Moss cultivation medium, method for setting up the moss cultivation medium, object to be constructed, medium on which plants are planted, and method for constructing the moss cultivation medium.

Abstract

This invention provides a moss cultivation medium that allows for the appropriate timing of humidification or dehumidification of the moss seed, enabling the smooth and efficient growth of the moss seed, a method for setting up the moss cultivation medium, a workpiece, a growing medium on which plants are planted, and a method for constructing the moss cultivation medium. [Solution] The moss cultivation medium 1 is used by spreading it out to green parks, rooftops, roofs, slopes, walls, etc. The moss cultivation medium 1 is made by dispersing perlite particles 3 between a pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2, with the outer surface 2a of one of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2 being the application surface, and seed moss 4 being scattered on the other outer surface 2b of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2, and the space between the inner surfaces of each hygroscopic nonwoven fabric being a welded joint 5. The hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 is manufactured using fibers that attract moisture from the air and store it inside the fibers, absorbing a large amount of moisture in a wide range of environments from low humidity to high humidity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a moss cultivation medium, a method for setting a moss cultivation medium, a structure to be applied, a medium for planting plants, and a method for applying a moss cultivation medium.

Background Art

[0002] The environments preferred by moss vary depending on the type of moss, including temperature, humidity, moisture, brightness, etc. Among the so-called almost infinite types of moss, the commonly seen sunagoke, which is extremely resistant to high temperatures and can tolerate low moisture, is suitable for measures against heat islands on urban rooftops. Commonly seen hair moss, sugi moss often seen in gardens, hinoki moss, etc. require water supply. However, moss also has the characteristic of growing tenaciously without particular human intervention. In any case, the green of moss is as beautiful as artificial turf, and it purifies the air and makes it pleasant. As a result, it soothes the mind. Such moss is an essential part of the global environment.

[0003] Focusing on such characteristics of moss, as a means for greening concrete surfaces and stone surfaces, a moss sheet in which moss plants are germinated on a non-woven fabric sheet is known. When cultivating such a moss sheet, attempts have been made to germinate moss plants using various media. For example, in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of improving cultivation efficiency and cultivating a durable moss mat, a rock wool mat having front and back surfaces is used as a medium, and moss seeds are sown on the surface side to grow moss plants, and a moss mat cultivation method is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the humidification or dehumidification of the seed moss is not performed at the appropriate timing, making it difficult to expect the seed moss to grow smoothly and efficiently.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a moss cultivation medium, a method for setting up a moss cultivation medium, a workpiece, a growing medium on which plants are planted, and a method for constructing a moss cultivation medium, which enable the moss to grow smoothly and efficiently by humidifying or releasing moisture to the seed moss at an appropriate timing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The moss cultivation medium according to the present invention is characterized by being formed by a combination of a hygroscopic nonwoven fabric and perlite particles.

[0008] This moss cultivation medium is made by dispersing perlite particles between a pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics, with the outer surface of one of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics serving as the application surface, moss seeds being scattered on the outer surface of the other hygroscopic nonwoven fabric, and the inner surfaces of each hygroscopic nonwoven fabric being welded together.

[0009] It is preferable that the aforementioned moisture-absorbing nonwoven fabric also possesses a moisture-releasing function.

[0010] It is preferable that the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric absorbs or releases moisture in accordance with the surrounding environment.

[0011] It is preferable that the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric has moisture absorption performance such that it absorbs 70% or more of moisture within 5 hours in an environment of 30°C and 90%RH, and moisture release performance such that it absorbs 20% or less of moisture within 5 hours in an environment of 20°C and 50%RH. This ensures that moisture is added or removed from the moss seed at the appropriate time, allowing for the healthy and efficient growth of the moss seed.

[0012] The perlite particles should be perlite from perlite rock, and their particle size should be between 1 and 3 mm. If the particle size is less than 1 mm, the water retention will be insufficient, and if the particle size exceeds 3 mm, the flexibility as a moss cultivation medium will be impaired.

[0013] Furthermore, the method for setting up the moss cultivation medium of the present invention is characterized by adjusting the moisture absorption and / or moisture release performance of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric of the moss cultivation medium.

