Abstract: A self watering system to water the roots of the vegetation with condensate from ground moisture collected within a condensate enclosure comprising an outer substantially vertical peripheral wall, an inner substantially vertical wall and an upper wall having at least two substantially flat sections inclined relative to each other and intersecting the upper portion of the outer substantially vertical wall and the upper portion of the inner substantially vertical wall at different angles each of less than ninety degrees to cooperatively form the condensate enclosure to collect moisture from the ground on the inner surface of the substantially flat sections to allow the moisture to condense into droplets to provide water to roots of the vegetation within the condensate enclosure.

Abstract: Blackberries are grown so that an additional blackberry crop can be harvested after the normal blackberry growing season has ended. During the normal growing season a distal portion of a blackberry plant is rooted in a planting medium. After the conclusion of the growing season the distal portion is severed from the original plant so that the distal portion is independent form the original plant. After subjecting the distal portion to a chilling period, the distal portion is moved to a warmer climate (or simply warmed) and thereby produces a second harvest of blackberries in the off-season months of December to May.

Abstract: A yoke for a rotary wing aircraft rotor system has a plurality of arms, each arm having a root. Each root has a notched portion configured to allow passage of a portion of a blade-pitch control system through the notched portion.

Abstract: Compressed coconut coir pith granules having unique physical and horticultural characteristics are provided along with methods for producing such compressed products by subjecting coconut coir pith to compaction utilizing a roll compactor and subsequently granulating the compacted material.

Abstract: A compressed wafer mulch, the compressed wafer mulch including corn stover fibers, paper fibers, compost or a mixture thereof, and a method of making the same.

Abstract: A stake for insertion in soil to support an item such as a plant. The stake includes primary and secondary telescoping shafts and a foot adjustably secured to the primary shaft. The primary shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is configured for insertion into the soil at a first location. The foot has a supporting protrusion for insertion into the soil at a second location removed from the first location. Retractable ties are disposed within the secondary shaft and may be extended to support a plant. An adjustable collar may provide an anchor point for additional support.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a technology capable of planting seedlings in soil in planting ground such as dry land and allowing the seedling to root securely and grow without artificially supplying water continuously. Not only is a seedling fixed inside an upper opening portion of a tube having a length to a deep water-containing layer in the planting ground but also a growing medium is put inside the tube at a hardness that allows the root of the seedling to grow long downward, and the root of the seedling is allowed to grow below the tube, thereby obtaining the seedling having a long root. A vertical hole having approximately the same diameter as that of the tube is dug in the ground of the planting ground until reaching a soil layer having water quality and water quantity necessary for growth of plant, the seedling having the long root is buried in the vertical hole together with the tube, thereby planting the seedling in the planting ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recipient for containing moist substrate, which recipient comprises a flexible polymer wall having an outer surface and at least one gas exchanging membrane, which gas exchanging membrane is hermetically sealed to the outer surface of the flexible polymer wall along a sealing line. The sealing line defining a hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The flexible polymer wall comprises at least one aperture, being provided in this hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The recipient further comprises a means for creating an air chamber circumscribed by the hermetically sealed area and the gas exchanging membrane, for preventing moist substrate to contact the gas exchange membrane when the recipient is filled with moist substrate.

Abstract: The method of growing a fungal fruiting body requires exposing a mycelium of a desired organism type to environmental conditions sufficient to induce fruiting of fungal primordium in the organism type followed by enclosing the fungal primordium within a mold of a designated shape representing a near net shape volume of a desired final product. The fungal primordium is allowed to grow and fill the mold to form a mass of fungal tissue equivalent in shape to the designated shape of the mold after which the mass of fungal tissue is removed from the mold and dried.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an automated seed sampler system that includes a milling station for removing at least a portion of seed coat material from a seed and a sampling station for extracting a sample of seed material from the seed where the seed coat has been removed. A seed transport subsystem conveys the seed between the milling station and the sampling station and a seed deposit subsystem conveys the seed from the seed transport subsystem to a selected well in a seed tray after the seed has been sampled.

