Abstract: A method and apparatus for containing, protecting, isolating, and individually identifying sets of one or more articles in a plurality of compartments such that information related to the sets can be easily and efficiently linked to the set. In an example of the apparatus, the apparatus has a compartment layer, a sealant layer, and indicia which may individually identify compartments. In another example, a method includes taking a compartment layer and sealant layer, loading compartments with sets of one or more articles, closing the compartment layer with the sealant layer, and identifying each compartment for each seed or portion thereof with a positionally-addressable ordered array of indicia on at least one of the layers of the package.

Abstract: A device having a tray defining at least one reservoir designed to contain a liquid, a platform, designed to be placed on the tray and to support a growing substrate, the platform including a flat main portion provided with wells having, at the bottom, an orifice communicating with the liquid contained in the tray, and means for carrying liquid in the reservoir, where a plurality of reinforcing walls protrude perpendicularly upwards from the main portion of the platform, where these walls have sufficient height so that, when the platform is placed on the tray, their top edge forms the highest portion of the device, and where the reinforcing walls are distributed on the surface of the platform so as to allow a distribution of the loads applied to this device.

Abstract: A transportable fodder production unit is disclosed that includes an insulated container having a front end and a rear end, a plurality of trays each having drain apertures through a bottom side thereof, a racking system for supporting each of the trays with a plurality of shelves extending from the front end of the container to the rear end of the container, an irrigation system attachable to a water source and having a water tank in fluid communication with a plurality of spray heads through a pump and a plurality of pipes, a lighting system that maintains a predetermined illumination within the container, a thermal control system that maintains the temperature inside the container within a predetermined temperature range, and a central control system for activating the other systems and maintaining electrical load balancing on a power source.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for aeroponically growing and developing plants that comprises a reservoir for containing a liquid nutrient solution, a conical tower, a power supply, and a pump to move the liquid nutrient solution through the apparatus. The apparatus utilizes a pump to move the liquid nutrient solution from the reservoir vertically to a distribution pipe. Gravity then pulls the liquid nutrient solution downward through the distribution pipe, which is sealed at the opposite end. The pressure created within the distribution pipe creates sufficient force to disperse the liquid nutrient solution through the opening(s) in the distribution pipe onto the exposed root mass. Once the nutrient solution has been dispersed into the conical tower it is absorbed by the exposed root mass. The un-absorbed liquid nutrient solution collects the in base of the conical tower and is returned to the reservoir to be reused.

Abstract: The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to methods for providing decorative covers, decorative collars and decorative cover-collar combinations for covering a flower pot. The decorative covers and/or collars are formed from a variety of configurations of heat shrinkable sheet of material placed over all or a portion of a peripheral surface of the flower pot and then heated to shrink the sheet of material into a pressing engagement against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.

Abstract: A method of producing a horticultural display containing more than one variety of the same or different species of flowering plant is disclosed. The plants are produced from unrooted cuttings that are rooted in a growth cell and cultivated in a single container so that the final product includes more than one plant species or more than one plant variety or both. A plant growth cell having rooting media and more than one plant cutting from more than one plant species or plant variety or both rooted therein is also disclosed. Further, a horticultural display having more than one plant of more than one plant species or plant variety or both initially rooted together from unrooted plant cuttings in a growth cell is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for preventing plant growth around a post, comprising an opaque sheet, an opening in the sheet, and a slit extending entirely from the opening to the perimetric edge. A fastener structure is arranged to fasten one of the edge portions to an other of the edge portions in a relationship wherein the edge portions overlap thereby effecting a slope of the sheet downwardly from the opening to the perimetric edge and wherein the opening is shaped to have a first shape when the edge portions are not overlapping and to have a second shape to conform to the post when the edge portions are fastened in the overlapping relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering or protecting vegetation, in particular landscaping. The apparatus includes an elongated sheet of material having an upper edge and a lower edge. Spaced along the length of the elongated sheet are a plurality of stake pockets extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongated sheet. The stake pockets receiving a stake used to secure the cover to a surface, typically the ground. Accordingly, the elongated sheet surrounds or is placed adjacent to the landscaping and the stakes are either inserted into the stake pockets or attached to the sheet using the stake pockets and correspondingly hold the elongated sheet upright and in place. In addition, a plurality of eyelets on the elongated sheet can be used to both hang decorations and anchor the elongated sheet to the ground surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting the calyx of a flower of a plant having a lockable stem clip from which extend projections for supporting the calyx of the flower.

