Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the mineral wool culture of plants, whereby water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein are supplied to, and if necessary discharged from, the mineral wool in which the plant grows, whereby in said mineral wool the suction pressure is adjusted using a capillary system connected for liquid communication with mineral wool, with which capillary system water and any required nutrients are actively supplied to and/or discharged from said mineral wool, in order to readjust the predetermined suction pressure; and to a device for the mineral wool culture of plants, comprising: mineral wool in which the plants can grow; means for supplying water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein to said mineral wool; and means for discharging water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein from said mineral wool, wherein a capillary system connected for liquid communication with said mineral wool, to which system are linked means for adjusting the suction pressu

Abstract: A flowerpot bowl consists of a closed bottom (12) and an encircling closed side wall (14) connected with it which at least in its upper part has a plane inner side (16) extending in the axial direction and at the same time, the bottom (12) is shaped with at leasat one sunk part (18) being in open communication with the intervening space (26) defined by the side wall (14) of the pot bowl and the flowerpot inserted in the pot bowl.

Abstract: A container for plants is defined by a bottom and side walls, and a drainage riser extending interiorly from the bottom, the riser having drainage openings adjacent the interior extremity and including an opening communicating through the bottom. A removable plug is provided for closing the bottom opening, as desired. A plant support and drainage platform is removably fitted across the enclosure above the extremity of the drainage riser, so as to define a plenum between the drainage platform and the riser.

Abstract: A ground cover sheet for retaining bark dust and bark chips in place in a landscaping arrangement includes a base sheet and a cover sheet. A plurality of rows of short slits are spaced along the length of the cover sheet. The cover sheet is heat welded to the base sheet in a manner to cause bows formed by the spaced slits to extend convexly upwardly. These upwardly extending bows serve to retain bark dust and bark chips in place on the ground cover sheet. The base and cover sheets are preferably formed from a flexible plastic material of a brown color to match the bark dust. The base sheet is formed from a four mils thick material and the cover sheet is formed from a six mils thick material. The upwardly extending bows on the cover sheet may be reinforced with a nylon filament material.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a planting pot and supplying water or liquid thereto by capillary action from a liquid reservoir maintained in an outer container disposed in surrounding and supporting relation to the planting pot on the interior thereof. The assembly incorporates a capillary container holding transfer medium which facilitates liquid flow therethrough by capillary action, such as dirt or soil similar to the material on the interior of the planting pot in which the root structure of the contained plant grows.

Abstract: A trough for irrigation and moistening of the water-permeable side walls (3) and a waterproofed bottom (9) is described. It also comprises a welded or adhesively bonded, waterproofed lid (6), provided with a feed coupling (8) and a discharge coupling (10). When placed in series, a number of troughs of this type are suitable for moistening dry earth.

Abstract: For culturing a plant so as to have a dwaft habit the plant is placed in cavity inside a pot made of porous material, as for example clay. The plant pot is placed in an outer vessel, preferably with a gap therebetween for water or nutrient solution. Slot-like blind channels extend horizontally into the side wall of the plant pot and/or downwards into the bottom thereof. These channels serve as traps for roots of the tangled mass of roots in the cavity so that the growth of such roots is halted and they only put out root hairs in the channels. The check in the growth of the roots of the plant causes a permanently dwarfed habit.

Abstract: A disk composed of rigid open cell synthetic resin foam has a recess in one face for being occupied by fertilizer. A water permeable plug of similar foam is inserted in the recess to retain the fertilizer and to serve as a wick for conducting fertilizer dissolved in water out of the recess and into the bottom hole of a plant pot standing on the disk for the fertilizer to permeate the soil in the pot. The fertilizer is preferably composed of pellets coated with water permeable resin. In use the disk is set in a reservoir and covered with water.