[0014] The moss cultivation medium is preferably formed by dispersing perlite particles between a pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics, with one of the outer surfaces of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics serving as the application surface, moss seeds being scattered on the outer surface of the other hygroscopic nonwoven fabric, and the inner surfaces of each hygroscopic nonwoven fabric being welded together.

[0015] The object to which the moss cultivation medium of the present invention has been applied is characterized in that the moss cultivation medium has been applied to a flat and / or inclined surface and / or vertical and / or curved surface.

[0016] The object to be constructed may be a building.

[0017] The planting medium of the present invention is characterized in that the moss cultivation medium of the present invention is placed over the upper surface of the planting medium so as to cover the medium.

[0018] The method for constructing the moss cultivation medium of the present invention is characterized by attaching the moss cultivation medium of the present invention to a structure using an adhesive.

[0019] Furthermore, the method for constructing the moss cultivation medium of the present invention is characterized by fixing the moss cultivation medium of the present invention by inserting pins, and then scattering fine sand and / or mud between the moss seed stalks of the fixed moss cultivation medium.

[0020] In addition, the method for constructing the moss cultivation medium of the present invention is characterized in that after preparing a medium by planting moss seeds in the moss cultivation medium, it is allowed to settle, and during the curing period until new shoots emerge, it is grown in a facility with adjusted humidity (water spray function) and / or light (plant lighting fixture) and / or wind (equipment with gentle breeze blowing) and / or temperature, and then transferred to the required outdoor location.

[0021] According to the moss cultivation medium of the present invention, by storing rainwater between the hygroscopic non-woven fabric and the perlite particles, the water stored on sunny days rises as water vapor to moisten the moss. The welding between the inner surfaces of each of the hygroscopic non-woven fabrics can be ultrasonic welding.

[0022] Also, a mesh sheet may be attached to at least one of the front and back surfaces of the hygroscopic non-woven fabric. As a result, since the hygroscopic non-woven fabric is reinforced, a moss mat can be cultivated in a roll shape with the side of the moss plant facing inward and the opposite side with the mesh sheet attached facing outward. With this moss mat, a large-area moss mat can be compactly bundled, and when laying a moss mat over a large area, it can be easily laid by simply spreading the compactly bundled moss mat, thus significantly reducing the workload

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, there are provided a moss cultivation medium capable of improving the efficiency of moss cultivation and enabling smooth and efficient growth of moss seeds, a method for setting the moss cultivation medium, a structure to be constructed, a medium for planting plants, and a method for constructing the moss cultivation medium.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view showing a moss cultivation medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an explanatory view showing the characteristics of the moss cultivation medium of FIGURE 1. [Figure 3] It is another explanatory view showing the characteristics of the moss cultivation medium of FIGURE 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the moss cultivation medium according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a moss mat, or moss cultivation medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The moss mat 1, or moss cultivation medium 1, is used by laying it out to green parks, rooftops, roofs, slopes, walls, etc. The moss cultivation medium 1 is made by dispersing perlite particles 3 between a pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2, with the outer surface 2a of one of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2 serving as the application surface, and seed moss 4 being scattered on the other outer surface 2b of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2, and the space between the inner surfaces of each hygroscopic nonwoven fabric being an ultrasonically welded section 5.

