Abstract: A carrousel (2) has a plurality of spaced apart holders (50) mounted on its outer periphery. Each holder receives a plant unit (90) including a plant with foliage (92) and a root/soil mass (94) received in a container (96). As the carrousel (2) turns, a cam (70) carried by each holder (50) engages a ramp (78) to cause the holder (50) to grip the container (96). The holder (50) then conveys the plant unit (90) through first and second cutting stations (4, 18) at which top and side portions of the foliage (92), respectively, are trimmed. The trimming is accomplished by flail cutters (6, 20, 21). At the side cutting station (18), the plant unit (90) moves between a pair of cutters (20, 21), and a rubber tire (84) rotates the holder (50) and plant unit (90) to provide cutting all the way around the plant unit (90). After exiting the second station (18), the holder (50) releases its grip on the plant unit (90).

Abstract: A fixing device for a plant supporting rod has a holder (6, 13, 20) that holds the plant supporting rod (3) inserted into the planting substrate (4) at the edge (8) of the plant container (1). In order to safely hold the plant supporting rod in all directions, the plant supporting rod (3) is supported against the edge (8) of the plant pot (1) approximately at the level of the edge (8) of the plant container (1) and in two directions that form an angle (.alpha.) with each other.

Abstract: A sod plug mulcher is towed behind a sod plugger preferably on a golf course, park land, or grass playing surfaces. The sod plugger punches holes in the turf and creates sod plugs. The sod plug mulcher catches the sod plugs and processes them into a fine mulch. The sod plug mulcher has a roller assembly to flatten the sod plugs. Then a series of spinning hammer blades chop the flattened sod plugs into a mulch inside a rotating drum. A spreader tray then throws the mulch back onto the golf course.

Abstract: A plant pot is capable of preventing roots from winding and lengthening excessively therein. The pot includes a container which has an open top, a base, and a surrounding wall. The surrounding wall has a bottom end connected to the base. The base has a central portion, a plurality of spaced apart connecting portions which extend radially from the central portion to the bottom end, and a plurality of holes which are confined by the connecting portions and the surrounding wall. The holes are elongated along the direction of the surrounding wall and are closely adjacent to the surrounding wall. Parts of the base close to the surrounding wall are mostly opened and are substantially free of corner spaces which would assist root winding and excessive lengthening.

Abstract: A bean sprout culture box assembly includes a water carrying plate defining an overflow port in one side wall thereof. A transparent box is supported on the water carrying plate and includes four side walls and a bottom portion. A plurality of vent holes are defined in each of the side walls of the transparent box, and a plurality of draining holes are defined in the bottom portion of the transparent box. A net plate is received in the transparent box and is supported on the bottom portion thereof, and a plurality of meshes are defined in the net plate and communicate with the draining holes. A transparent hood is mounted on an upper portion of the transparent box, and a plurality of vent ports are defined in the transparent hood.

Abstract: An artificial water cycle system is comprised of one or more water table cells or beds, having a generally horizontally disposed base and one or more generally vertically disposed sidewalls each having an end portion and made from a water impervious material, that are submerged below the surface of the soil. The end portion, that form the outer periphery terminate just below the surface while internal end portions terminate several inches below the surface and overlap adjoining internal end portions. The system allows introduced water to percolate down to the base to form an artificial water table and, through capilarity action, to be pulled upward along with nutrients, to supply the plants within the system. Excess water is discharged from the system through capilarity action.

Abstract: A plant cover comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, said base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, said skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and expansion means formed integrally with the base, the expansion means comprising an excess of material, the expansion means permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: A conveying method and a conveyor for carrying out the method is disclosed for manually moving plant stock around in a greenhouse. The method utilizes an elongated rectangular conveyor with rounded corners and handholds at each end and having the proper mix of rigid and pliable characteristics to allow pulling the conveyor from one bench across an aisle bridged by a stationary conveyor to an adjacent bench or along the length of a bench.

Abstract: A flowerpot (22) for supporting and carrying a variety of detachable lawn fixtures includes a bottom (44) that has an outer wall (55), an inner wall (54) and a channel (56) defined therebetween. The channel (56) receives dirt, rocks, flowers and the like. Extending from the inner wall (54) is a shoulder (57) and a support wall (58) that is adaptable for receiving a center column (24), an attachment collar (200) or a variety of other attachments. The center column (24) includes a bottom end (66) and a top end (68) which has an opening (70). Extending from the center column (24) is a column shoulder (76) and a support wall (78) that may carry a variety of detachable column fixtures. The variety of detachable column fixtures includes, but is not limited to, a birdbath (26), a fountain (140), an urn (172), an attachment collar (202) to carry a pole (204), an urn (172) having an inner collar wall (232) to carry a pole (204) and a sundial (251).

Abstract: A planter adapted for circling an umbrella pole and resting upon a patio table top includes a large pot divided into two halves of identical geometry, and a drip tray similarly divided into two halves of identical geometry. Features are provided to lock each drip tray half into a corresponding pot half. Additional features allow each pot half to interlock to another, thereby forming a complete planter. The planter halves are separable and may be interchanged with other planter halves of the same geometry.

