Abstract: In order to reduce a possibility of damaging a seedling in the event of transplant of unit nursery beds when the seedlings are replanted from a seedling tray that supports unit nursery beds individually planted with seedlings germinated from seeds to a hydroponic panel capable of securing a longer seedling-to-seedling distance, a seedling transplanter (1) includes: a seedling tray (3) supported by a frame (2) and configured to support a nursery bed (7) having unit nursery beds (71) separable from each other and arranged in two directions on a plane; a hydroponic panel (4) supported by the frame (2) and provided with holes (41) for storing the unit nursery beds (71), the hydroponic panel (4) serving as a transplant destination of the unit nursery beds (71) on the seedling tray (3); and a holding member (5) supported by the frame (2) pivotally around a vertical axis and vertically movably to separate the unit nursery bed (71) from the nursery bed (7) by holding any one or a plurality of the unit nursery beds (7

Abstract: An automatic feeding device and method for a seedling bed of a transplanter, comprising: a bracket installed on the transplanter; several trays, obliquely arranged on the bracket downwards, and the bottom of the trays being provided with release mechanisms for releasing the rice seedling bed; a conveyor belt, arranged on the bracket; a photoelectric sensor, arranged on the transplanting platform; and a controller, in communication connection with the photoelectric sensor, when the photoelectric sensor detects that the height of the remaining rice seedling bed on the transplanting platform is lower than the height of the photoelectric sensor. Only one driver is needed to operate, so that the labor input is greatly reduced, and the labor intensity is reduced; meanwhile, the space is saved by the reduction of the number of workers, enabling more seedling raw materials to be stored.

Abstract: An independently automated mechanical transplanter assemblage for ejecting plants into the soil is shown and described. The mechanical transplanter includes a plurality of mechanical transplanter units mounted to a frame. Each mechanical transplanter unit will include a plant tray indexing vertically and horizontally for presenting plants to a grabber having a plurality of forks. The grabber and forks thereon will be able to swing into a horizontal position for advancing in a linear motion to grip and retract plants from cells in a tray. The grabber will also be configured to swing the forks into an approximate vertical plane for ejecting each independently held plant down a funnel into a planting shoe for delivery into an open row in the soil. Other embodiments of the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to reduce a possibility of damaging a seedling in the event of transplant of unit nursery beds when the seedlings are replanted from a seedling tray that supports unit nursery beds individually planted with seedlings germinated from seeds to a hydroponic panel capable of securing a longer seedling-to-seedling distance, a seedling transplanter (1) includes: a seedling tray (3) supported by a frame (2) and configured to support a nursery bed (7) having unit nursery beds (71) separable from each other and arranged in two directions on a plane; a hydroponic panel (4) supported by the frame (2) and provided with holes (41) for storing the unit nursery beds (71), the hydroponic panel (4) serving as a transplant destination of the unit nursery beds (71) on the seedling tray (3); and a holding member (5) supported by the frame (2) pivotally around a vertical axis and vertically movably to separate the unit nursery bed (71) from the nursery bed (7) by holding any one or a plurality of the unit nursery beds (7

Abstract: An automatic picking and launching seedling device for a transplanting machine is provided, as well as methods of using the same. The device includes a seedling picking mechanism, seedling guiding devices, a box shifting mechanism and seedling separating mechanisms. The seedling picking mechanism is mounted on the box shifting mechanism, the two sets of seedling separating mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the box shifting mechanism, and the seedling guiding device is arranged on the top of the seedling separating mechanism. The box shifting mechanism transports the disc to the seedling picking point, and the seedling picking mechanism moves the picking seedling claws to the seedling picking point to take the seedlings and moves to the seedling launching point to launch the seedlings.

Abstract: An ejecting-clamping-pulling combined seedling fetching device for an automatic transplanter and an operating method therefor. The device comprises: a seedling ejecting mechanism (1), a seedling feeder mechanism (2), a seedling fetching mechanism (3), and a control system. The seedling feeder mechanism (2) is mounted on a stander; the seedling ejecting mechanism (1) is mounted on the seedling feeder mechanism (2) and is located at the rear side of the seedling feeder mechanism (2); the seeding fetching mechanism (3) is mounted at the stander and is located at the front side of the seedling feeder mechanism (2). An upper ejector rod support (1-6) and a lower ejector rod support (1-4) are provided on the seedling ejecting mechanism (1); the seedling ejecting rods on the two supports are disposed in a staggered manner, and the upper ejector rod support (1-6) and the lower ejector rod support (1-4) are configured to alternately eject and loosen seedling trays.

