Abstract: A hanger for plant pots having an upper hanger hook, a downward interim depending portion with a section laterally displaced from a vertical line from the hanger hook through the area of the center of gravity of a flower pot. The laterally displaced section is so displaced as to be clear of contact with the flower pot supported by a semi ring bottom continuation of an inwardly directed connection section from the laterally displaced section. The hanger may be provided at the upper end with a hanger extension for hanging therefrom various display items with the semi ring bottom acting as a support for the assembly on a supporting surface. In an inverted version of the flower pot device an end extension thereof is shaped for insertion in and support by earth. Another embodiment is formed from a metal tube with a support rope passed therethrough whereby the suspension height of the device is adjustable by the rope being held in a groove in the lower end of the tube.

Abstract: An untippable safety vase for use in connection with umbrella tables is disclosed, which vase is comprised of a central, generally cylindrical receptacle portion adapted to fit loosely in the umbrella pole receiving aperture of an umbrella table, and a planar flange joined to and projecting outwardly from said central receptacle portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing plants includes a frame, a main carriage rotatably mounted to the frame and a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the main carriage at a preselected rate. A plurality of satellite carriages are rotatably mounted to the main carriage. A synchronization mechanism causes the satellite carriages to rotate at a rate having a preselected ratio relative to the rotation rate of the main carriage. Retainers for plants are mounted to each of the satellite carriages.

Abstract: A plant watering apparatus includes a base portion and an outer wall portion projecting upward from the base portion. The base portion and the outer wall portion define a water storage chamber. A cover portion projects inward from the outer wall portion. A well portion projects downward from the cover portion into a portion of the water storage chamber. The well portion includes an aperture-containing portion which permits a quantity of water in the water storage chamber to flow into the well portion. The well portion includes a well wall portion projecting downward from the cover portion and a well floor portion connected to the well wall portion for receiving a plant container. The well floor portion includes a plurality of apertures. The outer wall portion has an outer wall height above the base portion. The well floor portion is supported by the well wall portion at a floor height above the base portion such that the outer wall height is greater than the floor height.

Abstract: A plant-growing method for greening upright or slant wall surface is disclosed. A flexible bag is first prepared including a plurality of compartments sequentially juxtaposed in the direction of the overall length of the bag. The compartments are each provided with a plurality of openings communicating with the exterior. Soil is then loaded through the openings into the compartments with the bag being horizontally laid. Afterwards, trees are planted through the openings into the compartments. Thereupon, the bag which has been planted with the trees is suspended along the wall surface in the direction of the overall length of the bag while allowing trunks of the trees to be exposed through the openings. Water is thereafter supplied into the compartments of the bag to promote the growth of the trees.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stemming a flower in which the flower stem is cut substantially simultaneously with attaching a flower pick to the flower stem, thereby eliminating the separate steps of cutting the flower stem and subsequently attaching a stem pick by combining these two operations. In another aspect of the invention, the flower stem is cut in an environment which displaces air from the region of the severed plant stem by submerging the portion of the plant stem in the region of severance under water or by subjecting it to a flow of water or a spray of water or other material which would prevent formation of an air gap in the vascular tissue of the plant and/or skinning over of the tubules. The flower stem may be cut under water and a pick applied under water or cut of the water or out of the water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling and preventing the growth of plant roots using a water-permeable, non-woven fabric made of synthetic fibers coated or otherwise impregnated with a water-insoluble polymeric binder in which is dispersed a water-insoluble inorganic copper compound in an amount effective to stop root growth. The polymeric binder is bound to the fabric and retains and confines the copper compound to the fabric. The coated fabric is used to stop or prevent the growth of undesirable rootlets or radicles which come in contact thereto.

Abstract: A plant protection device includes a root protection barrier which may be heated and may include an inner shell and an outer shell, a cylindrical chamber capable of connecting to the root protection barrier which may be heated and may be formed from a plurality of interlocking segments, and a top dome which may be connected to the chamber such that a plant housed within the plant protection device is protected from the elements and has room to grow and expand naturally. Tropical plants and trees can thus be grown in colder climates with the chamber and top dome removed and easily stored during warmer periods of the year.

Abstract: The present invention entails a plant/plug growing tray and an automatic transplanting system which includes a tray with a plurality of individual plant/plug cells and a vacuum system that is operative to induce plants to a planting area or receptacle such as field or pots. The tray also serves as a plant supply cartridge for air-pruned plants/plugs so that they can be automatically removed from the tray bottom for fully automated transplanting, using a continuous, intermittent or impulse pneumatic system. In the embodiment disclosed herein the transplanting system has the capability of transferring a set of multi-plants/plugs simultaneously, and then to shift a supply tray to a subsequent position and then to transfer a second set of multi-plants/plugs. In addition, the plant transferring and transplanting of the present invention is specifically designed and adapted such that it can be utilized both in the dry or paddy field, and internally within a greenhouse.

Abstract: A foam marking apparatus and method for applying foam to both pre-emergence and post-emergence crops in order to demark the boundaries of a spray application. The foam marking apparatus includes a foam generating system, a distribution line, and a foam sock applicator. The foam sock applicator includes a body having at least one opening and a flexible finger which aids in the application of the foam.

