Abstract: A vertical plant stand arrangement includes a lower base having a water reservoir and pumping system, the electrical controls and timer unit; a central vertical support column provided with a plurality of plant stations and, optionally, an upper cover that house the water drip distribution system and the lighting system. The base has two physically separate sections--one housing the water reservoir and pumping system and the other housing the electrical system and timer. The water reservoir includes a filtering system and feeding lines to the top of the central vertical support column as well as return lines from each plant station to the water reservoir. The electrical system includes a timer that activates the pumping system in the water reservoir. The central vertical support column includes a hollow interior passageway for receiving the water lines and a plurality of plant stations attached thereto. The location of each of the plant stations is adjustable to allow different plant configurations.

Abstract: A novel pyramiding planter apparatus is provided comprising a plurality of vertically spaced tiers comprising elongated panels and defining a central area therethrough, the vertically spaced tiers being supportedly connected to one another by a plurality of support brackets such that the tiers are spacedly positioned above one another in a pyramiding fashion thereby having open areas therebetween and a common central vertical axis.

Abstract: The block has a cambered front radiused to tapering side walls. The side walls have, in the portion radiused to the front, mutually opposite insertion-coupling members and seats for accommodating the insertion-coupling members of an adjacent block. The block furthermore has, at an upper part thereof, an abutment for engagement with a supporting element defined on a lower part at the front of an adjacent block.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for growing plants comprises a tubular member enclosed on both ends by vertically oriented fittings to retain liquid therein. The tubular member has openings through a wall sized to receive a plant vine and positioned to retain liquid in said tubular member. The tubular member is preferably a transparent, plastic pipe.

Abstract: An assembly for storage of floral items or the like which includes a housing made up of stepped side walls, a rear wall, a front wall section at each step and top wall sections at each step. At least one container is located at each step, preferably received in an opening defined by the top wall section thereat. The containers define at least one water drain opening therein which is associated with a water drain system and with appropriate controls for maintaining water within the container or draining same therefrom. A cut item separator support may be provided within the containers for dividing the inside of the containers into a plurality of compartments for the receipt of floral items therein and for water-free transfer of foliage from one container to another.

Abstract: A garden structure is disclosed for producing a vertically oriented garden. The garden structure comprises a preferably molded, unitary elongated enclosure for holding a growing medium. The enclosure has a central hollow body member of a uniform cross-sectional area and peripheral shape, and bottom and top end portions at opposite ends of the enclosure. Each end portion has a peripheral shape substantially the same as the body member, and is of a reduced cross-sectional area to form bottom and top shoulders at the junction of the end portions and body member. The top portion containing the top shoulder is severed from the body member, reversed and mounted on the severed end with the top shoulder in engagement therewith to form a tray cover.

Abstract: There is disclosed a structure for supporting the growth of plants, comprising a flexible tubular element in the wall of which slits are provided. Closure means define with the tubular element an elongated enclosed area that is filled with a fluid and root permeable material for supporting the roots of plants. A fluid nutrient is supplied by a pump to the material. The tubular element may be suspended from one of its ends and supplied at the upper end with the fluid nutrient to support plant growth through the perforations from the particulate material. The construction is cheaply and easily manufactured, and easily used by a lay person.

Abstract: A hydroponic system is disclosed that consists of a novel nutrient supply system. An air pump is connected into an air line that extends into a nutrient solution container. A nutrient solution supply line extends from the nutrient solution container, and a nutrient solution return line extends back into the nutrient solution container. The return line will be connected to the lowermost vertical extent of the plant containers and will return any excess nutrient fluid back into the nutrient supply system. A flap valve is disposed on the return line within the fluid container and will increase the efficiency of the pumping of the nutrient fluid. The nutrient solution return line, the nutrient solution supply line and the high-pressure air line are all connected into a T-connector. A small opening is formed in the T-connector adjacent the connection of the return line and the T-connector.

Abstract: A support assembly for a conventionally structured planting pot designed to position and support the planting pot on the interior of an outer liquid containing container wherein the support assembly includes an adjustable support structure for maintaining any one of a variety of planting pots above an existing level of water or irrigating liquid within the container and a positioning structure both fixedly and adjustably disposed to properly position the supported plant pot in a centered location within the outer container.

