Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and rotating a hanging plant, including a housing with an upper hook fixedly attached to a top surface thereon. A lower hook extends from a bottom surface of the housing, and is for hanging and supporting a plant thereon. There is a light sensing mechanism, disposed on the outside of the housing, for detecting the amount of ambient light incident upon the housing, along with a rotary mechanism, disposed within the housing, for periodically rotating the lower hook whenever the amount of ambient light detected by the light sensing mechanism exceeds a threshold value. The rotary mechanism further includes a DC motor stationed within the housing, a reduction gearing assembly connected to an output shaft of the motor, and a vertically disposed shaft, rotatingly coupled to the reduction gearing assembly and connected to the lower hook.

Abstract: A fluid level control for a container having a space to which fluid is supplied from a reservoir. The specifically disclosed application for the invention is a water level controlled planter. The fluid level control system includes a compartment in which fluid level is controlled. One or more removable plugs can be inserted in two or more fluid level control holes at different levels in the compartment. An air lock prevents air from flowing into the reservoir when the water level within the compartment is above the fluid level control hole. When the water level in the compartment falls below the uppermost open fluid level control hole, air is permitted to enter the reservoir and water may flow through the fluid level control hole into the compartment.

Abstract: A floral water tube has a piercing projection for mounting the floral water tube on a retaining base, the piercing projection having a socket extending along the piercing projection and an extension post selectively coupled to the socket along the piercing projection for mounting the floral water tube at selected elevations relative to the retaining base, the selected elevations corresponding to the axial length of the coupled extension post.

Abstract: A plant support is constructed comprising a plurality of rectangular sections where the adjoining edge of each section is connected by a hinge mechanism. The hinges allow movement of each section so the plant support can be used in a straight open configuration or used to enclose any desired area from nearly circular to rectangular. Each section is constructed to form lattices with the voids in the lattices large enough for harvesting and weeding the enclosed plant but small enough to protect the plant from animals. The plant support is held upright by vertical support rods that are not permanently attached to the plant support. The independent vertical support rods thus can be placed at any desirable location and can be driven into the ground to any desirable depth. The height of the plant support can be increased by attaching, to the vertical support rods, another plant support above the bottom of the lower plant support.

Abstract: A unit for removably retrofitting a normal air actuated sprayer to be used for wiping an herbicide on a small selected area is disclosed. The unit comprises a porous cloth pouch with an absorbent material such as a piece of a synthetic sponge inside that may be slipped over the spray nozzle and fastened in a water tight manner to the spray pipe. Means to direct drippage or a direct stream of herbicide downward are provided to allow safe use close to and under desirable vegetation.

Abstract: The instant invention is a lawn and garden edging system which provides for a border device positionable adjacent walks and plant beds with provisions for the attachment of watering and lighting components. An insertion structure is provided which is inserted into the ground by use of a wooden handle placed into an aperture allowing an individual to stand on an upper end of the structure allowing the installer's weight to force the structure into the ground. The upper portion of the structure forms a passageway with apertures available for positioning watering components, electrical components may also be attached for connection to lighting products used to highlight trees, bushes or a home. A second embodiment of the invention provides a conduit for attachment to conventional extruded plastic edging dividers, the conduit provides the formation of a passageway for placement of the aforementioned watering components and electrical connections.

Abstract: A conduit and float gauge apparatus is provided for use with a tree placed in a water-retaining cup and includes a conduit unit which includes a bottom end portion that is placed in the water-retaining cup. One or more connector assemblies connect the conduit unit to the tree, such that the connector assemblies stabilize the conduit unit in a vertical orientation. A float assembly is housed within the conduit unit and includes a flotation member located within the bottom end portion of the conduit unit. The float assembly includes a riser unit connected to the flotation member. A gauge assembly is connected to a top riser portion of the riser unit. The conduit unit has a linear length sufficient to permit a person to add water to the top end portion of the conduit unit without bending down, getting on one's knees, or sitting down on a floor. The bottom end portion of the conduit unit and an intermediate portion of the conduit unit are oriented with respect to each other at an obtuse angle.

Abstract: A plant feeder having a water reservoir and a water conduit connected to the reservoir at one end. The other end of the water conduit is adapted to be positioned adjacent the roots of a plant to be fed. The water conduit has a water permeable plug with water soluble plant food therein whereby water can percolate through the conduit from the reservoir to the roots dissolving plant food on its way, and air and insects are blocked from migrating to the roots.The method provides placing the other conduit end of the plant feeder of the invention below the roots of a recently transplanted plant, percolating water from the reservoir to the roots through water soluble plant food, and blocking the migration of air and insects to the roots through the conduit.

Abstract: A foldable artificial mulch cover has a slit installation feature with an intact periphery. The cover includes a flexible flat sheet, a central opening defined in the sheet for passage of the stem of the plant, a slit defined in the sheet extending along a line passing through-the central opening in the sheet with each end of the slit terminating adjacent to but inwardly from a perimeter edge of the sheet, a plurality of paired apertures for the passage of U-shaped staples to secure the sheet to the ground, a fold line passing through the central opening with each end terminating at the perimeter edge of the sheet and being perpendicular to the slit, and a plurality of slots for the passage of water through the sheet.

