers such as polyacrylonitrile, rayon, phenol resin, coal pitch, and petroleum pitch, optionally carbonizing the fibers, and then activating the fibers by holding the fibers in an atmosphere containing water vapor and carbon dioxide at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0018] The activated carbon may contain silver in order to further enhance the effect of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae. When silver is contained, the content of silver in the activated carbon is preferably 0.1 to 2.0% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 1.0% by weight.

[0019] The median particle size of the powdered activated carbon is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect and period of suppressing the growth of mold and algae, but is, for example, 10 μm or more and less than 150 μm, and is preferably 50 μm or more and less than 150 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of suppressing the growth of mold and algae, exhibiting the effect of suppressing the growth of mold and algae for a long period of time, and making it easier to reduce the falling off of the powdered activated carbon from the sheet-like molded body when it is made into a sheet-like molded body described later. In the present invention, the median particle size of the powdered activated carbon refers to the particle size at which the cumulative 50% is reached in the volume-based particle size distribution of the powdered activated carbon measured using a laser diffraction / scattering type particle size distribution measuring device.

[0020] The median particle size of the granular activated carbon is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect and period of suppressing the growth of mold and algae, for example, 150 to 1000 μm, and is preferably 150 to 500 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of suppressing the growth of mold and algae and making it easier to reduce the falling off of the powdered activated carbon from the sheet-like molded body when it is made into a sheet-like molded body described later. In the present invention, the median particle size of the granular activated carbon refers to the particle size at which the cumulative 50% is reached in the volume-based particle size distribution of the granular activated carbon measured using a laser diffraction / scattering type particle size distribution measuring device.

[0021] The fiber diameter of the fibrous activated carbon is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect of suppressing the growth of mold and algae and the period of time, for example, 5 to 30 μm, and is preferably 10 to 20 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of suppressing the growth of mold and algae and making it easier to reduce the falling off of the powdered activated carbon from the sheet-like molded body when it is made into a sheet-like molded body as described later. In the present invention, the fiber diameter of the fibrous activated carbon is measured by observing an image of a test piece of fibrous activated carbon from the side with an optical microscope and photographing it with a microscope camera system attached to the microscope. The photographed image is imported into image analysis software, and the width of the test piece at an arbitrary position in the length direction is measured. The measurement is performed on 200 pieces of fibrous activated carbon, and the average value of the widths of the 200 pieces is taken as the average fiber diameter.

[0022] The specific surface area of ​​the activated carbon is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect and period of suppressing the growth of mold and algae. For example, it is preferably 500 to 3000 m 2 / g, and from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and further inhibiting the generation of charcoal dust when used as an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture by increasing the strength of the activated carbon, it is preferably 700 to 2000 m 2 / g. In the present invention, the specific surface area of ​​powdered or granular activated carbon is a value calculated based on the nitrogen adsorption isotherm at 77.4K. Specifically, first, using an automatic gas adsorption amount measuring device, a sample is cooled to 77.4K (boiling point of nitrogen), nitrogen gas is introduced, and the adsorption amount V [cc / g] of the nitrogen gas is measured by a volumetric method. At this time, the pressure P [hPa] of the introduced nitrogen gas is gradually increased, and the value divided by the saturated vapor pressure P0 [hPa] of the nitrogen gas is set as the relative pressure P / P0, and the adsorption amount for each relative pressure is plotted to create a nitrogen adsorption isotherm. Using an analysis program attached to the above device, the specific surface area is calculated according to the BET method (one-point method with a relative pressure of 0.1 as the measurement point) based on the obtained nitrogen adsorption isotherm. The sample is sampled so that the mass is 0.1g. In the present invention, the specific surface area of ​​the fibrous activated carbon is a value measured by the BET method (one-point method with a relative pressure of 0.1 as the measurement point) in accordance with "7.1 Specific surface area" of JIS K1477:2007 (Test method for fibrous activated carbon).

[0023] The total pore volume calculated from the nitrogen desorption isotherm of the activated carbon is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect of suppressing the growth of mold and algae and the period of time. For example, it may be 0.3 to 1.5 cm 3 / g, and from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and further inhibiting the generation of charcoal dust when used as an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture by increasing the strength of the activated carbon, it is preferably 0.3 to 1.2 cm 3 / g. In the present invention, the pore size and pore volume of the activated carbon are values ​​calculated by the QSDFT method (Quenched Solid Density Functional Theory) from the nitrogen desorption isotherm (relative pressure 0.02 to 0.995) measured at a temperature of 77K. The QSDFT method is an analytical method that targets the pore size analysis of geometrically and chemically irregular microporous and mesoporous carbons and can calculate the pore size distribution from about 0.5 nm to about 40 nm. The QSDFT method is a method that significantly improves the accuracy of pore size distribution analysis because the influence of roughness and non-uniformity of the pore surface is clearly taken into account. In the present invention, the nitrogen desorption isotherm can be measured using a gas adsorption amount measuring device such as "AUTOSORB-1-MP" manufactured by Quantachrome, and the pore size distribution analysis by the QSDFT method can be performed by applying N2 at 77K on carbon [slit pore, QSDFT equilibrium model] as a calculation model.

[0024] The volume ratio of pores with a diameter of 2 nm or less (micropore volume ratio) calculated from the nitrogen desorption isotherm of activated carbon by the QSDFT method is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect and period of suppressing the growth of mold and algae, but is, for example, 40% or more, and is preferably 45 to 98% from the viewpoint of improving the effect of suppressing the growth of mold and algae and further suppressing the generation of coal dust when used as a hydroculture antifungal or antialgae material by increasing the strength of the activated carbon. The micropore volume ratio is calculated from the total pore volume calculated from the nitrogen desorption isotherm and the pore volume with a diameter of 2 nm or less calculated from the nitrogen desorption isotherm by the QSDFT method according to the following formula. Micropore volume ratio of activated carbon (%) = [(pore volume with diameter of 2 nm or less) / (total pore volume)] × 100

[0025] [Raw materials other than activated carbon] The molded body containing activated carbon may be made of activated carbon alone, or may contain activated carbon and other raw materials other than activated carbon. The other raw materials other than activated carbon are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include heat-sealable resins, ion-exchange resins, other resins, and pulp. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the present invention, the term "heat-sealable resin" refers to a resin that exhibits fusion properties when heated.

[0026] The form of the heat-fusible resin may be, for example, a powdered heat-fusible resin, a powdered heat-fusible resin, or a heat-fusible fiber. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the present invention, the term "heat-fusible fiber" refers to a fiber that exhibits fusion properties when heated.

