Abstract: The present method and apparatus can be applied to cultivation of young seedlings of Welsh onion economically in a mass production way utilizing the growing progresses of this vegetable, during which seed coats can be scraped and removed by the flange of each mesh of a screen sheet or screen film when a stalk stretches itself at the knee part uprightly. Young seedlings of Welsh onion are supplied as material for hors-d'oeuvre, soup and Japanese "sushi".

Abstract: A flexible wire retainer for use in attaching a lid to an accompanying flower container while the container is being used to hold and display a flower arrangement. The wire retainer is formed into a special shape that includes a U-shaped portion that can be conveniently placed beneath and retained by a recess on the lid's underside. The retainer further includes a pair of integral shafts that can project through the container opening to engage and be supported by a conventional foam block located within the container.

Abstract: A seedling tray has intercalating seedling cavities extending oppositely from mouth openings in top and bottom faces of the tray to bottom regions near to the said faces, thereby rendering the tray reversible. Each seedling cavity converges from its mouth opening to its bottom region which as a bottom opening. In use, the seedling tray has a plurality of upwardly open seedling cavities filled with a suitable growing medium such as soil or mulch. Seeds are planted in such medium in each upwardly open cavity. Inverted seedling cavities act as air ventilation passages extending upwardly and are interspersed between the planted seedling cavities. The air ventilation passages intercalate with and are spaced uniformly between the planted seedling cavities. When the seeds have germinated and developed into seedlings, the seedlings may be transplanted as desired.

Abstract: A plant receptacle for use with an umbrella-type table having a generally horizontal table top and an umbrella mounted to an umbrella supporting member extending generally vertically through an aperture located in said table top is disclosed. The receptacle comprises a first, outer container, a second, inner container and a central sleeve. The first container is generally saucer shaped and has a side wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall of the first container has a central aperture dimensioned to permit the umbrella supporting member to extend through such aperture. The sleeve extends upwardly from the bottom wall of the first container and is open at both ends and is internally dimensioned to permit the umbrella supporting member to extend through such sleeve. The second container is adapted to be positioned upon and within the first container and is generally bowl shaped and has a side wall and a bottom wall.

Abstract: A hydroponic plant cultivation device is disclosed, wherein at least one rotating cultivation tower is arranged. The tower is formed by piling up a plurality of cultivation unit, each of which has a plurality of ports for allowing to receive and maintain a lower end of a plant to be cultivated, a nozzle for spraying a nutrient liquid therein, and a portion for accommodating a constant amount of the liquid to allow an overflow of any excess liquid to a lower cultivation unit. The nutrient liquid is measured on and adjusted in its concentration and pH and recycled between the tower and its supply source.

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: This invention relates to a mobile device for applying a weed-killer between rows of cultivated plants, e.g. vine stocks. This applicator has a moistening contact action, as distinguished from spraying. It comprises at least one tubular container, the axis of which is horizontal during use, with flexible wicks extending outside of this tube for applying a weed-killer to the weeds.The main feature of this applicator is that the wicks are in the shape of flat braids laying side-by-side so as to form a single continuous sheet, ensuring a uniform distribution of the product over the treated area.One embodiment of the invention is a tractor-mounted device in which two swivelling arms extending right and left of a median frame carry the applicator devices. These arms are resiliently biased outwardly and may fold inwards when meeting an obstacle such as a vine stock, and spread out again after clearing the obstacle.

Abstract: A wire mat turf and soil protector that covers newly repaired soil areas to prevent animals, and particularly dogs, from digging holes, and also supports the soil and turf during grass regrowth.

Abstract: A soilless agricultural system and components therefore including a hydroponic assembly comprising support means for defining a crop field, nutrient solution circulating system and a plant tray assembly having a seedling or plant tray cooperating with a support tray.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which promotes and enhances the development of microorganisms in the ground, which microorganisms are indispensible for promoting the growth of vegetation, including plants and trees, by recycling water and circulating air to the zone in which the roots of the vegetation are located. The apparatus includes a relatively severely flared, frustoconical skirt portion which is adapted to cap the roots of vegetation within the ground. It also incorporates a small, generally cylindrical collar which extends above the ground and which surrounds the trunk of the vegetation being protected. A plurality of drains, formed by channels along the interior surface of the skirt and collar, extend over the length of generatrices of the apparatus and serve to conduct water and air to the roots of the vegetation. The apparatus is formed by two identical members, each of which has a dimension greater than one-half of the collar and one-half of the skirt.

Abstract: A plant support having a decorative end piece and a base piece oppositely disposed therefrom with intermediate sections secured therebetween as desired provides an expandable plant support. Between each junction of the intermediate sections and the base and decorative sections, is provided a plant tie holder. On the base piece is mounted at least one base cross member for support.

