Abstract: Apparatus for plant cell tissue culture including a plant growth enclosure having a bottom surface formed of a porous material, a buoyant element, separate from the plant growth enclosure and arranged to be placed thereunder in a body of liquid for supporting the plant growth enclosure, and spacer apparatus associated with at least one of the plant growth enclosure and the buoyant element for maintaining a predetermined separation between the buoyant element and the porous material.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing a fertilizer in a pond. The apparatus includes a flotation structure which is generally surrounded by a porous material, such as a net sack. An opening is provided in the flotation structure through which fertilizer is dumped to deposit the fertilizer in the net sack wherein it is dissolved by water flowing through the net sack at the bottom of the flotation structure.

Abstract: A water culture apparatus wherein air space sections are formed between plant containers and a nutrient solution when rafts are floated in a water culture tank filled with the nutrient solution. The plant containers are inserted in vertically oriented channels provided in the raft. The air space sections are formed in order that the plant containers do not get submerged in the nutrient solution. The plants are cultivated by: gradually moving the raft from one end to another end of the water culture tank, movement of the raft corresponding to a state of growth of the plants so that the plants supported by the plant containers reach the other end by the time the plants have grown as a result of having absorbed nutrients from the nutrient solution; and harvesting the plants when each of the rafts reaches the other end of the water culture tank.

Abstract: A systemic plant interface replaces the roots of a growing plant by providing a perforate surface which mates to growing xylem tissue of a vascular plant and provides fluid communication and support necessary to sustain the aerial portions of a viable plant.

Abstract: A hydroponic system for growing sweet potatoes and other root and tuber crops includes a growing channel incorporating a movable root contact/pressure plate assembly. The assembly consists of a flat, rigid PVC plate in which holes for inserting plants are drilled and a flexible vinyl film which is secured along the length of each side edge of the plate, by means of pressure fit connectors. The assembly is secured to the top edges of a growing channel, again by pressure fit connectors. The flexible film suspends the plate near and parallel to the bottom of the growing channel, with the flexibility of the film allowing upward movement of the plate within the channel as the plant roots grow. The assembly provides contact and pressure to the plant roots inside the growing channel thereby promoting enlargement of the roots. This enlargement causes the assembly to move upwardly, thereby maintaining the desired pressure conditions during growth. A suitable nutrient solution is supplied in the growing channel.

Abstract: A plant stem is provided with liquid only after the liquid has passed through a membrane having a porosity which is insufficient to permit the passage of microorganisms with the liquid to the stem.

Abstract: An assembly of pots for raising and transplantation of seedlings, the assembly made of paper or a paper-like thin film, in which the side wall of each pot is provided, by means of a cut, with tongue-like pieces which can be easily lifted-up toward the outside of the pot by the pressure of seedling roots while in the soil after transplantation, therefore, making the extension of roots from the tongue-like portion both vigorous and untangled with respect to adjacent potted seedlings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple pot comprising individual pots interconnected by connector portions so as to be capable of being pulled out. The multiple pot is used to raise and transplant seedlings of plants. The invention also relates to a method of fabricating the pot. The pot is designed especially to promote growth of roots across the side walls of the individual pots after transplantation. Also, the resistance encountered when the multiple pot is unfolded is reduced. Further, the individual pots are uniform in size. These feature arise from the facts that the connector portions are formed by applying a waterproof paste discontinuously and that a water-soluble paste is not applied around the edges of the individual pots created when the multiple pot is unfolded. Hence, a coating of the paste is formed in none of these portions. The multiple pot is fabricated by continuously carrying out three steps.

Abstract: A hydroponic system includes a channel-like trough formed of parallel side walls and an orthogonal bottom wall defining an upwardly opening coffer. A pair of oblique walls extend integrally from a medial portion of the bottom wall to respective medial portions of the side walls to define a V-shaped bottom in the interior of the trough. The oblique walls also strengthen the channel structure, and define with the bottom wall and side walls two closed longitudinal flow spaces extending the length of the trough. A pair of end caps are sealed to the ends of the trough, sealing the longitudinal flow spaces and forming a liquid retaining container. A longitudinally extending cover panel is configured to snap-engage the upper edges of the side walls of the trough. The cover panel is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced plant holes, and a plurality of plant supporting members are dimensioned to be supported in the plant holes.

Abstract: A flowerpot, particularly for forcing plants while using automatic watering, comprising at its lowermost part at least one sideways-turning inlet (20) for cooperation with a bottom irrigation plant, said inlet (20) consitituting an access opening to a channel (18) extending under the pot, said channel having at least one sidewall (24) facing the filling of the pot, said sidewall--at a distance above the bottom of the pot (14)--being provided with at least one opening (26) for the passage of water. The channel (18) with the opening (26) may serve not only for supplying water to the pot filling and removal of water therefrom, but also as ventilation for the pot filling when the channel is not filled with water.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful propagation assembly consisting of at least one propagation tray comprising a lower plant support section including at least one longitudinal channel for nutrient solution flow; and an upper space section having a series of spaced openings positioned longitudinally above each at least channel.