[0027] Examples of heat-fusible resins include olefin resins (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid ester copolymer, etc.), vinyl acetate resins (e.g., polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride copolymer, etc.), polyvinyl alcohol resins (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, etc.), acrylic resins, styrene resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, thermoplastic polyurethane resins, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0028] From the viewpoint of ease of heat treatment, the heat-fusible fiber is preferably a heat-fusible fiber formed of two or more polymer components having different melting points or softening points, and more preferably a core-sheath type heat-fusible fiber having a core-sheath structure with a high melting point polymer as the core and a low melting point polymer as the sheath. Examples of the core-sheath type heat-fusible fiber include polyolefin fibers having a core of polypropylene and a sheath of modified polyethylene, fibers having a core of polyethylene terephthalate and a sheath of polyolefin, and polyester fibers having a core of polyethylene terephthalate and a sheath of low melting point (low softening point) polyester. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0029] When the molded body containing activated carbon contains a heat-fusible resin, the content of the heat-fusible resin is preferably 10 to 80 parts by weight, more preferably 10 to 60 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of activated carbon, from the viewpoint of sufficiently fixing the activated carbon, etc., and from the viewpoint of increasing the proportion of activated carbon in the molded body.

[0030] Ion exchange resins are used as adsorbents. Examples of ion exchange resins include weakly acidic cation exchange resins, strongly acidic cation exchange resins, weakly basic anion exchange resins, and strongly basic anion exchange resins. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, from the viewpoint of excellent effect of adsorbing waste generated during plant growth, weakly acidic cation exchange resins having carboxy groups are preferred, more preferably weakly acidic cation exchange resins in which hydrogen atoms of carboxy groups are substituted with alkali metals and / or alkaline earth metals, and even more preferably weakly acidic cation exchange resins in which hydrogen atoms of carboxy groups are substituted with sodium and / or calcium. Moreover, the weakly acidic cation exchange resins having carboxy groups are preferably polyacrylate or polymethacrylate-based weakly acidic cation exchange resins.

[0031] Examples of the form of the ion exchange resin include powdered ion exchange resin, granular ion exchange resin, and fibrous ion exchange resin (also called ion exchange fiber). These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. These may be appropriately selected depending on the form of the molded body containing activated carbon, but it is preferable to use ion exchange fiber from the viewpoint of excellent adsorption performance.

[0032] When the molded body containing activated carbon contains an ion exchange resin, the content of the ion exchange resin is preferably 10 to 300 parts by weight, more preferably 10 to 250 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of activated carbon, from the viewpoint of imparting an excellent adsorption effect and increasing the proportion of activated carbon in the molded body.

[0033] Pulp is a material that, when wetted with water and beaten (beaten), the fibers are fibrillated (the fiber structure is broken and becomes a thread-like body thinner than the original fiber body), and is contained in a molded body containing activated carbon in a state where the activated carbon, etc. are entangled with the fibrillated fibers, and is used as a binder component that enhances the retention of activated carbon in the molded body containing activated carbon and the strength of the molded body containing activated carbon. Moreover, unlike heat-fusible resins, pulp is contained in the molded body containing activated carbon without melting. Examples of the pulp include natural pulp (cellulose-based pulp) such as wood pulp, and synthetic pulp such as acrylic synthetic pulp, polyolefin synthetic pulp, and aramid synthetic pulp.

[0034] When the molded body containing activated carbon contains pulp, the content of the pulp is preferably 2 to 50 parts by weight, more preferably 2 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of activated carbon, from the viewpoint of sufficiently fixing the activated carbon, etc., and from the viewpoint of increasing the proportion of activated carbon in the molded body.

[0035] 1-2. Shape of the compact containing activated carbon The molded body containing activated carbon is not particularly limited as long as it is molded using at least the activated carbon, and examples of its form include granular molded bodies, fibrous molded bodies, and sheet-shaped molded bodies. Among these, the sheet-shaped molded body is preferable from the viewpoints of handling, ease of installation in a container, ease of separation from a plant holding member, ease of replacement, and the like. In the present invention, the "granular molded body" means a molded body having a granular form, the "fibrous molded body" means a molded body having a fibrous form, and the "sheet-shaped molded body" means a molded body having a sheet-shaped form. The granular molded body, fibrous molded body, and sheet-shaped molded body will be described in detail below.

[0036] [Granular molded body] Examples of the granular compact include granular activated carbon such as crushed activated carbon, granular activated carbon, and granulated activated carbon. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the present invention, "crushed activated carbon" means activated carbon having a crushed shape, "granular activated carbon" means activated carbon having a granular shape, and "granulated activated carbon" means activated carbon processed to a predetermined shape and size.

[0037] The size of the granular activated carbon used as the granular molding is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the ease of handling, the effect of inhibiting the growth of mold and algae, and the duration of the effect. The granular activated carbon, for example, has a maximum length of 0.5 mm or more, and from the viewpoints of improving the ease of handling, improving the effect of inhibiting the growth of mold and algae, and exerting the effect of inhibiting the growth of mold and algae for a long period of time, preferably has a maximum length of 0.5 to 20 mm, more preferably a maximum length of 0.5 to 10 mm.

[0038] The granular compact may be a composite granular activated carbon containing at least one of the granular activated carbons and other raw materials other than the granular activated carbon. In the present invention, the term "composite granular activated carbon" refers to one or more granular activated carbons integrated with other raw materials other than the granular activated carbon.

[0039] Examples of raw materials other than the granular activated carbon contained in the composite granular activated carbon include powdered activated carbon, fibrous activated carbon, binder components (e.g., water-soluble binders, heat-fusible resins, fibrillated fibers, and pulp), and ion exchange resins. The composite granular activated carbon can be obtained, for example, by mixing at least one type of granular activated carbon with a heat-fusible resin, subjecting the mixture obtained to heat treatment, and fusing and integrating the raw materials with the molten heat-fusible resin. If necessary, at least one selected from the group consisting of powdered activated carbon, fibrous activated carbon, binder components other than the heat-fusible resin, and ion exchange resins may be contained in the mixture. The obtained composite granular activated carbon may be divided to adjust the size.

[0040] The size of the composite granular activated carbon is not particularly limited, and for example, the size of the granular activated carbon described above may be adopted.

[0041] The content of activated carbon in the composite granular activated carbon may be adjusted as appropriate depending on the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and the period of time, but is, for example, 20 to 99.5% by weight, and from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and making it easier to reduce the detachment of activated carbon from the composite granular activated carbon, is preferably 30 to 95% by weight. In addition, when an ion exchange resin is contained in the composite granular activated carbon, the content is preferably 20 to 40% by weight from the same viewpoint.

[0042] Furthermore, in order to improve the handleability of the granular moldings, to make it easier to place the granular moldings in a container, and to make it easier to remove the granular moldings from a container after use, the bag may be a nonwoven bag, or a net-like, woven, knitted, or other bag that is permeable to water and has through holes of a size that does not allow the granular moldings to pass through, and a plurality of granular moldings may be placed in the bag and sealed.

[0043] [Fibrous Molded Product] Examples of the fibrous molded body include cotton-like filaments, tows, cut fibers, and yarns made of fibrous activated carbon. In the present invention, the term "cotton-like filaments" refers to filaments having a cotton-like shape. In the present invention, the term "tow" refers to a non-twisted long fiber bundle formed by bundling a plurality of filaments. In the present invention, the term "cut fibers" refers to filaments cut into short fibers. In the present invention, the term "yarn" refers to a single yarn formed by twisting a plurality of filaments together. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0044] The fibrous molding may be a composite flocculent filament, composite tow, composite cut fiber, or composite yarn containing a flocculent filament, tow, cut fiber, or yarn made of fibrous activated carbon and other raw materials other than fibrous activated carbon. In the present invention, the terms "composite flocculent filament," "composite tow," "composite cut fiber," and "composite yarn" respectively mean a flocculent filament, tow, cut fiber, or yarn made of fibrous activated carbon integrated with other raw materials other than fibrous activated carbon.

