Abstract: Disclosed is a hydroponic apparatus for culturing edible sprouts mainly including a top cover, a growth lattice, a shoot lattice, a movable flat cutting means, a first net fixing lattice, a movable net, a second net fixing lattice, and a bottom tray for collecting water, each sequentially superposed on one another from top to bottom. When the sprout crop has grown sufficiently, the top cover is placed onto the growth lattice, and the flat cutting means is first inserted into the hydroponic means between the shoot lattice and the first net fixing lattice to cut off the root portions of the sprouts. Then, the movable net, the first and second net fixing lattices, and the bottom tray with the cut root portions are removed and the rest of the culturing is turned upside down. The flat cutting means is then inserted into the slits formed on the top cover to cut off the top portions of the sprouts. The remaining middle portion of the sprouts can be then washed clean and be packed for use later.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the growth of plants in a growing medium that covers a profile. The method comprises the steps of coupling a blower to a network of pipes in the profile and continuously injecting air under pressure therein. The method may include calculating the pore space in the profile and injecting air under pressure into the network of pipes for at least the predetermined time period necessary to fill the pore space. The method may also include pre-cooling the air before it is injected into the network of pipes.

Abstract: A support apparatus having a first mounting element adapted to be mounted on a support, a second mounting element having a structure for receiving at least one work object thereon, and an assembly for interconnecting the first mounting element and the second mounting element to support the structure of the second mounting element in a predetermined attitude relative to the support.

Abstract: A method for topdressing turfgrass on an activity field with only solid elastomeric particles is described. The method produces turfgrass which has enhanced color and health even when there is extensive abrasion of the grass through use of the field.

Abstract: A growing system, comprising a container for liquid, a container for growing medium and a wick for transporting water between them, provides a low maintenance, low water usage, self-watering planter. The wick, cut from an extended, continuously manufactured length, may comprise a plastic net and omni-directional, long-fiber sphagnum moss.

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 self-supporting thermally-protective plant enclosure includes a plurality of elongated hollow closure bodies each having a pair of outer and inner transparent walls. Each outer and inner wall are peripherally interconnected by a base, a top and a pair of opposite sides extending upwardly from the base to the top. Each closure body is closed along the opposite sides and base and is open at least through a portion of the top, defining an internal cavity in the closure body capable of receiving and holding a quantity of fluid therein. The closure bodies are positioned in side-by-side relation and are coupled one closure body to the next along the opposite sides thereof so as to form the plant enclosure with an open top and bottom and an annular configuration surrounding a protective plant growth chamber.

Abstract: The ability to effectively landscape an artificial surface that normally is incapable of supporting plant growth while simultaneously eliminating hazardous substances from the surrounding atmosphere in a simple and efficient manner is provided. A substrate having a thickness of at least 0.5 cm. is constructed that comprises an effective concentration of solid particles dispersed therein (e.g., activated carbon particles) that are capable of absorbing hazardous substances from the surrounding atmosphere. Also dispersed within the substrate is provided an effective concentration of living microorganisms that are capable of converting the hazardous substances when absorbed on the solid particles into non-hazardous substances that are capable of being utilized during the growth of plants that are rooted in the substrate.

Abstract: A smart weed recognition and identification system comprises a chlorophyll sensor for detecting green vegetation and memory map means for storing images which contain different forms of green vegetation. The memory maps stored in memory are processed to eliminate the background information and leave a memory map containing only green vegetation. The enhanced memory map is further processed by an operation of segmentation into identifiable regions and the identifiable green vegetation regions are processed to identify unique attributes for each of the regions.

Abstract: Plant-cutting shears with a chemical applicator includes two cutting blades, each having a handle. A resilient fluid-absorptive element capable of holding a quantity of a systemic herbicide or other liquid plant-treatment chemical is provided. The chemical-holding element is mounted on the shears such that a surface of the element lies approximately in the cutting plane of the blades, but with the element isolated from fluid contact with the overlapping active areas of the blades. In operation, with a single cutting motion of the shears, a user may cut a plant and cause the resilient chemical-holding element to make direct fluid-applying physical contact with the plant wounds.

