Abstract: An air driven liquid pump includes a reservoir, a liquid inlet aperture extending through the reservoir wall for fluid coupling to a liquid inlet duct, a liquid outlet aperture extending through the reservoir wall for fluid coupling to a liquid outlet duct. The liquid outlet aperture is in fluid communication with an outlet level inside the reservoir chamber located below the liquid inlet aperture and corresponding to a predetermined lower threshold value of the volume of the liquid within the reservoir chamber. The liquid pump also includes an air aperture extending through the reservoir wall for pneumatically coupling the reservoir chamber with the atmospheric air located exteriorly to the reservoir, a liquid inlet valve operationally coupled to the liquid inlet aperture and an air valve operatively coupled to the air aperture.

Abstract: A unitary rigid wetter is reversibly and releasably coupled by hand to the bottom of a plant pot that is then inserted into a reservoir filled with liquid. The length of the wetter is adjustable to fit pots and reservoirs that are available on the market. The wetter is appropriate for use by plant growers, by retailers, and by plant owners. Wetness is conveyed by the wetter from the liquid to a medium wherein a plant grows, via at least one lower wetness conductor retained in the interior the wetter. A wetness controller is adjustable to limit the amount of wetness conveyed, to match the type and the nature of the plant. Optionally, at least one upper wetness conveyor is available.

Abstract: A process for planting aquatic plants and seeds underwater on the bottom and edges of an estuary, where an aquatic plant or seed which is ready for planting is positioned in a holder having a means for retaining the plant or seed. The holder further has a bottom gripping section which is secured to the holder. The preformed holders may be positioned on the bottom of the estuary or broadcast onto the surface thereof. The preferred bottom gripping sections are rocks, stones and mollusk shells. The holder also incorporates an organic button which retains the aquatic plant or seed during the planting process. The plant or seed retaining section can be designed to decompose in a predetermined period of time. This predetermined period of time may be correlated to the growing cycle of an aquatic plant or the germination cycle of an aquatic plant seed.

Abstract: An exothermal feeder mass is described, containing aluminum and magnesium, at least one oxidizing agent, a SiO2-containing filler, and an alkali silicate as the binder; it is characterized in that it contains roughly 2.5 to 20% by weight of a reactive aluminum oxide with a specific surface of at least roughly 0.5 m2/g and an average particle diameter (d50) from roughly 0.5 to 8 microns and is essentially free of fluoride-containing fluxes.

Abstract: A sleeve comprising a lower portion preferably having a base portion and a skirt portion for packaging a floral grouping or plant. The sleeve may have an upper portion which can be detached from the lower portion of the sleeve once the function of the upper portion has been completed. The sleeve has a plurality of horizontally and diagonally positioned expansion elements.

Abstract: A soil manipulating tool is disclosed which has a handle (12) and a soil penetrating portion (14). The soil penetrating portion (14) is formed from a helical or spiral rod or wire (13) which defines a cavity (18). The rod or wire (13) may be hollow so that fertilizer or other liquid material can pass through the hollow rod wire (13) into the soil in which the tool is to be used. The tool may also include an abutment member for limiting the amount of penetration of the tool into the soil to facilitate churning up of the soil and a blade may also be provided across one of the spirals of the portion (14) to provide a chopping of soil so that a hole can be formed by removal of a plug of soil but at the same time leaving loosened soil at the bottom of the hole. The tool has particular application in aerating and manipulating composted material and the removal of composted material from a compost bin as well as garden applications for the formation of holes, and the aeration of soil facilitating plant growth.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed towards a landscape edging system includes a first edging component having a body. The body having a base and a form disposed in the base. The base includes at least one coupling element formed in the base. The at least one coupling element is configured to couple to another coupling element formed in a second body of a second edging component. The first edging component is configured to couple to the second edging component in a serial arrangement. The serial arrangement is repeatable along a length of a landscape feature.

Abstract: A vine wire support post molded as integral unit from plastics has an elongate tapered supporting portion having upper end and lower end, a wire attachment provided on the supporting portion, a peg for holding support post in ground joined to lower end of supporting portion, a foot at the join between peg and supporting portion. The supporting portion is flexible and has variable sectional strength decreasing over a length of supporting portion from a position of higher sectional strength nearer lower end to a position of lower sectional strength nearer upper end.

Abstract: A method for making a plant-cultivating web or sheet from excretive sludge of domestic animals includes collecting sludge; concentrating the sludge; stabilizing the sludge; dehydrating the sludge; mixing the sludge with polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), wherein the mixing ratio between the sludge and PVAC is 4:1; drying a mixture of the sludge and PVAC; grinding the dried mixture into powders; mixing the powders with polyethylene, wherein the mixing ratio between the powders and polyethylene is 10%-80%: 90%-10%; adding high molecular weight starch into a mixture of the powders and polyethylene; and rolling the starch/mixture of the powders and polyethylene into a plate-cultivating web. An environment-protective and waste-reusing product is provided accordingly.