[0045] Examples of raw materials other than fibrous activated carbon contained in the composite cotton-like filaments, composite tows, composite cut fibers, and composite yarns include powdered activated carbon, heat-fusible resins, and ion-exchange resins. The composite cotton-like filaments, composite tows, composite cut fibers, and composite yarns can be obtained by, for example, mixing cotton-like filaments, tows, cut fibers, or yarns made of fibrous activated carbon with heat-fusible resins and, if necessary, powdered activated carbon or ion-exchange resins, subjecting the resulting mixture to heat treatment, and fusing and integrating the respective raw materials with the molten heat-fusible resin. The resulting composite cotton-like filaments, composite tows, composite cut fibers, and composite yarns may be divided to adjust the size.

[0046] The content of activated carbon in the composite cotton-like filament, composite tow, composite cut fiber, or composite yarn may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect and period of suppressing the growth of mold and algae, for example, 10 to 100% by weight, and from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of suppressing the growth of mold and algae and making it easier to reduce the detachment of activated carbon from the fibrous molded product, it is preferably 20 to 95% by weight. When an ion exchange resin is contained in the fibrous molded product, the content is preferably 20 to 40% by weight from the same viewpoint.

[0047] In addition, in order to improve the handleability of the fibrous molding, to make it easier to place the fibrous molding in a container, and to make it easier to remove the fibrous molding from a container after use, a bag such as a nonwoven bag, or a net-like, woven, or knitted bag, which is permeable to water and has a through hole of a size that does not allow the fibrous molding to pass through, may be used as a bag in which a predetermined amount of the fibrous molding is placed and sealed.

[0048] [Sheet-like molded body] Examples of the sheet-like molded body include a fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric containing fibrous activated carbon, a non-cloth sheet containing at least one type of activated carbon selected from the group consisting of powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, and fibrous activated carbon and a heat-fusible resin, a composite nonwoven fabric in which a granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer in which granular activated carbon and / or powdered activated carbon are fixed with a heat-fusible resin is provided between two sheets of nonwoven fabric (hereinafter also referred to as "composite nonwoven fabric A"), a composite nonwoven fabric in which a fibrous activated carbon layer containing fibrous activated carbon is provided between two sheets of nonwoven fabric (hereinafter also referred to as "composite nonwoven fabric B"), and a cloth of fibrous activated carbon. Among these, a fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric containing fibrous activated carbon is preferred from the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth suppression effect and long-term expression of mold and algae growth suppression effect.

[0049] <Nonwoven fabric containing fibrous activated carbon> The fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric may contain substantially only fibrous activated carbon, or may contain fibrous activated carbon and other raw materials besides fibrous activated carbon.

[0050] An example of a nonwoven fabric containing fibrous activated carbon that contains substantially only fibrous activated carbon is a felt of fibrous activated carbon. Any known felt of fibrous activated carbon can be used without any particular limitation, and examples thereof include felts made of fibers such as polyacrylonitrile, rayon, phenol resin, coal pitch, and petroleum pitch that have been infusible, carbonized as necessary, and then activated by being held in an atmosphere containing water vapor and carbon dioxide at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time.

[0051] Examples of raw materials other than the fibrous activated carbon include heat-fusible resin, ion-exchange resin, pulp, powdered activated carbon, and granular activated carbon, and are preferably heat-fusible resin, pulp, and ion-exchange resin. The heat-fusible resin is preferably a heat-fusible fiber from the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth inhibition effect. The ion-exchange resin is preferably an ion-exchange fiber from the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth inhibition effect and excellent adsorption ability.

[0052] When the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric contains fibrous activated carbon and raw materials other than the fibrous activated carbon, the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric can be produced, for example, by a needle punch method, a wet papermaking method, a thermal bond method, a chemical bond method, or the like.

[0053] The content of activated carbon contained in the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and the period of time, but is, for example, 10 to 100% by weight, and from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and making it easier to reduce the detachment of activated carbon from the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric, it is preferably 20 to 95% by weight. In addition, when an ion exchange resin is contained in the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric, it is preferably 20 to 80% by weight from the same viewpoint.

[0054] The basis weight of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect and period of suppressing the growth of mold and algae. For example, it is 20 to 300 g / m 2 From the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and reducing the loss of aesthetic appearance when used as an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture by reducing the thickness, the thickness is preferably 30 to 150 g / m. 2 It is.

[0055] The thickness of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 100 to 2000 μm, and is preferably 200 to 1000 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect, exhibiting the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect for a long period of time, reducing the thickness to further reduce the loss of aesthetic appearance when used as an antifungal or antialgae material for hydroculture, and improving handling and shape stability. In the present invention, the thickness of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric is measured at any three points using a thickness gauge, and the average value of the measured values ​​is used.

[0056] <Non-cloth seats> The non-cloth sheet contains at least one type of activated carbon selected from the group consisting of powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, and fibrous activated carbon, and a heat-fusible resin. In the present invention, the term "non-cloth sheet" refers to a sheet-like molded product other than nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, knitted fabric, and felt.

[0057] The heat-fusible resin is preferably a heat-fusible fiber, from the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth inhibiting effect.

[0058] The non-fabric sheet preferably further contains an ion exchange resin from the viewpoint of improving the adsorptive properties, and more preferably contains ion exchange fibers from the viewpoint of excellent adsorptive properties.

[0059] The non-cloth sheet can be produced, for example, by heat-treating a mixture of at least one type of activated carbon selected from the group consisting of powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, and fibrous activated carbon, a heat-fusible resin, and, if necessary, an ion exchange resin, fusing and integrating the various raw materials with the molten heat-fusible resin, and forming the mixture into a sheet.

[0060] The amount of activated carbon contained in the non-cloth sheet may be adjusted as appropriate depending on the effect of inhibiting the growth of mold and algae and the period of time, but is, for example, 10 to 100% by weight, and from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of inhibiting the growth of mold and algae and making it easier to reduce the loss of activated carbon from the non-cloth sheet, it is preferably 20 to 95% by weight. If the non-cloth sheet contains an ion exchange resin, it is preferably 20 to 80% by weight from the same viewpoint.

[0061] The basis weight of the non-fabric sheet is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect and period of suppressing the growth of mold and algae. For example, it is 50 to 300 g / m 2 From the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and further reducing the impairment of the aesthetic appearance when used as an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture by reducing the thickness, the thickness is preferably 70 to 150 g / m. 2 It is.

