NEREA® begins with the naturally-occurring mineral clinoptilolite zeolite. To transform clinoptilolite zeolite into a complete “zeoponic” plant-growing medium, the zeolites network of interconnected tunnels and cages is treated and modified, loading it with nitrogen and potassium and combining it with other compounds containing phosphorous, and calcium – the ‘major nutrients’ – as well as a complete suite of minor and trace nutrients. The zeolite acts as a reservoir for the nutrients which are slowly released ‘on demand’.
Indeed, the plant itself does the regulating (“dispensing”) of the nutrients as it needs them. With only the addition of water, into the “solid-state” growth medium, plants will grow in the zeoponic medium for what can be multiple growth cycles. No complex system of circulation, pumping, dosing, level-monitoring, measurement & testing, etc. with all the potential for infection, leaks, clogging, mold, algae – is needed.
NEREA® has been functionalized – altered chemically – by a series of proprietary treatments, to create unique bonding sites – like customized “docking ports” at specific junctions in its crystalline structure, for the various macro- and micro- nutrients to adhere to with a chemical bond.
