Abstract: A method of preserving cut flowers includes the following steps. Provide a first material for forming a rigid, impermeable structure. Then define a hollow inner space by making a rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton form defining a hollow inner space from the first material. Then fill the hollow inner space with a moisture retaining material. Finally, mount at least one flower stem through the rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton.

Abstract: A method for hydrating cut flowers during packing, storage, and transport is provided. The present disclosure also provides a method for hydrating cut flowers in which a particular absorbent pad is used therein. The present disclosure further provides that the absorbent pad can contain an active agent that is activated by water to nourish and treat the cut flowers and/or inhibit growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for cultivating Monarda fistulosa for production of thymoquinone includes planting seeds at rates between about 2.5 and about 5 pounds per acre, preferably about 4 pounds per acre. The heavy rate of planting produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. Seeding and mowing the first season, and harvesting in seasons thereafter reduce costs. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of recovered oils, and which may be distilled from the plant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the preservation and/or dyeing of plant material including cut flowers. According to the invention, the treated plant material has the color and texture of fresh plant material and is substantially free from curling or distortion. The method may comprise five steps including a first step of substantially removing the protective wax coating from flowers and other plant material without adversely affecting the strength of the plant material; a second step comprising a mild oxidative bleach to remove excess color from the plant material; a third step comprising a mild reductive bleach to neutralize any residual oxidative bleach and to stabilize the color; a fourth step comprising the simultaneous preservation and dyeing of the plant material, and a fifth and last step comprising the rinsing and drying of the preserved and dyed material. This may be followed by a 2nd preservation and dyeing step and a rinsing and drying. The product can then be rewaxed and stored.

Abstract: A fiber aggregate having cellulose fibers as a principal component. The cellulose fibers have an average fiber diameter of about 25 microns or less, and may be clustered together. Per gram of fiber aggregate, the cellulose fibers may hold about 10-21 mL of an impregnating solution that has water as a principal component. The fiber aggregate may be included as part of a water retention agent for flowers and/or woody ornamental plants.

Abstract: Devices and method for arranging objects for display in a container such as a vase. The top designed to be utilized on a particular vase includes holes in locations selected for a particular arrangement. The top can be integrated into the vase, designed for removal, or a separate device. A false bottom in the vase enables accurate cutting of the length of the objects to be inserted. In addition a method for utilizing the devices to properly arrange the objects is disclosed.

Abstract: A bouquet making apparatus comprises a plurality of bouquet forms movably supported at spaced locations along a conveying device. Each bouquet form includes fixed upper and lower stem supports that hold bouquet elements, such as flowers, at an angle with respect to vertical. As each bouquet maker travels along the conveying device, workers spaced along the conveying device sequentially insert sets of flowers into upper and lower stem supports until each bouquet maker hold a final bouquet set. Each of the final bouquet sets are removed from the bouquet form and secured with a fastener, thereby forming a plurality of twisted stem-type bouquets having a substantially identical design appearance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prolonging shelf life of cut flowers, especially during transport, as well as enhancing physical appearance and sensory characteristics of cut flowers, by treatment systems and devices that modify the atmosphere over a longer period of time in containers in which the cut flowers are transported or stored.

Abstract: The arrangement device includes a plurality of apertures in ring configuration. The apertures within each ring are tilted along a circumferential angle with respect to the vertical. The apertures are uniquely defined and designed to receive specified stems of elongated items to be arranged. The apertures align the elongated items according to their tilt angles and are shaped to allow them to fall in a resting position approximating how the final arrangement will appear. The apertures have an inner wall angled allowing the elongated items to meet at a gathering point. They are gathered at a tie point and tied into a bouquet while each stem retains its circumferential tilt. The arrangement device has legs allowing stems to be kept moist while using the arrangement device prior to being placed in their holding vessel. In an alternative embodiment, overlays may be added to identify items used in each aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel compound contained in blue rose. This novel compound, which is contained in blue rose, has a chemical structure represented by general formula (I): [wherein R1 is a group as set forth in claim 1; and R2 represents —OH, or R1 and R2 together form —O—]. Also disclosed are a rose plant containing the aforesaid compound, and a part of the same.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping is disclosed. In the method a substantially shape-sustaining sheet of material having a substantially circular shape is formed into a substantially frusto-conical shaped bouquet holder with an open upper end that has a diameter greater than the diameter of a lower end thereof. A floral grouping may be disposed within the bouquet holder, and the bouquet holder may be further provided with a skirt.