[0027] Here, the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 is manufactured using fibers that attract moisture from the air and store it within the fibers, absorbing a large amount of moisture in a wide range of environments from low to high humidity, as shown in Figure 2. An example of such fibers is Bell Oasis (registered trademark), manufactured and sold by Teijin Frontier Limited, which has the hygroscopic properties shown in Figure 2. Such fibers have the following characteristics. (1) High moisture absorption capacity As shown in Figure 2, it exhibits a moisture absorption rate of approximately 150% at 20°C and 95% RH. It has particularly high moisture absorption capacity under high humidity conditions (65% RH or higher). (2) As shown in Figure 2, it also has moisture-releasing capabilities at 20°C and 80%RH. Furthermore, the following can be pointed out as characteristics of Bell Oasis. • Excellent moisture absorption and release properties It has approximately seven times the moisture absorption capacity of cotton and approximately twice that of type B silica gel. • Rapid water intake Its large surface area allows for quick water absorption, and it does not easily lose moisture even under pressure. • Excellent flame retardancy It has excellent flame retardancy, meaning it does not easily burn. • High deodorizing performance It has particularly strong deodorizing properties against ammonia and can be reused repeatedly by drying in the sun. • Long-lasting performance Its performance does not deteriorate even after repeated water absorption and moisture absorption. It is lightweight, flexible, and has a supple texture. • Excellent durability It has high light resistance and its water absorption performance does not decrease due to light. It is also resistant to various organic solvents (acetone, benzene, alcohol, etc.). • Excellent heat resistance It has heat resistance of over 150°C, and its water absorption and moisture absorption performance does not deteriorate due to heat. • Environmentally friendly It has a low calorific value when burned (4200 cal / g) and is easy to incinerate. Furthermore, Bell Oasis offers the following safety features. • Acute oral toxicity: LD50 ≥ 2000 mg / kg • Acute skin irritation: No irritation • Acute eye irritation: No irritation ·Skin sensitization: negative Mutagenicity: Negative ·Skin corrosion: Semi-negative

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 can quickly absorb a large amount of moisture under high humidity conditions and quickly release moisture under low humidity conditions, and has the following characteristics. (1) It absorbs and releases moisture according to the surrounding environment. (2) High moisture absorption and release rate (3) The amount of moisture absorbed can be controlled by the design. In other words, as shown in Figure 3, the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 has moisture absorption performance that results in a moisture absorption rate of 70% or more within 5 hours in an environment of 30°C and 90%RH, and moisture release performance that results in a moisture absorption rate of 20% or less within 5 hours in an environment of 20°C and 50%RH.

[0029] The igneous rock that is the raw material for perlite particles 3 has the property of rapidly evaporating its water content when heated to high temperatures, causing it to expand several to tens of times its original volume. This expansion creates many cavities inside. Because perlite particles 3 have many of these cavities, they are porous, and these cavities serve as pathways for air and water.

[0030] Perlite, the material for perlite particles 3, is lava erupted by volcanic activity. This lava, erupted by volcanic activity, rapidly solidifies in water or other environments, forming a glassy rock. There are two types of perlite: obsidian perlite and perlite made from perlite rock. Obsidian perlite is characterized by its slightly rounded and smooth appearance. It has a low moisture content and excellent water permeability, improving soil drainage when mixed into the soil. On the other hand, perlite made from perlite rock has a rough surface and smaller grains compared to obsidian perlite. Because it has a high moisture content, the grains break down when it foams, allowing water to penetrate deep into the grains. This allows it to retain water efficiently. This indicates that obsidian perlite has excellent drainage properties, while perlite made from perlite rock has excellent water retention properties.

[0031] In this embodiment, "perlite from perlite rock" was used for the perlite particles 3, and particles with a size of approximately 1 to 3 mm were used. This "perlite" itself can efficiently absorb and retain a large amount of rainwater and moisture from the atmosphere, and when the surrounding environment begins to dry out, it then starts to release the water it has held and stored as water vapor (moisture) onto the moss laid on the surface of the growing medium.

[0032] Unlike other plants, mosses absorb water and grow through their leaves, not their roots. Therefore, a growing medium with a high water content contributes to good moss growth. In this embodiment, a moss cultivation medium 1 is formed by combining a hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 and perlite particles 3. When it rains on the medium, the combined functions of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 and perlite particles 3 allow the moss cultivation medium 1 to absorb water, enabling it to hold and retain a large amount of water and moisture.

[0033] On the other hand, in response to changes in the surrounding temperature and humidity, it releases the absorbed and retained water as water vapor. This process is repeated in response to changes in environmental conditions. This allows the moss to continuously receive moisture and humidity. Therefore, even if there are many days without rain during the hot summer months, watering the moss by humans will be mostly unnecessary or require only very little water. This promotes the growth of the moss and contributes to its vibrant appearance.

[0034] Furthermore, since both the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 and perlite particles 3, which serve as the moss cultivation medium 1, are lightweight, it will be possible to lay lush green moss on building rooftops and other areas without placing a heavy weight burden on the buildings, which has become a concern in recent years as a countermeasure against the urban heat island effect in large cities such as Tokyo.