Abstract: A method of growing a fruit or vegetable crop comprises: positioning a plant in the form of a seed or a seedling or a cutting of the crop in a first coherent mineral wool growth substrate having a volume not more than 150 cm3, allowing the plant to root and grow for at least 2 days and not more than 30 days, then transferring the plant within the first coherent mineral wool growth substrate so that the first coherent mineral wool growth substrate is in contact with a second coherent mineral wool growth substrate having volume 60 to 1500 cm3, and allowing the plant to grow for a further 2 to 5 weeks, transferring the plant within the second coherent mineral wool growth substrate so that the second coherent mineral wool growth substrate is in contact with a third coherent mineral wool growth substrate having volume of from 700 to 45 000 cm3, and allowing the plant to grow for a further 1 to 7 weeks before any further transfer is effected.

Abstract: A process for breeding plants which comprises growing plants of a species in an array of containers charged with growing medium of uniform characteristics in an environment of controlled climatic conditions with controlled supply of nutrients and feed water and changing the positions of the containers within the environment as required to ensure at least substantially uniform exposure of all plants in the containers to conditions in the environment. A process for the breeding of open pollinating plants in a greenhouse environment is also provided. A process for breeding plants which comprises identifying trait leads.

Abstract: Proposed is a biologically active nanochip for treating seeds of agricultural plants in order to improve seed germination conditions and development of plants and for protecting plants from anticipated and averaged adverse conditions. The biologically active nanochip contains a solid porous carrier, such as mineral, clay, turf, or polymer, the pores of which are intended for accommodating nanoparticles of biologically active substances that penetrate the pores when the substances are applied onto the nanochip surface, e.g., by spraying. Alternatively, the biologically active substances can be retained on the surface of the carrier by adhesion. The composition of the biologically active nanochips is selected with reference to anticipated and averaged adverse conditions. Also proposed is a method for application of the biologically active substances onto the surfaces of the biologically active nanochips.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for administering at least one substance to a plant or plant material, comprising of: (i) providing at least one substrate with a surface and at least one plant location therein; (ii) providing injecting means; (iii) moving the substrate and the injection means relative to each other; (iv) controlling an alignment of the injecting means relative to the plant location; and (v) injecting the substance of the position of the plant location using the injecting means.

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.

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 invention provides a method of growing plants in a non-fibrous growth substrate, the method comprises providing at least one non-fibrous growth substrate comprising wetting agent, positioning one or more plants for growth in the growth substrate, characterized in that the wetting agent comprises ionic surfactant and the non-fibrous growth substrate is selected from the group consisting of urea formaldehyde foam, perlite, vermiculite, expanded clay, coco chips, coco dust, lava, pumice and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of covering a potted plant or a floral grouping with a floral sleeve. The sleeve has, in one embodiment, a plurality of randomly positioned overlapping folds disposed in a sidewall of the sleeve. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.

Abstract: A composite, time-delayed, polymer-coated, granulated material for maintaining hydration in plants is formulated to delay acceptance of water in order to operate in drilling, plugging, and disking equipment used for aeration, soil amendment, or both. Whether potted or outdoors, whether relying on a third-material binder or a small, hydrated portion of the polymer itself as a binder, the material may be injected or otherwise placed below the surface of soils. Water is eventually absorbed sufficiently to expose the bulk of the hydrating particles attached to each granule. Addition of the granulated material as a soil amendment resists dehydration normally occurring in plants between waterings, yet its initial delay in hydrating supports water-jet injection and soil integration by resisting premature expansion from hydration.

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.