Abstract: An assembly for display and/or storage floral items or the like which includes a housing made up of stepped side walls, a rear wall, a front wall section at each step and top wall sections at each step. A container is located at each step, preferably received in an opening defined by the top wall section thereat. The containers define at least one water drain opening therein which is associated with a water drain system and with appropriate controls for maintaining water within the container or draining same therefrom. A water supply system is also provided in association with each container for supplying water thereto along with appropriate valving to control water supply to the containers. A cut item separator support may be provided within the containers for dividing the inside of the containers into a plurality of compartments for the receipt of floral items therein.

Abstract: A measured and variable quantity of water is delivered to an object requiring periodic watering when a water filled vessel is inverted and mounted or suspended above the item requiring water. The vessels constricted orifice is sealed by a rubber stopper which has two holes into one of which is inserted a tube filled with water soluable material and the other of which contains a hollow vacuum breaking tube long enough to support the entire apparatus in reasonably giving material (sand, dirt, gravel, etc.). A tripod stand is also provided to suspend the device if such giving material is not present. As the soluable material is immersed in water by inverting the device the dissolution process begins and when all of the material in the tube has dissolved the contained water is set free through the dissolutime time tube. Timed control of 1 to 15 or more days is achieved by providing filled tubes of various lengths.

Abstract: A self-contained aeroponic apparatus comprising a reservoir for containing a nutrient solution and a right-angular plant support standing over the upper edge of the reservoir and defining with it a closed chamber. The panels that form the plant support are releasably secured, along edges thereof that adjoin one another, in essentially watertight and light-tight conditions. Likewise, the lower edges of the support panels are releasably secured to the upper edge of the reservoir in watertight and light-tight conditions. Cups for holding plant structures are formed integrally with the inclined hypotenuse wall of the right-angular support. They are open-ended tapered tubes each of a size to snugly hold a plant structure. A nutrient solution spraying system within the chamber serves to supply the solution to the plant structures in the cups.

Abstract: A watering system display stand comprises a display panel having a variety of garden plants graphically displayed thereon and a watering system, including a plurality of authentic interconnected irrigation components, mounted on the display panel to visually portray a typical mock, instructional watering system for the garden plants. A plurality of trays are mounted vertically below the display panel to retain corresponding irrigation components therein for purchase by a consumer. The trays are numerically coded to match corresponding codes imprinted adjacent to corresponding irrigation components mounted on the display panel. Rolls of porting and drip tubing are mounted on the display stand, below the trays. The trays are formed from suitably scored paperboard blanks that are folded to form interlocked panels.

Abstract: A self-supporting plant container has at least one plant receptacle supported by and covering a lower receptacle which is a reservoir. An irrigating device effects communication between the receptacles and consists of a wick element extending into both receptacles and a perforated tube secured to the bottom of the upper receptacle and extending at least upwardly therein and therein confining the wick member. The wick member is self-supporting when dry and a snug fit in the tube at least when saturated.

Abstract: A plant supporting arrangement or totem upon which the roots of growing plants can attach and receive nourishment and water in appropriate quantities is provided, which comprises at least one generally cylindrically shaped perforate frame, having at least one open end, and designed to be utilized in a substantially upright position. A suitable barrier is operatively associated with the perforate frame and this barrier serves to prevent soil placed inside the perforate frame from passing through in any quantity. The perforate frame has large enough apertures to permit the roots of one or more plants to reside in selected apertures, that the roots may thrive in the soil contained in the interior of the perforate frame.