[0035] Furthermore, during the cold winter months, the moss is placed on top of the moisture-absorbing nonwoven fabric 2. Due to the insulating effect and flexibility of the nonwoven fabric itself, the moss can survive in a dormant state even near freezing temperatures, and thanks to the unique properties of moss, it can wait for spring without disappearing.

[0036] Moss, by its very nature, requires moisture. However, if left completely submerged in excess water, decay will progress. On the other hand, if it dries out for a long period of time, it will deteriorate and lose its beautiful green color.

[0037] In this embodiment, the moss cultivation medium 1 is mainly composed of a hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 characterized by its water absorption, water retention, and moisture release properties, so the moss 4 is not completely submerged in water. Furthermore, the moss cultivation medium 1 of this embodiment employs a structure in which perlite particles 3 are dispersed and sandwiched between a pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2, and the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 itself is made with a thickness of 1.5 mm. As a result, the total thickness of the pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2 is 3 mm. The total volume of the pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2 obtained by this thickness provides the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 with sufficient water absorption, water retention, and water release capabilities. Furthermore, the top side of the pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2 may be made 1.5 mm thick, and the bottom side 3.5 mm thick, resulting in a total thickness of 5 mm. In this case, if the thickness of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 is less than 1.5 mm, the water absorption, water retention, and water release capabilities of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 will be insufficient. On the other hand, if the thickness of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 exceeds 3.5 mm, the water absorption, water retention, and water release capabilities of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 will be excessive.

[0038] Furthermore, the pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2 themselves are nonwoven fabrics and therefore possess high flexibility. Consequently, the moss cultivation medium 1 has excellent conformability to the application surface. This conformability allows for installation not only on flat surfaces but also on vertical and curved surfaces. In this case, perlite particles 3 are sandwiched between a pair of moisture-absorbing nonwoven fabrics 2, so when applying the moss cultivation medium 1 to the application surface, a buffering effect is obtained from the perlite particles 3.

[0039] One of the characteristics of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 is its flexibility. If a person walks on the moss cultivation medium 1, the weight of the person could cause the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2 to sink, releasing the water it has absorbed like a water gun and splashing onto the person walking on the medium. However, a separate, rigid perlite particle 3, with a thickness of 1-3 mm, is sandwiched between the hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics 2. This thickness absorbs the sinking energy caused by the weight of the person walking on the moss cultivation medium 1, thus suppressing the sinking. As a result of suppressing the sinking of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric 2, less water is splashed onto the person walking on the moss cultivation medium 1, and even if some water is splashed, the force of the splash is suppressed.

[0040] Furthermore, since both the nonwoven moisture-absorbing nonwoven fabric 2 and the perlite particles 3 are flame-retardant, even if someone carelessly discards a lit cigarette butt onto the moss cultivation medium 1, a fire can be prevented. Also, when Bell Oasis is applied to the moisture-absorbing nonwoven fabric 2, the ammonia-resistant properties of the fabric itself can suppress the effects of dog, cat, and bird droppings.

[0041] [Examples of application] The following describes an example of the application of the moss cultivation medium 1 of this embodiment. (1) Cover the top surface of the soil or sand used for growing houseplants in pots, planters, etc., with a new layer of moss growing medium 1. In this case, fern moss is mainly suitable. This prevents weeds from growing around houseplants in pots, planters, etc., improves environmental hygiene, enhances aesthetics, and reduces the frequency of watering. (2) Moss cultivation medium 1 is used as a countermeasure against the heat island effect on building rooftops. Sand moss, which is mainly resistant to drought, is suitable. (3) Moss cultivation medium 1 is used to enhance the aesthetics of gardens, suppress weeds, and mitigate high temperatures, contributing to the supply of clean air. Japanese cedar moss and fern moss are mainly suitable.

[0042] [Construction method] Construction methods vary greatly depending on the installation site. When the installation surface is a hard surface such as concrete or a steel plate, the moss cultivation medium 1 is attached using an adhesive such as a water-resistant and weather-resistant bond. In this case, since the moss cultivation medium 1 is lightweight, it can also be attached to vertical surfaces of structures.

