Abstract: A horticulture tray support system including a plurality of horticulture trays. Each one of the plurality of horticulture trays defines a plurality of growing cells. A stand includes a plurality of vertical supports spaced apart along a length of the stand. A horizontal support extends along the length of the stand between at least two of the plurality of vertical supports. The stand is configured to support the plurality of horticulture trays above a surface that the plurality of vertical supports are seated on.

Abstract: A combinable cavity tray for liquid handling is provided. The combinable cavity tray has at least one cavity for receiving a fluid and at least one passage for leading through a cavity of a second combinable cavity tray and/or for connecting to a pipetting apparatus. The at least one cavity of the combinable cavity tray is formed integrally. An assembly of combinable cavity trays having at least two combinable cavity trays, a method of manufacturing a combinable cavity tray and the use of a combinable cavity tray or of an assembly of combinable cavity trays for liquid handling are provided.

Abstract: A device for protecting a tire affixed to a vehicle. The tire guard device includes an interlocking U-shaped guard member that forms a housing with an interior volume when connected with a second U-shaped guard member. Each guard member includes a sidewall and an open end with an exposed interface edge disposed along the sidewall, wherein the interface edges overlap to secure to enclose around the tire. An upper edge of the sidewall includes a lip that protrudes outward from the interior volume to prevent mice and other pests from accessing the tire. The sidewall includes a cutaway region on an interior side that can receive an axle extending from the tire. The cutaway region is sizable to the vehicle and allows for coverage of various vehicle and tire/wheel makes and models.

Abstract: A shipping box system and method are provided in which a shipping box has a container having a bottom surface and a plurality of walls, the container walls forming a perimeter about a container cavity. The shipping box further has a lid having a top surface and walls, the lid walls forming a perimeter about a lid cavity. The box further provides a sensor module for determining a physical location and orientation of the container, a computations module for evaluating data retrieved from the sensor module, and a locking assembly for locking the container and the lid in a closed configuration. The container and the lid are sized to nest, such that when the lid is fixed to the container, the container cavity and the lid cavity occupy substantially the same space and the container walls and the lid walls overlap.

Abstract: An insertable planter system may include a container and an insert. A container may include a rim, an outer wall comprising an inner surface, a bottom portion comprising a floor, wherein the inner surface and floor may define a liquid reservoir. The floor may further include a positioning structure. An insert may include a lip, a sidewall, and a bottom. The sidewall and bottom may define a plant chamber. The insert may further include a complementary supporting structure, such that the container receives the insert so that the insert can be rotated into a suitable orientation where the complementary supporting structure of the insert engages the positioning structure of the container. A plant delivery method or system including such inserts, and a computer readable medium containing instructions for same.

Abstract: An outer pot configured to accommodate an inner plant pot. The outer pot includes a bottom and at least one side wall extending from the bottom to an opening configured to enable inserting the inner plant pot through the opening. The outer pot is configured for use in an ebb-and-flood grow system, in that: the bottom and the side wall define there between a fluid reservoir. A dome extending from the bottom and the side wall includes at least one through hole for fluid supply to or fluid discharge from the outer pot, where the through hole is arranged at a distance from the bottom to define a volume of the reservoir. Assemblies, ebb-and-flood based watering systems, methods of assembling and growing plants, associated with the outer pot.

Abstract: Generally described, a growing container for a vertical rack system includes an inner container portion with a plurality of inlet perforations across a sidewall, an opening for plant growth, and a base panel with a plurality of outlet perforations. An outer container portion is configured to at least partially surround the inner container portion, and having a fluid inlet port and a fluid drain port. An upper seal and a lower seal are disposed between the inner container portion and the outer container portion on either side of the plurality of inlet perforations to allow a fluid from the fluid inlet port to cover the plurality of inlet perforations at any tilt angle of the growing container. The fluid drain port allows excess fluid drainage. A racking handle protrudes from the outer container portion with an internal angle corresponding to the tilt angle when coupled to a vertical rack system.