Abstract: A transplanting machine has a frame, a plowing implement, a conveyor operable to present seedlings in a tray to picking mechanisms, a plurality of mechanical gates arranged to receive the seedlings, computerized circuitry adapted to analyze portions of pixelated images of seedlings, a channel array associated with the plurality of mechanical gates, an operating mechanism in the final planting gate adapted to gate each seedling arriving at the single position into the furrow, and a closing device adapted to close the furrow. The circuitry determines a status as suitable to plant, transmits the status to a controller that activates the mechanical gates in a sequential order, except for when the seedling is not suitable, in which circumstance that mechanical gate is skipped, such that in a next cycle two seedlings will be gated to the single position together, and one will be suitable to plant.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically redistributing plants throughout an agricultural facility includes, at a mobile robotic system: delivering a first module—defining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants in approximately a second growth stage—from a grow area within a facility to a transfer station within the facility; delivering a second module—located within the facility and defining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density—to the transfer station; and following transfer of a first subset of plants from the first array of plant slots in the first module into the second array of plant slots in the second module at the transfer station, delivering the second module to the grow area in the facility.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring the condition of a seedbed within a field may include an implement having a plurality of ground-engaging tools supported by a frame, with the implement being configured to create or be traversed across a seedbed extending downwardly within the field from an outer seedbed surface to a seedbed floor. The system may also include an auxiliary support arm coupled to a portion of the frame at or adjacent to the aft end of the frame and a seedbed surface detection assembly coupled to the auxiliary support arm such that the seedbed surface detection assembly is located behind the ground-engaging tools relative to a forward travel direction of the implement. The seedbed surface detection assembly may be configured to detect variations in a profile of the outer seedbed surface as the implement is moved in the forward travel direction.

Abstract: An unmanned pruning vehicle includes a pruning device configured to prune plant material from a plant. The unmanned pruning vehicle also includes a processing circuit is configured to control operation of the pruning device to prune a plant.

Abstract: An automation system for use with in-vitro diagnostics includes a plurality of fluid containers configured to hold one or more fluids. The system includes a plurality of carriers having a plurality of slots configured to hold one of the plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a place and pick device configured to place the plurality of fluid containers into the plurality of slots and remove the plurality of fluid containers from the plurality of slots. The system further includes a controller configured to control the place and pick device to place a first fluid container into an empty slot of a carrier of the plurality of carriers while a second fluid container is in an occupied slot and control the place and pick device to subsequently remove the second fluid container from the occupied slot of the carrier.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility includes: dispatching a loader to autonomously deliver a first module—defining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants at a first growth stage—from a first grow location within an agricultural facility to a transfer station within the agricultural facility; dispatching the loader to autonomously deliver a second module—defining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density and empty of plants—to the transfer station; recording a module-level optical scan of the first module; extracting a viability parameter of the first set of plants from features detected in the module-level optical scan; and if the viability parameter falls outside of a target viability range, rejecting transfer of the first set of plants from the first module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plant transplanting device that achieves rapid and stable transplantation with a simple structure and at low cost, prevents damage to the plants, and can be automated easily. A plant transplanting device 100 that transplants a seedbed B from a plant holder 110 to a growing pallet 120 includes a holder holding mechanism 130 for holding the plant holder 110, a pallet holding mechanism 140 for holding the growing pallet 120 above a holder holding position in which the holder holding mechanism 130 holds the plant holder 110, and a push-up mechanism 150 for pushing the seedbed B held in the holder seedbed-holding hole 111 upward so as to insert the seedbed B into the pallet seedbed-holding hole 121.

