Abstract: A floral container having a decorative feature on the outer surface thereof and having a removable protective layer disposed over the decorative feature and attached to the outer surface of the floral container and a method of use thereof wherein a botanical item is cultivated at a cultivation location then transported to a point of sale location where the protective layer is removed prior to sale of the floral container having the botanical item therein.

Abstract: An Entertaining Growth System that utilizes the growth of a seedling within its design to create an entertaining and interesting device of chance. In its simplest form it allows the user to ask a “question” of the Entertaining Growth System and receive an “Answer” by observing the Dynamic Growth of a plant, in this case as seedling, through labeled holes in a lid.

Abstract: A growing system for plant seedlings that takes into consideration the varied requirements of the seedling; seedling and transplant environment; seedling cell (312) size; mechanical transplanter requirements; seedling leaf, stem and root development and coordinates all these requirements to increase transplanting yields may include larger containers that maximize yield and minimize damage. Aspects may eliminate left-over seedlings, reduce the number of manual steps, decrease labor, and increase transplant yields.

Abstract: A planting system for regulating the supply of water to a plant comprises a linear (28) for containing a volume of plant growing medium (30), such as soil, and drainage means adapted to drain water from the plant growing medium (30) contained within the liner (28) and convey the drained water to a desired location. A paving system (10) comprises a permeable layer (12) providing an upper surface; at least one supporting substrate layer (20) thereunder which is permeable to liquid, a containment membrane (28) of impermeable material containing said substrate layer (20) for controlled retention of water therein and duct means for allowing the passage of water from the substrate layer (20) to a plant growing medium (30).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for growing a plant in a grower's container having an aesthetically pleasing appearance without the use of a decorative container cover when a grown plant contained in the grower's container is on display. The apparatus and method include providing a grower's container, cleaning at least a portion of the grower's container to provide a clean area on which a decorative sticker is applied, disposing growing medium and a floral grouping in the floral grouping retaining space of the decorative grower's container, feeding and watering the floral grouping until it matures to a size desired for marketing, and the decorative grower's container so that the decorative pattern disposed thereon is visible when on display.

Abstract: A liner (80) for a plant container includes one or more sheets of partially compressed, dried or at least substantially dry, reconstitutible sphagnum moss. The liner (80) is formed into a 3-dimensional shape having a top opening and one or more walls extending in an upstanding configuration towards the opening, the walls having a body and top edges 86 defined along the top opening. The top edges 86 are compressed to a lesser degree than the body of the walls. A blank (84)for forming the liner (80) and a method of forming the liner or the blank (84) is also disclosed.

Abstract: Pervaporation device for the desalination of salt water comprising a channel or cavity for holding or transporting salt water and a liquid-water-impermeable, water-vapour-permeable non-porous membrane, which is made of a copolyether amide wherein the polyether and (poly)amide segments are linked via amide bridges.

Abstract: A portable plant container apparatus which can be worn by a user which allows constant monitoring of the growth of a plant. The portable plant container comprises a base and a cover secureable to a user which houses a living plant growing in a tissue culture medium. The apparatus is transparent allowing visual monitoring of the plant growth. The method of using the device provides for growing the plant in the device and then transplanting the plant into the soil of a larger container.

Abstract: A floral container having a decorative feature on the outer surface thereof and having a removable protective layer disposed over the decorative feature and attached to the outer surface of the floral container and a method of use thereof wherein a botanical item is cultivated at a cultivation location then transported to a point of sale location where the protective layer is removed prior to sale of the floral container having the botanical item therein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for growing a plant in a grower's container having an aesthetically pleasing appearance without the use of a decorative container cover when a grown plant contained in the grower's container is on display. The apparatus and method include providing a grower's container, cleaning at least a portion of the grower's container to provide a clean area on which a decorative sticker is applied, disposing growing medium and a floral grouping in the floral grouping retaining space of the decorative grower's container, feeding and watering the floral grouping until it matures to a size desired for marketing, and the decorative grower's container so that the decorative pattern disposed thereon is visible when on display.

Abstract: A method of modifying the growth of plant roots is provided in which the roots are grown in proximity to a membrane from which water is released during the growth of the roots, wherein the membrane is a hydrophobic porous membrane or a hydrophilic non-porous membrane. The method may also be used to collect materials exuded from plant roots by growing the plant roots in a growing medium that is surrounded by a membrane such that moisture is released into the growing medium from the membrane whilst materials exuded from the plant roots are retained within the growing medium by the membrane, wherein the membrane is a hydrophobic porous membrane or a hydrophilic non-porous membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new delivery systems for cyclopropenes in which the cyclopropene, either free or encapsulated within a molecular encapsulation agent is incorporated into produce packaging materials.

Abstract: A houseplant maintenance device having a base, a water reservoir, one or more wick elements, and wick holder is disclosed. The wick element draws liquid nutrients from the reservoir and makes it available to the plant growing medium, the wick element is capable of being positioned, relative to the water level in the reservoir, to adjust the liquid nutrient delivery rate, both pre-planting and post-planting. Additionally, the wick element can be chemically bonded to provide means to deliver nutrient cations to a potted plant from solid nutrients that are otherwise not readily soluble in water.

