Abstract: A germinating unit (1) includes at least one seed (3) as well as additives. The germinating unit includes a carrier material (2) penetrable by a root tip (4) and/or a sprout (5) extending from the seed. The carrier material (2) can fix the orientation of the seed. Several germinating units can be joined to form a seed tape (6). The seed tape includes a longitudinal tissue (7). The carrier material portions (2a, 2b, 2c) cover or include their respective seed(s) (3a, 3b, 3c). When the seed(s) have been inserted in the carrier material through a cut in said carrier material or through insertion of a tube therein, said seed(s) maintain(s) its/their position relative to the germinating unit because said carrier material squeezes about or retains said seed(s).

Abstract: A medium based on rice hull material useful as support for germination and plant growth has been developed. Such material which is effectively devoid of allelopathic substances can be used alone or as an additive. Following, it provides a basis for non-soil germination and plant growth media which are a light material and non-expensive.

Abstract: A seed tape including successively arranged germinating units (1a, 1b, 1c) is made of at least one carrier strip (2) as well as at least one layer (3) of biodegradable, gas-permeable material placed on said carrier strip. Each germinating unit (1a, 1b, 1c) includes a mixture of carrier (7), at least one additive (8) and optionally an adjuvant(s) (9) in addition to one or more seeds (10). The layer (3) of biodegradable, gas-permeable material is flexible and non-woven. The additive or additives (8) are water-absorbing. In this manner the seed tape is particularly suited for being subjected to a pregermination procedure because it possesses a very high capacity of retaining water without disintegrating.

Abstract: A zigzag folded tape is used for joining germinating units that contain seeds or the like-growth-suited parts of a plant. In addition to a seed or the above parts of a plant, the germinating units comprise a mixture of a carrier and additives with water-absorbing substances. The tape is placed edgewise in a germinating box (7). Then the germinating box (7) is placed in an irrigation room (21) associated with the germinating assembly (15). The irrigation room (21) comprises a support (18) for the germinating boxes. The germinating boxes are soaked in successive irrigation periods interrupted by breaks. The soaking is stopped when the tape is saturated with water and the water drips heavily from the bottom side of the germinating box. The germinating box (7) is then moved with the tape to the germinating room (23) associated with the germinating assembly (15), in which it is subjected to a climate necessary for an optimum germination, viz. climatic conditions such as temperature, moisture and light conditions.

Abstract: A machine for bedding out seed or plant tapes includes a frame (4), where a bedding out unit (2) provided with a plough member (6) is mounted on said frame. The plough member is associated with a conveyor (9) with continuous belts. The bedding out unit is furthermore provided with a supporting plate (13) for a supply container (14) for seed or plant tapes (3) to be bedded out. The plough member (6) of the bedding out unit (2) is of a U-shaped cross section, and at the top the U-shaped cross section includes stabilising webs (7a, 7b). The plough member (6) is of a length (6) of at least approximately 30 cm and a width (b) across the U of 15 to 40 mm. The conveyor of the plough member (6) is a very inclined main conveyor (9) with two continuous conveyor belts (10, 11) arranged close to one another, but with a mutual adjustable distance (a). The main conveyor (9) extends across a major portion of the length (L) of the plough member (6).

Abstract: A mixture of a carrier, a binder and additives is used for germinating units containing seeds or the like growth-suited parts of a plant, and the units are available either separately or coherently in form of seed or plant tapes. The carrier comprises one or more substances selected from the group consisting of vermiculite, perlite, zeolite, cellulose materials, burned clay, rock wool or the like substances. The binder comprises polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol or other plant-compatible binders, such as water or water-containing polysaccharides or mixtures thereof. The additives comprise plant protecting agents, plant nutrients, surfactants, water-absorbing substances, water-carrying substances and other additives with favourable effects on germination and plant growth.

Abstract: A seed tape (1) includes successively arranged germinating units (2a, 2b, 2c) made of a planar material. These germinating units are coherent or secured to a carrier strip (3) of at least one layer of biodegradable material. Each germinating unit (2a, 2b, 2c) is intended to be bedded out in the ground (12) or a growth substrate and includes a mixture of carrier (7), at least one additive (9) and optionally adjuvants (8) in addition to one or more seeds (6). The additive or additives (9) include water-absorbing materials, such as superabsorbing polymers. Each germinating unit (2a, 2b, 2c) is provided with at least one narrow zone (5) of water-repellent material across its surface adjacent or at least up to the upper edge of said unit. The material of the narrow zone penetrates the planar material of the germinating unit (2a, 2b, 2c) throughout the entire thickness thereof.

Abstract: A packed tape (1) comprises a folded tape (2) and a package (3) preferably made of plastic film. The tape (2) is zigzag folded into an oblong stack in such a manner that some (2a) of the bendings of the tape flush with the ends of the stack whereas the remaining bendings (2b) are positioned at varying distances therefrom. The resulting tape, especially a seed tape, is suited for being pulled out through a dispensing opening in a germinating box on a bedding machine.

Abstract: A tape (1) with germinating units (9) comprising growth-suited parts of a plant, such as seeds, meristems or the like parts (10), which are able to develop into plants in the tape (1).The tape and the germinating units comprise at least one or two, respectively, biodegradable material layers (2, 4), such as paper, and are suited for a mechanical bedding out with the plants vertically arranged in a furrow in the ground. The tape (1) comprises furthermore a mixture (5) of a carrier (12) and additives permanently or loosely bound to said carrier in each germinating unit (9). The additives are suited for protecting the plant (10) against undesired effects and for controlling the moisture conditions about the plant and the development and growth of said plant in the tape (1).

