Abstract: A method for plant culture including the steps of growing plants, which produce elongated flexible portions, in supported relation on a structure; permitting the flexible portions to grow; and moving the flexible portions substantially into predetermined positions relative to the plants for subsequent plant cultural practices. An apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be disposed adjacent to the plants and having a laterally projecting portion; and a mechanism for moving the flexible portions of the plants into positions overlaying the support portion of the frame extending laterally of the plants.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for suspending objects such as plants, specifically in a clip and string combination for applying upward direction. One end of the string is fastened to the object to be supported. The string is subsequently placed over a horizontal support wire above the object. The other end of the string is attached to an upper arm of an S-shaped clip, which is bent in two planes and which may alternatively incorporate more adjacent arms. The portion of the string between the object and the support wire is woven between the arms of the clip, which is then pushed downward on the string until it is taut. Periodically, as in the cycle of a plant, the clip can be adjusted along the string.

Abstract: A clip (20) for supporting a vine or plant stem (S) on a pair of planks (12, 14) of a wooden fence (10). The clip (20) has an elongate body portion (22) and a pair of legs (24, 26) extending in opposite transverse directions relative to the longitudinal axis L of the elongate body portion (22). The clip (20) is mounted within the space (T) between opposed side edges (16, 18) of the wooden planks (12, 14) with the legs (24, 26) having projecting gripping elements (30) for biting into and gripping the wooden side edges (16, 18) upon insertion of the legs (24, 26) within the space (T) between the side edges (16, 18). Upon installation of the clip (20) with the plant stem (S) received between the legs (24, 26) and inward depression of the legs (24, 26) for fitting between the side edges (16, 18) a torsional loading of the elongate body portion (22) occurs.

Abstract: Device to hold a newly planted tree. Elongated flexible band is wrapped around the first of a pair of stakes and extends to and is wrapped around the tree trunk and then extends to and is wrapped around the second of the pair of stakes. Rings at each of the stakes and at the trunk permit the wound-around condition and a hook and loop self-gripping fastener secures the band of the second stake.

Abstract: An improved system is disclosed for the growing of plants, especially fruiting plants such as tomatoes and cucumbers, which enables the bearing vines to be supported on pervious ventilating surfaces forming a V-shaped valley, the bottom of which is the row of plants flanked by impervious, gently inwardly sloping panels substantially preventing weed growth and delivering rain or spray falling onto the vines into the row. Such valleys can be advantageously arranged parallel and separated by a walkway of mowable turf.

Abstract: A turf anchor stake having a flat shank with a pointed lower end and a headed upper end or two flat shanks connected by a crossbar can be driven through divots into the soil beneath the divots to hold such divots in place until their edge root structure knits with surrounding root structure. To facilitate driving of the stakes the lower ends of the shanks are pointed and lateral projections from the lower end portions of the shanks deter withdrawal of the shanks and lifting of the divots or turf.

Abstract: A clamp for fixing a plant stem to a support wire includes a movable clamp member, a fixed clamp member, a support shaft and a spring attached to the movable and fixed clamp members. Each of the movable and fixed clamp members has a semicircular beak at its one end and an operating member at its other end. The fixed clamp member has an intermediate body portion provided with a support slot for accommodating an intermediate portion of the movable clamp member. The support shaft pivotally attaches the intermediate portion accommodated in the support slot to the fixed clamp member. The spring applies a biasing force causing the two beaks to close onto each other in the manner of a ring and the two operating members to open in a V-like manner. The body portion is provided with slits extending part way along the floor of the support slot from the beak in the direction of the operating member.