Abstract: An assembly for holding and removably mounting a live seedling plant, preferably a containerized seedling, on either a live or an artificial tree, such as a Christmas Tree or the like, in combination with an additional decorating structure of the type typically associated with a Christmas Tree or seasonal ornamentation. The assembly includes an elongated compartment of sufficient longitudinal dimension to maintain growth media therein and thereby allow the root system of the seedling to grow in a preferred vertically downward and elongated configuration of sufficient length to facilitate growth of the seedling. The live plant is thereby combined in a decorative manner with a live or an artifical tree structure and can readily be removed therefrom after the live or artificial tree has been used.

Abstract: A soil bed is spaced apart from a lagoon of saline water. The liquid vapor in equilibrium with the saline water permeates into the soilbed via diffuser tubes. At dusk the temperature of the soilbed decreases. The liquid vapor is entrapped in the soilbed and condenses. Additionally solar stills embodying flumes generate liquid vapor which is transported to the soilbed.

Abstract: A device, which consumes little power while producing an automatic, periodic, partial rotation of a hanging planter, having a low-power consumption electronic timing circuit, an electric motor, a power supply and electronic and mechanical means to start the motor upon signal from the timing circuit, rotate the planter and stop it after sufficient rotation has occurred. The device is designed so that it can operate for many months using a small power supply such as a flashlight battery and to be as inconspicuous and aesthetically unobstrusive as possible.

Abstract: A Christmas tree stand for supporting Christmas trees of any size and formation. The support stand is designed such that the tree, if deformed or if placed in the stand at an angle, can be aligned very easily and quickly in a perpendicular position with respect to any type of floor, whether it be irregular or uneven. The receptacle for retaining the Christmas tree is formed integral therewith a hemispherical ball which is received by two adjustable jaws which form a hemispheric cavity. The receptacle is further provided, with a plurality of machine screws for retaining the Christmas tree trunk in a fixed vertical position in the receptacle, notwithstanding the shape or deformity of the tree.

Abstract: A Christmas tree stand including an intergal frustum-shaped shell and coaxial tree trunk receptacle. The frustum shell includes an annular flat support surface for engaging a floor surface through a full 360.degree. contact area around the tree trunk. A small central contact surface is also provided at the bottom of the tree trunk receptacle, centered within the confines of the annular support surface. The stand is preferably formed of synthetic resin and includes radial bores extending from the shell to open within the receptacle for receiving threaded thumbscrews. The thumbscrews can be turned to tap the radial bores and to extend radially into the receptacle for clamping against the trunk of a tree held therein.

Abstract: A Christmas tree stand includes a unitary H-frame consisting of four stub feet forming a cross-shape base and extending radially horizontally outwardly from each other, a pair of parallel upright stanchions extending integrally upwardly from intermediate portions of two adjacent feet, and an H-bar or horizontal reinforcing brace integrally connecting intermediate portions of the upright stanchions to each other. Four hollow foot extension shoes are telescopically mounted on the stub feet to make the stand and a tree mounted in it stable against tipping. Flexible tree trunk retaining straps fasten around upper and lower portions of the stanchions and around the tree trunk to hold the tree in an upright position.

Abstract: A modular cultivation apparatus for the cultivation of plants and the simultaneous production of earthworms and fertilizer/top soil. The apparatus comprises an enclosure (12) including a modular foundation (14) comprising a plurality of plant growth modules (34) for the cultivation of plants and a plurality of harvest modules (36) for the growth and harvest of earthworms. The enclosure (12) further comprises side walls (16) mounted atop and supported by the modular foundation (14), such side walls (16) in turn supporting a roof member (26). In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an interior grow light (52), and a self-contained irrigation system (76) for dispersing liquid nutrient or other liquids to the harvest modules (36) and plant growth modules (34).

Abstract: A flower support for wedding bouquets comprising a block of hydrophilic water absorbent synthetic resin foam and a supportive core of expanded synthetic resin foam inside of the block. Picks are provided at the ends of the cut flowers to penetrate into the core of expanded synthetic resin foam to secure flowers to the support.

Abstract: A stand for holding a tree or pole provided with a plurality of loop springs adapted automatically to accommodate tree trunks or poles of various diameters. The stand includes a plurality of stepped ribs below the springs, to secure a tree trunk or pole of a plurality of diameters, the springs and ribs together acting to hold a tree or pole in a secure, vertical position. Secondary, optional securement means are also provided by way of pivoting cams, in the event that the tree being supported is unusually heavy or large. The stand is effectively self-adjusting, to accommodate tree trunks and poles of a wide diameter range. The stand further incorporates a unitary water reservoir of commodious capacity.