Abstract: A double-walled container having a bottom wall, an exterior wall, and an interior wall disposed in concentric relation to the exterior wall. The bottom wall, the exterior wall, and the interior wall define a liquid fluid-holding reservoir. An annular top wall interconnects the exterior wall and the interior wall at their respective uppermost rims. A fill opening formed in the top wall enables introduction of liquid fluid into the liquid fluid-holding reservoir. The interior wall and the bottom wall define a soil or liquid fluid-holding space. A flow control valve extends through a first opening formed in the exterior wall and a second opening formed in the interior wall. Liquid fluid in the liquid fluid-holding reservoir is introduced into fluid communication with soil in the soil-holding space by opening the flow control valve. In another embodiment, a flask is retrofit into a single-walled container.

Abstract: A tree stand having a water reservoir and a plurality of tree support posts therein which are disposed inwardly of the side wall of the reservoir to position the posts close to the tree to minimize the stresses on the bolts which engage the tree for maintaining it in an upright position. The stand may be small enough for use on a table top and molded from a plastic resin, or it may have a reinforcing spike molded into the plastic resin for a stand used for larger trees.

Abstract: Composition for and method of stimulating growth of plants, e.g. increase in crop production. The composition comprises a carbon skeleton/energy component, typically a sugar or mixture of sugars; a macronutrient component providing the elements nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium, preferably also magnesium and sulfur; a micronutrient component providing zinc, iron and manganese, preferably also copper, boron, molybdenum and cobalt. The composition also preferably contains a vitamin/cofactor component and an enhancement component. The composition may be in the form of an aqueous solution or in a form suitable for coating seeds or coating pollen. It may be applied as a foliar spray, as a soil amendment, as a root dip or as an injectable solution. Preferably where, for example, it is used as a foliar spray it is applied at intervals at different stages of growth.

Abstract: Microbial blend compositions and method for their use are provided. The subject compositions comprise a plurality of distinct microbial species that all share the following characteristics: (i) are antagonistic against a plurality of microbial pathogens; (ii) are non-pathogenic towards plants and animals; (iii) are tolerant of high temperatures; (iv) grow rapidly; and (v) proliferate on a complex substrate. In many embodiments, the compositions further include a carrier, e.g., a liquid or solid carrier medium. In practicing the subject methods, the compositions are applied to at least one of soil and plant tissue, and in certain embodiments are applied in conjunction with a complex substrate. Also provided are methods of preparing the subject compositions.

Abstract: A modular green roof system includes modular panels (10) providing a surrounded space suitable for supporting live plant growth and adapted for installing onto a roof deck in side-by-side positioning while allowing water flow on the roof thereunder. The panels are filled with growing medium and pre-seeded prior to delivery to the roof site, and delivered in either a preserved condition or a germinated condition. The panels are adapted for interconnecting to adjacent panels, and for connection to an edge finishing/edge termination system (46) and support structure to enable provision of non-panel areas of the green roof, and above-panel structures.

Abstract: A hand-held floral bouquet holder is presented. The hand-held floral bouquet holder comprises a handle, a collar, a body connected to the handle and the collar, the body configured to define a volume, a removable material positioned in the volume, a cage arranged such that an edge of the cage contacts the collar; and a cage locking arrangement configured to lock the cage to the collar.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of enhancing plant growth or yield, comprising exposing soil to hydrogen gas (H2), and growing plants in the soil. The H2 gas employed can be generated by electrolysis of water, produced by H2 evolving microorganisms, and/or produced by legumes. In accordance with the invention, soil can be exposed to H2 and plants then grown in it, or H2 can be applied directly to soil in which plants are already growing. In one embodiment, the invention comprises obtaining an aqueous extract from H2-treated soil, and applying the extract to soil, seeds, and or plant roots.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically watering plants. The system is connected directly to a city or municipal water supply. Water is fed from the supply source through small diameter polyethylene tubing to a control valve or multiple valves which regulate the amount of water supplied to each plant. What is new in this invention is that the apparatus is simple in its operation, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. This invention should have a very long life with little or no maintenance. The control valve is self cleaning and non-clogging.

Abstract: Accelerated degradation of mulching paper, formed from cellulose fibers impregnated with a hydrophobic resin to provide weather resistance, comprises spraying the paper with an enzyme solution which degrades both the resin and the cellulose.