Abstract: A multi-section enclosure adapted to support an artificial environment for growing plants. Vertical edges of opaque and transparent wall sections interlock with one another and horizontal edges mount to formed channels at a domed cover and support base. A sliding door cooperates with slide spacers fitted about an opening at the transparent wall. A plurality of hangers are suspended from a transparent divider panel which separates an internal illumination source and reflector from a growing space. Slide shutters mounted to vent apertures at the divider and cover cooperate with a fan at one of the divider apertures to control internal air circulation and temperature within the growing space. The spaced door and cover vent control make-up and exhaust air flow.

Abstract: A mulching paper sheet having satisfactory mechanical strength, elongation, weathering resistance and biodegradation resistance while being used for plant culture, includes a paper sheet substrate formed mainly from a cellulosic pulp; a biodegradation-retarding agent comprising humic acid and/or a water-insoluble metal salt of humic acid and coated on or impregnated in the substrate; and optionally an antimicrobial agent contained in at least the longitudinal side edge portions of the paper sheet substrate.

Abstract: A molded plant tray is provided in the form of a unitary molded plastic member formed of relatively light foamed plastic and having downwardly extending tapered plant cells for receiving plating medium in which individual seedlings are crown. The plastic member is provided with a plurality of parallel, U-shaped indexing rod-receiving grooves defined on the bottom surface of the plastic member by portions of the intermediate walls that define the plant cells. The indexing rod-receiving grooves are complementary in shape to a plurality of indexing rods arranged in parallel spaced relation in a drum shape rotatable about a longitudinal axis and spaced to receive the indexing rods as they rotate about the longitudinal axis. A U-shaped alignment member-receiving groove is also provided, and is defined on the bottom surface of the plastic member by portions of the intermediate walls to extend perpendicular to the central axes of the indexing rod-receiving grooves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a potting media and an aquatic grow system using soil-less potting media. The soil-less media consists of ground, double cell, walled reticulated foam, from the polyurethane family, polyester class. The foam is ground and placed in a one quart poly grow-bag having a series of small holes punched around the periphery, slightly above the bottom of the bag. An aquatic plant is then placed in the bag of ground foam mixture media and filled with water until the foam is fully soaked and will not float. The filled bag is then placed in the intended water environment to grow. Prior to shipping, the grow-bag is gently squeezed to reduce weight by 99% to reduce the weight for shipping. The media remains moist during shipping to keep roots and plant healthy.

Abstract: A decorative cover for plant pots including a body adapted to extend around a pot, an elastic band adjacent the bottom of the cover adapted to resiliently engage the pot, and a further elastic band near the top of the cover to provide vertical stability to the cover.

Abstract: The apparatus for growing organisms by moist air comprises the closed moistening tank having water therein, and the mixing chamber on the surface of said water, the nozzle and air pump for releasing air bubbles into the said water, the moist air outlet provided on the said mixing chamber, and the air feed tube connected with the said moist air outlet for passing the moist air into the culture medium.Within the said mixing chamber, watery components are caused to adhere to the surfaces of ascending bubbles in the water. Mist is formed from the rupture of these bubbles, Adjustment is made for selecting the mist of small particle size. Then, there is prepared the moist air containing almost uniformly the mist of small particle size by a high pressurization within the said mixing chamber. Such moist air is caused to pass through the air feed tube in the form of a nearly laminar flow into the culture medium.

Abstract: A device for watering and feeding living plants including a cylindrical tube, closed at the bottom and the top having a funnel-shaped orifice to receive and hold an inverted reservoir (for example, a two or three liter plastic bottle). The tube is buried vertically in earth or plant soil to expose only the orifice, which may be capped when not in use allowing camouflage of the device at the soil surface. Two holes in the sidewall of the tube allow water and water soluble plant nutrients to pass therethrough slowly.

Abstract: A water and nourishment supply device has a hollow tube and a cover disposed on a top portion of the hollow tube. A spacing is formed between the cover and the top portion of the hollow tube. The hollow tube has a flat tip end and a plurality of through holes. The flat tip end has a through aperture. An inner diameter of the cover is larger than an inner diameter of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A multi-purpose automatic filing basin is provided for containing a selected amount of water which is used for various purposes. The water may be transferred from the basin by wicks or by a pump to water using devices such as plant pots or toys or may be provided for direct use from the basin for devices such as animal feeders and habitats. The basin is kept supplied with water from a pressurized source by a specialized valve which opens in response to a drop in water level below a first selected level and closes in response to the water level reaching as second selected level.

Abstract: This invention is a device for automatically watering unattended houseplants with ordinary tap water. The device controls the rate of discharge of water from a reservoir by means of a replaceable multilayer sandwich-type flow control wafer, which is made of several layers of deformable gasket material, laboratory filtration paper, and thin flexible plastic. The gasket and plastic layers contain designed patterns of through-holes and passages which force the water to flow over and through the filtration paper to control the rate of release of water from the reservoir. The design also uses the filtration paper to remove particles from the tap water which could clog the system and stop the flow.