Abstract: A stand-off device for yieldingly supporting a tree to a tree support stake has an elongated body and an elastomeric cord which extends through the body and which has a tie end extending from the body's distal end so that can be tied to the trunk of a tree either directly, or by means of an intermediate tree tie. By attaching the stand-off device to a tree support stake, a tree can be held upright at the end of the device win a windless condition, yet being allowed to sway in the wind so that the growth and health of the tree will be stimulated.

Abstract: A water-retaining enclosure is formed around a plant (10) by joining the ends (18) of a wall (12) of flexible, water-impervious material, so as to form a circle around the plant, the wall then being inserted into the ground with a desired height (16) of the wall projecting above the ground. The wall has projections (20, 30, 32, 40) at intervals on a first side (21) and recesses (22, 31, 42) on the other or second side (19) to engage at least some of said projections for sealingly securing opposite end portions of the wall together.

Abstract: A culture vase comprises generally a transparent cylindrical body having an introversively spherical portion on the top and a less diameter opening on the bottom, a culture seat disposed into the opening and a cover having threads thereon coupled to a neck of the opening. Furthermore, both of the culture seat and the cover have at least an air inlet thereon in cooperation with a circular filter disposed thereinbetween, thereby, permitting the entrance of the fresh air and preventing the germs or bacteria from entering into the cultured explant.

Abstract: A crate for a plant, hedge or tree, including first and second end members positioned in spaced relation, and first and second side panels extending between the end members. The end members each removably receive and support an end portion of each of the side panels, respectively, wherein the side panels are removably supported in an upwardly diverging relation and define a crate interior therebetween. Preferably, the side panels are slidably received in the end members, in a manner which enables the side panels to be removed from the end members by pulling the side panels in their respective upwardly diverging directions. The crate is designed to carry at least one plant or tree to be transplanted by placing the entire crate in a transplanting hole and pulling the side panels thereof out of the hole, thereby leaving the plant in the hole and enabling the crate to be re-used with another plant or tree.

Abstract: An improved aero-hydroponic growing system for plants is disclosed. The system provides for level control of the liquid nutrients in the plant tube as well as an innovative spray head for oxygenating and dispersing the liquid nutrients.

Abstract: A trellis system (164) is used to produce dried-on-the-vine raisins in a row (2) of vines (4) having a split canopy of fruiting canes (26) and replacement canes (28). The fruiting canes are supported by bent metal posts (150) each having an upwardly inclined support arm (156). The inclined support arms support one or more wires (138, 140) which support the fruiting canes so that, after the fruiting canes are severed, the grapes can dry from the heat of the sun to create raisins. The replacement canes are supported away from the fruiting canes by a trellising arrangment (100) having wires (142, 144) supported by replacement cane support arms (106) mounted to posts (102).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conserving water and reducing labor in growing plants includes a reservoir container assembly having a box-like, watertight base including a dividing wall extending the length of the base; on one side of the dividing wall water is stored and on the opposite side of the wall, soil is deposited with apertures being provided in the dividing wall to allow moisture to pass to the soil; a screen barrier overlies at least the water reservoir portion of the base and a truncated pyramidal shaped cover is located over the base having a reduced area opening at the top for enclosing soil which is in contact with the soil in the soil chamber at the base; a flexible container bag having apertures therein is provided to cover the opening at the top of the truncated pyramidal cover and to reduce loss of moisture through evaporation; plants are deposited or seeds inserted in the soil to an appropriate depth adjacent the opening in the cover.

Abstract: A vertical planter for supporting a plurality of plants vertically. The planter includes a hollow column mounted vertically on a water reservoir. The hollow column is fabricated from one or more column modules which are filled with a planting medium. A plurality of planting ports are formed in the wall of the hollow column to provide access for plants to be planted in the planting medium. Planter inserts can also be attached to the planting ports, the planter inserts supporting a body of the planting medium on the external surface of the hollow column. A water distribution system is provided for delivering water to the planting medium and includes a secondary reservoir with a distribution line distributing the water into the planting medium. Moisture sensors and an optional timer drive a pump to deliver the water from the water reservoir into the water distribution system.

Abstract: There is described a burner for vegetable matter such as straw or the like, comprising a combustion chamber (9) having an upstream and a downstream end, a blower (6) discharging air and cut vegetable matter into the upstream end of the combustion chamber, an igniter (10) positioned at the upstream end of the combustion chamber, and a number of screens (14, 15, 16) extending across the combustion chamber and spaced from each other in the flow direction, the mesh size of the screens decreasing in the flow direction. The burner is used, inter alia, in a soil steriliser and stubble burner which comprises a chassis, a pick-up device (1) to collect a swath of vegetable-matter from the ground, a feed device (2, 3, 4) to feed the vegetable matter to a chopper (5) and a blower to transport the vegetable matter to the upstream end of the combustion chamber of the burner, the combustion gases from the burner being directed via a discharge device (11) onto the surface of the ground.

Abstract: A method of growing tissue culture callus on a nutrient substrate comprises the steps of preparing a semi-solid slab of the nutrient substrate and placing it on top of a honeycomb-like forming plate, which defines a plurality of hollow passages surrounded by thin walls. A series of the callus is deployed on the slab, so that each callus is located in alignment with one of the passages. The callus are allowed to grow to a desired extent under conventional conditions. A pneumatic pressure is then applied to the slab so that it becomes pushed through and sliced by the walls of the forming plate into a respective number of blocks, each carrying a single plant, and ejected out of the bottom side of the forming plate for further plantation thereof.