[0062] The thickness of the non-cloth sheet is not particularly limited and is, for example, 100 to 2000 μm, and is preferably 200 to 800 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect, exerting the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect for a long period of time, reducing the thickness to further reduce the impairment of the aesthetic appearance when used as an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture, and improving the handleability and shape stability. In the present invention, the thickness of the non-cloth sheet is measured at any three points with a thickness gauge and the average value thereof is taken.

[0063] <Composite nonwoven fabric A> Composite nonwoven fabric A is one in which a layer of granular and / or powdered activated carbon, in which granular and / or powdered activated carbon is fixed with a heat-fusible resin, is provided between two sheets of nonwoven fabric.

[0064] The heat-fusible resin is preferably a heat-fusible fiber, from the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth inhibiting effect.

[0065] The granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer preferably further contains an ion exchange resin from the viewpoint of improving the adsorptivity, and more preferably contains ion exchange fibers from the viewpoint of excellent adsorptivity.

[0066] The granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer may further contain fibrous activated carbon.

[0067] The content of activated carbon in the granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and the period of time, for example, 10 to 99% by weight, and preferably 20 to 95% by weight from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and making it easier to reduce the loss of activated carbon from the composite nonwoven fabric A. When an ion exchange resin is contained in the composite nonwoven fabric A, the content is preferably 20 to 80% by weight from the same viewpoint.

[0068] The thickness of the granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect and period of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae, for example, 10 to 1000 μm, and is preferably 50 to 500 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae, exhibiting the effect of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae for a long period of time, reducing the thickness to further reduce the deterioration of the aesthetic appearance when used as an antifungal or antialgae material for hydroculture, and improving the handling and shape stability. In the present invention, the thickness of the granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer is measured as follows. That is, using a microscope, the thickness of the cross section of the composite nonwoven fabric A is measured at 10 arbitrary points, and the average value of the thicknesses at the 10 points is defined as the thickness of the composite nonwoven fabric A. Next, the thickness of the cross section of the two nonwoven fabrics constituting the composite nonwoven fabric A is measured at 10 arbitrary points, and the average value of the thicknesses at the 10 points is defined as the thickness of each nonwoven fabric. The sum of the thicknesses of the two nonwoven fabrics is subtracted from the thickness of the composite nonwoven fabric A thus determined, and the resultant value is regarded as the thickness of the granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer.

[0069] In the composite nonwoven fabric A, the two nonwoven fabrics serve to maintain the shape of the granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer and to prevent the granular activated carbon and the like from falling off from the granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer.

[0070] Examples of the nonwoven fabric include long fiber nonwoven fabric and short fiber nonwoven fabric. Examples of the long fiber nonwoven fabric include spunbond nonwoven fabric, tow spread nonwoven fabric, melt blown nonwoven fabric, etc. Examples of the short fiber nonwoven fabric include needle punch nonwoven fabric and wet paper making nonwoven fabric, etc.

[0071] Examples of fiber materials constituting the nonwoven fabric include synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, polyacrylic fibers, polypropylene fibers, and polyvinyl chloride fibers, natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, and wool, and regenerated fibers such as cupra rayon, viscose rayon, and lyocell. The nonwoven fabric may also contain ion exchange fibers.

[0072] The composite nonwoven fabric A can be produced, for example, by spreading a substantially uniform mixture of granular and / or powdered activated carbon with a heat-fusible resin or the like on a nonwoven fabric, placing another nonwoven fabric on top of it, and sandwiching the mixture between the two nonwoven fabrics while heating and pressing them together. The adhesive strength between the granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer and the nonwoven fabric may also be strengthened by providing an adhesive sheet containing a thermoplastic resin or the like on the inside of the nonwoven fabric and then heat-pressing the same.

[0073] The thickness of the composite nonwoven fabric A is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the thickness of the granular and / or powdered activated carbon layer, but is, for example, 100 to 3000 μm, and is preferably 200 to 1000 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect, exerting the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect for a long period of time, reducing the thickness to further reduce the loss of aesthetic appearance when used as an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture, and improving handleability and shape stability. In the present invention, the thickness of the composite nonwoven fabric A is the average value obtained by measuring the thickness at any 10 points on the cross section of the composite nonwoven fabric A using a microscope and averaging the thicknesses at the 10 points.

[0074] <Composite nonwoven fabric B> Composite nonwoven fabric B is one in which a fibrous activated carbon layer containing fibrous activated carbon is provided between two nonwoven fabrics.

[0075] The fibrous activated carbon layer may contain other raw materials than the fibrous activated carbon. Examples of other raw materials than the fibrous activated carbon include heat-sealing resin, ion-exchange resin, pulp, powdered activated carbon, and granular activated carbon, and preferably heat-sealing resin, ion-exchange resin, and pulp. The heat-sealing resin is preferably a heat-sealing fiber from the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth suppression effect. Moreover, the ion-exchange resin is preferably an ion-exchange fiber from the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth suppression effect and excellent adsorption ability.

[0076] The form of the fibrous activated carbon layer may be, for example, form (1) in which the fibrous activated carbon is fixed and integrated by a heat-fusible resin, or form (2) in which the fibrous activated carbon is intertwined with the fibrous activated carbon without using a heat-fusible resin, or the fibrous activated carbon and the ion-exchange fiber are intertwined with each other to form a cotton-like or felt-like layer. From the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth suppression effect, form (2) is preferred. Form (2) can be produced by, for example, an air-laid method or a carding method. Form (1) can be produced by, for example, a needle punch method or a wet papermaking method.

[0077] The content of activated carbon in the fibrous activated carbon layer may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and the period of time, for example, and is 10 to 99% by weight, and is preferably 20 to 95% by weight from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of mold and algae and making it easier to reduce the loss of activated carbon from the composite nonwoven fabric B. When an ion exchange resin is contained in the composite nonwoven fabric B, the content is preferably 20 to 80% by weight from the same viewpoint.

[0078] The thickness of the fibrous activated carbon layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the effect and period of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae, but is, for example, 20 to 4000 μm, and is preferably 30 to 2500 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae, expressing the effect of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae for a long period of time, reducing the thickness to further reduce the loss of aesthetic appearance when used as an antifungal or antialgae material for hydroculture, and improving the handling and dimensional stability. In the present invention, the thickness of the fibrous activated carbon layer is the average value obtained by measuring the thickness at any 10 points on the cross section of the fibrous activated carbon layer using a microscope and averaging the thicknesses at the 10 points.

[0079] In the composite nonwoven fabric B, the two nonwoven fabrics serve to maintain the shape of the fibrous activated carbon layer and to prevent the fibrous activated carbon and the like from falling off from the fibrous activated carbon layer.

[0080] Examples of the form of the composite nonwoven fabric B include a form in which the fibrous activated carbon layer and the nonwoven fabric are integrated with an adhesive, a form in which the fibrous activated carbon layer and the nonwoven fabric are integrated by fusing them with a heat-fusible resin, and a form in which the nonwoven fabric and the fibrous activated carbon layer are integrated by entangling the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric and the fibrous activated carbon constituting the fibrous activated carbon layer on the surface portions of the nonwoven fabric and the fibrous activated carbon layer by a needle punch method, water punch method, or the like without using an adhesive or heat-fusible resin.