Abstract: A moisturized, soilless, root-culture planter provides a water storage space that is sealed by a cover unit. A planter unit is assembled in the container, with the bottom extended to include a water channel to suck water from the container to the planter unit, to maintain a moisturized status. The planter unit provides a hollow planting space for direct insertion for growth of a plant root. Such a structure completely seals off a planting environment containing water without soil. Even when the container is overturned, water is still contained to maintain the planting environment for growth. So there is no risk of contamination that may be caused by spilling water and soil.

Abstract: An improved floating island planting system comprising a float ring formed as a circular walled member of closed-cell polyethylene foam, and a garden planter formed in a bowl configuration with a collar of greater diameter than the float ring. The bowl of the garden planter is dimensioned for nesting in the float ring, the planter is defined by a plurality of holes through the closed bottom. A fill mix comprising a combination of clay and potting soil resides in the planter. An alternate embodiment is shown in which the planting system is integrally formed from an open-ended circular collar section that is heat sealed to a conforming circular base section.

Abstract: A method of enhancing aquatic organism growth is provided. The method comprises the step of introducing an alkane into water containing the organism. The alkane can be introduced intermittently, either alone or with another gas such as oxygen. Nutrients can be introduced with the alkane or separately. The alkane can comprise a butane substrate and can include at least one of n-butane and iso-butane. The organism can be selected from the group of: fish, crustaceans, mollusks, algae and aquatic plants. Organisms grown by the method and systems for practicing the method are also included.

Abstract: A floral sleeve sized to fit a flower pot, the sleeve generally having a conical shape and having a bonding material disposed thereon for connecting the sleeve to a pot disposed within the sleeve or connected via a banding element to a pot disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: A containment and test system for extremely toxic substances includes a fume hood, a containment compartment such as glove bag or box, positioned within the fume hood, a source of a non-reactive gas to provide a stable environment within the containment compartment, an inline moisture trap coupled to the source of non-reactive gas to dry the non-reactive gas, an ion neutralizer coupled to the source of non-reactive gas to reduce static charges within the containment compartment, a staging area for preparing test samples, a balance positioned within the containment compartment, a stanchion positioned within the fume hood for holding a test animal, and decontaminating apparatus for safely disposing of any toxic substance residue.

Abstract: A grafting method comprises the steps of, first preparing a stool by right transverse cuts through a limb or trunk, meaning that the limb or trunk of a tree or shrub is cut at essentially right angles. Root and scion stocks are grafted to the stool using the well known bark grafting technique. The stool is then placed into a rooting medium with the grafted root stock immersed in the medium. Appropriate heat and water is made available to ensure that the root stock is established and that sufficient nutrients and moisture is conducted to the scion stock through the stool.

Abstract: A starter cell for starting a plant has a first opening at the topmost portion of the cell for facilitating plant seeding and growth, a second opening at the bottommost portion of the cell for facilitating root passage for air pruning of the root, and a plurality of inward-facing ridges formed vertically along the cell walls and along any cell comers. The cell is characterized in that the ridges are strategically placed to guide developing roots to avoid twisting and balling. In some embodiment the ridges have feet to provided for stacking, for example.

Abstract: A combination pot includes an outer pot, one (1) or more inner pots and a support frame to support the inner pots in the outer pot. The support frame has a main frame structure and one (1) or more basket supports. The basket supports are connected to the main frame structure and extend downward into the interior of the outer pot. The size and shape of the basket supports are similar to the size and shape of the inner pots. To create the combination pot, filler soil is partially filled into the interior of the outer pot. The support frame is then positioned in the outer pot. The remainder of the filler soil is filled in around the support frame. Next, filler plants are planted in the filler soil. Finally, the inner pots having plant soil and decorative plants are inserted into the basket supports.

Abstract: A wire plant cage comprises a matrix of interconnected vertical and horizontal wire members to support a plant and to accommodate plant growth. The wire plant cage has an upper ring and lower ring connected to at least one leg adapted to provide support for the wire plant cage and engage the ground. A ledge, shaped so as to permit application of a downward force by a plant cage user, is formed on each leg to facilitate ground engagement without damage to the ring-leg connections. Loops formed on the top of the legs provide a mechanism for pulling the plant cage out of the ground and handling the cage. The plant cage is shaped so as to provide support to plants growing out of the ground and to support plant containers that are placed within the plant cage interior. The present invention is shaped to facilitate the stacking of a plurality of the plant cages for storage.

Abstract: A method for in-season macro and micronutrient application based on predicted yield potential and a nutrient response index. The inventive method includes the steps of: determining a nutrient response index for a field; determining the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of an area to fertilize; determining a predicted crop yield for the area; determining an attainable crop yield for the area; determining the nutrient requirement for the area as the difference between the nutrient removal at the attainable yield minus the nutrient removal at the predicted yield, adjusted by the efficiency of nutrient uptake in the particular crop. In one preferred embodiment, processing requirements at the time of application of the nutrient are eased by generating a lookup table of nutrient requirement relative to measured NDVI prior to application of the nutrient.

Abstract: Methods for treating plants and fields in agricultural applications are provided by selective delivery of superheated steam. Particularly preferred applications include delivery adjacent to grape vine leaves in order to defoliate basal leaves and to kill localized insect pests, and by injecting superheated steam in strawberry beds prior to planting to kill nematodes. The superheated steam is delivered at temperatures in excess of about 250° F.