Abstract: A device for injecting aqueous nutrient solution (2) for hydroponic culture constituted of substantially horizontal supply pipes (9) located in the air space (3), held against the lateral walls (10) of the tank (1), injecting the nutrient solution (2) in the form of droplets through injection orifices (11) on opposed, substantially horizontal trajectories, thus improving their gaseous transfer capacity and their penetration into the nutrient solution to accomplish a continual saturation of this nutrient solution (2) with oxygen.

Abstract: A plant flat handling system for handling floatable plant flats employs a horizontally extending main channel which can be flooded from either a water tank or a nutrient containing tank with a plurality of branch channels extending outwardly from the main channel. Gate valve means between the branch channel and the main channel can be opened to permit the main channel to fill the branch channel or to drain the branch channel when the main channel is drained. Plural wires extend along the length of the branch channels and support floating plant flats when the branch channels are drained. Periodic flooding and draining of the branch channels is effected until plants in the flats have matured and can be harvested. Harvesting is effected by maintaining light pressure against the outermost plant flats in the branch channel to urge the body of plant flats toward a main work area overlying the main channel. A power conveyor extends downwardly into the branch channel and lifts the flats therefrom for harvesting.

Abstract: The process for the automated growing of a group of plants in an artificial medium which is solid, liquid or a mixture thereof, comprises sowing collectively seeds or planting young plants directly on a region of the artificial medium, with a small spacing therebetween, and displacing said region progressively as a function of the growth of the plants and increasing the area of said region in the longitudinal and transverse directions so that the spacing between the plants increases in these two directions in proportion to the development of the plants until they reach maturity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a completely mechanized method for raising and harvesting chicory and similar crops raised in sprouting trays. Thereby roots held in supply are fixed in rows in or at roots containers, formed by stitching pins, stick on combs or rows of cups, said roots containers with roots being positioned into or on sprouting trays for raising of chicory heads of similar crops. After raising the containers are taken out of the sprouting trays and are conveyed to a harvesting station, where the raised chicory heads or similar crops are separated from the roots.

Abstract: A hydroponic system for growing sweet potatoes and other root and tuber crops includes a growing channel incorporating a movable root contact/pressure plate assembly. The assembly consists of a flat, rigid PVC plate in which holes for inserting plants are drilled and a flexible vinyl film which is secured along the length of each side edge of the plate, by means of pressure fit connectors. The assembly is secured to the top edges of a growing channel, again by pressure fit connectors. The flexible film suspends the plate near and parallel to the bottom of the growing channel, with the flexibility of the film allowing upward movement of the plate within the channel as the plant roots grow. The assembly provides contact and pressure to the plant roots inside the growing channel thereby promoting enlargement of the roots. This enlargement causes the assembly to move upwardly, thereby maintaining the desired pressure conditions during growth. A suitable nutrient solution is suppplied in the growing channel.

Abstract: An aeroponic apparatus in which holding frames which directly hold the plants without flowerpots are mounted on a cultivation tank containing water or culture liquid and the plants are easily moved in the air, water or culture liquid by controlling the amount of water or culture liquid in the cultivation tank or the space between holding frames and the cultivation tank by moving either the frames or the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for growing a number of plants from cuttings, in a limited space, while mechanically resisting root entanglement. Tubes are placed in a container into which water is added. Plant cuttings are placed individually into the tubes such that the leaf portion of each plant is supported by a tube and the stem portion is suspended in water inside the tube. When roots develop, a growing medium may be added to prolong root growth or the plant may be removed from the tube for permanent planting. Methods of root growth stimulation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Collars, for supporting plants by the base of their stems with the major portion of the root structure extending downward into an aqueous hydroponic medium, have upstanding sidewalls and bottom end structures that support the plant while leaving at least about 75 percent of the bottom area open for the roots to extend through. The collars are very small having a volume less than about one tenth that which would normally be considered adequate to conventionally culture plants in a solid support medium. Vertical foils extend radially inward from the sidewall to prevent the roots, in their early stages of development, from spiraling around the sidewall.