[0081] The thickness of the composite nonwoven fabric B is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted according to the thickness of the fibrous activated carbon layer, but is, for example, 100 to 6000 μm, and is preferably 200 to 4000 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect, exerting the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect for a long period of time, reducing the thickness to further reduce the loss of aesthetic appearance when used as an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture, and improving handling and shape stability. In the present invention, the thickness of the composite nonwoven fabric B is the average value obtained by measuring the thickness at any 10 points on the cross section of the composite nonwoven fabric B using a microscope and averaging the thicknesses at the 10 points.

[0082] <Activated carbon fiber cloth> In the present invention, the term "cloth of fibrous activated carbon" refers to a cloth whose constituent component is substantially only fibrous activated carbon.

[0083] The cloth of fibrous activated carbon may be any known one without particular limitation, and examples thereof include cloth made of fibers such as polyacrylonitrile, rayon, phenolic resin, coal pitch, and petroleum pitch, which is infusible, carbonized as necessary, and then activated by being held in an atmosphere containing water vapor and carbon dioxide at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time.

[0084] The cloth may have an ion exchange resin, granular and / or powdered activated carbon, and a heat-sealable resin on one or both sides. The ion exchange resin is preferably an ion exchange fiber from the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth suppression effect and excellent adsorption ability. The heat-sealable resin is preferably a heat-sealable fiber from the viewpoint of excellent mold and algae growth suppression effect. An example of a method for providing an ion exchange resin, granular and / or powdered activated carbon on a part or the entire surface of the cloth is a method of fixing them using a heat-sealable resin.

[0085] The thickness of the cloth is not particularly limited and may be adjusted appropriately depending on the effect and period of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae, for example, 100 to 3000 μm, and is preferably 200 to 2500 μm from the viewpoint of simultaneously improving the effect of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae, expressing the effect of suppressing the proliferation of mold and algae for a long period of time, reducing the thickness to further reduce the loss of aesthetic appearance when used as an antifungal or antialgae material for hydroculture, and improving the handling and shape stability. In the present invention, the thickness of the cloth is an average value obtained by measuring the thickness of the cross section of the cloth at 10 arbitrary points using a microscope and averaging the thicknesses at the 10 points.

[0086] 2. Usage of anti-mold or anti-algae materials for hydroculture The anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention may be provided at any position in a hydroculture container, but since mold and algae are likely to grow at the bottom of the container, it is preferable to provide it at the bottom of the container. This makes it possible to inhibit the growth and attachment of mold and algae, especially algae, to the plant holding member and the bottom and inner wall surface of the bottom during plant growth for a long period of time, specifically, for six months or more, one year or more, or even two years or more.

[0087] When the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention is a sheet-like molded product, its shape is not particularly limited and can be any shape, for example, a polygon such as a triangle, a rectangle, or a pentagon, a circle, an ellipse, a star, etc.

[0088] When the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention has a sheet-like molded body, its size is not particularly limited and may be appropriately adjusted according to the bottom area in the container, but for example, it is 10 to 100% of the bottom area in the container, and from the viewpoint of improving the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect, from the viewpoint of exhibiting the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect for a long period of time, and from the viewpoint of economy, it is preferably 20 to 90%, and more preferably 30 to 80%. Furthermore, when the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention is a sheet-like molded body, the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention may be provided in one sheet in the container (preferably the bottom), or two or more sheets may be provided side by side, or two or more sheets may be provided stacked. Furthermore, when the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention has a granular or fibrous molded body, from the viewpoint of improving the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect, from the viewpoint of exerting the mold and algae growth inhibitory effect for a long period of time, and from the viewpoint of economy, the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention is preferably laid out over an area ratio of 10 to 100% of the bottom area inside the container, more preferably 20 to 90%, and even more preferably 30 to 80%.

[0089] 3. Hydroculture plant growing kit The hydroculture plant growing kit of the present invention includes a container and / or a plant holding member and the antifungal / antialgae material of the present invention. In the present invention, the "plant holding member" means a member that is placed in a container for hydroculture to hold a plant in the container.

[0090] As the container, any container used for hydroculture can be used without particular limitation, but from the viewpoint of appearance beauty and cleanliness for interior or exterior use, a transparent or translucent container is preferable. Examples of transparent or translucent containers include glass containers and plastic containers. Glass and cups may also be used as containers.

[0091] As the plant holding material, any material used in hydroculture can be used without any particular limitation, and examples thereof include hydroballs, hydrocones, colored sand, perlite, zeolite, resin chip foam, water-absorbent polymers such as Gel Polymer (trade name) manufactured by Daiso Industries Co., Ltd., and glass foams.

[0092] By using the hydroculture plant growing kit of the present invention, since it contains the antifungal / anti-algae material of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the growth and attachment of mold and algae, particularly algae, to the plant holding member and the bottom and inner wall surface of the bottom for a long period of time during plant growth. Therefore, the beauty and hygiene of the ornamental plant can be maintained for a long period of time. Furthermore, since the antifungal / anti-algae material of the present invention is unlikely to change in shape even after long-term use, it can be easily separated from the plant holding member after use, and since it is unlikely to adhere to the container, it can be easily replaced. Therefore, by using the hydroculture plant growing kit of the present invention, the maintenance of ornamental plants can be made easier, and the time and effort required for maintenance can be reduced.

[0093] 4. Ornamental plants The ornamental plant of the present invention includes the container, a plant, the plant-holding member, and the anti-fungal / anti-algae material of the present invention. In the present invention, the term "ornamental plant" refers to plants that are grown for visual enjoyment and members used for hydroculture.

[0094] As the plant, any plant used in hydroculture can be used without particular limitation, and examples thereof include foliage plants (including flowering foliage plants) and succulents, but foliage plants are preferred. Examples of foliage plants include pothos, spider plant, sansevieria, pachira, asparagus, peperomia, hoya, Hedera, Hong Kong kapok, and areca palm.

[0095] It is advisable to water and add nutrients to ornamental plants on a regular basis.

[0096] Since the ornamental plant of the present invention contains the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention, it is possible to inhibit the growth and attachment of mold and algae, particularly algae, on the plant-holding member and the bottom and inner wall surface of the bottom for a long period of time while the plant is being grown. Therefore, the ornamental plant of the present invention has the characteristic of being able to maintain its beauty and hygiene for a long period of time. Furthermore, since the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention is unlikely to change in shape even after long-term use, it can be easily separated from the plant-holding member after use, and since it is unlikely to adhere to the container, it can be easily replaced. Therefore, the ornamental plant of the present invention has the characteristic of being easy to maintain, and maintenance does not require much effort and time.

[0097] 5. Anti-mold and anti-algae methods for hydroculture The anti-mold or anti-algae method for hydroculture of the present invention is characterized in that the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention is placed in the container.

[0098] According to the anti-mold or anti-algae method for hydroculture of the present invention, the proliferation and adhesion of mold and algae, especially algae, within a container can be inhibited for a long period of time, specifically, for more than six months, more than one year, or even more than two years, and root rot of plants can be prevented for a long period of time.

