Abstract: A Christmas tree stand which comprises a receptacle and a two-piece base is provided. The receptacle is placed over the trunk of a tree and a clamping assembly is used to secure the tree within the receptacle. The receptacle is then inserted into a top portion of the base. The top portion of the base is moveable with respect to a bottom portion of the base. A movement assembly is provided which enables one person to easily move the top portion with respect to the bottom portion. Additionally, the top portion of the base includes a cavity for holding water.

Abstract: A capsule for insertion into a bore includes a plastic container having a shank portion with one internal cavity having at least one end opening. The one internal cavity contains one chemical agent. A head element is integrally formed with the shank portion. A plastic plug sealingly closes the internal cavity. The plug is insertable into an end opening of the one internal cavity so as to provide a tight fit between the plug and the end opening. Another internal cavity is defined so as to be isolated from the one internal cavity. The other internal cavity is partially defined by a thin membrane forming a closed end of the plug and contains another chemical agent. A spear, integrally formed with the plastic container, pierces the thin membrane as an impact force applied to the head element moves the head element towards the plastic plug so that communication between the internal cavities is provided.

Abstract: A plant holder, including a base adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface, a vertically-extending column fixed to the base, a plurality of horizontally-extending containers mounted at different levels to the vertically-extending column, with each container adapted to receive a quantity of plant growing medium, and a pump for pumping water from the reservoir to the topmost container mounted to the column.

Abstract: A hydroponics plant growth system basically consists of a circular nutrient supply module, a circular plant prop module, a pump positioned in the supply module to circulate liquid nutrient upwardly into the prop module, and a distributor unit to convey the liquid nutrient from the pump to the prop module and contact it with plant roots. An elongated tube supports the prop module concentrically upon the supply module and provides internal space for the distributor unit. The prop module is a bowl shaped vessel having a bottom, a top joined by an integral side ring, and a capped collar that upturns from the vessel top. Baskets to hold plants extend through openings in the vessel top in a way the plant roots continually receive some nutrient without being immersed therein. A plurality of prop modules can be supported in a vertical column on one supply module so the system can conserve horizontal space and fully utilize vertical space.

Abstract: A self-watering and self-drying planter assembly with a water reservoir open to the air and a top downward system for supplying water into the soil through built-in water-feeding channels, each having a water-transfer control lever for controlling the quantity of water supplied to the soil in the planter.The planter assembly automatically controls the amount of water and nutrients supplied to said plant by controlling the periods of water feeding and the intervening dry periods. There is an inner container assembly including an inner container for receiving a plant and soil, an outer container spaced from and surrounding the inner container and defining therebetween a water-receiving chamber, and a water-supplying chamber below for receiving water from said water-receiving chamber. A float assembly automatically supplies water from the water-receiving chamber to the water-supplying chamber in response to the water level in said water-supplying chamber.

Abstract: A decorative, terraced planter provides separate plant beds in individual compartments defined within an integrally formed housing of rigid, unitary construction. Each compartment can hold plants and soil separately from those in the other compartments, so that a mix of plants having differing soil and watering needs can be grown together within the planter. The compartments have holes at their bottoms to permit excess water to escape, and the planter preferably has a drip pan beneath the housing to catch the excess water. Stand-offs between the housing and the drip pan permit evaporation of water from the drip pan. Preferably, the tops of the compartments are at different levels, so as to form tiers or rows of plant beds, one above another, much like those of a hillside, terraced garden.

Abstract: A trellis wire support assembly (21) including a first wire member (22) formed of a pair of arms (24,26) dimensioned to extend outwardly of opposite sides (27,28) of the grape stake (23) and a second wire member (33) formed to secure the first wire member to the stake (23). The arms on the first wire member (22) include a support arm portion (31) and vertically-superimposed retention arm portion (51) that extends back over the support arm portion (31) to trap and retain the trellis wires (32a,32b) against upward forces and/or force reversals due to wind loading and the like. The second wire member (33) is plastically deformed to cinch and securely fasten the first wire member (22) to the grape stake (23).

Abstract: A rod like plant support is held in a plant pot adjacent the side wall of the latter. The holder is in the form of a flat discoid base plate, with an integral socket upstanding from a central portion thereof. A rod engages into and upstands from the socket. A number of integral fingers radially outwardly project from the discoid base plate generally within its plane. The length of each finger is adjustable to fit plant pots having varying internal diameters or varying configurations. Preferably, length adjustment of the fingers is made by cutting end portions thereof along transverse weak lines. In this way, not only is the plant support immobilized within the plant pot, but also, the relative position of the upstanding tie-rod is adjustable relative to plant foliage configuration.

Abstract: An applicator assembly for the controlled application of fluid to a surface is disclosed. The applicator assembly includes a bottle, a pump trigger mechanism, a hand-held applicator and a solution conduit extending between the hand-held applicator and the trigger mechanism. The applicator includes a pair of opposed pads which receive fluid from the bottle through the conduit and a clamping projection for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit into the applicator pad.