Abstract: A heart-shaped, free standing, living plant comprises at least two living plants, a left plant and a right plant, formed into opposed lobes forming the heart configuration. Each plant comprises a root end, an intermediate trunk section and a foliage end. The root ends are secured together and the intermediate trunk sections form the left lobe and right lobe respectively. The foliage ends extend laterally outwardly from the downwardly depending intermediate trunk sections to form a foliage midsection of the heart-shaped plant. A support means is provided during the initial growing period wherein the heart-shaped plant is permanently formed. Thereafter, the support means can be removed to form a free-standing, unsupported living plant.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a tree in an upright position includes a cord having one end removably connected to the tree and the other end removably connected to a ground anchor. The ground anchor is generally in the shape of an inverted J, both legs of the "J" being inserted in the ground such that only a very small loop projects from the ground. A hook on the anchor-end of the cord is connected to the projecting anchor. The projecting portion of the anchor is only slightly above ground level so removal of the cord from the anchor will allow a mower to pass thereover.

Abstract: An adjustable arbor-like umbrella construction is provided by which the umbrella may be adapted to a variety of locations and supports real and/or artificial plants or tree branches in order to provide shade in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In an exemplary embodiment, the umbrella of the present invention includes a center pole, a central hub support atop the pole, and a plurality of lattice assemblies radiating from the support hub and being rotatably attached thereto. Each of the lattice assemblies is formed of a plurality of slats pivotally connected to one another. Since each lattice assembly may be rotated with respect to the support hub and each slat of each lattice assembly may be pivoted with respect to an adjacent slat, the umbrella can be arranged in not only a variety of circular shapes of varying diameter, but also in a multiple of non-circular shapes to accommodate its use, for example, up against a wall, around a corner, in a corner, or to suit a particular taste.

Abstract: The invention provides a one piece planar plant support comprising an elongated vertical stake which can be folded along its longitudinal axis, and a pair of integral and co-planar arms extending horizontally in opposite directions from the stake. Notches in the arms allow the arms to be secured together in a crossed-over position when the stake is folded. Each arm has a rectangularly shaped end portion at its free end which is folded inwardly toward the other arm when the arms are crossed forming a clasp of polygonal (triangular, or diamond or trapezium) configuration to retain a plant stem. When the notches are adjacent the free ends of the arms, they hold the arms in position defining a polygonal clasp.

Abstract: The subject invention is a fence-tie formed of a substantially rigid yet deformable material formed as a wire and comprising a substantially straight body having two ends. The first end is formed into a hook and the second end is bent at an angle between approximately 90 and approximately 135 degrees from the body of the fence-tie. The plane formed by the first end and the body is set at right angles to the plane formed by the second end and the body.

Abstract: A combination tree support and feeder stake is provided for use in groups to simultaneously support and nourish transplanted trees. Each said stake includes a tapered and reinforced body portion formed from plastic with an anchoring unit to be attached to a transplanted tree and a hollow core to receive fertilizer which escapes through holes providing communication between the hollow core and the ground.

Abstract: A tree stand for holding and supporting a tree having a trunk, the stand having a casing with an inner wall with spirally-curved surfaces, and a guide piece disposed in the center of the casing having guide curves each with a curvature corresponding with the curvature of the spirally-curved surfaces of the inner wall of said casing. Clamping cylinders are disposed inside of the casing between the guide piece and the spirally-curved surfaces of the casing inner wall. A cover is rotatably mounted over the top of the casing and is coupled to each of the clamping cylinders so that when the cover is rotated, the clamping cylinders move within the spirally-curved surfaces of said guide piece and said inner wall of said casing so that said cylinders spirally close upon the trunk of the tree. The cover is also provided with a lock coupled to the casing so that the cover can be locked in place with respect to the casing after the tree trunk is gripped.

Abstract: A one-piece fastener is disclosed for loosely retaining a transversely extending branch with respect to a horizontal support wire. The fastener is molded of resilient plastic material in form of a flexible filament portion with a clip portion integrally formed at its opposite ends. Each of the clip portions have a generally tubular body with a cylindrical-shaped throughbore formed longitudinally and with an elongate slot formed lengthwise of the tubular body in direct communication with the throughbore to define a throat for receiving the support wire into the throughbore. Each end of the filament portion is connected to one of the tubular bodies at a point adjacent to its elongate slot and adjacent to one of its ends which provides an offset relationship between the flexible filament portion and the two tubular bodies.

