Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments of a handling apparatus for plant growth substrates and associated methods of use. For example, in one embodiment, an apparatus for separately and automatically dispensing plant growth media includes a media guide and a media guide regulator. The media guide can define a channel through which media is movable. The media regulator can include a media penetrating member that is positionable within the channel at a first location and a media stopping member that is positionable within the channel at a second location spaced-apart from the first location. The media regulator can be operable to reciprocate between a media penetrating position in which the media penetrating member is positioned within the channel to penetrate media and a media stopping position in which the media stopping member is positioned within the channel to restrict media from movement in at least one direction along the channel.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a device (1) for accommodating plant material (4), such as in particular seed, but also a cutting, a seedling or other plant material. The device (1) comprises at least one holder (2) in which at least the plant material (4), and possibly herein a substrate material (5), can be placed, and the bottom of which is substantially open and can be closed with a closing element (6).

Abstract: A method for buffering containers (3, 74, 140) with plants includes: providing a buffer space (1) for buffering containers in a greenhouse; providing containers with plants; supplying and disposing a number of containers in a row (10-13, 107-110) in a first direction (21, 111); buffering the row of disposed containers by gripping, lifting and displacing the row through the buffer space in a second direction (39, 113) which differs from the first direction, and by setting down the row in the buffer space.

Abstract: Embodiments focus on imparting a horizontally shifting motion to a plant punch element 1 during a part of a plant punch cycle 18 so as to reduce contact of a plant punching surface 38 with the plant during the plant punch. Plant punch elements that are particularly suited for such “shifting” capability may include a gap 41 facilitating lateral movement of the plant punch element to a position around at least part of the plant to be punched. Aspects of the inventive technology also address a sheltering plant punch apparatus that can also reduce injury and stress experienced by the plant while it is punched. Combinations of aspects disclosed herein provide a high degree of protection to the plant during a plant punch, thereby reducing stress experienced by the plant during the punch.

Abstract: Plants are repotted by moving a rootball from a first rootball container to a second rootball container using a planting head. The planting head has legs with pins which may be in a first retracted position or in a second extended position. In a first step the planting head is brought above the rootball surface. In a second step the distance of the distal ends of the legs to the central axis of the planting head is reduced. In a third step the pins are inserted into the rootball. In a fourth step the distal ends of the legs are brought closer together. Then the rootball is taken out of the first rootball container and deposited into the second rootball container. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention proposes a potting machine (1) for potting flowerpots (2), with a conveying device (3) comprising a plurality of pot retainers (4) for a respective flowerpot (2), and with a housing ring (5) surrounding the conveying device (3). To enable the flowerpots to be labeled in a simple manner even during the potting operation, the potting machine (1) comprises a labeling device (11) which is provided with a dispensing tongue (12) for stripping off labels (13) and applying them to the flowerpots (2). The labeling device (11) is connected to a positioning device (22) comprising a joint (23) and having a positioning arm (24) for pivoting the labeling device (11) and positioning the dispensing tongue (12) against the flowerpots (2).

Abstract: Appartus suitable for use in conjunction with a container in which one or more plants is growing and associated with it a device for recieving an enquiry signal and automatically responding by transmitting an unique identifier signal the apparatus comprising (a) transporter means by which a container may be supported for moving the container, (b) means for transmitting the enquiry signal, (c) means for recording the identifier signal as a digital output and (d) computer means to which the digital output is supplied for storage of the data in prescribed format in a database for manipulation to afford comparsion of data related to the container.

Abstract: A tree balling system automates the current tree balling method and greatly reduces strenuous physical labor. A novel wire basket having projections with hooks is provided for securing the earth ball of a plant for transplantation. Wrapping and tensioning a tensile member around these hooks encloses the projections around the earth ball. A balling station is also disclosed which has a stand for supporting and rotating the wire basket and plant. The balling station includes a tensile member guide and a tensioning component. The balling station is preferably located on a transportable vehicle and is equipped with unloading features for discharging the wrapped earth ball. A powered tensioning device tightens the wire basket around the earth ball. A hook forming device is also disclosed wherein the hook forming device can modify conventional wire baskets.

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: An apparatus for placing soil into cells has a table, biodegradable tape, a means to weave the tape forming cells, and a means to fill the cells. The weaving means has pins, boards, handles, a baseplate, a lever and a lock, a shaft and a means to mount the shaft, rollers, and clamps. The filling means has a filler, a pressure source, rails, an extruder, and a bin. In use, rolls of tape thread through a roller, pins and a clamp. Pulling the handles together forms the tape into cells to accept soil from the filling means.