Abstract: A method of modifying the growth of plant roots is provided in which the roots are grown in proximity to a membrane from which water is released during the growth of the roots, wherein the membrane is a hydrophobic porous membrane or a hydrophilic non-porous membrane. The method may also be used to collect materials exuded from plant roots by growing the plant roots in a growing medium that is surrounded by a membrane such that moisture is released into the growing medium from the membrane whilst materials exuded from the plant roots are retained within the growing medium by the membrane, wherein the membrane is a hydrophobic porous membrane or a hydrophilic non-porous membrane.

Abstract: A method of modifying the growth of plant roots is provided in which the roots are grown in proximity to a membrane from which water is released during the growth of the roots, wherein the membrane is a hydrophobic porous membrane or a hydrophilic non-porous membrane. The method may also be used to collect materials exuded from plant roots by growing the plant roots in a growing medium that is surrounded by a membrane so that moisture is released into the growing medium from the membrane while materials exuded from the plant roots are retained within the growing medium by the membrane, wherein the membrane is a hydrophobic porous membrane or a hydrophilic non-porous membrane.

Abstract: A method of making tree seedling plugs which permits the plug to be transplanted earlier is provided. The tree seeds are planted in a structured soil growing medium, and a miniplug is formed which may is then transferred to a standard size growing cell for further development to form the plug.

Abstract: Apparatus for growing vined produce such as tomatoes comprises a container rotatable about a horizontal axis and supported above an underlying surface, which container has an interior filled with rooting media, a plant opening, radially through the container wall for the vine of a tomato plant rooted therein to extend outwardly of the container. As the vine continues to grow outwardly of the container, tomatoes on the vine are harvested therefrom and the container is periodically rotated to wind the vine thereabout throughout the life of the plant. The container also includes feeding openings into the rooting media, and the container can be mounted on a stand provided with a nutrient reservoir and pump and a grow light which are periodically turned on and off by a control timer.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus including a seed carrier of a fibrous material, and at least one seed embedded within the seed carrier. The seed(s) and seed carrier are integrally formed with one another. The invention is also a method of planting, including the steps of providing at least one seed, and creating a seed carrier composed of a fibrous matter. Additionally, the inventive method includes the steps of embedding the seed(s) within the seed carrier such that the seeds become integrally formed into the seed carrier.

Abstract: A decorative planter includes a base having upper and lower portions and a flange disposed about the outer periphery of the upper portion. The planter also includes a collar dimensioned to encompass the upper portion of the base. The collar has a mechanical interface which engages the flange such that the collar and the flange form a decorative rim about the upper portion of the planter. The present disclosure also relates to a method of forming a decorative planter which includes the steps of: a) forming a base having upper and lower portions and a flange disposed about the outer periphery of the upper portion; b) forming a collar dimensioned to encompass the upper portion of the base, the collar having a mechanical interface dimensioned to mechanically engage the flange; and c) engaging the collar and the flange to form a decorative rim about the upper portion of the base.

Abstract: A liner (11, 20, 27, 30) for a plant container is formed by firstly compressing sphagnum moss into a thin but reconstitutable sheet. The sheet may be then assembled into a three dimensional liner for insertion into the plant container and secured in that configuration. The formed three dimensional liner has one or more walls (2, 13, 21, 36, 38) extending in an upstanding configuration to generally conform to the shape of the plant container. The wall(s) are self-supporting in the upstanding configuration. In a preferred embodiment, an outer surface of at least a portion of the liner (11, 20, 27, 30) may be partially reconstituted.

Abstract: An improved, removable adhesive hook and loop wall mount floral vase. The improved wall mount vase is principally intended for holding one or more buds or a bouquet of flowers, and comprises a vinyl outer body having a predetermined body shape, a predetermined diameter, a predetermined height, and a predetermined thickness. The preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises a polyvinyl chloride ridged inner body of a predetermined width, height and thickness. The improved vase further comprises an adhesive hook and loop fastener means attached to the outer flat back-side wall of the vinyl vase, for easily mounting the vase onto a flat surface without use of metal fasteners or permanent bonding materials. The removable adhesive hook and loop fastener allows the removal of the vase for cleaning and refilling with water and floral arrangements. The adhesive fastener can be warmed and removed from walls and other flat surfaces with out damaging the surface.

Abstract: An improved method and container providing a root housing assembly to the plant which restricts the plant's thickest roots (greater than 1.5 millimeters in diameter) to remain within specified parameters. Regardless of the preferred container size, the lower seven eights portion of a container, perforated with a plurality of holes encircling the container permits fine, fibrous roots (less than 1.5 millimeters in diameter) to penetrate through to the soil surrounding the outside of the buried container's walls, whereas, the upper one eighth of the container is used for handling purposes, is not perforated, and provides a line of demarcation which will not permit root penetration into the soil environment outside of the container's walls. The holes with diameters of substantially 1.5 millimeters are equally spaced at distances of 3 millimeters apart. The roots which pass through these holes are not air-pruned, since the container is buried, but are restricted to the diameter of 1.5 millimeters.