Abstract: An independently automated mechanical transplanter for dispensing seedlings into a furrow located in the ground or in a field. The transplanter includes at least one automated transplanter unit mounted to a transportable frame. A trundle is mounted to the transportable frame having a plurality of gripper fingers. Each automated transplanter unit has a seedling tray for presenting a plurality of seedlings to the trundle to grip and extract the seedlings from the seedling tray. The transplanter also includes a moveable conveyor belt having a plurality of pockets attached thereto; the trundle configured to transfer the plurality of seedlings into the plurality of pockets as the conveyor belt moves; and each individual pocket configured to open when positioned directly over a delivery chute for dropping the seedlings into a planting shoe for delivery into the open furrow.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus including: a workstation having an operator work portion, a material source portion, a material delivery portion and a robot arm. A housing is located at the material source portion and contains plantlet holders, the housing being closable by a lid mechanically and sealingly engaging a peripheral lip of the housing. An empty housing is located at the material delivery portion to receive the plantlet holders. A tool assembly on the robot arm includes a plantlet holder manipulator for movement of a plantlet holder between the material source portion, the operator work portion, and the material delivery portion; and an integral closure manipulator operable to engage a lid for removal from and attachment to the housing.

Abstract: An unmanned pruning vehicle includes a pruning device configured to prune plant material from a plant. The unmanned pruning vehicle also includes a processing circuit is configured to control operation of the pruning device to prune a plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for placing cuttings of plants in a cultivation medium. The apparatus has a cuttings supply system for supplying a plurality of cuttings, a camera system for identifying cuttings among the plurality of cuttings that are suitable for individual pick up using pattern recognition, a pick-up tool for picking up cuttings identified by the camera system, and a planting system for simultaneously planting multiple cuttings in the cultivation medium. The planting system and the pick-up tool are separate entities. Furthermore, the pick-up tool is arranged for suitably placing picked-up cuttings in the planting system.

Abstract: Foliage separator for a transplanter, and more particularly an apparatus for separating the foliage of adjacent rows of seedlings which are grown in trays having a plurality of side-by side rows of seedling cells. The foliage separator includes a rotating beater bar, the beater bar being positioned at an angle with a progressive taper, the beater bar being mounted for movement with a carriage which carries a subassembly for picking up an entire row of seedlings from a nursery tray and positioning them for hand-off to a seedling loader group. An air knife may be mounted on the same carriage, the air knife facilitating separation by keeping the seedling foliage and stems up and helping the beater bar enter between adjacent rows.

Abstract: Transplanter which can avoid skips when planting, which skips may occur when seeds in a tray row fail to grow into seedlings. This is accomplished by picking up an entire row of seedlings from a tray, transferring the seedlings to a mechanism which eliminates gaps between seedlings, and then discharging the seedlings one at time to the ground with a desired spacing between the seedlings. A novel tray indexing mechanism is provided which can index trays of varying sizes. The planting mechanism has an air knife mounted adjacent transfer disks for straightening out the foliage as stems of seedlings before they are received by the planting disks, and the planting and transfer disks may be moved towards and away from each other for seedlings of differing heights.

Abstract: Transplanter which can avoid skips when planting, which skips may occur when seeds in a tray row fail to grow into seedlings. This is accomplished by picking up an entire row of seedlings from a tray, transferring the seedlings to a mechanism which eliminates gaps between seedlings, and then discharging the seedlings one at time to the ground with a desired spacing between the seedlings. A novel tray indexing mechanism is provided which can index trays of varying sizes. The planting mechanism has an air knife mounted adjacent transfer disks for straightening out the foliage as stems of seedlings before they are received by the planting disks, and the planting and transfer disks may be moved towards and away from each other for seedlings of differing heights.

Abstract: Transplanter which can avoid skips when planting, which skips may occur when seeds in a tray row fail to grow into seedlings. This is accomplished by picking up an entire row of seedlings from a tray, transferring the seedlings to a mechanism which eliminates gaps between seedlings, and then discharging the seedlings one at time to the ground with a desired spacing between the seedlings. A novel tray indexing mechanism is provided which can index trays of varying sizes. The planting mechanism has an air knife mounted adjacent transfer disks for straightening out the foliage as stems of seedlings before they are received by the planting disks, and the planting and transfer disks may be moved towards and away from each other for seedlings of differing heights.