Abstract: A system for hydroponically growing plants in a vertical array includes a vertical cylindrical column made up of stacked column sections adapted to contain an inert support material, the column sections including top and bottom openings and a plurality of side apertures. A nutrient reservoir is provided for positioning above the column and adapted to contain a nutrient solution. The introduction of nutrient solution into the column is controlled by an adjustable valve supported above the top opening of the column for gravity feed of nutrient solution into the column. The valve is positioned to permit visual inspection of the rate of introduction of nutrient solution through the valve and into the column. A conduit connects the valve to the nutrient reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates a new embodiment for a multitray vertical planter fed basically by capillar water action, which enables easy handling for commercial distribution, and also the possibility of rotating the planter for adequate sunning or decorative purposes. In its erected position the planter consists of a closed water deposit which holds a succession of trays for containing soil and supporting structures thereof on top of its rotatory lid. Said rotation of the planter being achieved through ball bearings at the contact edges of the water deposit and its lid. The contact between soil and water being achieved through a conducting valve, which serves two purposes: draining the soil and feeding in capillar water. In its packed presentation, both, the water deposit and its lid contain nested all building parts: the frustoconical trays, the supporting structures and the conducting valve.

Abstract: An assembly of preferably frusto-conical shell like members for use in hydroponic growing of plants have openings in the walls through which plants can grow and a matrix of rooting material within each shell like member into which the plants are inserted and take root. A liquid collection means is disposed below the lower most shell and a liquid introducing means for introducing liquid nutrient is provided near the top of the rooting matrix. The assembly can also incorporate a means for pumping the liquid nutrient from the collection means to the top of the rooting matrix.

Abstract: A cultivation device by use of water-and-air mixture. The device comprises of an air pump having an ejecting outlet end portion installed in a culture fluid tub, a water guiding tube having a cone-shaped inlet opposing to the discharging outlet in the culture fluid tub, a lever mechanism for storing culture fluid emitted from the other end portion of the water guiding tube at the location of the end portion thereof and discharging the culture fluid when the amount of the stored culture fluid comes up to the predetermined one, and cultivation pallets by use of water-and-air mixture, which are installed in an inclined state and supplied with the culture fluid discharged from the lever mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a planter which is vertically stackable and interlockable with further like planters. The planter includes a lower end which is interlockable with a first like planter from beneath and an upper end which is interlockable from above with a second like planter. The upper end of the planter is further provided with a planting region remote from the interlocking region between planters and exposed beneath the second like planter positioned above the planting region.

Abstract: A plurality of planters may be used free standing or arranged in a bracket assembly to form a hanging garden. The planter has a unique water-management system. The planter comprises a unitary plastic piece having a chamber therein in which flowers or plants may be planted. A watering chamber, having a plurality of holes at the bottom thereof, allows water into the planted soil well above the bottom of the planting chamber. Excess water passes through drainage/reabsorption holes at the bottom of the planting chamber and into drainage chambers. Erosion baffles operate to impede the flow of water along the convexly curved bottom of the planting chamber preventing and controlling fine soil erosion. The drainage chamber allows for visual inspection of the water level and provides for reabsorption of excess water by the plant's roots as needed.

Abstract: The art of vertical horticulture is improved when plants growing outward from the sides of tall vertical columns are provided with a system that enhances root growth by causing some of the early formed branches to be converted to roots and then by having these newly formed roots grow in a nutrient aerosol environment which applies both liquid chemical nourishment as well as ample aeration to these roots, the required conversion of some branches into the plant's principal root system being accomplished by a vertical shield positioned around early formed branches both to prevent light from reaching the branches after a period of initial branch growth as well as to contain the moisture of the nutrient spray. Outer segments of the branches extend through perforations in the shield and thereby grow into the plant's system of branches and leaves.

Abstract: The invention is a new structure for a self-irrigating, multi-tiered planter. The planter has a pan-shaped base to receive water, and a centrally mounted, upstanding tubular post member, open on its lower end, and secured to the base, and having a plurality of apertures in its side walls. A plurality of vertically stacked trays which are shaped as a V in rotation, for containing soil are vertically stacked on the tubular post member. The trays are vertically aligned over the pan-shaped base member. Each tray has apertures in the lowest point of the V to allow liquid to seep into a lower tray and finally into the base member. Each tray has a plurality of second apertures located in the outer inclined wall of each tray to provide an overflow outlet for excess liquid to drip into a lower tray. The planter has a liquid distribution system located above the uppermost tray and an apparatus to feed liquid to the distribution apparatus.