[0099] 6. How to reuse plant-holding materials The method for reusing a plant holding member of the present invention is a method for reusing the plant holding member in an ornamental plant having the plant, the plant holding member, and the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention in the container, and is characterized in that it includes a step of separating the plant, the plant holding member, and the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention, and a step of washing the separated plant holding member.

[0100] In the method for reusing a plant-holding member of the present invention, first, a plant, a plant-holding member, and the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention are removed from an ornamental plant, and these are separated. The anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention is unlikely to change in shape even after long-term use, so it can be easily separated from the plant-holding member by hand. The separated plant-holding member is then washed. Any known washing liquid can be used without particular limitation, and examples thereof include water and boiling water. Any known washing method can be used without particular limitation, and examples thereof include application of a washing liquid, showering, and immersion in a washing liquid. The plant-holding member after washing may be dried as necessary. The plant-holding member that has been subjected to washing or other treatments can be reused as a plant-holding member for hydroculture.

[0101] According to the method for reusing a plant-holding member of the present invention, the plant-holding member can be easily separated by hand from the anti-mold / anti-algae material of the present invention, and since the separated plant-holding member is free of mold or algae, the plant-holding member can be cleaned and reused with simple washing in a short time and without much effort, EXAMPLES

[0102] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0103] [Test Example 1] 1. Preparation of fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric Fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Ador A-15, specific surface area 1700 m 2 / g, total pore volume 0.80 cm 3 / g, micropore volume ratio 89%), ion exchange fiber (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: A-02CA, weak acid type polyacrylate ion exchange fiber (Ca-substituted polyacrylate ion exchange fiber)), and sheath-core fiber (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Melty 4080, a sheath-core fiber with a PET core and a low melting point polyester sheath with a melting point of 110°C) were supplied in a mass ratio of fibrous activated carbon / ion exchange fiber / sheath-core fiber = 27 / 58 / 12, opened and mixed in a carding machine, and then entangled by needle punching. The fiber was then passed through a heat roller to melt a part of the sheath of the sheath-core fiber, and the basis weight was 70 g / m 2 A fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 0.50 mm was produced. The thickness of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was measured at three arbitrary points using a thickness gauge (Peacock Precision Measuring Instruments Thickness Gauge Large Type (Thickness Gauge) JA, manufactured by Ozaki Manufacturing Co., Ltd.), and the average value was calculated.

[0104] 2. Creating ornamental plants Example 1 A sheet of the prepared fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric (50 mm x 50 mm) was placed in the center of the bottom of a glass container (external dimensions: 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm, internal dimensions: width 75 mm x depth 75 mm x height 90 mm), and then a pothos was placed in the glass container as a growing plant, and a plant holding material (Miura Engei Co., Ltd., hydrocone (small grain)) was laid out to prepare an ornamental plant, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0105] Example 2 An ornamental plant was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that four sheets of the prepared fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric (50 mm×50 mm) were arranged on the entire bottom surface of a glass container, and water was added.

[0106] Comparative Example 1 An ornamental plant was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the prepared fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric in Example 1 was not provided, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0107] Comparative Example 2 In Example 1, ornamental plants were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 5 cc of adsorbent (ion exchange resin nutrient, manufactured by Green Walk Co., Ltd.) was placed at the bottom of the glass container instead of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric prepared in Example 1, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0108] Comparative Example 3 In Example 1, an ornamental plant was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that an adsorbent (Million A (silica clay) manufactured by Soft Silica Co., Ltd.) was placed on the entire bottom surface of the glass container instead of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric prepared in Example 1, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0109] Comparative Example 4 In Example 1, instead of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric prepared in Example 1, 5 cc of adsorbent (ion exchange resin nutrient, manufactured by Green Walk Co., Ltd.) was placed at the bottom of the glass container, and further, adsorbent (Million A (silica clay), manufactured by Soft Silica Co., Ltd.) was placed over the entire bottom surface of the glass container. Except for this, an ornamental plant was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0110] 3. Mold and algae growth inhibition test The ornamental plants of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were placed in a living room (facing east) of a house where sunlight was shining through the curtains, and pothos was grown. The same amount of water was added to all ornamental plants at the same time when the plant holding members dried. In addition, the same amount of fertilizer (Hyponex Japan Co., Ltd., product name: Hyponex Cute (for hydro)) was added to all ornamental plants at the same time once a month. Then, three and a half months and ten months after the start of cultivation, the condition of the side or bottom surface of each ornamental plant that had been exposed to sunlight was observed.

[0111] 4. Test Results (1) Three and a half months after starting training Fig. 1 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of the ornamental plant in Comparative Example 1. No particular change was observed on the bottom surface. Fig. 2 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of the ornamental plant in Comparative Example 2. No particular change was observed on the bottom surface. 3 is a photograph showing the state of the bottom surface of the ornamental plant of Comparative Example 3. The adsorbent (silica clay) was dissolving. 4 is a photograph showing the state of the bottom surface of the ornamental plant of Comparative Example 4. The adsorbent (silica clay) was dissolving. Fig. 5 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of the ornamental plant in Example 1. No particular change was observed on the bottom surface. Fig. 6 is a photograph showing the condition of the bottom surface of the ornamental plant in Example 2. No particular change was observed on the bottom surface. Thus, three and a half months after the start of cultivation, no algae or mold was found in any of the ornamental plants. In addition, no clear differences were found in the growth status of the pothos among the ornamental plants.

[0112] (2) 10 months after starting training 7 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces of the ornamental plant in Comparative Example 1 that had been exposed to sunlight. It can be seen that green algae have grown on the bottom of the side and bottom surface that had been exposed to sunlight. Fig. 8 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom of the ornamental plant of Comparative Example 2 that was exposed to sunlight. It can be seen that a large amount of green algae has grown on the bottom of the side and bottom that was exposed to sunlight. Of the ornamental plants of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, this had the largest amount of algae growth. Since the ion exchange resin nutrient used as the adsorbent contains nutrients, it is presumed that the proliferation of algae is promoted by these nutrients. 9 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces of the ornamental plant in Comparative Example 3 that had been exposed to sunlight. It can be seen that green algae had grown on the bottom surface. In addition, the adsorbent (silica clay) had dissolved and adhered to the bottom of the glass container. 10 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom of the ornamental plant in Comparative Example 4 that was exposed to sunlight. It can be seen that green algae had grown on the bottom of the side and bottom that was exposed to sunlight. In addition, the adsorbent (silica clay) had dissolved and was fixed to the bottom of the glass container. 11 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 1. No particular change was observed in the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight. 12 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 2. No particular changes were observed in the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight. Thus, 10 and a half months after the start of cultivation, algae grew on the side and / or bottom exposed to sunlight in the ornamental plants of Comparative Examples 1 to 4, but no algae grew on the side and bottom exposed to sunlight in the ornamental plants of Examples 1 and 2, which were provided with the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric of the present invention. In addition, the morphology of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric provided on the ornamental plants of Examples 1 and 2 was hardly changed. From this result, it was found that the antifungal / anti-algae material of the present invention can inhibit the proliferation of mold and algae for a long period of time, and can maintain the beauty and sanitation of ornamental plants for a long period of time. From this result, it is inferred that the antifungal / anti-algae material of the present invention can be easily separated from the plant holding member after use, and can be easily replaced because it is not easily fixed to the container. In addition, no clear difference was observed in the growth state of the pothos among the ornamental plants.