Abstract: A transplanting apparatus which can plant virtually 100% of the seedlings from a nursery tray, while avoid skips when planting which may happen when seeds in a tray row fail to grow into seedlings. This is accomplished by picking up an entire row of seedlings from a tray, transferring the seedlings to a mechanism which eliminates gaps between seedlings, and then discharging the seedlings one at a time to the ground with a desired spacing between the seedlings while having full physical control of the seedlings. A root ball compressor is provided to provide better control of the seedlings as the compressed root balls are less likely to tip over, and the compressed root balls are easier to be grabbed by the pinch disks.

Abstract: A transplanting apparatus which can plant virtually 100% of the seedlings from a nursery tray, while avoid skips when planting which may happen when seeds in a tray row fail to grow into seedlings. This is accomplished by picking up an entire row of seedlings from a tray, transferring the seedlings to a mechanism which eliminates gaps between seedlings, and then discharging the seedlings one at a time to the ground with a desired spacing between the seedlings while having full physical control of the seedlings. A root ball compressor is provided to provide better control of the seedlings as the compressed root balls are less likely to tip over, and the compressed root balls are easier to be grabbed by the pinch disks.

Abstract: A feeding station for processing bulbous flowers comprises a conveyor unit with suspension elements provided at discrete mutual distances and at least one feeding unit (3) with a guiding mechanism (4) for guiding, for instance by hand, flowers suspended in the guiding mechanism (4) with the bulbs upward to the conveyor unit and to take over the flowers therein in this position. Below the guiding mechanism (4) an actuator (12) is provided to place the bulbous flowers in the suspension elements (1) of the conveyor unit while seizing the stems. Preferably, a suspension element (1) is provided with a lock, which, dining the takeover of bulbous flowers in a suspension element (1), is released for the time required to affect the takeover of the flower in the suspension element (1).

Abstract: Transplanter which can avoid skips when planting, which skips may occur when seeds in a tray row fail to grow into seedlings. This is accomplished by picking up an entire row of seedlings from a tray, transferring the seedlings to a mechanism which eliminates gaps between seedlings, and then discharging the seedlings one at time to the ground with a desired spacing between the seedlings. A novel tray indexing mechanism is provided which can index trays of varying sizes. The planting mechanism has an air knife mounted adjacent transfer disks for straightening out the foliage as stems of seedlings before they are received by the planting disks, and the planting and transfer disks may be moved towards and away from each other for seedlings of differing heights.

Abstract: The present invention is a grafted seedling producing apparatus 10 capable of rotating seedlings W in an alignment direction even if they are those having large leaves and thereafter halting the rotation to align them, or the apparatus 10 having loading portions 1, 2 which are provided with a seedling carry-in mechanism 11 for sequentially transporting a tray 7 of a large number of arranged seedlings W, a grip hand 12 for individually gripping stems of seedlings on the seedling carry-in mechanism 11, a cutter mechanism 23 for individually cutting the stems of seedlings gripped by the grip hand 12, an alignment guide 14 for aligning seedlings to be transported by the grip hand 12, a roller 17 for rotating the seedlings W to an alignment direction at the side of the seedling carry-in mechanism 11 from the alignment guide 14, and a transport mechanism 13 for moving the grip hand 12 to the alignment guide side; a retaining mechanism 15 provided with to a main alignment member 16 which regulates a direction to whi

Abstract: Seedlings are typically grown in trays of soil plugs. Once the seedlings have attained a predetermined size, they may be transplanted to the ground for continued seedling growth and development. Several machines are known in the art, which allow automated seedling transplantation. The present invention provides a device that significantly improves the accuracy of automated transplantation of seedlings. The device encompasses, at least in preferred aspects, a ski-like apparatus including a defined planting slot for receiving the seedlings to be planted. Furthermore, a blade extending in front of the device cuts open the ground in preparation for plantation. The configuration of the device enables seedlings to be planted accurately to a desired planting depth. The device is particularly suited for use in connection with coniferous tree seedlings, and enables automated transplantation of such seedlings at high speed.

Abstract: A farm apparatus for automatically planting seedlings that have been sown in growing trays configured with multiple rows of seedling growing cells. Trays may be of various dimensions and seedling configurations. The apparatus may be adjusted in the field to accommodate these different tray sizes and configurations and also provides for adjustment of the planted seedling configuration. The apparatus is drawn by a common farm tractor and is powered by the tractor. In operation the apparatus continuously moves over a growing field while individually extracting seedlings from the trays and planting them in the desired array.