Abstract: An assembled container has a body and an upper collar. The body has an open top, an annular lip, an annular wall and multiple combining blocks. The annular wall is formed on and protrudes from the annular lip and has at least one engaging recess. The combining blocks are formed on and protrude from the annular lip and each have a combining hole and at least one engaging hole. The upper collar is connected to the open top of the body and has an annular recess, at least one engaging block and multiple combining inserts. The at least one engaging block is formed in the annular recess and respectively engages the at least one engaging recess. The combining inserts are formed in the annular recess and are respectively inserted into and combined with the combining holes.

Abstract: A plurality of plants of at least one species are planted in starter soil contained in a starter tray. The tray can have a perforated floor with a plurality of reinforcing ribs and one or more walls rising from the floor peripherally. The plants are nurtured in the starter tray long enough to develop entangled roots with an interplant root entanglement that at least partially consolidates the starter soil.

Abstract: Plant pot arrangement comprising an over pot, an insert container positioned in the over pot and removable therefrom, for receiving a plant, the insert container defining a space for a plant, and being open at an upper container edge, and at least one handle being movable in a guided manner in a handle guide in a pull-out direction and being positioned in the region of the container edge (16; 16a), for removing the insert container from the over pot.

Abstract: A plant care device includes an outer pot manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. Such outer pot further includes a first drainage aperture having a first predetermined diameter disposed through a bottom portion thereof for allowing liquid to pass therethrough. An inner pot is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape for holding at least one of soil, at least one plant, liquid, fertilizer, at least one seed, and a combination thereof, and fits releasably within such outer pot. Such inner pot further includes a second drainage aperture having a second predetermined diameter disposed through a bottom portion thereof for allowing liquid to pass therethrough.

Abstract: The invention includes an improved container and method for growing a plant to be subsequently transplanted. In one embodiment, an upwardly extending container wall is adapted for retaining soil. A plurality gutters are disposed on an interior portion of the container wall. The gutters extend along the container wall to one or more openings, thereby guiding roots to the openings for air pruning the roots. A root guiding surface of the gutter may extend downwardly and outwardly to the container wall, to form a substantially v-shaped gutter. Alternatively, an upwardly extending lip may be disposed on an inner portion of the root guiding surface, forming a substantially u-shaped gutter between the lip, ledge, and the interior portion of the container wall. The gutters may also slope downward in a direction along the container wall to better accommodate the geotropic nature of plant roots.

Abstract: A modular field planting system adapted for installation on a roof surface includes an arrangement of substantially identical tray members with each tray member containing two tray compartments. An array of first tray members is positioned on the roof surface with the tray members being in contiguous relationship and oriented in a first direction. A second tray member positionable in overlying relationship with respect to the first tray and rotated 90° with respect to the first direction, is nestably seated within corresponding tray compartments in each of two adjacent first tray members. A wicking material in the first tray member is placed in communication with a wicking material in the second tray member when the respective first and second tray members are seated. The first tray member is adapted to provide a reservoir for water and the second tray member is adapted to retain a growth medium whereby the wicking material provides continuous moisture migration for hydrating the growth medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for producing container plants in a covered raised-based environment.

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: A floral container, such as a flower pot, having a sleeve bondingly connected to an inner surface of the flower pot, together forming a pot assembly for cultivating, displaying or shipping a botanical item disposed therein.

Abstract: An in-ground rechargeable planter assembly comprising a receptacle body having two or more recesses formed therein and further having a broad peripheral flange which lies at ground level when properly installed. Insert bodies which are precharged with soil and living plants are dropped into cavities in the receptacle body. The adjoining side walls of the cavities are fused together in a thermoforming operation to prevent flexing and hinging of the structure when under load.

Abstract: A method for afforestation of sands and the like and a structure used for said method. The method and structure permit trees and vegetables to take root and grow easily and certainly in tropical arid land.

Abstract: A planting system comprising two containers, an inner container and a complementary outer container. The outer container is placed permanently into the ground or in any desired location. The inner container is then placed into the outer container. Thereafter, the inner container can be placed into and removed from the outer container whenever desired. Flowers, plants and the like are planted into the inner container either before or after the inner container is placed into the outer container. In this manner, flowers and plants can easily be planted into inner containers while the gardener is sitting, standing or in any other comfortable position. The gardener may then easily place and replace any desired inner container into any desired complementary outer container.