Abstract: A sterile plant growth system and a method of use including an upper plant growth container and a lower reservoir container and fluid communication through a wick from the reservoir to a plant growth medium in the plant growth container. The system is sealable and autoclavable, unbreakable, and reusable to provide sterile growing conditions.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a device for long-term supply for earth and hydrocultures. Conventionally, an especially designed sub-atmospheric pressure tank is manufactured for each plant vessel--as small or large container--that has proven to be expensive. The main problem of these water supply tanks are either an unfavorable use and arrangement of space (revolving tank), or their refill possibilities conceal under some circumstances the danger of tank leakiness. And necessary water-level indicators are lacking entirely. The industry offers no optimal planting vessels for the long-term watering of earth culture flowers, including bonsais. The invented device solves these problems through a tank, functioning according to the principle of sub-atmospheric pressure, which consists of at least two dimensionally stable partial tanks or tank parts, that are relatively movable against each other connected to each other.

Abstract: An automatic water-supplying flowerpot and its water supply control method are disclosed, in which the principle of capillary action is utilized. The flowerpot of the present invention comprises an upper pot for containing the soil to raise a plant, a lower pot for storing the water, and an intermediate portion for integrally connecting the said upper and lower pots. A water supply control tube which is stuffed with an absorption material extends from the bottom of the lower pot to the bottom of the upper pot in order to adequately supply the water into the soil of the upper pot, the water supply control tube including a large bore and a plurality of small bores. The advantage of the device of the present invention is that frequent waterings are not required, but the watering may be done once for every couple of months, thereby making it possible to leave the flowerpot uncared during a long trip and the like.

Abstract: A spike shaped for driving into the soil, has a vertical tube having an upturned lower portion terminating in an upwardly port. The spike has an element for connection with a water supply. It has a closer mounted at the top and its lower end adjacent the port, and restricting the port upon expanding caused by the moisture in the soil. The closer is made of wood cut across the grain in a tree limb. In a modified form, water is supplied by a jar mounted on the pot in which the plant is located. A plurality of devices may be used for a plurality of plants, supplied with water from branches of a common water line, and the device responding and controlling individually.

Abstract: An upwardly open receptacle for plants includes a bottom wall, a reservoir adjacent the receptacle and having an opening at the bottom in communication with a membrane in the bottom of the receptacle, and a compartment in operative relation with the reservoir. The compartment has a first conduit communicating the atmosphere with a first location within the compartment, and a second conduit communicating a second location within the compartment with the location in the reservoir adjacent the lower region of the receptacle. The second location is above the first location. The compartment is adapted to contain liquid to a level between the two locations, and is sealed from the atmosphere except for the first-mentioned conduit.

Abstract: A combined capillary mat and platform formed of a bottom piece of material having individual air cells which rest on a base to provide a platform and a sheet of mat material attached to the top of the first piece for providing capillary action. The combined mat and platform are preferably made by melting particles or granules of material on a surface of the mat which is thereafter bonded under pressure to the top surface of the bottom piece.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydroponics comprising (a) a box made of cardboard comprising a bottom wall, a surrounding wall and a cover, wherein the surrounding wall comprises at least two sheets and a space is formed between the two sheets, and the cover consists of at least two parts which can be separately opened and closed, and at least one of the parts has at least one opening; (b) a container made of water-impermeable material which can be contained in the box; and (c) a porous solid medium for plant culture comprising a culture bed which can be contained in the water-impermeable container and at least one plant support, wherein the plant support protrudes through the opening of the cover part of the apparatus, beyond the cover part, and an upper surface of the culture bed and an inner surface of the cover define a space therebetween; and the use thereof.

Abstract: A cultivated plant either which blossoms or has only leaves can be provided over a long time interval simultaneously with moisture and a nutrient material without watering. A root ball containing the nutrient material including the roots of the plant is surrounded by a moist material which simultaneously uniformly feeds it and supplies it with moisture. This moist material is advantageously formed from a mixture of swollen and then broken clay pieces and from a plurality of cellular or foamed plastic material pieces which is provided surrounding the root ball in a container for the plant advantageously in the ratio of about 2:1 or 3:1. In this way the plant with the usual earth or humus root ball can be provided with moisture uniformly over a long time interval without requiring that a particular container or plant be used.