Abstract: An automated planter includes a locating device arranged to locate a propagation tray; at least one plant extraction device adapted to pull a plant out of a propagation tray located by the locating device; and a delivery assembly arranged to receive a plant extracted by the at least one plant extraction device and deliver the received plant to the ground. The planter lifts the plants out of their cells in the tray by inserting fingers, which are caused to converge to pinch the root ball. A plant transport includes two tracks, such that one can be loaded while the other is transporting plants to the delivery assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a grafted seedling producing apparatus 10 capable of rotating seedlings W in an alignment direction even if they are those having large leaves and thereafter halting the rotation to align them, or the apparatus 10 having loading portions 1, 2 which are provided with a seedling carry-in mechanism 11 for sequentially transporting a tray 7 of a large number of arranged seedlings W, a grip hand 12 for individually gripping stems of seedlings on the seedling carry-in mechanism 11, a cutter mechanism 23 for individually cutting the stems of seedlings gripped by the grip hand 12, an alignment guide 14 for aligning seedlings to be transported by the grip hand 12, a roller 17 for rotating the seedlings W to an alignment direction at the side of the seedling carry-in mechanism 11 from the alignment guide 14, and a transport mechanism 13 for moving the grip hand 12 to the alignment guide side; a retaining mechanism 15 provided with to a main alignment member 16 which regulates a direction to whi

Abstract: Seedlings are typically grown in trays of soil plugs. Once the seedlings have attained a predetermined size, they may be transplanted to the ground for continued seedling growth and development. Several machines are known in the art, which allow automated seedling transplantation. The present invention provides a device that significantly improves the accuracy of automated transplantation of seedlings. The device encompasses, at least in preferred aspects, a ski-like apparatus including a defined planting slot for receiving the seedlings to be planted. Furthermore, a blade extending in front of the device cuts open the ground in preparation for plantation. The configuration of the device enables seedlings to be planted accurately to a desired planting depth. The device is particularly suited for use in connection with coniferous tree seedlings, and enables automated transplantation of such seedlings at high speed.

Abstract: A system for transferring and transplanting plants from a plant supply tray includes a first table having a plurality of matrix openings for holding the plant supply tray, where one or more plants are removed from the tray via the matrix openings. The first table also includes an indexing frame that positions the plant supply tray such that the one or more plants from the plant supply tray are aligned with the plurality of matrix openings. The system also includes a second table that holds a plant receiving area, a supporting frame that holds and aligns the first and second tables relative to one another, and a plant removal mechanism for removing the one or more plants from the plant supply tray.

Abstract: A farm apparatus for automatically planting seedlings that have been sown in growing trays configured with multiple rows of seedling growing cells. Trays may be of various dimensions and seedling configurations. The apparatus may be adjusted in the field to accommodate these different tray sizes and configurations and also provides for adjustment of the planted seedling configuration. The apparatus is drawn by a common farm tractor and is powered by the tractor. In operation the apparatus continuously moves over a growing field while individually extracting seedlings from the trays and planting them in the desired array.

Abstract: A farm apparatus for automatically planting seedlings that have been sown in growing trays configured with multiple rows of seedling growing cells. Trays may be of various dimensions and seedling configurations. The apparatus may be adjusted in the field to accommodate these different tray sizes and configurations and also provides for adjustment of the planted seedling configuration. The apparatus is drawn by a common farm tractor and is powered by the tractor. In operation the apparatus continuously moves over a growing field while individually extracting seedlings from the trays and planting them in the desired array.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a vehicle, such as a tractor, and a planting apparatus that is movable across the ground by the vehicle. The vehicle desirably has a guiding system for automatically guiding the vehicle to follow a predetermined planting path as the vehicle moves across the ground. The guiding system can comprise, for example, a global positioning system for determining the instantaneous positions of the vehicle and an automatic steering system for steering the vehicle based on positioning information from global positioning. As the vehicle moves the planting apparatus along the planting path, the planting apparatus plants a row of plants, such as trees or other agricultural products, at spaced apart locations along the planting path.