Abstract: A floating bed useful for hydroponically germinating seeds of a plant and growing the germinated sprouts thereon. The floating bed is floatable by itself on water and includes a pad formed of a hydrophobic material such as foamed polystyrene and provided with one or more through holes. The through holes have a size so that it can continually retain water therein by capillary attraction during the float of the bed on water. The seeds are placed on the pad and the floating bed is floated on the surface of water to allow the seeds to germinate and the germinated sprouts to grow with the roots thereof passing through the through holes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the propagation of plant cuttings under aeroponic conditions. An aqueous plant growth nutrient and hormone composition is applied as an intermittent hydro-atomized mist to plant cuttings suspended in an enclosed chamber. The aqueous composition is formed by mixing tap water at standard pressure, and a concentrated hormone, nutrient or other plant growth composition in a suction venturi, and directing the aqueous composition through a distributing manifold to mist nozzles. The venturi and distributing manifold are periodically drained to allow subsequent venturi suction and mixing. Timer controlled solenoid valves regulate the water flow and drain. Excess aqueous composition may be recirculated or discarded.

Abstract: Plants are hydroponically grown on rafts that float on an aqueous nutrient medium. The rafts have arrays of openings that extend from their upper surface to their lower surface for receiving plant-containing collars that dip into the aqueous medium.To provide efficient plant thinning without plant destruction, a fraction of the openings of the array of each raft is filled directly with plant-containing collars and the remaining plant collars are placed in a grid that overlies the raft and has openings aligned with a fraction of the openings of the array.

Abstract: A unique hydroponic system for growing plants in nutrient aerosol spray is provided by a change in the growth cycle of plants when a secondary system of roots is produced after some initial plant development and, as the secondary system is developed from the plant's branches, the secondary roots are already suspended in an air environment and subsequently become an air-suspended root system and then the principal root system of the plant. Since the new roots are developed by a special type of air-layering which is a nutrient spray type of air-layering, this system improves former systems in that it removes the time consuming requirement of transplantation, the initial roots merely remaining in place while the air-layered roots developed from the branches become a very augmented root system and remain in the same position to continue to receive the nutrient spray. A perforated cover together with a nutrient spray are merely set in place over the plant at a stage in its growth in order to implement this system.

Abstract: A floating hydroponic apparatus is provided along with a hydroponic system using the hydroponic apparatus. The floating hydroponic apparatus has a floating hydroponic tray having a floating base portion and a tray portion. The floating base portion is made of a lightweight cement and has floating perimeter walls along with a polymer screen attached between the floating base portion and the tray portion. The floating base portion and tray portion form a plurality of openings therethrough for the passage of liquid. An alkaline resistant coating is applied to at least a portion of the tray. The tray portion is filled with a soil mixture supported by the polymer screen so that plants can be grown in the soil in the trays while the trays are floating upon a liquid reservoir. The trays can be used in conjunction with a hydroponic system having pools with specially designed lightweight concrete walls forming a habitat for marine life.

Abstract: A support structure for growing plants such as lettuce by hydroponic cultivation includes a buoyant, closed cell, foamed plastic pallet having an array of spaced integral punch-out plugs arranged preferably in staggered rows. Selected patterns of plugs are removed to permit insertion of plants growing in porous seed blocks into the resulting holes, the patterns having different spacings depending on the size of the plants. Blocking members prevent the plants from falling through the holes when the pallets float on liquid nutrient solution in a trough and also space the pallets above the bottom of the trough for access of air to the plant roots when the trough is periodically drained. When plants outgrow one selected spacing pattern, they are readily and precisely transferred to another pallet having a selected pattern of greater spacing. When the plants are ready for harvesting, the pallets with mature plants in them can be carried to a packaging area.

Abstract: A set for the hydroculture of plants comprising a plant-receiving vessel and at least one ancillary device such as a water-level indicator, structure being provided on said vessel and said ancillary device for removably connecting the ancillary device to the vessel wall from the exterior, it being thus possible to attach or remove the ancillary device at any time whether a plant be contained in the vessel or not.

Abstract: Cultural support for epiphytic plants is provided by a polystyrene support body wedgingly positioned within a conical container spaced below its upper rim. The upper exposed surface of the support body has a convex curvature to promote drainage through openings in the peripheral edge abutting the container wall surface. Plant roots are anchored to the upper support surface of the support body and/or a post projecting upwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A device for automatically supplying water to house plants over a prolonged period of time including a body for the storage of water and an elongated neck with a small hole in its side attached to the body. When inverted the neck is stuck into the potting soil of a house plant so the body rests on the soil, water slowly seeps out into the soil. When in an upright position with holes made in the body portion, and the device is hung by appropriate means, it may also serve as a rooting device when plant cuttings are inserted into the water in the body through the formed holes.

Abstract: Apparatus for growing plants by means of water culture or hydroponics is disclosed. The apparatus includes raft means formed to receive and support the plants on a nutrient solution with their root systems extending therethrough while they grow to maturity. The rafts are formed for positioning in close proximity during all stages of plant growth to maximize the plant density per unit area of the solution. The rafts are preferably constructed for seed germination as well as for growth of seedlings to mature plants. Buoyancy of the rafts is increased during plant growth by placing a small raft on a larger raft or auxiliary buoyancy means.