Growth medium for sphagnum moss

Abstract

One object of the present invention is to provide means for readily attaining a large scale cultivation of sphagnum moss under various conditions, in other words, means for establishing a sphagnum field under various conditions. Specifically, the present inventors have found that the above object can be attained through provision of a sphagnum cultivation base having a shape-imparted, aggregated mass of dried sphagnum and one or more units of live sphagnum whose stem portions have been aligned in bunch(es), such that the bunch(es) of live sphagnum stem is/are in contact with the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum , that the growth point of of live sphagnum is substantially exposed from the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum , and that the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is capable of being brought into contact with water of a water basin, and through construction of a system on the basis of the base. The present invention can considerably contribute to environmental improvements, since, in particular, the present invention can grow sphagnum having a remarkable carbon dioxide fixation capacity.

1 . A  sphagnum  cultivation base comprising a shape-imparted, aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  and one or more units of live  sphagnum , each of said unit(s) is a bunch of live  sphagnum  whose stems are bunched, the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  being in contact with the bunched stems of live  sphagnum , a growth point of the live  sphagnum  being substantially exposed outside the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum , and the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  being maintained under condition that permit contact with water of a water basin.  
   
   
       2 . The  sphagnum  cultivation base as described in  claim 1 , wherein the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  is given a shape by a binder component containing at least paper fiber.  
   
   
       3 . The  sphagnum  cultivation base as described in  claim 1 , wherein the shape-imparted, aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  has a depression, one or more unit(s) of the bunched stems of live  sphagnum  are inserted into the depression under compressed condition, and a growth point of the live  sphagnum  is substantially exposed from the depression of the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum.    
   
   
       4 . The  sphagnum  cultivation base as described in  claim 1 , wherein the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  is given a shape by being fitted into a depression provided in a support.  
   
   
       5 . The  sphagnum  cultivation base as described in  claim 4 , wherein the depression provided in the support is a through hole that penetrates the support.  
   
   
       6 . The  sphagnum  cultivation base as described in  claim 4 , wherein the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  is substantially exposed at the bottom of the cultivation base.  
   
   
       7 . A  sphagnum  cultivation method, comprising 
 preparing a  sphagnum  cultivation base as described in  claim 1 ,    wetting the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  by bringing the mass into contact with the water of the water basin, while maintaining a growth point of a live  sphagnum  plant at a point above the water surface of the water basin, and    supplying the water that permeates the aggregated mass to wet the dried  sphagnum  to live  sphagnum , to thereby nurture the live  sphagnum.      
   
   
       8 . The  sphagnum  cultivation method as described in  claim 7 , wherein the contact between the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  and the water of the water basin is achieved by installation of the  sphagnum  cultivation base in the water basin.  
   
   
       9 . The  sphagnum  cultivation method as described in  claim 7 , wherein the contact between the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  and the water of the water basin is achieved by means of a mechanism which permits the  sphagnum  cultivation base to be placed above the bottom of the water basin.  
   
   
       10 . The  sphagnum  cultivation method as described in  claim 7 , wherein the contact between the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  and the water of the water basin is achieved by means of a mechanism making use of a buoyant force to thereby float the  sphagnum  cultivation base in the vicinity of water surface.  
   
   
       11 . The  sphagnum  cultivation method as described in  claim 7 , wherein the  sphagnum  cultivation base has a flat and/or curved surface which extends substantially continuously from the opening, on the live  sphagnum  side, of a depression provided in an aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  or a depression provided in a support, to thereby propagate live  sphagnum  on the flat and/or curved surface.  
   
   
       12 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . The  sphagnum  cultivation method as described in  claim 11 , wherein the flat and/or curved surface which extends substantially continuously from the opening is a flat and/or curved surface which can be added later on.  
   
   
       18 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . An addition component for providing an add-on flat and/or curved surface which is used in a  sphagnum  cultivation method as described in  claim 11 , which component further provides an additional add-on flat and/or curved surface by being fixed, in a contacting manner, to an outer extension of a member defining a first flat and/or curved surface which extends substantially continuously from the opening, on the live  sphagnum  side, of a depression provided in the aggregated mass of dried  sphagnum  or a depression provided in a support, whereby said additional add-on flat and/or curved surface forms a continuous flat and/or curved surface extending from the first flat and/or curved surface.  
   
   
       23 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 .  Sphagnum  obtained by the  sphagnum  cultivation method as described in  claim 11.