Abstract: Expandable stinger planting is described in which stinger probes on a boom end mounted frame are positioned for ground penetration on a boom type vehicle. Bottom ends of the probes are shifted between a closed plant receiving, ground penetrating positions; and open positions with bottom ends open to form a plant discharge opening. A receptacle within the probes is open to the plant discharge opening, and receives plants from a magazine. Plants move by a feeder device in the magazine to a release station, where successive plants may be discharged into the plant receiving receptacle. The plant magazine and plant release station are positioned above the plant receiving receptacle such that a plant moved to the release station may drop into the receiving receptacle, to be discharged through the discharge opening. Packers may be provided on the frame to press planting media about the plants.

Abstract: A plant border assembly includes a plant tray defining a cavity and a top opening communicating with the cavity. The cavity has a width and a length that is greater than the width. The plant border assembly further includes a plant border including a growing medium disposed in the cavity and a strip of plants disposed in the growing medium in the cavity. The plant tray is adapted to allow removal of the plant border from the plant tray without lifting the plant border through the top opening.

Abstract: A rotary growing apparatus comprises a cylindrical structure or drum provided with a series of parallel elongated, longitudinally extending, baskets adapted to receive therein the plants to be grown. A support base is provided for the drum, and a drive mechanism is adapted to rotate the drum on the support base about a rotational axis of the drum. At least one light source extends inside the drum about which the drum and the plants carried thereby can rotate. A feeding system provides nutrient fluid to the growing plants as the drum rotates and the baskets contact the nutrient fluid. The elongated baskets each include a bottom wall and a pair of side walls and are capable of receiving therein a series of plants supported by a growing medium. The elongated baskets define in the bottom and side walls thereof a plurality of apertures for allowing the nutrient fluid to access the plants. The elongated baskets are removably attached to a pair of parallel and opposed rims of the drum.

Abstract: A transplanter is provided a single centralized pneumatic feeder which will feed anywhere from 2 to 10 or more rows of seedlings at one time. The centralized pneumatic feeder concept allows the transplanter to operate with low velocity movement and still plant large numbers of seedlings. The seedlings are initially in plant trays designed so that the seedlings can be extracted from the bottom of the trays. To simplify seedling transfer, the pneumatic feeder includes an impulse-type extraction system and a pneumatic seedling transfer system is employed. This new system is simple in concept and has only two moving parts per row. This concept makes the transplanter system extremely adaptable to almost any configuration, for example 2-10 or more rows, bare ground fields, mulch covered beds, and even other manufacturer's planters.

Abstract: A seed planting system for planting seeds in dirt in the depressions of a flat. The seed planting system includes a plurality of seeding assemblies each having a hopper. The hopper is designed for holding the seeds. Each of the seeding assemblies has dispensing portion. The dispensing portion is coupled to the hopper of an associated one of the seeding assemblies whereby the dispensing portion is designed for dispensing seeds from the hopper of the associated one of the seeding assemblies into the depressions of the flat. A regulating assembly is coupled between the hopper and the dispensing portion of each of the seeding assemblies whereby the regulating assembly is designed for regulating the rate at which the seeds are dispensed from the hopper to the dispensing portion of the associated one of the seeding assemblies.

Abstract: A plant border assembly includes a plant tray defining a cavity and a top opening communicating with the cavity. The cavity has a width and a length that is greater than the width. The plant border assembly further includes a plant border including a growing medium disposed in the cavity and a strip of plants disposed in the growing medium in the cavity. The plant tray is adapted to allow removal of the plant border from the plant tray without lifting the plant border through the top opening.

Abstract: Expandable stinger planting is described in which stinger probes on a boom end mounted frame are positioned for ground penetration on a boom type vehicle. Bottom ends of the probes are shifted between a closed plant receiving, ground penetrating positions; and open positions with bottom ends open to form a plant discharge opening. A receptacle within the probes is open to the plant discharge opening, and receives plants from a magazine. Plants move by a feeder device in the magazine to a release station, where successive plants may be discharged into the plant receiving receptacle. The plant magazine and plant release station are positioned above the plant receiving receptacle such that a plant moved to the release station may drop into the receiving receptacle, to be discharged through the discharge opening. Packers may be provided on the frame to press planting media about the plants.