Abstract: A plant watering device is disclosed which includes a planter tray having an upper surface for supporting potted plants. The planter tray has a plurality of legs depending downwardly from the upper surface with the upper surface located above a bottom wall of a water container. The water container has an open top, closed side walls and a closed bottom wall which define a reservoir to receive water or water mixed with plant food. The water container includes deep recessed pockets in the bottom wall of the water container positioned to receive and support the legs of the planter tray when the planter tray is in a lower watering position. The water container also includes shallow recessed pockets in the bottom wall of said water container positioned to receive and support the legs of the planter tray when the planter tray is in an upper drainage position.

Abstract: A protective container for a potlike or boxlike container capable of receiving plants, flowers, bulbs, fruits and the like and provided with a closed tubular wall ending in an outwardly extending flange and with a lower wall having openings, wherein the protective container is provided with a closed circumferential wall ending in an outwardly extending collar edge and a bottom wall without openings and is manufactured from a resilient plastics material, wherein the container and the protective container are coupled relative to each other by an annular element manufactured from a resilient material and comprising an annular wall in which at least two circumferentially extending slots are provided, each for receiving a part of both the collar edge and the flange lying thereon.

Abstract: A rodent barrier device for use on the ground engaging tires of a vehicle. A continuous wall barrier made of a weather resistant and low outer friction slippery material, such as the slippery plastic LEXAN material, having an upper concave surface rim encircles the tires of the vehicle to be protected from the rodents. Initially before made into a continuous wall, the material making up the wall barrier may be a single elongated flat strip that is processed and bent into a continuous tire encircling wall by having the two opposite ends of the strip meet at a common edge.

Abstract: A first outer container is formed with a side wall and a bottom wall. The bottom of the first container has a support structure or raised area to define a water reservoir in the bottom of the container. An overflow drain is provided in the container and preferably in the raised area to limit the depth of the water reservoir. A second inner container including a drain hole and having a live plant is placed in the first container at or above the water level in the first container. The water in the first container has a depth to inhibit excessive root growth from the drain hole of the second container. Roots which grow through the drain of the second inner container contact the standing water in the reservoir and die and rot at the point where the roots contact the water to limit growth in the first container. The water in the first container is particularly effective in controlling root growth from the inner container through the drain holes in the first outer container.

Abstract: The method and apparatus include an insert for increasing the aesthetic value of a floral box. The insert has a bottom wall being substantially rectangular in shape, a first end wall and a second end wall. The first end wall is parallel and equal in length to the second end wall. The first end wall and the second end wall extend from the bottom wall. There is a first side wall and a second side wall. The first side wall is parallel and equal in length to the second side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall extend from the bottom wall. The first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall and the second side wall diverge away from the bottom wall. The insert is made from a colored plastic material. The insert is formed by placing a piece of plastic on a heated mold that has the desired shape.

Abstract: A planting pot with separate isolated potting areas including a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extended peripherally upwards from the bottom wall to create a major potting area and an opening for allowing access to the major potting area and a plant receptacle positioned within the major potting area of the container for creating a separate minor potting area for use.

Abstract: A liner for a planting pot has a generally tubular body with an upper open end and a lower end with a transverse floor. The body has a plurality of openings in the wall thereof. When plant material is planted in a pot having such a liner, the plant material may be transplanted to a larger pot by removing the liner and plant material from the first pot and planting it in a second, larger pot.

Abstract: A method for growing botanical items where a liner is disposed in a container. A growing medium is disposed in the liner and a propagule is disposed in the growing medium. When the botanical item has grown to the desired extent, the liner with the growing medium in the botanical item disposed therein is removed from the container and disposed in a decorative covering thereby permitting the container to be reused for growing other botanical items. In one other embodiment, the decorative covering is placed in the container and the botanical item is grown in the decorative covering which then is removed from the container. In one other embodiment, the botanical item is grown in the decorative covering without the necessity of using a container.

