Abstract: A root irrigation spike apparatus includes a central body, a chamber traversing the central body, an irrigation post communicably coupled to the chamber having at least one irrigation aperture, and a self-piercing needle portion communicably coupled to the chamber having a tapered diameter.

Abstract: A root irrigation apparatus includes a chamber including a first end, a second end, and, an irrigation aperture, a valve operably connected to the first end of the chamber, and, a cap configured to couple to the first end of the chamber.

Abstract: A removal sleeve for protecting an external face of a growing container for nursery products, the container having an open top, a bottom and a side wall connecting the top to the bottom. The sleeve is formed from at least one sheet of polymer material and has a tubular, preferably cylindrical shape with upper and lower open ends. The sleeve configured to cover a majority of the side wall of the container between the top and bottom. The sleeve may be tapered and could be stretchable or shrinkable to fit onto the container. The sleeve is at least partially opaque, transparent or translucent. A UV additive or UV blocker may be added to the polymer or disposed on the sleeve to assist in minimizing passage of UV light to the underlying container.

Abstract: A spindle conveyor system having a continuous conveyor chain, including a plurality of chain plates that are connected by chain pins, movably mounted in an enclosure structure. The conveyor chain is provided with guide rollers. A plurality of carrier blocks are each fixedly secured to the top side of an individual chain plate. A workpiece spindle is rotatably mounted on each of the carrier blocks and adapted to carry a workpiece holder fixture on the upper end thereof. Each of the carrier blocks has guide rollers operatively mounted thereon. Guide plates are mounted in the enclosure structure for guiding engagement with the conveyor chain guide rollers and the carrier block guide rollers.