Abstract: The Invention relates to a planting pot made of plastic and having a bottom provided with holes, comprising in particular a multipart base region forming a first plane for setting the planting pot on a contact surface, wherein the base region is interrupted by at least one channel leading to the outside on the edge, wherein in an area adjoining the base region the planting pot comprises a hole, which is arranged at a distance from a channel for draining a bottom planting pot region.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a floral sleeve having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have a lower portion sized to cover a pot and an upper portion which can surround a plant disposed in the pot and which can be detached after the protective function of the upper portion is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern preferably has an arcuate upper boundary in the flattened condition which when opened gives the sleeve the appearance of having an upper edge which is parallel to the upper rim of the pot disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: Compressed coconut coir pith granules having unique physical and horticultural characteristics are provided along with methods for producing such compressed products by subjecting coconut coir pith to compaction utilizing a roll compactor and subsequently granulating the compacted material.

Abstract: A dual-line spout for maple syrup production is disclosed. The spout has a nose section with an input channel, and an interior chamber having first and second flow paths each fluidly connected to the input channel and to respective first and second output channels. The spout is designed for use with vacuum-based maple syrup productions systems that use a dual-line line system. The dry-line portion of the line system fluidly connects to the first output channel and the wet-line portion of the line system fluidly connected to the second output channel. Example spouts have no chambers, a single chamber or two sub-chambers, to facilitate air-liquid separation. Methods of using the spout in a vacuum-based, dual-line maple syrup production system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cover for a crop, wherein the cover includes a framework and a flexible cover supported by the framework. The framework includes side members provided with a first part of a Velcro fastening, and the flexible cover is divided into sections with edge areas that follow the first part of the Velcro fastening and are provided with an interacting second part of a Velcro fastening for attaching the edge area of the section on the side member.

Abstract: A photovoltaic greenhouse includes a house structure having upstanding walls and a roof thereover to enclose a greenhouse space therein, and at least one thin-film solar cell module mounted on the roof for converting solar energy within a pre-selected light band of sunlight into electricity, wherein light not absorbed by the thin-film solar cell module passes through and enters the greenhouse space, which can be utilized by plants or crops for photosynthesis. The thin-film solar cell module has high transmittance of light in the wavelength intervals, for example, 400-450 nm and 640-700 nm, required by the cultured plants or crops inside the greenhouse space for photosynthesis.

Abstract: A preformed decorative wrapper for covering a flower pot has an open upper end, an open lower end, and a sidewall extending therebetween. At least a portion of the preformed decorative wrapper extends beyond an upper end of the pot and at least a portion of a lower end of the flower pot extends through the open lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper.

Abstract: The present inventive concept(s) relates, in general, to articles that are packaged in a compressed state relative to an uncompressed fully articulated state and methods of making and using same. In a specific embodiment, but not to be considered as limiting, the articles so packaged in a compressed state are plant covers that are either substantially rigid and/or substantially flexible.

Abstract: A tree planting support system that mounts onto a tree trunk to stabilize a recently planted tree in a substantially vertical position until its root system can hold it in that orientation without the need for additional support. It has a housing assembly with a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, first and second sidewalls, an angled front wall extending between first and second front walls, and at least one slot. The housing assembly further has a first interior base wall defining an angled cavity section, and a second interior base wall defining another angled cavity section. At least one band is secured through the at least one slot and at least one support post has first and second ends. A stake assembly also has two angled cavity sections.

Abstract: A substantially shape-sustaining sheet of material having a substantially circular shape is capable of being formed into a substantially frusto-conical shaped bouquet holder in which a floral grouping may be disposed.

Abstract: A recipient for containing moist substrate, which recipient includes a flexible polymer wall having an outer surface and at least one gas exchanging membrane, which gas exchanging membrane is hermetically sealed to the outer surface of the flexible polymer wall along a sealing line. The sealing line defining a hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The flexible polymer wall includes at least one aperture, being provided in this hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The recipient further includes a mechanism for creating an air chamber circumscribed by the hermetically sealed area and the gas exchanging membrane, for preventing moist substrate to contact the gas exchanging membrane when the recipient is filled with moist substrate.

Abstract: Suction Cup Surface Mounted Shelf and Planter Assembly, when temporarily affixed to any appropriate surface, can be used to simulate an indoor greenhouse and/or used as an outdoor window box planter. The Assembly can also be used as a support and containment system for any appropriate item. The Suction Cup Surface Mounted Shelf can be used independently from the planter and serve as a general purpose shelf to hold appropriate items. The Planter can be utilized as a freestanding planter and/or serve as a general purpose container to hold appropriate items.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are photobioreactor systems for high productivity aquaculture or aquafarming for growing of algae or other organisms in an aquatic environment featuring aspects that favor improved growth rates by achieving control over the contents of the growth medium, including carbon source, nitrogen source, and essential trace elements necessary for growth.

Abstract: A bird repellent apparatus having an integral base member and a plurality of prongs. The base member, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receiving screws or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desired surface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossible barrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface to which the present invention is affixed. The combined base member and prongs are formed from injection molded plastic structure that also provide the tabs having holes to secure the base member to the underlying surface.

Abstract: A flower pot in combination with a retaining medium for holding and retaining a floral grouping is disclosed. The flower pot includes a base portion defining a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of the retaining medium so as to hold and retain the retaining medium. The base portion is constructed of a thermoformed plastic material, and has an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end. The sidewall is substantially devoid of overlapping folds and has decorative ornamentation associated with at least a portion of the sidewall.

Abstract: A wrapper for wrapping a flower pot and/or floral grouping is disclosed. The wrapper is constructed of a sheet of material having an extension attached to a portion of the sheet of material. When the wrapper is formed about a flower pot to form a decorative cover, upper edges of the sheet of material and extension cooperate to form a skirt portion preferably having at least two separate edges providing a “two-sheet” effect in the decorative cover. The wrapper may have extensions on opposing ends of the sheet of material and may have one or more additional overlapping extensions.

Abstract: The present invention comprises greenhouse comprising a frame provided with columns and with parallel, equally spaced girders supported by said columns, as well as a roof supported by said columns and with at least one wall, said greenhouse comprising a screen device along the roof, which screen device comprises a number of screens, a screen (1) being connected, via first connecting means, to a girder on a first longitudinal side and being connected, via second connecting means, to a front bar (2) extending parallel to the girders on a second longitudinal side opposite said first longitudinal side, which front bar is movable in a direction transversely to its longitudinal direction between an open position and a closed position, said second connecting means comprising a lace element (3) connected to the screen near a longitudinal edge of the screen and a lace chamber (4) associated with the front bar, which lace chamber extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the front bar, in which lace element is

Abstract: A material for maintaining hydration in plants, whether potted or in natural soils may include a substrate treated with a binder, securing a layer of hydrating particles thereto. Typical binders may include lignicite, or other naturally occurring materials such as sugars, molasses, corn syrup, gelatin, or the like. A byproduct of wood, lignicite has been found to be very effective. Various materials can serve as a hydrating, particulate coating. Polyacrylamide has been found to serve well and provide relief from the stress of dehydration that normally occurs in plants between waterings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are photobioreactor systems for high productivity aquaculture or aquafarming for growing of algae or other organisms in an aquatic environment featuring aspects that favor improved growth rates by achieving control over the contents of the growth medium, including carbon source, nitrogen source, and essential trace elements necessary for growth.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a lower portion and optionally an upper detachable portion which may be sized to surround a plant disposed in a pot. The floral sleeve has a lower end having an angular arcuate portion for improving the conformation of the sleeve to the shape of a pot.