Abstract: A photo-bioreactor module adapted for stacking a plurality of such modules for producing algal bioproducts includes at least an upper and a lower light-transmitting member each having a plurality of openings. The upper and lower light-transmitting members are spaced apart from one another and at least one of the upper and lower light-transmitting members includes at least one light connection terminal for coupling in light from a light source and transmitting the light laterally. A plurality of photobioreactor conduits each extending from respective openings in the upper and lower light-transmitting member define algae containment interior spaces, wherein the plurality of photobioreactor conduits contact the upper and a lower light-transmitting members along areas of contact. The light transmitted laterally by the upper and lower light-transmitting members couples into the plurality of photobioreactor conduits along the areas of contact.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for afforestation of recalcitrant land comprising the steps of preparing multiplicity of vegetation containers made of natural wood and having a thickness of 3-8 mm; growing plant seeds in a soil composition composed of sprouting promoter, rooting promoter, fertilizer and peat moss to obtain plant seedlings; placing the plant seedlings into the multiplicity of vegetation containers and airdropping the multiplicity of vegetation containers containing the plant seedlings onto the recalcitrant land.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for potting plants are disclosed. The system can include a drain shield, a filling material, and a liner for placing between the filling material and a growing medium. In particular embodiments, the filling material comprises expanded polystyrene spheres. The liner is a porous material allowing passage of fluids and preventing passage of substantial amounts of growing medium. The drain shield can include a top wall, at least two supports, at least two bottom walls, and a bottom member having a plurality of openings. The drain shield may include adhesive strips for securing the drain shield to a bottom wall of the container. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for potting a plant in a container having at least one drain hole in a bottom wall of the container.

Abstract: A method of containing a floral grouping or potted plant in a sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve has first and second panels, and at least a portion of at least one of the first and second panels is constructed of at least two layers of material. At least a portion of the at least two layers of material may be connected.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for growing plants in a rotatable, horizontal, drum-like configuration, wherein plants grow inwards towards a centrally located light source, includes plant receiving hollow members each having a recessed slot facing the light source with a plurality of apertures at the base thereof for receiving plant holders and defining, with the outer walls of the hollow member, reservoirs on each side thereof for holding water when the plants are generally inverted.

Abstract: Problem: To provide a method for fungal bed cultivation of a mushroom of a large size having an excellent shape and crunchy texture, a mushroom cutting useful for the fungal bed cultivation method, a culture medium for fungal bed cultivation into which the cutting is transplanted, and a culture medium suitable for fungal bed cultivation. Solution: A method for cultivating a mushroom in a fungal bed comprising a step of transplanting an isolated cutting of the mushroom into a culture medium for fungal bed cultivation, an isolated cutting of a mushroom to be used in the method, and a culture medium for fungal bed cultivation of a mushroom into which the cutting is transplanted.

Abstract: A wrapper for wrapping a flower pot and/or floral grouping. The wrapper is constructed of a sheet of material having an extension attached to a portion of the sheet of material. Preferably the extension has a lace pattern thereon. When the wrapper is formed about a flower pot to form a decorative cover, upper edges of the sheet of material and extension cooperate to form a skirt portion preferably having at least two separate edges providing a “two-sheet” effect in the decorative cover. The wrapper may have extensions on opposing ends of the sheet of material and may having one or more additional overlapping extensions.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting the calyx of a flower of a plant having a lockable stem clip from which extend projections for supporting the calyx of the flower.

Abstract: A display and a method for making the same, comprising a transparent container, a mixture of fluid and superabsorbent polymer, and ornamental items suspended in the mixture such that they are visible from outside the transparent container.

Abstract: An expandable hydroponic growing system comprising a multiple of upper bases, lower bases and bars connecting the bases in a fashion that the upper bases (and lower bases) can be conveniently pulled together or pushed farther apart.