Abstract: A delivery system for a biocide or fertilizer comprises a body or carrier portion including a first water dispersible agriculturally inert and essentially nontoxic composition containing a predetermined amount of the biocide or fertilizer. The body or carrier portion has a predetermined size and shape. The delivery system also comprises a protective coating, about the body portion, of a second water dispersible agriculturally inert and essentially nontoxic composition. The amount of biocide used is that amount which terminates the functioning of a target agricultural pest upon application of the biocide to soil or water via the delivery system. The biocide can take the form of a biocide such as an insecticide, fungicide, nematocide or herbicide. Compositions according to the present invention including a water dispersible cellulose ether, cellulose fiber and an effective amount of a biocide or fertilizer are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conserving water and reducing labor in growing plants, particularly commercially grown tomatoes and cucumbers. The invention includes a reservoir container assembly and an arch support structure. The reservoir container assembly comprises a reservoir container capable of holding water as well as a bag container disposed on top of the reservoir container for holding a plant growing medium. Water in the reservoir container is connected via a hygroscopic medium to the growing medium inside the bag container. The top surface of the bag container is provided with at least two openings. A plant grows through one opening, and evaporation takes place through a second remote opening. In use, a plurality of such reservoir container assemblies may be disposed in a line in a field and a series of arch support structures disposed between them. The plants which grow out of the bag containers and over the arch support structure are thereby supported off the ground.

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 out of the water. The water or other material used for displacing air in the region of severance may contain a floral preservative or nutrient or bacteria stat or other material to help prolong the shelf life of the flower.

Abstract: A decorative ornament which can be mounted on an inside or outside wall of a house or other structure and which simulates the appearance of a column. The ornament comprises an upper section which simulates the capital of a column, a lower section which simulates the base of a column, and a folded wire strung between the upper and lower sections which has parallel segments simulating the fluting of a column. When mounted on a wall facing a garden or on an inside wall, the ornament can serve as a trellis with the wires supporting plants, flowers or vines.

Abstract: An upwardly extending post is welded at its lower end to a base ring and is inclined for holding a depending bar at an inner portion of the ring. The depending bar has a bottom horizontal foot plate that extends integrally therefrom. This foot plate carries a reinforcing wedge plate and a set pin. In attaching a tree to the holder, the wedge plate engages the tree trunk radially and the set pin engages the tree trunk at the bottom in laterally spaced relation from the wedge plate, thus providing a two point engagement that prevents twisting of the tree in the holder. A single cinching crank screw is mounted in an upper portion of the depending bar for penetrating the tree and pulling the tree tightly against the depending bar.

Abstract: A landscaping ground cover to be placed around a base of an object such as a tree or shrub to prevent the growth of grass, weeds or other foliage and to protect the tree or shrub. The landscaping ground cover (10) comprises a sheet of flexible material, preferably having uniform thickness, and a plurality of concentric circular paths (18) defined along an upper surface. The circular paths (18) comprise channels (30) recessed into said upper surface. A perimeter path (28) extends from the innermost circular path (18) to the perimeter (26) of the ground cover. In addition, perimeter paths (14) provide means for altering the shape of the ground cover (10) for corner designs, square designs or to accommodate other unique landscaping needs. A plurality of drainage holes (32) are defined through said ground cover (10) which allow water and air to pass to the root system disposed below the ground cover (10).

Abstract: An easily deployed barrier 400, shade or shield intended for agricultural or horticultural protection against hail, birds, sunlight, and the like is comprised of open-weave fabric 401 held over the items 402 to be protected so that it tends to assume a rectangular outline when in the fully spread out position and tends to become a slanted parallelogram outline when in the fully closed or contracted position. The shape of the barrier is altered by pulling either cord 411 or cord 410 along one edge along the direction of the length of the cloth. Accessories including supports 403, deposited-load release mechanisms 422, cross-cables 412 for stability, and deployment means 415, 419 are also described. The barriers may be deployed automatically. Barriers of this type can cover large areas such as an entire orchard.

Abstract: An improved ground stake apparatus for the support of small garden fences used to protect flower beds, seedlings and the like. The invention is comprised of a stake adapted with a plurality of incrementally spaced apertures through which one or more removable U-shaped bridge members are inserted to form channels for the retention of horizontal wires of conventional fencing. Hour-glass shaped clips are also provided to secure the bridge members in place at the desired elevation along the elongate shaft of the stake. Additional features of the invention include an enlarged head having elevated nubs to reduce hammer slippage while driving the stake and a ventral fin attached along the bottom of the shaft for the prevention of both axial and lateral movement of the stake once inserted into the ground.

Abstract: Protective container, especially adapted for vines, is provided with a sleeve comprising two semi-shells adapted to envelope a plant. A journal connects the two semi-shells and a latching element maintains the two semi-shells in a closed positioned so that the sleeve has a general shape of a tube open at both ends. The sleeve is sufficiently rigid so as to act as a support, and includes a lower portion adapted to be at least partially buried and envelope a root system of a plant, an upper portion constructed and arranged to enable free access therein, and an intermediate tubular portion, having reduced dimensions and reinforced mechanical resistance, separating the lower and upper portions. Projections in the general shape of teeth of a comb extend from the lower end of the lower portion to retain the root system of the plant and a substrate. The upper portion includes an openable portion which is selectably closable.

Abstract: A self-supporting thermally-protective plant enclosure includes a plurality of elongated hollow closure bodies each having a pair of outer and inner transparent walls. Each outer and inner wall are peripherally interconnected by a base, a top and a pair of opposite sides extending upwardly from the base to the top. Each closure body is closed along the opposite sides and base and is open at least through a portion of the top, defining an internal cavity in the closure body capable of receiving and holding a quantity of fluid therein. The closure bodies are positioned in side-by-side relation and are coupled one closure body to the next along the opposite sides thereof so as to form the plant enclosure with an open top and bottom and an annular configuration surrounding a protective plant growth chamber.

Abstract: A planting pot with separate isolated potting areas including a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extended peripherally upwards from the bottom wall to create a major potting area and an opening for allowing access to the major potting area and a plant receptacle positioned within the major potting area of the container for creating a separate minor potting area for use.