[0113] [Test Example 2] 1. Preparation of anti-mold or anti-algae materials for hydroculture (Anti-mold or anti-algae material A for hydroculture) Fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Ador A-10, specific surface area 1300 m 2 / g, total pore volume 0.55 cm 3 The activated carbon fiber was mixed with a sheath-core fiber (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Melty 4080, a sheath-core fiber with a core made of PET and a sheath made of a low-melting-point polyester with a melting point of 110°C) in a mass ratio of 65 / 35, opened and mixed in a carding machine, and then entangled by needle punching. The fiber was then passed through a heated roller to melt a part of the sheath of the sheath-core fiber, resulting in a basis weight of 65 g / m. 2A fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 0.55 mm was produced, and an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture A was obtained. The thickness of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was measured at three arbitrary points using a thickness gauge (Peacock Precision Measuring Instruments Thickness Gauge Large Type (Thickness Gauge) JA, manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) and the average value of the measured values ​​was used.

[0114] (Anti-mold or anti-algae material B for hydroculture) Fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Ador A-7, specific surface area 850 m 2 / g, total pore volume 0.35 cm 3 / g, micropore volume ratio 96%) and sheath-core fiber (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Melty 4080, a core-sheath fiber with a PET core and a low-melting-point polyester sheath with a melting point of 110°C) were supplied in a mass ratio of fibrous activated carbon / sheath-core fiber = 82 / 18, opened and mixed in a carding machine, and then entangled by needle punching. The fiber was then passed through a heat roller to melt a part of the sheath of the core-sheath fiber, resulting in a basis weight of 65 g / m 2 A fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 0.52 mm was produced, and an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture B was obtained. The thickness of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was measured at three arbitrary points using a thickness gauge (Peacock Precision Measuring Instruments Thickness Gauge Large Type (Thickness Gauge) JA, manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) and the average value of the measured values ​​was used.

[0115] (Hydroculture anti-mold or anti-algae material C) Fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Ador A-15, specific surface area 1700 m 2 / g, total pore volume 0.80 cm 3 / g, micropore volume ratio 89%) and silver-containing fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Adol J-15, specific surface area 1700 m 2 / g, total pore volume 0.80 cm 3 / g, micropore volume ratio 89%, silver content 0.7% by mass, and fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Adol W-15, specific surface area 1300 m 2 / g, total pore volume 1.10 cm3 / g, micropore volume ratio 52%), ion exchange fiber (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: A-02CA, weak acid type polyacrylate ion exchange fiber (Ca-substituted polyacrylate ion exchange fiber)), core-sheath fiber (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Melty 4080, core-sheath fiber with PET core and sheath with low melting point polyester with melting point of 110°C), and acrylic synthetic pulp (manufactured by Nippon Exlan Kogyo Co., Ltd., product name Vipal (registered trademark)) were supplied in a mass ratio of A-15 / J-15 / W-15 / ion exchange fiber / core-sheath fiber / acrylic synthetic pulp = 37 / 6 / 30 / 12 / 7 / 8, and defibrated and mixed using a pulper to prepare a uniformly dispersed slurry. The prepared slurry was passed through a refiner, then poured onto a wire and dewatered to adjust the basis weight. After that, the sheet passes through the press part, is dried in the dryer part while part of the sheath of the core-sheath fiber is melted, the sheet surface is smoothed in the calendar part, and then it is wound on a reel and the basis weight is 90 g / m 2 A fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was produced, which was a wet-laid papermaking nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 0.65 mm, to obtain an anti-mold or anti-algae material C for hydroculture. The thickness of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was measured at three arbitrary points using a thickness gauge (Peacock Precision Measuring Instruments Thickness Gauge Large Type (Thickness Gauge) JA, manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) and the average value of the measured thicknesses was used.

[0116] (Hydroculture anti-mold or anti-algae material D) Silver-containing fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Ador J-15, specific surface area 1700 m 2 / g, total pore volume 0.80 cm 3 / g, micropore volume ratio 89%, silver content 0.7% by mass, and fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Adol W-10, specific surface area 1100 m 2 / g, total pore volume 0.65 cm 3 / g, micropore volume fraction 72%), ion exchange fiber (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: A-02CA, weak acid type polyacrylate ion exchange fiber (Ca-substituted polyacrylate ion exchange fiber)), sheath-core fiber (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Melty 4080, a core-sheath fiber with a PET core and a low melting point polyester sheath with a melting point of 110°C), and acrylic synthetic pulp (manufactured by Nippon Exlan Kogyo Co., Ltd., product name Vi-Pal (registered trademark)) were supplied in a mass ratio of J-15 / W-15 / ion exchange fiber / sheath-core fiber / acrylic synthetic pulp = 3 / 74 / 9 / 11 / 3, and pulpered and mixed to prepare a uniformly dispersed slurry. The prepared slurry was passed through a refiner, then poured onto a wire and dewatered to adjust the basis weight. After that, the sheet passes through the press part, is dried in the dryer part while part of the sheath of the core-sheath fiber is melted, the sheet surface is smoothed in the calendar part, and then it is wound on a reel and the basis weight is 90 g / m 2 A fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was produced, which was a wet-laid papermaking nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 0.90 mm, to obtain an anti-mold or anti-algae material C for hydroculture. The thickness of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was measured at three arbitrary points using a thickness gauge (Peacock Precision Measuring Instruments Thickness Gauge Large Type (Thickness Gauge) JA, manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) and the average value of the measured thicknesses was used.

[0117] (Hydroculture anti-mold or anti-algae material E) Fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Ador W-15, specific surface area 1300 m 2 / g, total pore volume 1.10 cm 3 Activated carbon fiber (1000g / g, micropore volume ratio 52%) and synthetic pulp (a mixture of polyethylene synthetic pulp and aramid synthetic pulp) were supplied in a mass ratio of 80 / 20, and defibrated and mixed using a pulper to prepare a uniformly dispersed slurry. The prepared slurry was passed through a refiner and then poured onto a wire, where it was dehydrated to adjust the basis weight. The sheet then passed through a press part, was dried in a dryer part, and the sheet surface was smoothed in a calendar part before being wound up on a reel to give a basis weight of 80 g / m 2A fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was produced, which was a wet-laid papermaking nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 0.60 mm, to obtain an anti-mold or anti-algae material E for hydroculture. The thickness of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was measured at three arbitrary points using a thickness gauge (Peacock Precision Measuring Instruments Thickness Gauge Large Type (Thickness Gauge) JA, manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) and the average value of the measured thicknesses was used.