Abstract: A method of growing nursery stock in-field, in reusable, permanently buried containers, combining the advantages of both container and in-field planting techniques. Apparatus for practice of the method includes an in-ground container with root-escapement apertures, and a harvesting tool conforming to the shape of the container which coacts with the container to facilitate removal of a plant and its root ball from the container, while leaving the container buried in the ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for transplant propagation comprising a unitary lower tray-forming member and a separate unitary upper tray-forming member carried on lower tray-forming member and cooperatively forming a regular array of transplant plug cells for containing a transplant medium for growing of seedlings. In one embodiment, the upper tray-forming member is removable from the lower tray-forming member and carriers transplant plugs out of the array of cells. In another embodiment, the upper tray-forming member is removable from the lower tray-forming member and leaves the transplant plugs in place on the lower tray-forming member to be carried thereby.

Abstract: In the pot cover container-envelope combination for the presentation of cultivated plants, a container or pot in which the plant has been cultivated is placed inside an envelope and a means is provided for preventing any accidental disengagement of the container or pot from the envelope.

Abstract: A special production pot includes a upstanding portion and a conical center depression for accepting lower pointed end of a plant tube. The bottom edge of the plant tube is elevated well above the top of the upstanding pot portion of the special production pot in order to provide for clearance for the plant's roots to grow in the substrate of the pot. Thus, the plant can be grown in this manner in a truck garden. When the plant has grown to a sufficient size for sale, the special production pot and plant tube is placed within a sales pot. Thus, the combined special production pot and the sales pot can be delivered to the customer.

Abstract: A peripherally defined, truncated conic plant pot provides two releasably interconnected portions that are maintained in interconnected relationship by a cup-like bottom element. The interconnected pot portions each define substantially diametrical halves of the pot and are joined by an overlapping seam which has complementary nubbin and indentation structures to aid releasable fastening. The adjacent surfaces of the pot and fastening cup have complementary nubbin and indentation fasteners communicating therebetween to aid releasable fastening and positional maintenance of these elements. The pot structure is particularly adapted for formation by injection molding from plastic materials.

Abstract: The flowerpot assembly comprises a flowerpot whose upper edge portion has formed thereon two diametrically opposed and radially outwardly oriented grip noses with which the flowerpot is hung or suspended in corresponding recesses formed in the upper edge portion of a flowerpot holder. The projections of the flowerpot are partly exposed to the outside, so that they can be gripped from underneath in order to remove the flowerpot from the flowerpot holder in a simple and easy way. The upper edge of the suspended flowerpot extends slightly below the upper edge of the flowerpot holder. A predetermined water accumulation chamber remains between the bottom of the flowerpot and the bottom of the flowerpot holder.

Abstract: A double-walled plant pot has a single water-permeable bottom, a permeable inner side wall, and an impermeable outer side wall. The space between the walls is filled with a fertilizer mixture whose concentration of fertilizer increases with depth. Thus larger plants obtain more fertilizing nutrients. The inner wall, bottom, and outside may be separable.

Abstract: A planting system including a support tray, a plurality of interconnected sleeves, and a plurality of transplant frames adapted for insertion within each sleeve. Each assembly is configured so that a plurality of assemblies are nestable and stackable without jamming relative to each other. Each individual part and subassembly is also configured to be nestable in nonjamming relationship with other like parts or subassemblies.

Abstract: A liner for plant pots covers substantially the entire interior surface of the pot and has upwardly extending finger grips which project through the top of the soil, permitting the liner to be gripped and drawn upwardly, raising the root and soil mass of a plant free of the surrounding pot, the flexible sheet member which comprises the liner being made in two or more distinct segments joined at the bottom such that they can easily be parted from the soil mass permitting the repotting of the mass, ordinarily into a larger pot or container.

Abstract: A plant potting system providing a pot to facilitate rapid and safe transplants of plants to a layer pot. The system includes a pot and liner rotatable with respect to each other, both the pot and liner have apertures formed therein in opposition when the pot and liner are in one position, and in alignment when they are in a second position rotated with respect to the first position to permit the plant roots to extend therethrough.