Abstract: A synthetic substrate for use in the rooting of cuttings and the raising of seedlings, comprising an expanded, semi-rigid, substantially hetero-cellular plastics material having a plurality of regions of relatively low density for receiving cuttings or seedlings to be propagated. The regions of low density are separated by regions of relatively high density which exhibit higher capillarity than the lower density regions.One way of forming the aforegoing substrate is to subject predetermined regions of a block of foamed polyurethane or other suitable, relatively low density plastics material to heat and pressure whereby to selectively compress and permanently deform the low density foamed material to produce the regions of relatively high density.The synthetic substrate of the invention may also be in the form of capillary matting for use in supplying water and/or nutrients to plants.

Abstract: The device consists of a wall (4-7) surrounding a reservoir (9) for the water, this wall having at the top a tightly sealable (11) opening (12) for introduction of the water and at the bottom two passages (17, 18) for the discharge of water and the entrance of air. The wall areas provided with the passages (17, 18) directly adjoin the soil to be irrigated.The device can be constituted by a container (1) with a double-walled shell (2) and bottom (3). In this arrangement, two passages (17, 18) are provided in the downwardly curved inner wall (7) of the bottom (3), the spacing between these passages being dimensioned to be small.The irrigation device is simple and inexpensive. It discharges only the quantity of water required by the plants so that the water reservoir lasts for a long time and danger of bogginess of the soil is avoided.

Abstract: A flower pot having a drainage tray, an outer shell supported on said drainage tray, an upper insert, a lower insert and a top block. The upper insert is disposed between the lower insert and the top block. A soil groove is provided in the upper insert for receiving soil to determine the wetness of the soil above the top block.

Abstract: A flower pot for plants, especially flowers, comprising a container portion (10), and a partitioning member accommodated at the low part of the container. They define a bottom chamber (18) for collecting water. The bottom chamber (18) is provided with a liquid overflow (16) at the proper position on the bottom wall of the container. Some overflow apertures are also provided around an inwardly extending shoulder on the lower side wall of the container, with a position higher than the overflow. The partitioning member comprising a sunk park (28) extending downwardly into the bottom chamber (18) past the niveau of the overflow (16). The sunk part (28) at its lower end defines a passage opening (42) towards the chamber (18), and at its upper end is open for receiving filling, e.g. earth. The filling put into the sunk part may serve as a wick for sucking up water from the bottom chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing natural fertilization and irrigation is designed to preserve the osmotic, chemical and electric natural equilibrium of plants. More specifically, the method and apparatus relies upon negative sap pressure within plants which facilitates the providing of water, fertilizers, gases, and other chemicals in the exact amounts needed by the plants. The apparatus includes a porous ceramic implant in a plant stem with liquid being provided by capillary action to the implant from an external source. The plant will draw liquid through the porous implant in proportion to the amount needed by the plant. A passive solar distiller also forms a part of the method and apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: An ornamental plant pot made to resemble an object found in nature and including a construction which allows for drainage of excess liquid from the soil in the pot and enables dissipation of such liquid while precluding return of the liquid to the soil in the pot. The construction includes a concealed trough spaced below drain holes leading from the soil and means permitting the passage of ambient air to the trough and dissipation of the excess liquid.

Abstract: An inner plant pot for holding a living plant, soil and hydrophilic inert material and supported within an outer container. Openings in the bottom and side of the plant pot provide passages for water and air to a large area of the roots of the plant.The inner and outer containers are dimensioned to provide minimal water storage. Water is forced into the inner container through openings and the water is retained by the inert material and the soil.

Abstract: An installation for rapidly obtaining a high vacuum, comprising two compression stages, the first of which is a liquid ring vacuum pump, characterized in that means are provided for instantaneously coupling or dissociating the first stage and the second stage. The invention concerns also a process intended to be used in said installation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flower pot comprising an upper pot, a lower pot, with means that can regulate the water supply to the soil and a means that can adjust the exposed area of the soil to the air, thereby minimizing the unfavorable effect of the drastic changes of the weather.