Abstract: Transplanting apparatus for transplanting seedlings from a tray that has a plurality of seedling retaining cells into a prepared ground planting position, the apparatus having a tray holder, a seedling ejector for removing one or more seedlings from the seedling retaining cells, a seedling delivery conveyor for receiving a seedling ejected from the tray and delivering same via a travel path to a ground planting preparation device arranged to at least partly prepare the ground planting position, a seedling holder associated with the ground planting preparation device arranged to hold a seedling delivered by the seedling delivery apparatus, a plant plug remover arranged between the seedling ejector and the seedling holder to remove any plant plug not containing a seedling viable for planting from the travel path prior to reaching the seedling holder, and a seedling planter for moving a seedling from the seedling holder to the prepared ground planting position in response to the transplanting apparatus having tr

Abstract: A plant border assembly includes a plant tray defining a cavity and a top opening communicating with the cavity. The cavity has a width and a length that is greater than the width. The plant border assembly further includes a plant border including a growing medium disposed in the cavity and a strip of plants disposed in the growing medium in the cavity. The plant tray is adapted to allow removal of the plant border from the plant tray without lifting the plant border through the top opening.

Abstract: A plant border assembly includes a plant tray defining a cavity and a top opening communicating with the cavity. The cavity has a width and a length that is greater than the width. The plant border assembly further includes a plant border including a growing medium disposed in the cavity and a strip of plants disposed in the growing medium in the cavity. The plant tray is adapted to allow removal of the plant border from the plant tray without lifting the plant border through the top opening.

Abstract: The present specification discloses apparatus for transplanting seedlings (24) from a tray (6) that has a plurality of seedling retaining cells (34), into a prepared ground planting position, the apparatus having tray holding means (1), seedling eject means (15, 16, 17) for removing one or more seedlings (24) from the seedling retaining cells (34), seedling delivery means (26, 27, 29) for receiving a seedling (24) ejected from the tray (6) and delivering same via a travel path to a ground planting preparation device (78) arranged to at least partly prepare said ground planting position, seedling holding means (100) associated with the ground planting preparation device arranged to hold a seedling delivered by said seedling delivery means (26, 27, 29), plant plug removal means (82, 83, 85) arranged between said seedling eject means (15, 16, 17) and said seedling holding means (100) to remove any plant plug (84) not containing a seedling viable for planting from said travel path prior to reaching said seedling

Abstract: The present specification discloses apparatus for transplanting seedlings (24) from a tray (6) that has a plurality of seedling retaining cells (34), into a prepared ground planting position, the apparatus having tray holding means (1), seedling eject means (15, 16, 17) for removing one or more seedlings (24) from the seedling retaining cells (34), seedling delivery means (26, 27, 29) for receiving a seedling (24) ejected from the tray (6) and delivering same via a travel path to a ground planting preparation device (78) arranged to at least partly prepare said ground planting position, seedling holding means (100) associated with the ground planting preparation device arranged to hold a seedling delivered by said seedling delivery means (26, 27, 29), plant plug removal means (82, 83, 85) arranged between said seedling eject means (15, 16, 17) and said seedling holding means (100) to remove any plant plug (84) not containing a seedling viable for planting from said travel path prior to reaching said seedling

Abstract: A manually operated seeder for depositing seeds in a tray holding numerous seed bed cells containing a growth media, wherein a single seed is deposited in each individual cell simultaneously with a single back and forth stroke.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the efficiency of mechanical transplanting, wherein seedling balls carrying no seedlings or undersize seedlings are automatically removed prior to the planting stage. Several seedling balls are simultaneously extracted from a common cultivation tray and deficient balls are detected and removed. The deficit caused by a removed seedling ball is compensated by momentarily increasing the rate of feeding balls from the tray. No separate replacement seedling supply is required.

Abstract: A method and device for improving mechanical transplanting of balled seedlings involves detection of balls with deficient seedlings, such as those with no seedlings or undersized seedlings, with a sensor through an aperture in a compartment holding the ball. Deficient balls are allowed to exit from the compartment through a shutter, and replacement balls are provided from a seedling supply. The replacement seedling supply includes a cassette having one row of cells for seedlings and the cassette is advanced, as necessary, by a geared shaft engaging the side of the cassette. Alternatively, replacement seedlings are provided from a cultivating tray.