Abstract: A tree support of self-stabilizing type including a pair of yieldable assemblies each comprising a first hook adapted to be attached to the upper portion of a stake, a second hook having a yieldable covering adapted to be attached to the trunk of a tree to be stabilized, and a tension spring having opposite ends respectively connected to the aforementioned hooks and extending therebetween. The pair of yieldable assemblies are connected between a tree to be stabilized and a pair of similar vertical stakes spaced at opposite sides of the tree and spaced from the tree sufficiently that the springs of the assemblies are under at least limited tension and the assemblies being operable to return the tree to initial vertical position regardless of the direction in which the tree is swayed by wind or otherwise.

Abstract: Two roof sections are arranged for seated engagement on a pair of upright legs. Each of these four sections is of flat construction for compact shipment and storage. The legs have an adjusting support joint connection with the rafters of the roof sections to allow for different widths of the arbor as it is being constructed. Gusset plates are attachable to the roof and leg sections for connecting these parts. Ground anchor stakes are provided for bolted connection to the leg sections in both a use position and an inverted non-use position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic trellis stake for supporting rows of tensioned wires 12, more particularly for supporting grape vines in vineyards, a wire support to be used in connection with this trellis stake, said stake having been provided with ribs 1a, 1b forming protuberances.A clamp 6, 7 of the wire support 5 comprises a part 6, forming seats for the protuberances of ribs 1a, 1b of the stake, and another part 7 being provided with hooks 11 for wires 12 and enclosing free ends 8 of that part 6 of the clamp.The trellis stake and the wire support are destined for supporting tendrils and twigs of plants, more particularly, grape vines in vineyards.

Abstract: A growing system for vines which is particularly applicable to kiwi fruit which uses an espalier arrangement. The system is such that a canopy of branches are supported while at the same time divergent branches which will form part of the canopy in the ensuing season are supported upwardly in a divergent manner above the canopy. The invention also consists in the frames and framing systems.

Abstract: A one-piece, integrally formed tie apparatus is provided for releasably suspending a vine or the like from a line. A line engaging portion releasably engages the line and a vine holding portion loosely surroundingly holds the vine or the like. The vine holding portion comprises an elongate flexible arm integrally depending from the line engaging portion and elastically deformable to define a loop for loosely surrounding the vine or the like. A first coupling means is integrally formed with the flexible arm. A second coupling means is adapted to connect with the first coupling means to form the flexible arm into a closed loop around the vine or the like. One of the coupling means is responsive to application of a predetermined amount of force to the flexible arm substantially in at least one direction for releasing the other coupling means to open the loop and permit removal of the vine or the like.

Abstract: A plant support having a decorative end piece and a base piece oppositely disposed therefrom with intermediate sections secured therebetween as desired provides an expandable plant support. Between each junction of the intermediate sections and the base and decorative sections, is provided a plant tie holder. On the base piece is mounted at least one base cross member for support.

Abstract: A fencing system including a series of mesh panels which can be connected to one another by means of fastening elements of inverted U-shaped form which are driven into the ground. Each panel includes a number of vertically spaced, horizontally extending wires which are offset laterally with respect to the vertical plane containing the bulk of the horizontal and vertical wires of the mesh. One limb of the U-shaped element passes between said vertical plane and said offset wires, the other limb being on the opposite side of said plane. A gate constituted by a fence panel turned through ninety degrees is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fence assembly comprises a plurality of panels of expanded metal mesh having a plurality of closed meshes. The panels are arranged in zig-zag relationship, and each panel is joined to another panel by means of portion of some of the meshes of the panel adjacent an edge thereof, projecting through meshes of the other panel. The interlocking meshes are intertwined to retain the panels interlocked. The fence assembly may be secured to, or buried in, a trench in the ground.