Abstract: A greenhouse is disclosed having a raised central section of transparent or translucent flexible light-stabilized plastic material, and peripheral or vent sections substantially of open-weave scrim material formed from loosely woven thin and narrow strips of transparent or translucent light-stabilized plastic material having a lace-like reinforcement of light-stabilized plastic; with greater than 50% of the surface area of the scrim being deformable to a more open condition thereby permitting increased passage of air and moisture. Preferably, at least the central section is retractable.

Abstract: A flat, flexible protective covering (10) having a center cavity (12), and a slot (14), that runs from the center cavity (12) to the outside diameter (16) of material, with a plurality of holes (18) connected by grooves (20).

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a stem pick to a flower stem wherein the stem pick has laterally directed fingers for wrapping around the stem of a flower. The apparatus includes means for positioning a stem pick into a position ready for attachment to the flower stem, means for attaching the stem pick to the stem of a flower, and pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the stem pick fingers. The pressure adjusting means comprises a clutch mechanism having means for adjusting the torque applied to the means for attaching the stem pick to the stem of a flower.

Abstract: A shelter for protecting young plants comprising a shell made from a resilient resin material, formed of two substantially identical mating sections integrally formed with connecting snaps and selectively closable openings for providing air and irrigation to the plants.

Abstract: A pole garden and fountain, characterized by at least one floor to ceiling stabilizing pole, supporting adjustable couplings for plant potting dish hangers and circulating water dish troughs, each of which may be independently rotated and/or elevated to a preselected position. A fountain effect is obtained by recycling water from a base water well to a topmost feeder water dish trough. Corresponding dishes are artistically disposed upon the pole in coactive water circulating array. The stabilizing pole is adjustable and the unit is readily portable. Stability to the pole is achieved through foot and ceiling mounting brackets upon which respective feeder water dish and plant potting hanger dishes are mounted.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for treating trees. The apparatus includes an injecting device for injecting articles into trees. The device provides a plurality of article retaining tubes fixedly connected to a removable and rotatable delivery head and stationary therewith. A slidably mounted injection member is provided which slides coaxially along the tubes from a non-injecting position to an injecting position for injecting an article into a tree.

Abstract: A planter to hold conventional plants with soil. The planter has a cavity which holds water. The water enters the soil through apertures, or a sponge, which in turn, feeds the plant. This allows the plant owner/caretaker to water the plant less often because the cavity holds enough water to feed the plant for a longer period of time that would otherwise be possible. A water level indicator allows one to view the water level, a sprayer allows one to mist the foliage, and mobility means allow, one to easily move the planter.

Abstract: A support for a plant has a rod with at least two spaced apart brackets, the uppermost bracket being proximate the upper end of the rod. One or more cages has means thereon adapted to cooperate with the brackets to connect the cage substantially concentrically about the rod. The depth of the uppermost cage from its top to its connecting means is greater than the distance from the uppermost bracket to the upper end of the rod, so that the top of the uppermost portion of the cage extends significantly above the top of the rod.Preferably, each of the cages has a plurality of substantially horizontal loops fixed in spaced-apart relationship by a plurality of substantially vertical legs. The loops of each cage are substantially circular and each sequentially higher loop preferably has a diameter greater than an immediately preceding loop of the cage.

Abstract: An assembly of pots for raising and transplanting seedlings. A plurality of cylindrical pots are made of paper and each pot is connected by a connection member into a continuous form. The connection member includes slits for allowing the spacing between adjacent pots to be elongated to a length corresponding to one intrarow spacing for various kinds of plants. The generally H-shaped or generally U-shaped slits can be vertically and alternatively provided from upper and lower edges of the connection member.

Abstract: A floral support assembly for presenting a display of fresh cut flowers. Floral foam is bonded to a backing to define a pre-shaped configuration. Moisture barrier means, preferably in the form of ambient air spaces, separate the floral foam into adjacent segments of predetermined dimensions, in at least the vertical direction. The barrier spaces have a predetermined width sufficient to prevent floral preservative solution from bridging between adjacent segments when the floral foam support assembly is inclined with respect to a horizontal frame of reference. The preferred method by which to saturate the aforesaid assembly with a floral preservative solution requires a container. At least a sufficient volume of the preservative solution is placed in the container to saturate the foam segments on whatever number of support assemblies are to be simultaneously processed. The support assemblies are then floated in the solution with the foam segments facing the solution.