Abstract: A liquid tension-sensitive gas valve for use in an environment containing liquid includes an inlet connectable to a source of gas and an outlet connectable to a receiver of gas. An internal porous member disposed between the inlet and the outlet has a plurality of pores having pore openings which are closed when filled with liquid and which are open when the tension (negative hydrostatic pressure) of the liquid therein has increased past a predetermined level. The internal member prevents movement of gas between the inlet and the outlet when the moisture content of the internal porous member has increased to cause the liquid tension to decrease below the predetermined level, wherein moisture has closed the pores. Conversely, the internal porous member permits the movement of gas between the inlet and the outlet when the moisture content therein has decreased to cause the liquid tension to exceed the predetermined level, wherein the pores are open.

Abstract: A container for living plants, characterized by nesting pots, the upper pot of which defines a reservoir and the second of which rests within the first to contain a nutrient soil, the second, defining with the first, a water input and the second also having plural ducts extending downward into the reservoir, the ducts each having horizontal channels at respective bottoms with a vertical water flow passageway therein, allowing the flow of water from the reservoir by capillary action, the second pot also having drain holes located within the bottom of the pot, intermediate the respective ducts.

Abstract: To provide water to a plant in a standard pot, a removable, preassembled plastic separator disc fits within the walls of the pot near its bottom to form a soil compartment above it for the roots of the plant and a water reservoir beneath it. Water is supplied to the soil for the plant by a porous plug that extends through the center of the plastic divider into the water compartment below it. Water is added to the water compartment through a first plastic tube and air is displaced through a second plastic tube both of which extend through the disc and soil. The separator disc is preassembled into a kit with porous plug and tubes to fit standard tapered pots.

Abstract: An improved self controlled watering planter device of the type utilizing a porous moisture sensor, an air-tight fluid reservoir and a membranous fluid inlet port on the interior bottom of the device including concentric annular ridges and a solid circular disk for inhibiting the interference of plant roots with the fluid inlet port. The improved device further includes baffle structures to inhibit debris from fouling the bottom portion of the inlet port, an interiorally mounted moisture sensing unit and an inward draining niche surrounding the fluid reservoir fill port.

Abstract: A granular or plate-like calcium aluminum silicate layer stores water beneath fertile soil. The silicate material may be coated with fertilizer or chemicals and may be shipped and installed within a wrapping, at least one surface of which is moisture pervious. A fleece-like material may form the pervious surface. A silicate container with a perforated cover and sidewalls fits within a planter. A filler pipe extends through the soil into the container. The silicate material may be mixed with the fertile soil.

Abstract: A hydroponic bedding tray and nutrient feeding apparatus is disclosed which is particularly advantageous for outdoor use wherein trough means in fluid communication with a nutrient mixing reservoir are formed below a bottom floor of the bedding tray so that a plant contained in an inert media within the bedding tray is fed through capillary action and the bedding tray floor is sloped so as to avoid drainage into the trough means and dilution of the nutrient solution in the reservoir.

Abstract: The subirrigation of soil in a container for container-grown plants is accomplished upwardly through an opening in the container bottom by placing the container on the upper surface of a capillary sheet in the form of a sheet wettable plastic having a multiplicity of capillary openings therein and by disposing the capillary sheet so that its undersurface directly overlies in unbonded face-to-face contacting relation an essentially continuous and substantially smooth wettable surface presented by a substantially flat member comprised in a support bed for the container as, for example, by a sheet of plastic overlying a substantially rigid member or by a substantially rigid slab comprised in the support bed and feeding an aqueous liquid into the interface between said surfaces as through feeder tubes by gravity or by capillary travel from a reservoir disposed below the interface, whereby the so fed aqueous liquid becomes distributed by capillary action to any portion of the capillary sheet directly underlying a

Abstract: A self-watering, appliance for a potted plant, the device including an earth-filled, plant pot placed above a vessel of water, a downwardly tubular neck on the bottom of the pot extending into the water, a quantity of spagnum moss stuffed into the tubular neck providing capillary action for water to be drawn up to plant roots in the earth, and valve means on the extension for controlling amount of water drawn up into the pot.

Abstract: An agricultural device which comprises three strata of soil air and water. The soil is retained on a permeable floor and spaced apart from the water. The floor is supported by hydrophilic columns which are received in the water. Water is transmitted through the hydrophilic columns, generally with air, and introduced into the soil. The columns may or may not extend into the soil.