Abstract: Seed tape (1) for a controlled germinating process is made of at least two paper layers (1′ and 1″) and is intended to be used while placed edgewise. Each germinating unit includes a seed (5), additives (6) and a carrier (8). Each germinating unit (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is formed as a planar member. The longitudinal axis of each planar member extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tape. The additives are places in discrete locations around the seed. The seed, the additives and the carrier are adhered to the inner face of at least one paper layer (1′), which is air-permeable. A narrow stripe (10) of water-absorbing, super-absorbing polymer (SAP) is placed on the adhesive layer of at least one paper layer (1′ or 1″). The resulting seed tape is particularly suited for providing a controlled moist microclimate around the seeds during a two-step germinating process.

Abstract: A combined carrier and transport unit is open at the top and has a perforated bottom. The unit is made of sheet material and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. The bottom of the U forms the bottom wall of the unit and the two sides of the U form side supporting walls for a seed tape that can be folded and placed edgewise on the bottom wall. Connecting members are provided in the transition area between the bottom wall and each side supporting wall. These connecting members can be bent outwards and downwards so that the side walls and the bottom wall are on the same level when the unit is not in use, and can be bent upwards when the unit is in use. The resulting unit is very light, and in the empty piled state it requires very little room.

Abstract: A germinating unit for germination of seeds comprises two material layers (2, 3) of paper and a seed (4) placed between said two material layers. A mixture (5) of a carrier and additives is placed between the material layers, said additives being permanently or loosely bound to said carrier by means of a binder. The seed (4) and the mixture (5) are bound to at least one of the material layers (2, 3). The two material layers are interconnected preferably at their rim portions (1′) by being glued or pressed together by way of stamping. A germinating tape can be formed by means of a row of coherent germinating units. As a result the germinating unit and the germinating tape are produced in a very simple an cost-saving manner, and furthermore it is very environmentally acceptable. In addition, the germination can be efficiently controlled, and it is easy to mechanically bed out the germinating unit in the soil at a desired interval and a desired depth.

Abstract: In a method of hydroponical growing of plants, a drip irrigation pipe having outlets disposed along the length thereof is inserted between a pair of flatwise juxtaposed layers of water-impervious material of an apparatus alongside a first closed longitudinal edge thereof. The apparatus including the supply pipe is suspended with said first closed longitudinal edge along a suspension means placed at a substantially horizontal level. Roots of plants are inserted in between said two layers downstreams of said outlets and with the stems extending through throughcuts in one of said two layers. Nutrient solution is fed through said supply pipe and outlets and guided to the roots of each plant and is quickly percolated through said roots and collected below the roots for recirculation or discharge thereof.

Abstract: In a tape or packaged tape provided along the length thereof with pockets disposed transversely to the tape and with a desired spacing, said pockets are containing viable plant material such as seeds, other kinds of sproutable germs, cuttings, meristems, or tissure culture fixed thereto and intended for development into seedlings or bedding plants within the packaged tape before being transplanted as a continuous tape. The pockets comprise two wall-forming layers being fixed to each other at intervals and being adapted to enable the necessary supply and regulation of air and water for the development of the plant material inside the tape without the coexistence of any further growth medium thereabout. One of the layers prevents the roots of the plants from penetrating through said layer, and one of the layers is adapted to allow the roots to penetrate into or adhere to said layer, thereby securing the plants inside the pockets. The pockets are open at the top and bottom thereof.

Abstract: In a tape or packaged tape provided along the length thereof with pockets disposed transversely to the tape and with a desired spacing, said pockets being open at the top and the bottom and containing plants such as seedlings and beddingplants ready for transplantation together with the pockets as a continuous tape. The tape including the pockets and the plants is quite flat and bendable, windable spirally and foldable flat upon itself into a package. The pockets comprise two wall-forming thin layers of material fixed to each other at intervals and being adapted for the supply and regulation of the air and water necessary for the development and growth of the plants inside the packaged tape without the coexistence of any further growth medium thereabout.

Abstract: An apparatus for transplanting the tape comprises a share (1) for providing a slot opening in the soil, a holding device (24, 25) for one or several packages (26) of tape (27), and elevationally adjusting members, leading members and guide members (33, 34) for the tape, as well as members (15, 16) for pushing together and pressing down the soil around the tape. The share (1) is substantially V-shaped, open to the rear and preferably elevationally adjustable. The guide member (33) is an obliquely forwardly turned guide rod (33) rising from the share (1) or one or several inclined rollers. The holding device (24, 25) comprises a plate-shaped substratum (25) for the package. The elevationally adjusting members are members for adjusting the course of the tape, in particular its angle position, in relation to the guide member (33). The leading means leads the tape from the package to its contact with the guide member (33).

Abstract: A germinator is formed by locating a plastic sheet cover around a textile material, preferably plant-"Fibertex".RTM., being in contact with a seed, a sprout or a cutting.As a consequence of its distinct capillary effect the textile material ensures the sufficient amount of moisture during the beginning germination of a seed, and after bedding out of the germinated plant the surrounding plastic sheet cover protects the root or the roots against drying up for the first few days after the bedding out.