Abstract: A container (2) such as a plant holder is provided with formations at its lower end to enable it to be stacked on other such holders in a staggered formation so that none of the supporting containers need be closed off. The containers are polygonal, so that they can be interlocked in edge to edge formation A or corner to corner formation B. Drain holes are provided so as to enable the upper containers of an array to drain into the lower ones and then to supporting trays (3).

Abstract: A mushroom growing method and apparatus in which a tray is filled with compost mixed with mushroom spawn, and the compost is covered with a layer of casing medium. The tray is supported horizontally while the mycelium colonizes the casing medium, and is then supported in an upright disposition under mushroom growing conditions so that the mushrooms grow from the upright face of the consolidated casing medium. Two trays may be supported back-to-back in an upright disposition against a stanchion. Alternatively, the trays may be hinged together and lifted to rest against each other back-to-back. The casing medium layer is watered by wicks dipping into water containers.

Abstract: A garden assembly has a frame for separate removably supporting a plurality of open top troughs, one above the other. A separate horizontal distribution conduit is positioned above each trough, and a container adapted to be filled with water is disposed above the row of troughs. A separate tube connects the bottom of the trough removably to each of the conduits, so that the container is directly drained into each trough. The troughs have drain apertures in their bottoms positioned to drain each trough away from their respective lower troughs.

Abstract: A plant watering system including a tray having a platform thereon in which a water absorbent mat is located. The mat extends into the tray in which water is located and water is absorbed from the tray into the mat by capillary action. The plants are located on the mat and are provided with water directly to the plant bottom and water is available to provide humidity to the leaves. A stackable arrangement is provided so that one tray can be stacked on top of another one.

Abstract: A three-dimensional decorative planter having a frame for securing a vertically disposed cultivation body and having a liquid reservoir and conduit for liquid from the reservoir to the cultivation body. The frame also has a trough for collecting excess liquid. The cultivation body includes culture material and filler in arrangements necessary to secure the culture material and provide watering, drainage and ventilation.

Abstract: A plurality of perforated individual seed germinating and sprout growing bags are suspended from sets of portable racks which are placed on circular tray structures. The tray structures are supported in spaced vertical relationship by an upright mast located within an enclosed housing and adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The rack sets of each tray structure are arranged about the longitudinal axis of the mast to form circular tiers. Periodically, filtered and anti-bacterially treated irrigation water is supplied to each bag at a fast enough rate to thoroughly mix the seeds located therein. Water draining from the bags is collected in a storage tank and subsequently recycled after first being filtered and purified. Once the seeds have sprouted, artificial light is provided so that substantially all the sprouts in each bag receive a uniform amount of growing light.

Abstract: A plurality of space lattices arranged within an enclosed cultivation space, wherein one space lattice consists of plants which are arranged to move in a continuous vertical serpentine path within the space lattice. A space lattice formed of illumination means is arranged in an interstitial manner relative to the circulating plant lattice and serves to artifically illuminate the plants while they are circulating. A measurement space lattice is arranged coextensive with the illumination space lattice and serves to make measurements of selected parameters of environmental parameters within the cultivation space. An environmental factor space lattice is also arranged coextensive with the illumination space lattice and is connected to suitable sources so that moisture, nutrients and selected gases may be supplied to the plants as they circulate through the cultivation space.

Abstract: A hydroponic plant growing apparatus is disclosed wherein a nutrient enriched liquid is flowed within a series of ducts adapted to mount a plurality of planting cups, each of which support a sterile media and a plant seedling. The planting cup includes an apertured bottom surface which permits capillary action of the nutrient liquid into the support media as well as allows the root system of each plant to extend into the duct yet isolates the sterile media from direct flow contact with the nutrient liquid. The individual plant cups eliminate contamination of the nutrient liquid, facilitate easy removal and replacement of individual plants on the apparatus, and form an effective seal with the ducts yielding a substantially hermetically sealed apparatus which is not susceptible to rain contamination, evaporation, or algae growth.

Abstract: A hydroponic apparatus comprising a free standing base housing a nutrient feed supply and a plurality of mutually supporting plant trays extending diagonally upward from the free standing base wherein each plant tray includes a plurality of plant supports having nutrient feed apertures formed therein such that each plant is fed directly from the nutrient feed supply.