Abstract: A plant growing system is provided wherein a layer of sand is placed between two water-impermeable layers. The top impermeable layer covers the entire sand surface and is formed of a thin opaque plastic. Each container for a plant has prongs extending from the bottom which, when positioned on the top sheet, extends into the sand layer without contacting the bottom water-impermeable layer. Water and nutrients are metered into the sand layer which is transmitted into the containers by capillary action.

Abstract: In a co-pending parent application, a plant watering system comprises a porous inner pot positioned at an elevated location within a water-impervious outer container. Water within the outer container wicks by capillary action up the side walls of the porous pot and wets any soil or like growing medium contained within the inner pot. The lower part of the inner pot is coated with a water-impervious layer to control the elevation at which the wicking water may enter the soil. Also, a special pot liner enables gases to be bi-directionally vented throughout a selected region in the bottom of the inner pot. When desired, water may be drained out the bottom of the inner pot. The inventive process adjusts the percentage of moisture maintained by soil, or the like, by rating the moisture needs of plant species, the season of the year, and the type of growing medium used.

Abstract: The subirrigation of soil in a container for container-grown plants is accomplished upwardly through an opening in the container bottom by placing the container on the upper surface of a capillary sheet in the form of a sheet wettable plastic having a multiplicity of capillary openings therein and by disposing the capillary sheet so that its undersurface directly overlies in unbonded face-to-face contacting relation an essentially continuous and substantially smooth wettable surface presented by a substantially flat member comprised in a support bed for the container as, for example, by a sheet of plastic overlying a substantially rigid member or by a substantially rigid slab comprised in the support bed and feeding an aqueous liquid into the interface between said surfaces as through feeder tubes by gravity or by capillary travel from a reservoir disposed below the interface, whereby the so fed aqueous liquid becomes distributed by capillary action to any portion of the capillary sheet directly underlying a

Abstract: There are disclosed several features of a container of particulate plant-growing material, and a supporting member surrounding the container, to be used with or combined with a container of plant-sustaining liquid such as water or a hydroponic solution. In one form, the liquid container is incorporated in the supporting member itself. In another form of the disclosed horticultural device, the supporting member is open at its bottom and rests on a tray of liquid. In a distinctive form, the supporting member and the first container are removably received as a closure in the mouth of a second container of plant-sustaining liquid.Roots of a growing plant project through the bottom and sides of the first-mentioned container and downward through an air-space, then into the liquid, uniting the plant and the first container.

Abstract: A receptacle having an imperforate bottom has a perforated, horizontal wall spaced upwardly from the bottom and dividing the receptacle into upper and lower compartments. Tubes project through the perforated wall and extend upwardly above the upper edge of the receptacle and downwardly to the bottom of said receptacle. Lower end portions of the tubes below the horizontal wall are also perforated. The upper compartment is adapted to receive soil and the lower compartment receives excess water which evaporates through the tubes and keeps the soil moist.

Abstract: Pots for growing plants including water-level indicators therefor, wherein the pot includes an outer pot and an inner pot supported therein having a lower portion of reduced diameter through which water is conducted upwardly by surface tension activity, and wherein the water-level indicator comprises a float in the water reservoir having a stem extending upwardly through a water inlet to indicate the water level.

Abstract: Pots for growing plants, wherein an outer pot has an upwardly facing interior annular shoulder therearound which is disposed below a downwardly facing exterior annular shoulder of an inner pot fitted within the outer pot. The inner pot has an inwardly projecting vertical sidewall formation which provides a channel through which water may be introduced into the bottom of the outer pot. The bottom of the inner pot is spaced above the bottom of the outer pot, and the inner pot has a downwardly extending well at its center which is spaced closely above the bottom of the outer pot, and which extends below the surface of the water in the bottom of the outer pot. The bottom of the inner pot has holes therethrough through which excess water in soil in the inner pot drains into the outer pot. The bottom of the well has holes through which water rises into the well, which is filled with a material such as perlite which causes water to rise into the soil in the inner pot by adsorption.