[0043] On sandy or muddy ground, the moss cultivation medium 1 is fixed in place by inserting pins or similar means. At the same time, it is also possible to use a method in which fine sand or mud is placed over the seed moss 4 on the fixed moss cultivation medium 1, so that the seed moss 4 is slightly hidden between the seed moss 4.

[0044] [Examples] We actually carried out outdoor construction using moss cultivation medium 1. After preparing the cultivation medium by planting moss seed 4 in moss cultivation medium 1, it took about one month for the moss to establish itself and for new shoots to emerge, and three months for it to grow fully. (Measured values) Therefore, the plants were not moved outdoors during that period. At least during that time, they were grown in a controlled environment with appropriate humidity (water spray function), light (plant lighting fixtures), airflow (equipped to provide a gentle breeze), and temperature, such as indoors, as a curing period. It was later moved to a required location outdoors. In this process, the moss cultivation medium 1 was applied not only to flat surfaces but also to vertical and curved surfaces. The buffering effect of the perlite particles 3 made it easy to apply the moss cultivation medium 1 to the surfaces, and the moss grew well on each surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1…Moss cultivation medium 1, 2…Moisture-absorbing nonwoven fabric, 3…Perlite particles, 4…Moss seed, 5…Ultrasonic welding part.

Claims

1. A moss cultivation medium characterized by being formed by a combination of a hygroscopic nonwoven fabric and perlite particles.

2. The moss cultivation medium according to claim 1, comprising perlite particles dispersed between a pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics, wherein the outer surface of one of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics is the application surface, moss seeds are scattered on the outer surface of the other hygroscopic nonwoven fabric, and the inner surfaces of each hygroscopic nonwoven fabric are welded together.

3. The moss cultivation medium according to claim 1, wherein the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric has a moisture-releasing function.

4. The moss cultivation medium according to claim 1, wherein the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric absorbs or releases moisture in accordance with the surrounding environment.

5. The moss cultivation medium according to claim 1, wherein the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric has a moisture absorption performance that allows it to absorb 70% or more moisture within 5 hours in an environment of 30°C and 90% RH, and a moisture release performance that allows it to absorb 20% or less moisture within 5 hours in an environment of 20°C and 50% RH.

6. The moss cultivation medium according to claim 1, wherein the perlite particles are perlite from perlite rock, and their particle size is 1 to 3 mm.

7. A method for setting up a moss cultivation medium, characterized by adjusting the moisture absorption and / or moisture release performance of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabric of the moss cultivation medium described in claim 1.

8. The method for setting up a moss cultivation medium according to claim 7, wherein the moss cultivation medium is made by dispersing perlite particles between a pair of hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics, the outer surface of one of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics is used as the application surface, moss seeds are scattered on the outer surface of the other hygroscopic nonwoven fabric, and the inner surfaces of each of the hygroscopic nonwoven fabrics are welded together.

9. A workpiece to which the moss cultivation medium described in claim 1 has been applied, characterized in that the moss cultivation medium has been applied to a flat and / or inclined surface and / or vertical and / or curved surface.

10. The work to be constructed according to claim 9, which is a building.

11. A planting medium characterized by covering the upper surface of the growing medium on which the plants are planted with the moss cultivation medium described in claim 1 so as to cover the growing medium.

12. A method for constructing a moss cultivation medium, characterized by attaching the moss cultivation medium described in claim 1 to a structure with an adhesive.

13. A method for constructing a moss cultivation medium, characterized by fixing the moss cultivation medium described in claim 1 by inserting pins, and scattering fine sand and / or mud between the moss seed stalks of the fixed moss cultivation medium.

14. A method for constructing a moss cultivation medium according to claim 1, characterized in that, after preparing the medium by planting seed moss in the moss cultivation medium, the medium is grown in a facility with controlled humidity (water spray function) and / or light (plant lighting fixture) and / or wind (equipment that blows a gentle breeze) and / or temperature for a curing period until the medium is established and new shoots appear, and then the medium is moved to a required location outdoors.

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