Abstract: A flexible floral container includes a floral vase and an inner membrane. The stems of a floral grouping disposed in the flexible floral container provide structural support to the flexible floral container and cooperate to maintain the flexible floral container in a substantially erect condition.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping having a bloom end and a stem end is disclosed. A wrapper is formed from a sheet of material or bag which is wrapped about at least a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping. The wrapped floral grouping is then positioned within a receiving space of a preformed sleeve whereby the wrapper is secured in a stable position about at least a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping by the preformed sleeve. A detaching element defines the detachable upper portion and a lower portion of the preformed sleeve so that the upper portion can be removed from the lower portion.

Abstract: A device for packaging or transporting a floral grouping comprising an elongated member having a top portion and a base portion; a handle coupled to the top portion; and a securing member coupled to the elongated member configured to secure a floral grouping to the elongated member. A method for packaging, packing, or transporting a floral grouping comprising providing an elongated member having a handle coupled to a top portion of the elongated member; positioning a floral grouping adjacent to the elongated member; and wrapping a securing member coupled to the elongated member circumferentially around the floral grouping such that the floral grouping is securely coupled to the elongated member.

Abstract: Arrangement device [1000] includes a plurality of apertures each tilted along a circumferential angle. The apertures are uniquely defined and designed to receive specified stems of elongated objects [301, 310] to be arranged. The apertures align the elongated objects [301, 310] according to the tilt angles of the apertures. The apertures are shaped to allow the elongated objects [301, 310] to fall to a resting position approximating how the final arrangement would appear. The apertures also have an inner wall [1302, 1312] angled to allow the elongated objects [301, 310] to meet at a gathering point [2000]. They are gathered together at a tie point [2000] and tied into a bouquet [3000] while each stem still retains the same circumferential tilt. In an alternative embodiment, overlays [1107] may be used to identify which type and color of items is to be placed in each aperture.

Abstract: The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel.

Abstract: A flexible floral container comprising an inner membrane for acting as a reservoir or “catch basin” to minimize water spillage when the flexible floral container having a fluid medium therein is tipped over. The stems of a floral grouping disposed in the flexible floral container provide structural support to the flexible floral container and cooperate to maintain the flexible floral container in a substantially erect condition.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping having a bloom end and a stem end is disclosed. A wrapper is formed from a sheet of material or bag which is wrapped about at least a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping. The wrapped floral grouping is then positioned within a receiving space of a sleeve whereby the wrapper is secured in a stable position about at least a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping by the sleeve. A detaching element defines the detachable upper portion and a lower portion of the sleeve so that the upper portion can be removed from the lower portion.

Abstract: An accessory for providing an aperture through a container, including two interconnecting parts, a socket part and an insert part insertable into said socket part, at least one of said parts having a wall portion circumscribing a central bore and arranged such that an insert portion of the insert part is sized to engage with a receiving portion of the socket part such that the parts may be operatively connected to one another with their respective bores in substantial alignment, and remote from said insert and receiving portions, each said part having container engagement means for engaging with respective walls in each of a base and a lid of the container when an orifice is cut therein.

Abstract: A method of covering a floral grouping by providing a wrap constructed of a flat sheet of material, the wrap having an opening disposed within the sheet of material, and inserting a portion of a floral grouping through the opening in the wrap, and wrapping the wrap about the floral grouping.

Abstract: The present invention relates to making it possible to cultivate a new flowering plant that meets the needs of the flower market, namely, a flower having a unique color, a new type of flower and the like. The present invention also relates to making it possible to process a cut flower that meets the needs of the flower market, namely, a cut flower having a unique color or a new type of cut flower. By releasing the restraint on the floral bud imposed by the outermost layer of the floral bud, the present invention provides a cultivation method of a flowering plant having a unique appearance, a flowering plant obtained by the cultivation method, a processing method of a cut flower having a unique appearance and a cut flower obtained by the processing method. The present invention further provides a chlamydeous flowering plant and a cut chlamydeous flower in each of which the restraint on the floral bud imposed by the outermost layer of the floral bud is released.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing flowers characterised in that they have the look and feel of fresh flowers. The method comprises a selection and cutting step, a step of setting up holder devices on grids, and three optionally repeatable dehydration, infiltration and evaporation steps. The present invention does not require the use of molecular sieves during the method. The method is also technically advanced and can therefore be implemented on an industrial scale.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for the mechanical separation of cuttings from a (plant) branch, having a carrier for a branch which is to be processed, a conveyor track, which interacts therewith, for presenting a branch, which is supported by a carrier, to an imaging unit, which is used to determine the position of an axil with side branch of a presented branch with respect to a reference and which supplies this position-representative information to a separation device for separating a cutting, the conveyor track being an endless track having as its starting point the location where the branch is presented to the carrier and as its end point the location where the branch is assessed, while the controlled separation device comprises a reduction and clamping mechanism which can be adjusted both in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane and cuts the assessed branch firstly at a lower level with respect to the axil and then an upper level with respect to the axil.