Abstract: A plant propagation tray includes a substantially rectangular tray having a perforated bottom formed with a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart raised inverted V structures or ridges which extend across substantially the entire bottom of the tray from one side of the tray to an opposite parallel side of the tray. According to one embodiment, the tray is provided with side walls for use alone or in a flat. According to another embodiment, the tray is free of side walls and is used in conjunction with a flat, a greenhouse bench, or a container having side walls. The horizontal distance between the ridges is preferably substantially equal to the vertical height of the soil which will be placed on the tray and the vertical height of the ridges is preferably approximately 15-40% of the vertical height of the soil which will be placed on the tray. The trays can be made to accommodate many different sized plants. The trays can be inexpensively manufactured from vacuum-formed thermoplastic.

Abstract: A root separator structure adapted for disposition in a container having peripheral walls to facilitate insertion of the root system of a plant into and removal from the container, to hold the plant stably in the container, and to enhance root growth in the container. The structure has a shell-like body with coplanar radial arms defining compartments in the container. The radial arms terminate in steps elevated above the plane of the arms, to contact and hold the root system of the plant in upright position. The steps have inclined faces which help guide the root system into and out of the container. The steps can be integrally joined to the peripheral walls, or the body can be separate to the removed from the container with the plant to facilitate spreading the divided root clumps.

Abstract: A new and distinct Pieris japonica was discovered which has sterile blooms and a sweet fragrance and has longer than average blooming time and has been asexually reproduced.