Abstract: Three plant support discs supported by a housing and are rotated so that the intermediate disc is rotated in one direction and the other two discs on either side thereof are rotated in opposite directions so that portions of plants on adjacent discs which overlap one another move in the same direction to cause such portions to gently mesh with one another and avoid damage. A solar cell array provides electrical power for driving an electric motor which in turn drives the discs through a drive train. The discs have projections which pass through slots in gears of the drive train to provide a slidable drive connection between the discs and the gears, while the lower ends of the projections support the discs on a support surface of the housing, thereby minimizing the loading on the gears.

Abstract: An improved plant tray formed of sturdy, injection-molded plastic. The plant tray is a precision-molded grid-like structure, having a series of individual plant cells arranged in side-by-side relationship with each other and having open tops and bottoms. A solid plastic wall separates each plant cell from an adjacent plant cell. Each cell wall has a varying thickness, tapering from a relatively thick top edge to a relatively thin bottom edge, to impart a progressively increasing cross-sectional area to the individual plant cells, from top to bottom. In each cell, there are reinforcing gussets at the corner junctures of adjacent cell walls. A perforated bottom screen retains young plants in the cells and is reinforced by relatively thick plastic runners that form a grid on its lower surface. In the one embodiment, the plant tray includes 432 individual plant cells so that the plant tray is compatible with conventional plant flats having 24, 36, 48, or 72 individual plant receiving cavities.

Abstract: The protector comprises two plastic moldings, fastened together to form a cone around a tree planted in a city avenue. The protector prevents salt from leaching down to the root-ball of the tree, and protects the tree from damage from snow and slush piled around the tree. The protectors are temporary, and the fasteners used can be removed by the authorities, but are of the vandal-resistant type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the cultivation of plants, comprising the following steps:a) placing root containers (2) containing a plant on a cultivation conveyor belt (4),b) allowing the plants (3) cultivated in the root containers to grow on said cultivation conveyor belt whilst the cultivation conveyor belt is stationary,c) using the cultivation conveyor belt to transport the root containers placed on the cultivation conveyor belt to a dispensing point (14), for example when the plants have grown sufficiently or have to be given an intermediate treatment.With this method it is advantageous if the cultivation conveyor belt (4) extends through a tray (1) having raised side walls (5) so that water can be supplied to the tray during step b) without said water flowing away of its own accord. The invention also relates to an installation for application of the method.

Abstract: A landscaping system for minimizing downward penetration of weed roots. A polymer film having upper and lower surfaces and a selected porosity is positioned such that soil is disposed below and contacting the lower surface of the film. Mulch is disposed above the film, and contacts the upper surface of the film. There are projections formed in the film that extend away from the upper surface of the film and toward the mulch. The projections have a frustro-conical shape, or in other words are shaped like frustra, with sidewalls configured for deflecting roots growing along the film in an upward direction away from the film. The projections terminate at an apex, and are formed on the film at a selected density per unit area of the film. Apertures are formed in the film at the apex of the projections. The apertures have a selected diameter which is sufficiently large to allow passage of liquid water through the film.

Abstract: A Christmas tree stand that enables a user to adjust the vertical alignment of the tree by him/herself. A unique gimbals arrangement is provided that permits adjustment in one plane while the other plane can be fixed. The verticality position is set by merely turning two easily turnable knobs that are tightened against tilt locking plates which are connected to supporting legs that make up the gimbals. Also, the stand has a single bolt attachment mechanism for locking the tree within the stand. A water indicator apparatus that is hung over the side of the stand enables the user to determine the amount of water within the stand without the need for crawling under the tree.