Abstract: A plant watering system comprises a porous inner pot at an elevated location within a water-impervious outer container. Water within the outer container wicks by capillary action up the side walls of the porous pot and wets any soil or like medium contained within the inner pot. The lower part of the inner pot is coated with a water-impervious layer to control the elevation at which the wicking water may enter the soil. Also, a special pot liner enables gases to be bi-directionally vented throughout a selected region in the bottom of the inner pot. When desired, water may be drained out the bottom of the inner pot. The inventive process adjusts the percentage of moisture maintained by soil, or the like, by rating the moisture needs of plant species, the season of the year, and the type of growing medium used. Such a process enalbes a plant grower to select a preferred level of water in the outer container, and therefore the distance over which the water must travel by capillary action through the porous wall.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated planter system comprising a planter unit having an outer container and an inner container, the inner container being supported interiorly of the outer container. A lower portion of the inner container is porous to the flow of liquid which is held in the intermediate space between the two containers. The intermediate space provides a water table volume and humidifying space and is open to the space above the inner container.The water level within the intermediate space is regulated by a valve which is set to open when the water reaches a first low water level and to close when the water reaches a second high water level. The high water level is above the porous portion of the inner container and the low water level is below the porous portion. The automated planter thus provides the necessary alternate wet and dry periods for any plants growing within the inner container.

Abstract: A system for growing a plant is provided in which an envelope defines a space in which the roots of the plant grow. Sheets of porous, flexible material which carry a number of nutrient packs are supported within the envelope. The sheets are partially submerged in a water reservoir and are constantly moistened by capillary action. The roots of the plant are physically supported by the sheets of flexible, absorbent material, and receive nutrients therefrom by absorbing nutrients which dissolve from the nutrient packs and pass through the moist film and into the root structure at a rate which increases with the rate of consumption of the nutrients by the plant.

Abstract: A self-fertilizing pot which includes outer and inner cup-shaped members which are attached together with a space therebetween. Timed release encapsulated plant food is mounted on one of the cup-shaped members inside the space. Water is introduced into the space to release the plant food. The water passes through openings in the inner cup-shaped member to provide water and plant food for contents of the inner cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A new and improved hydroponic system including a plant supporting chamber having an inert, supportive medium therein; a collection reservoir positioned below the plant supporting chamber; a pump reservoir for containing a nutrient solution and delivering the nutrient solution to the plant supporting chamber and first and second valve means for operating the hydroponic system as either a closed or an open hydroponic system as desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable hydroponic unit comprising a nutrient containing trough which supports an plant supporting aggregate filled tray. Liquid nutrient is carried to the aggregate through an upwardly directed conduit, with apertures in the aggregate, by air bubbles supplied at the conduit lower open end by an air source.

Abstract: An automatic self-regulating water control arrangement in a unique structural planter configuration that is suited to an economical and yet fool-proof method of manufacturing. A vacuum control in combination with capillary action is necessary to properly dispense the moisture required, and the final sealing of the water reservoir provides the secure vacuum means needed and permits conclusive testing of the vacuum before putting into use.

Abstract: Irrigation of a body of soil or other plant-growing medium appropriate for growing plants in hothouses, florist shops and the like is controlled by interposing between the body of soil, which may be in a container having a water-permeable bottom, and a body of water-receptive material to which water is supplied, preferably at a controlled rate, a capillary sheet of impermeable and preferably opaque plastic having a multiplicity of regularly spaced capillary openings therein through which water migrates in travelling from the water-receptive material into the body of soil. The water-receptive material may comprise and preferably consists of a silica sand catalytic plastic sheet having on one side thereof a coating of silica sand particles interspersed by a network of capillary spaces that are conducive to lateral spread of water supplied thereto, said silica sand catalytic sheet also being beneficial in installations wherein a body of soil is in direct contact therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a relatively small, compact, easily disassemblable, hydroponic unit which comprises superposed telescopic trays one of which is provided with a free flowing liquid that may be transported by a pump positioned in the lower tray to an upper aggregate supporting tray by a suitable conduit whereupon it may thoroughly moisten the extent of the aggregate and flow back to the lower tray. The structure further includes suitable timer means for controlling nutrient flow as well as facilitating removal of the pump from the lower tray without disturbing the aggregate.