Abstract: A tree brace unit for maintaining young trees in an upright posture has a circular ground-mounted base and a plurality of legs extending upwardly therefrom to a collar which encircles the tree trunk at an elevated level. The brace portion is formed from a pair of identical members formed from a single piece of metal rod. Each piece is bent to form a pair of parallel legs which are connected by a collar segment. When mounted in opposing position on the base, the two collar segments are clamped together to form a collar which extends completely around the tree trunk.

Abstract: The plant/vine support disclosed utilized a channel shaped post having a U-shaped central portion and a pair of laterally projecting flanges with locking lug pairs integrally formed on the flanges and a locking lug and shoulders in the U-shape of the post. The ring is provided with a complementary shaped locking structure which is coplaner with the ring support per se and adapted to interengagingly locking maneuver as well as a simple unlocking and disassembling maneuver. The rings are simple, stack flat and are far less susceptible of hooking with one another and thereby entangling themselves during storage.

Abstract: A plant stake and clasp is provided in which one or more clasps molded from plastic resin are provided at the top of the stake, each clasp including a pair of cooperating resilient arms and a mouth through which the stem of the plant can be introduced.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a cantilevered beam from a T-shaped post. A bracket having a cross-shaped aperture therein composed of a pair of spaced horizontal plates joined along one edge by vertical center plates is attached to an end of the cantilevered beam for sliding registry with the post. A bolt is threaded through a hole in the center plate to bear against the post, and an alternate method utilizes two bolts. The first embodiment disclosed uses a first collar portion attached to a free end of the beam and a second collar portion to form a cylindrical collar for a plant support. The second embodiment utilizes a flat plate on the cantilevered beam for supporting a mailbox or the like. A third embodiment has a pair of hooks attached to the cantilevered beam for hanging support of a sign.

Abstract: Clamp for fastening grapevines and other fruit-bearing shrubs on bracing wires comprising a detent at one end of the clamp to engage the bracing wire, a hook at the other end of the clamp to engage the bracing wire and an intermediate piece between the detent and the hook. The intermediate piece is formed of an elastic plastic and includes two arms which form therebetween an included obtuse angle. The detent and the hook project perpendicularly from the plane formed by the two arms. The hook and the detent are arranged on the same side of the plane formed by the two arms, and the arm to which the detent is connected lie in a common plane.

Abstract: A tree nursery clip cooperates with a stake to hold a tree in a desired position. The clip has a pair of openings through which a stake is inserted and a pair of bendable arms. The shape of the openings and the cross section of the stake is non-circular so that a plurality of clips can be non-rotatably positioned along the stake. The tree is pulled alongside the stake, and the arms of each clip are bent around the tree to hold the tree adjacent the stake at a plurality of points along the length of the tree.

Abstract: A clamp connector formed of an elastically deformable but sufficiently plastic material to tie wires, rods, or shrubs together. A yoke is formed from a U-shaped member which is adapted for gripping around a rod, and a web is connected with the yoke. Three seats are provided which are aligned to receive the tie wire, rod or branch of a shrub, and together with the yoke provide for the interconnection of two of the wires, rods, or shrubs together.

Abstract: A wire clip for direct attachment to individual bricks of a masonry wall as a support and/or guide for climbing plants growing along the wall. The clip is a unitary wire member bent to the desired configuration and has a pair of opposite angular bent end formations and an intermediate outwardly projecting return bent formation which defines a loop when installed. The clip is slightly bowed and is spreadable so that the end formations engage opposite parallel longitudinal sides of an individual brick of the masonry wall with the clip disposed across the face thereof and the vine stem passing through the loop. Installation is effected by application of thumb pressure to the loop; disengagement can be effected by applying leverage thereto, all without any residual damage to the wall since installation does not involve digging into the brick or mortar.

