Abstract: A needle apparatus for making a pinning hole in a composite material, the apparatus having a needle with a longitudinal axis, a collar fixed about the needle, a motor having an axis of rotation, and being fixed to the needle such that the needle can be rotated by the motor, the motor and the collar being situated within a motor housing, the motor housing having a first bush, and a second bush, wherein the collar is positioned between the first bush and second bush so as to prevent the needle from moving away from or towards the motor, but allow the needle to rotate freely around its longitudinal axis, wherein each needle apparatus further comprises a linear actuator connected to the motor such that the motor can be moved along the axis of rotation of the motor by the linear actuator.

Abstract: A method for in vitro culturing Sphagnum is provided. The method comprises providing a vegetative fragment of Sphagnum and surface cleaning the fragment with alcohol. The method further comprises dissecting the fragment to provide a piece (106) of Sphagnum. The method further comprises initiating the piece (106) of Sphagnum in a culture medium (104).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for cultivating Sphagnum that has been applied to a surface of a field, the method comprising controllably irrigating the Sphagnum, wherein the controllably irrigating comprises applying water to a surface of the Sphagnum and/or to the surface of the field. The invention also relates to Sphagnum obtainable by a method of the invention.

Abstract: A needle apparatus for making a pinning hole in a composite material, the apparatus having a needle with a longitudinal axis, a collar fixed about the needle, a motor having an axis of rotation, and being fixed to the needle such that the needle can be rotated by the motor, the motor and the collar being situated within a motor housing, the motor housing having a first bush, and a second bush, wherein the collar is positioned between the first bush and second bush so as to prevent the needle from moving away from or towards the motor, but allow the needle to rotate freely around its longitudinal axis, wherein each needle apparatus further comprises a linear actuator connected to the motor such that the motor can be moved along the axis of rotation of the motor by the linear actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for use in culturing Sphagnum (106) is provided. The apparatus (100) comprises a culture vessel (102) for Sphagnum (106) and a culture medium (104) arranged in the culture vessel (102). The culture vessel (102) comprises an enclosed airspace (108) above the culture medium (104), and Sphagnum (106) arranged in the culture medium (104). The apparatus (100) further comprises means (110, 112) for supplying carbon dioxide into the enclosed airspace (108).

Abstract: A method for in vitro culturing Sphagnum is provided. The method comprises providing a vegetative fragment of Sphagnum and surface cleaning the fragment with alcohol. The method further comprises dissecting the fragment to provide a piece (106) of Sphagnum. The method further comprises initiating the piece (106) of Sphagnum in a culture medium (104).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing a seedstock of Sphagnum. The method comprises providing in vitro Sphagnum, applying the Sphagnum to a growth surface, and cultivating the Sphagnum in vivo on the growth surface. The method also comprises harvesting the cultivated Sphagnum from the growth surface, and then chopping the harvested Sphagnum to provide a seedstock of Sphagnum for cultivation, the seedstock comprising a plurality of fragments of the in vivo Sphagnum. The present invention also relates to Sphagnum and seedstocks of Sphagnum obtainable by the method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for cultivating Sphagnum that has been applied to a surface of a field, the method comprising controllably irrigating the Sphagnum, wherein the controllably irrigating comprises applying water to a surface of the Sphagnum and/or to the surface of the field. The invention also relates to Sphagnum obtainable by a method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for cultivating Sphagnum. The method comprises supplying the Sphagnum with a nutrient composition. The nutrient composition comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, and/or potassium.