Abstract: A flowerpot, especially for forcing plants while using automatic watering, comprises a pot shell (10), a substantially horizontal bottom (14) having at least one first opening (28) and at least one channel (18), that is open downwardly and comprises a plane top wall (24) at a higher level that the bottom (14) and having at least one second opening (26). In the pot shell (10) there is at least one opening (20) forming an inlet to and an outlet from the channel (18). On the lower side of the pot bottom (14), supporting legs (16) are placed along the pot edge. According to the invention, the flowerpot comprises additional supporting legs (32, 32') extending along at least one section (A, A') of the pot bottom (14), said section with one cad facing a part of the edge of a first opening (28, 28') and with its other end facing a free part of the edge of the pot bottom (14) and/or an end wall of one of the channels (18).

Abstract: An elongated cylinder-like shaped ornamental planter simulated a portion of a tree, naturally formed and found in nature. Extending from the main body of about eighteen inches is a protrusion forming a V-shaped balancing arm simulating a limb smaller in size from the main body. A hollowed body chamber cavity extends the whole length to contain earth and flora. Irregular shaped oval openings are situated along the top of the main body to simulate knot holes. The bottom surface of the main body is smooth and flat containing drain holes for water. The outer surface of the main body includes many irregularly shaped and positioned placed simulated tree-like characteristics. Irregular bark texture covers or surrounds the outer surface and tree-like characteristics. Varied applications of colors give each simulated log or portion of a tree, their own distinctive look.

Abstract: A gravity independent photosynthetic growing system (10) is provided for use in providing an environment conducive to growing plant materials under unusual conditions, such as are encountered in space or in locales isolated from sunlight. The growing system (10) includes a stationary core assembly (26), a rotating drum assembly (28) which is rotated by a motive assembly (30), an enclosing assembly (32), a growth requirements assembly (34) and a control assembly (35). Illumination lamps (42) situated in the central core (20) provide photosynthetic radiation which is transmitted through light transmissive sector walls (52) to be reflected inward from a surrounding cylindrical reflector (64) into growth sectors (50) within which the plants are grown. The growth sectors are adapted to receive seed mats (178), hard shell growth cases (204) and growth bags (188) which provide purchase for the plants.

Abstract: A plant watering container assembly comprising a bottom container section having side and bottom walls defining a water reservoir, and a top container section removably connected to said bottom container section. The top container section includes an integrally formed funnel-shaped section having a side wall extending downwardly toward said reservoir and defining a conical opening for receiving a side wall of a potted plant, and further having an integrally formed annular bottom wall defining at its radially inner edge a central opening through which a watering wick can pass downwardly into the reservoir. In the event the container is tipped or turned, water in the container reservoir is trapped in an annular chamber defined by the wall of the funnel and the top and bottom container sections, thereby precluding water passing outwardly through the central opening of the funnel-shaped section.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a critical level of soil humidity for plants including an external body, a soil recipient container hermetically sealed to the external body so as to receive a soil sample therein, a well positioned within the external body and containing water therein, a pressure cell connected to the well so as to controllably pass water from the well to the soil recipient container, and an air admitting pipe in sealed relationship with the external body. The pressure cell has a preestablished resistance to the passage of water. The soil recipient container has a collecting pipe thereon for passing water into the soil. The air admitting pipe has an end which opens exterior of the external body so as to allow air to pass into the external body. The air admitting pipe communicates with the pressure cell. The air admitting pipe serves to transmit air into the pressure cell when energy in the soil recipient container is higher than the resistance of the pressure cell.

Abstract: An improved landscape fabric is disclosed consisting of a sheet of thermoplastic material in which a plurality of alternating hollow ridges and valleys are formed. Each of the ridges is defined by a pair of upright sidewalls and an interconnecting top. A plurality of spaced apertures are formed through each of the upright walls at its juncture with an adjacent valley, being disposed to permit the flow of water and air therethrough to the underside of the sheet while inhibiting the passage of light therethrough. The improved fabric has extensibility and flexibility during installation, permitting it to conform to the area to be covered without having to be fabric itself.