Abstract: In an installation for continuous vegetable cultivation by the hydroponic system, a plurality of identical containers provided with lateral apertures are superimposed one on the other to create at least one vertical hollow column, provided at regular intervals along its axis with equidistant coplanar apertures (levels of culture) arranged for the insertion of plants. Means are provided for raising and lowering the column and for keeping it vertical, these means being in the form of a cable which is removably fixed to each individual container, and means for spraying nutrient liquid at the top of the column and collecting said liquid at the base, to recycle it to the top.

Abstract: A planting box having a frame which consists of a plurality of vertical walls and being of polygonal cross-section is provided with vertical channels and vertical ribs. The channels and ribs are complementary in their cross-section. Ribs of one planting box fit into the recesses of another identical planting box, so that a planting arrangement can be erected which consists of a plurality of inter-connected identical boxes. In each channel of the planting boxes supporting shoulders are formed which support the ribs of a laterally adjacent planting box, so that each box is vertically offset with respect to any laterally adjacent box by half of the box height.

Abstract: This disclosure is of a controlled environment agriculture system in which a plurality of plant grow support racks are arranged in an array complementary to that of the lamps which provide illumination for the grow racks, so as to provide two positions for the rack array in each of which positions alternate racks are fully illuminated and the others not. The lamps then may be operated continuously and the rack array shifted between these two positions to provide alternating periods of full illumination and relative darkness for each rack. Means also are provided for improving the uniformity of air distribution to all racks within the array, and for control of humidity within the system by adjustment of the rate of moisture removal by the air conditioners to balance that of moisture addition through plant transpiration.

Abstract: An improved garden device for producing a vertically oriented garden. The garden device comprises a flexible sheet of plastic or the like having plant perforations or openings extending therethrough. The sheet when vertically arranged forms a vertically extending first endless wall enclosure of varying cross section for receiving a quantity of growing medium such as soil. A cover slip is releasably attached to each perforation for covering the perforation to prevent the escape of soil and moisture from the enclosure. The cover slip is detachable from the perforation to allow the embedding in the soil of a seed or plant for growth through the perforation. A second endless wall enclosure similar to the first enclosure is mountable in vertical registry with the first enclosure and secured thereto by strip weaving or by a plurality of connecting slips. A watering member is placed in the soil adjacent the upper end of the uppermost enclosure for watering the soil.

Abstract: Various commercially valuable plants are grown by implanting a seed or cutting within a shaped porous root-permeable support body. The plant is periodically fed by applying a hydroponic nutrient solution to the plant roots growing through and depending from the shaped support body and the foliage of the plant is periodically exposed to actinic radiation. Root feeding and actinic radiation are continued until the plant reaches commercial maturity. In the case of those plants having valuable foliage, such as leafy vegetables, ornamentals, etc., the entire plant is shipped, stored and displayed for sale while the plant is still alive and growing in the moistened shaped support body which is enclosed in a vapor-barrier integument.

Abstract: A hydroponic grower is described which includes a bottom pan for containing a liquid nutrient solution and an A-frame construction which rests therein and supports plants to be grown hydroponically. The plants are supported within pots which, in turn, pass through apertures in the side walls of the A-frame construction so that the root portion of the plants are within the interior of the enclosure defined by the A-frame construction. The root end of each of the pots is permeable to liquid nutrient solution, and a spraying arrangement is provided within the pan to spray liquid therefrom upwardly to wet the roots of plants within such pots.

Abstract: A self-irrigating display rack is provided for potted plants, which comprises a tier of display dishes supported on a reservoir base. The display dishes are mounted in vertically spaced coaxial positions on an upright central tubular member which, in turn, is supported on the base. A pipeline extends upwardly through the interior of the tubular member from the lower end to the upper end thereof coaxially with the tubular member. A pump is mounted in the reservoir base for circulating irrigating water from the reservoir up through the pipeline to the top of the central tubular member. The water from the pipeline is returned to the reservoir through the tubular member. The tubular member is provided with a first set of openings located over each of the dishes, and with a second set of openings located at a predetermined level in each dish.