Abstract: A system for supporting plants, bushes and small trees, by the use of per se known channel formed metallic batten or rail with C-formed cross-section suitable for attachment on walls or for insertion into the earth and adapted to take up attaching means on a string which shall suspend or retain the plants and connecting means for the coupling of several rails or profile battens.

Abstract: A generally U-shaped clip of spring steel is adapted for holding plants in a predetermined position along a brick wall or the like. The clip comprises generally flat legs extending outwardly from a bend at a relatively wide angle when the clip is in its untensioned state. The free ends of the legs are separated by a greater distance in such untensioned state than the distance between adjacent bricks at a mortar joint of the brick wall. By forcing the legs together, the clip can be installed in the crevice at the mortar joint with the free ends of the legs engaging the opposed surfaces of adjacent bricks. The spring tension retained by the clip when installed in the crevice secures the clip to the wall by frictional engagement with the surfaces of the adjacent bricks. A suitable retainer, such as a twist of wire attached to the bend of the clip, permits vines or the like to be fastened in place against the wall.

Abstract: The rot-resistant plant support which is aesthetically pleasing and can be inexpensively produced consists of a rod section and a plastics material which can be colored. The interior of the rod is finely porous while the surface zone has bark-like protuberances. The plant supports are manufactured by extrusion at processing temperatures in the tool adjusted to between 5 and 30.degree. C. above the temperatures conventionally employed for extruding foams with a smooth surface from the same thermoplasts.

Abstract: An elongated, integrally-formed member simulating natural wood bark along one surface is provided with snap-fit interlock means for interconnecting, both longitudinally and laterally, with one or more like members for selectively increasing length and/or cross-sectional size to best accommodate the height and size of one or more vine or vinelike climbing plants to be supported. Each member is of arcuate cross-sectional shape to simulate natural wood bark board strips, and is adapted to lateral inter-fitting connection with one, two or three additional members for selective increase in cross-sectional size as required.

Abstract: A system covering an area of ground for adverse conditioning web-footed aquatic birds against roosting in the area comprises an array of elongated members each sufficiently thin that a web-footed aquatic bird cannot roost upon an individual member and each sufficiently spaced in substantially horizontal planes from adjacent elongated members that a web-footed aquatic bird cannot roost simultaneously upon a plurality of the members, the array being sufficiently closely spaced to the ground at the aforementioned area to prevent the birds from alighting directly into the area.

Abstract: A kit for constructing a decorative polyhedral structure is described in which a plurality of interlocking planar matrices are provided, each matrix being in the shape of a polygon with at least two straight isosceles sides and having interstices in which a fusible or settable plastic decorative material is introduced and set prior to construction of the polyhedron shape.

Abstract: The present device is used in connection with floral arrangements which utilize a pot or vase with water therein, which water might spill or seep onto the surface of a piece of furniture, such as a table or the like. The device embodies a sheet of decorative foil which is cemented to a tray, which tray has an absorbent pad secured thereto by cement and to the bottom of the pot or vase, so when the decorative sheet is fashioned up around the container, the water will be held within the tray and the decorative foil sheet. One form of the invention provides for the tray to be made of a decorative sheet, with the absorbent pad to be placed on the flattened foil tray so that the decorative and protective device may be quickly formed about a pot when needed. This obviates the necessity of assembling the various components of the unit, at the time the floral arrangement is being made up.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant stem holder, particularly potted house plants having tall or elongated stems. The plant support includes a unitary tripodal base having three radiating sleeves and consisting of three stub feet that also extend radially and horizontally outward from each sleeve. The screw type stub feet can be telescopically adjusted to secure the plant support to the inner wall of a round or oval planter. A single upright stanchion, having plant stem bracing means, depends from a central position on the tripodal base. A tier-type of plant stem extension assembly is securely mounted at the top end of the upright stanchion. The plant stem holder of this invention avoids damaging plant roots, effectively supports house plants, and presents an attractive appearance to the observer.