Abstract: A method of using a paper packing product (10) to store/ship a plant (12) with exposed roots (14). The method comprises the steps of: providing a multitude of narrow, elongated strips of paper material; wetting the paper strips; and packing the paper strips around the exposed roots (14) of a plant (12). In this manner, a root-packed plant is created which comprises a plant with unsoiled roots and a paper packing product packed around the unsoiled roots. Preferably, the paper strips include a plurality of transverse folds against the natural resilience of the material to form a longitudinally compressed strip and these strips are intertwined and interconnected to form a resilient mass. The preferred paper material is untreated thirty pound kraft paper and the strips are approximately 1/8 inch wide and approximately four to six inches long in an unfolded state.

Abstract: A rose cone cover is provided for placement around a rose cone. The rose cone cover contains at least one indicia thereon. The rose cone cover is preferably a clear plastic custom die cut cover which wraps around the rose cone and is secured by suitable fasteners. The rose cone covers are interchangeable such that various indicia can be displayed around the rose cone during the roses' dormant stage. This indicia can be reliant on various holidays or events celebrated during the roses' dormant stage. A plurality of rose cone covers containing a single indicia can be interchanged around the rose cone or a single rose cone cover having a plurality of indicia thereon can be rotatably positioned around the rose cone. Rotation of the rose cone cover having the plurality of the indicia thereon can be achieved either manually or mechanically.

Abstract: A fluid control apparatus is for controlling water supply to a potted plant and has a main valve responsive to weight of the potted plant. The apparatus comprises a main body to support the load of the plant, a valve body adapted to be suspended from a support, and a resilient member cooperating with the main body and valve body to be responsive to load of the plant acting on the main body. A delivery conduit receives water under relatively low pressure and flow of the water is controlled by the main valve. The main valve has a first valve portion, e.g. a valve seat on the valve body, and a second valve portion, e.g. a poppet valve. A valve adjuster, a critical valve area, and water pressure determine actuation of the main valve. Preferably, the main valve closes when load acting on the apparatus is a pre-determined load reflecting weight of the fully watered plant, and as the plant becomes lighter, opening of the valve is delayed to ensure delivery of a relatively large amount of water.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a flower to a Christmas tree includes a container that defines an aperture at an upper end. An attaching mechanism projects from the container and attaches the container to the Christmas tree. The apparatus keeps the flower fresh while attached to the Christmas tree by maintaining a stem of the flower immersed in water that is held in the container.

Abstract: A transplanter(10) for transplanting a plug seedling(G) grown in each cell(14a) of a plug seedling tray(14) to a certain size to a transplanted seedling tray(15) or a pot comprising a plug seedling carrying means(12) for carrying the plug seedling tray(14), a transplanted seedling carrying means(13) spaced at a certain distance from the plug seedling carrying means(12) for carrying the transplanted seedling tray(15) or the pot, a seedling transfer mechanism(30) disposed across the plug seedling carrying means(12) and the transplanted seedling carrying means(13) for transferring the plug seedling from the position above the plug seedling tray(14) to the position above the transplanted seedling tray(15), the seedling transfer mechanism(30) including an endless chain or belt(35) passing above the plug seedling carrying means(12) and the transplanted seedling carrying means(13) and circulating in a plane made at a certain angle with respect to a horizontal plane, the endless chain or belt(35) being provided at it

Abstract: A bio-degradable plant root watering system including a sack having a small opening therein leading into a hollow interior thereof. The sack is positionable beneath a root system of a plant in a hole for planting. An elongated tube is included having an open lower end and an open upper end. The open lower end is removably coupled with the small opening of the sack. The open upper end extends upwardly so as to be elevated above the hole. The tube serves to transport water into the sack for watering the root system of the plant.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.

Abstract: A method of conditioning soil and an organic soil conditioner particularly useful in treating athletic fields derived by drying and grinding plants from the Plantago family. The soil conditioner is applied to the surface of tilled soil and thereafter worked into the soil, deep-watered, allowed to dry and packed. Time-released fertilizer may be included in the soil conditioner if desired.