Abstract: A modular type tray (1) for hydroponic and aeroponic cultivation is described, in which the nutritive solution is carried to the roots of plants grown in the tray by a tube with built-in drips (2) situated in a slot (3) on the tray bottom. The tray consists of at least one plastic casing made by extrusion, a pair of closing flanges (5, 6) to be fixed to the opposite tray ends and (if necessary) at least one middle flange (7), placed between two plastic casings to join them together with a watertight seal.

Abstract: A method for modulating plant growth is provided whereby seedlings that are grown in containers such as blocks are fertilized at lift. Prior to fertilization, the block, which has numerous plug cavities, is restrained. The seedlings, which are grown in plugs formed in plug cavities, are supported and a bore is drilled into the bottom of the plug. The bore extends to the top of the plug to produce a small port, which serves as a port for expulsion of air during the injection operation. The fertilizer is measured in a metering roller and is then pneumatically injected into the bore in the plug. Upon completion of the injection, the bore is closed to reduce the loss of fertilizer from the plug. The various operations may be automated or performed manually.

Abstract: A plastic article includes a first plastic portion having a series of protrusions extending therefrom and adjacent to each other. A second plastic portion is molded between and over the protrusions of the first plastic portion, thereby forming a protuberance on the plastic article in a desired profile.

Abstract: A drill/injector combination is provided to inject plants that are grown in containers such as blocks at lift with plant growth modulators. The drill/injector combination is comprised of a seedlings holder, a block restraint, a cavity tool apparatus, a metering apparatus, an injection apparatus and optionally, a bore closing apparatus. The combination may be manually operated or may be automated.

Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened condition and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a curvilinear lower end, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. When having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear, or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve, the curvilinear lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.

Abstract: A device for scaring birds comprising a silhouette of a bird of prey having at least one hole there through; a first line having one end rotatably attached to said hole.

Abstract: A self-contained cut Christmas tree, or water flow deprived other tree, watering apparatus having a water storage portion and a tree surround portion fluidly connected. The tree surround houses a plurality of water injectors, which are screwed into the tree trunk once the tree surround is fixed in a tree encircling position. Water flows from the storage portion, which is disposed at a higher elevation to the tree surround disposed at a lower elevation through the injectors directly into the interior of the tree.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as flower pots. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the flower pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a bonding material disposed upon an inner or outer portion of the sleeve for attaching the sleeve to the flower pot or other item.

Abstract: A freeze protection compound is provided for application to an agricultural crop. The compound is preferably performed by conventional sprayer techniques. The freeze protection compound includes a fermented biomass material as an active ingredient for the purpose of protecting the agricultural crop from freezing. The fermented biomass is mixed to form the freeze protection compound in a liquid solution The fermented biomass can specifically be a fermented corn product. The fermented corn product is preferably rendered substantially free of ethanol. The freeze protection compound can be applied to the blooms and foliage of the agricultural crop, such as a tree cultivar. Most preferably such a tree cultivar conventionally includes all varieties of orchard and grove cultivated products. An effective amount of the freeze protection compound is applied to the living and growing foliage and can also as preferred be applied to blossoms or bloom sets.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a stake, a hang tag, and a marker. The stake is an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The first end includes a bent portion and has a forked end with parallel top and bottom prong members. The hang tag and marker are removably secured to each other and to the prong members. The hang tag may be made from plastic and provides information regarding a particular type of plant. The marker also identifies the plant and is made from a weather resistant material. The marker may be generally oval-shaped with an elongated member extending downwardly from the bottom thereof. The stake with the hang tag and marker secured thereto may be placed in a potted plant. Additionally, the hang tag and marker may be removed from the stake and the marker placed directly into the ground or pot.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide plant cultivator for research purposes for finding the optimum cultivation environment for plants, using LEDs as light source and a control system therefor. An illumination window 6 is provided in top face 5a of a cabinet body 2 surrounded by thermally insulating walls. In addition, an LED illumination element 16 is arranged in this illumination window 6 and in the vicinity of LED illumination element 16, there is provided LED control means that controls the LED illumination element 16. In addition, in cabinet body 2, there are provided at least some of a growth detection sensor that detects the state of growth of the plants, cultivation environment monitoring means that monitors the cultivation environment of the plants and cultivation environment generating means that generates the cultivation environment; and cultivation environment control means is provided that controls the cultivation environment generating means.