METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GROWING AND HARVESTING LIVING ORGANISMS

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for growing and harvesting living organisms, including plants such as vegetable produce. The method and apparatus have particular utility in the hydroponics industry in which plants are grown in a nutrient solution. The method comprises the steps of providing an enclosed, top-openable growing chamber having limited free space and being suitable for receiving a removable structure supporting the living organisms; exposing the living organisms in the chamber to a growth-inducing nutrient solution for a period sufficient to induce substantial growth in the living organisms under the conditions maintained in the chamber; substantially continuously removing a portion of the nutrient solution from the chamber, restoring the nutrient quality thereof and recycling the restored nutrient solution to the chamber; controlling the temperature within the chamber by substantially continuously flowing a temperature-controlled liquid through the chamber in exposed passages isolated from the living organisms and nutrient solution; maintaining a growth-inducing atmosphere in the chamber; and periodically opening the chamber and removing the removable structure through the top thereof for further processing of the living organisms supported thereby.