Abstract: An apparatus used to lengthen or replace a natural stem while allowing for a solid insertion (picking) into floral arrangements. Embodiments of this present invention include a cylindrical rod of absorbent floral foam, acting as the water translocating core of a natural stem. This core is to have a water impermeable, exterior coating (shell) and uncoated ends, the nature of which may be a clear plastic resin providing rigidity and moisture retention. This exterior shell will have a surface area of evenly spaced perforations, these being of sufficient size and number, allowing the air transfer, necessary for the wetting and wicking action of the core. A recessed or dimpled top end will provide for ease of stem insertion, while a bottom end slant cut will facilitate base medium placement. The embodiment of this invention can be modified and economically fabricated by dual extrusion or injection molding. Although natural in appearance, this device may be color shaded and decoratively enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective apparatus for a root system of a tree and/or plant which is defined by a collapsible wire basket structure that includes a support strap adapted to be rotatably mounted and secured across the opening of the basket so as to support the basket when the basket is positioned around the soil-bound root system of the tree or plant.

Abstract: A new and improved herb, vegetable, flower, and groundcover sod mat suitable for many landscape applications. The improvement comprises growing either plant seeds, seedlings, plant plugs, rooted cuttings, or root divisions in a planting medium so that the roots of the plant material entangle with a polyolefin sod reinforcement to form a tough, lightweight, flexible sod mat. The sod mat can be produced in many strengths and weights, with many diverse planting mediums, with multiple species of plants. The polyolefin sod reinforcement can contain prodegradants which promote environmental friendliness. Sod mat may be sold in rolls or rectangular mat.

Abstract: A Christmas-tree stand (2) essentially consists of a housing (6) in which two clamping bars (18, 20) are rotatably supported so as to allow a swivelling movement around two support pins (22, 24). The activation of the clamping straps (18, 20) takes place via a central clamping device which essentially consists of a threaded rod (26) with two inversely threaded sections (32, 34) constructed thereon. When rotating the threaded rod (26), the free ends of the clamping bars (18, 20) are moved along by the nuts (30, 30') running along with the threaded sections (32, 34), so that a Christmas-tree trunk can be fixed or fastened between the clamping bars (18, 20).

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: This is a hand operated fertilizing tool by means of which, upon ground penetration of a tine, the apparatus may be swung in a side-to-side and back-to-front motion so as to enlarge the void created by the tine, into which enlarged void the fertilizing substance, whatever it may be, is gravity fed downwardly through a dispensing tube and directly into the enlarged void, the fertilizing substance being blocked from passage through the dispensing tube until a laterally shiftable blocking means intercepting through the dispensing tube is slid from a no go to a go position.

Abstract: A tree treatment capsule is disclosed as including a plastic container having a shank with an internal cavity for containing therein a chemical agent and a head integrally formed with the shank portion. A plastic plug is provided to sealingly close the cavity. The shank has a plurality of slots which are formed in the exterior surface thereof and extend lengthwise of the shank. The slots allow the shank to be broken so that when an impact force is applied to the head to move the head towards the plastic plug, the plastic plug expands and breaks the shank along the slots into strips to form passages between the strips. The passages allow the chemical agent to pass from the cavity of the capsule through the passages and mix with sap of the tree.

Abstract: A tray for carrying a plurality of plant pots includes a base plate and a plurality of container sections. The container sections are provided in the base plate for receiving pots therein. Each of the container sections has an open top end, a peripheral wall and a bottom wall. Retainer members are disposed on the peripheral wall of each of the container sections and are operable to resiliently apply pressing forces to the side wall of a pot received within the container section so as to fixedly hold the pot in position.

Abstract: The invention provides a system comprising a separator device used in conjunction with a tying device to hold flowers in a bouquet in a manner so as to make the bouquet larger and seem fuller and more voluminous. The separator of the invention separates the floral stems and forces them outwardly by means of angled holes. The tying device holds the stems of the flowers together at a point below the separator. The overall effect is that the flowers of the bouquet are held in a position so that the top of the bouquet is larger than standard bouquets.

Abstract: A support for a tree or shrub includes a vertical post with a supporting frame welded to the post. The frame includes horizontal sides which have downwardly depending stakes fixed to them. The support may be placed near a tree or shrub so that the sides of the frame surround the tree or shrub. The stakes and post are driven into the ground to a point where the frame abuts the ground. Loops on the post are available to connect supporting cords or wires from the tree trunk or bush stem.

Abstract: A device for conveying irrigation water to a Christmas tree stand fluid bowl. The inventive device includes a funnel securable to a branch of the tree. A tubular conduit extends from the funnel along the tree trunk and terminates within the fluid bowl, thereby permitting fluid to be added to the fluid bowl without requiring an individual to directly access the fluid bowl.