[0118] (Hydroculture anti-mold or anti-algae material F) Fibrous activated carbon (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Ador A-7, specific surface area 850 m 2 / g, total pore volume 0.35 cm 3 / g, micropore volume ratio 96%), powdered activated carbon (manufactured by Cataler Co., Ltd., product name FM-150), core-sheath fiber (manufactured by Unitika Ltd., product name: Melty 4080, a core-sheath fiber with a PET core and a low melting point polyester sheath with a melting point of 110°C), and acrylic synthetic pulp (manufactured by Nippon Exlan Kogyo Co., Ltd., product name Vi-Pal (registered trademark)) were supplied in a mass ratio of fibrous activated carbon / powdered activated carbon / core-sheath fiber / acrylic synthetic pulp = 7 / 69 / 11 / 13, and defibrated and mixed using a pulper to prepare a uniformly dispersed slurry. The prepared slurry was passed through a refiner, then poured onto a wire and dehydrated to adjust the basis weight. Thereafter, the sheet was passed through a press part, dried in a dryer part, and the sheet surface was smoothed in a calendar part before being wound up on a reel, with a basis weight of 130 g / m 2 A fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was produced, which was a wet-laid papermaking nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 0.80 mm, to obtain an anti-mold or anti-algae material F for hydroculture. The thickness of the fibrous activated carbon-containing nonwoven fabric was measured at three arbitrary points using a thickness gauge (Peacock Precision Measuring Instruments Thickness Gauge Large Type (Thickness Gauge) JA, manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) and the average value of the measured thicknesses was used.

[0119] 2. Creating ornamental plants Example 3 A sheet of the prepared anti-fungal or anti-algae material A for hydroculture (50 mm x 50 mm) was placed in the center of the bottom of a glass container (external dimensions: 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm, internal dimensions: width 75 mm x depth 75 mm x height 90 mm). A pothos (a different variety of pothos from that in Test Example 1) was then placed in the glass container as a grown plant, and a plant holding material (hydrocone (small grains) manufactured by Miura Engei Co., Ltd.) was laid out to create an ornamental plant, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0120] Example 4 In Example 3, ornamental plants were prepared in the same manner as in Example 3, except that instead of the prepared hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material A, hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material B (50 mm x 50 mm) was placed at the bottom of the glass container, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0121] Example 5 In Example 3, ornamental plants were prepared in the same manner as in Example 3, except that instead of the prepared hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material A, hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material C (50 mm x 50 mm) was placed at the bottom of the glass container, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0122] Example 6 In Example 3, ornamental plants were prepared in the same manner as in Example 3, except that instead of the prepared hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material A, hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material D (50 mm x 50 mm) was placed at the bottom of the glass container, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0123] Example 7 In Example 3, ornamental plants were prepared in the same manner as in Example 3, except that instead of the prepared hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material A, hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material E (50 mm x 50 mm) was placed at the bottom of the glass container, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0124] Example 8 In Example 3, ornamental plants were prepared in the same manner as in Example 3, except that instead of the prepared hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material A, hydroculture anti-fungal or anti-algae material F (50 mm x 50 mm) was placed at the bottom of the glass container, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0125] Comparative Example 5 In Example 3, ornamental plants were prepared in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the prepared anti-fungal or anti-algae material A for hydroculture was not used, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0126] Comparative Example 6 In Example 3, instead of the prepared anti-mold or anti-algae material A for hydroculture, zeolite (sold by Amazing Craft Co., Ltd., product name: domestic natural zeolite, medium grain, approximately 5 mm-10 mm) was placed on the entire bottom surface of the glass container, and an ornamental plant was prepared in the same manner as in Example 3, and an appropriate amount of water was added.

[0127] 3. Mold and algae growth inhibition test The ornamental plants of Examples 3 to 8 and Comparative Examples 5 and 6 were placed in a living room (facing east) of a house where sunlight was shining through the curtains, and pothos were grown. The same amount of water was added to all ornamental plants at the same time when the plant holding members dried. In addition, the same amount of fertilizer (Hyponex Japan Co., Ltd., product name: Hyponex Cute (for hydro)) was added to all ornamental plants at the same time once a month. Then, 321 days after the start of cultivation, the condition of the side or bottom surface that had been exposed to sunlight of each ornamental plant was observed.

[0128] 4. Test Results 13 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces of the ornamental plant in Comparative Example 5 that had been exposed to sunlight. It can be seen that a large amount of green algae had grown on the bottom of the side and bottom surface that had been exposed to sunlight. 14 is a photograph showing the state of the side and bottom of the ornamental plant of Comparative Example 6 that was exposed to sunlight. A lot of green algae had grown on the bottom of the side and bottom that was exposed to sunlight. In addition, the zeolite had dissolved and was fixed to the bottom of the glass container. 15 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 3. Although some green algae grew around the periphery of the bottom surface, the growth of mold and algae was suppressed for a long period of time compared to Comparative Examples 5 and 6. 16 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 4. Although a small amount of green algae grew on the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight, there was almost no change, and the proliferation of mold and algae was suppressed for a long period of time compared to Comparative Examples 5 and 6. 17 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 5. Although some green algae grew near the periphery of the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight, the growth of mold and algae was suppressed for a long period of time compared to Comparative Examples 5 and 6. 18 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 6. Although some green algae grew near the periphery of the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight, the growth of mold and algae was suppressed for a long period of time compared to Comparative Examples 5 and 6. 19 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight of the ornamental plant of Example 7. Although a small amount of green algae grew on the side and bottom surfaces exposed to sunlight, there was almost no change, and the proliferation of mold and algae was suppressed for a long period of time compared to Comparative Examples 5 and 6. 20 is a photograph showing the condition of the side and bottom surface of the ornamental plant in Example 8 that had been exposed to sunlight. Compared to Examples 3 to 7, a slightly larger amount of green algae grew on some of the side surfaces that had been exposed to sunlight, but compared to Comparative Examples 5 and 6, there was less green algae growing on the side surfaces and bottom surface that had been exposed to sunlight, and the proliferation of mold and algae was suppressed for a long period of time compared to Comparative Examples 5 and 6.

Claims

1. An anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture, comprising a molded body containing activated carbon.

2. The molded product is a sheet-like molded product, the molded product being an anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture according to claim 1 .

3. The anti-mold or anti-algae material for hydroculture according to claim 2, wherein the sheet-like molding is a non-woven fabric containing fibrous activated carbon.

4. A hydroculture plant growing kit comprising a container and / or a plant holding member and the antifungal or antialgae material for hydroculture according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An ornamental plant comprising a container, a plant, a plant holding member, and the anti-fungal or anti-algae material for hydroculture according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A method for preventing mold or algae in hydroculture, comprising providing the mold or algae-preventing material for hydroculture according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in a container.

7. A method for reusing the plant-holding member in an ornamental plant, the plant-holding member being held in a container containing a plant, the plant-holding member, and the anti-fungal or anti-algae material for hydroculture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the method comprising the steps of separating the plant, the plant-holding member, and the anti-fungal or anti-algae material for hydroculture, and washing the separated plant-holding member.

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