Abstract: The invention proposes a potting machine (1) for potting flowerpots (2), with a conveying device (3) comprising a plurality of pot retainers (4) for a respective flowerpot (2), and with a housing ring (5) surrounding the conveying device (3). To enable the flowerpots to be labeled in a simple manner even during the potting operation, the potting machine (1) comprises a labeling device (11) which is provided with a dispensing tongue (12) for stripping off labels (13) and applying them to the flowerpots (2). The labeling device (11) is connected to a positioning device (22) comprising a joint (23) and having a positioning arm (24) for pivoting the labeling device (11) and positioning the dispensing tongue (12) against the flowerpots (2).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to, a container, multiple arrangements of container and flat/tray pallets, corresponding container/flat/tray/pallet assemblies, an automated pallet assembly/disassembly system, autonomous pallet assembly transfer units, an autonomous pallet assembly transport train, and an integrated automated production system, for use in a horticultural nursery environment for: substantially reducing labor needed to produce; stabilizing of; collecting and shedding broadcast applications to; reflecting desired sunlight to foliage of; reducing root tip heating of; reducing water consumption in growing; reducing wetting of foliage of; controlling excess root growth of; and, reducing weed growth proximal to; spaced potted plants.

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 method for modulating plant growth is provided whereby seedlings that are grown in containers such as blocks are fertilized at lift. Prior to fertilization, the block, which has numerous plug cavities, is restrained. The seedlings, which are grown in plugs formed in plug cavities, are supported and a bore is drilled into the bottom of the plug. The bore extends to the top of the plug to produce a small port, which serves as a port for expulsion of air during the injection operation. The fertilizer is measured in a metering roller and is then pneumatically injected into the bore in the plug. Upon completion of the injection, the bore is closed to reduce the loss of fertilizer from the plug. The various operations may be automated or performed manually.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a production method and corresponding system for ornamental plants, by which it is possible to apply the method of drought stress advantageously to reduce cell elongation of plants grown in a slowly absorbing material such as peat moss without the use of chemical retarding agents and simultaneously to increase the growth of the plants (i.e. the increase of dry substance) through a controlled application of carbondioxide at the vicinity of the plants.

Abstract: A drill/injector combination is provided to inject plants that are grown in containers such as blocks at lift with plant growth modulators. The drill/injector combination is comprised of a seedlings holder, a block restraint, a cavity tool apparatus, a metering apparatus, an injection apparatus and optionally, a bore closing apparatus. The combination may be manually operated or may be automated.

Abstract: Robotic apparatus for removing seeds contained in covered or uncovered containers and planting the seeds into selected planting chambers are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a first vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up an entire seed population from a donor container. A seed-alignment trough is provided to receive the seed population from the first probe. The seed-alignment trough is configured such that seeds deposited in the trough become aligned or otherwise arranged. A second vacuum-activated probe is configured to successively remove individual seeds from the seed-alignment trough and to plant each removed seed in a selected planting chamber. Also disclosed are automated methods for transferring and planting seeds.

Abstract: A drill/injector combination is provided to inject plants that are grown in containers such as blocks at lift with plant growth modulators. The drill/injector combination is comprised of a seedlings holder, a block restraint, a cavity tool apparatus, a metering apparatus, an injection apparatus and optionally, a bore closing apparatus. The combination may be manually operated or may be automated.

Abstract: Robotic apparatus for removing seeds contained in covered or uncovered containers and planting the seeds into selected planting chambers are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a first vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up an entire seed population from a donor container. A seed-alignment trough is provided to receive the seed population from the first probe. The seed-alignment trough is configured such that seeds deposited in the trough become aligned or otherwise arranged. A second vacuum-activated probe is configured to successively remove individual seeds from the seed-alignment trough and to plant each removed seed in a selected planting chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for transplanting plants from containers with small cavities to containers with large cavities, comprising:

Abstract: Plant potting machines and methods have synchronized continuous motion pot track and soil drilling systems. In especially preferred forms, potting machines and methods of forming a planting recess in soil contained within a pot are provided which move a soil-filled pot continuously along a linear segment of a pot track, and move a drill bit continuously in synchronized registry with the soil-filled pot at the same time as the pot moves continuously along the linear segment of the pot track. Most preferably, simultaneous horizontal and vertical motion components are imparted to a soil-drilling drill bit relative to the linear segment of the pot track, for example, by moving the drill bit in an arcuate (preferably circular) orbit above the pot track.

Abstract: Plant potting machines and methods have synchronized continuous motion pot track and soil drilling systems. In especially preferred forms, potting machines and methods of forming a planting recess in soil contained within a pot are provided which move a soil-filled pot continuously along a linear segment of a pot track, and move a drill bit continuously in synchronized registry with the soil-filled pot at the same time as the pot moves continuously along the linear segment of the pot track. Most preferably, simultaneous horizontal and vertical motion components are imparted to a soil-drilling drill bit relative to the linear segment of the pot track, for example, by moving the drill bit in an arcuate (preferably circular) orbit above the pot track.

Abstract: Robotic apparatus for removing seeds contained in covered or uncovered containers and planting the seeds into selected planting chambers are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a first vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up an entire seed population from a donor container. A seed-alignment trough is provided to receive the seed population from the first probe. The seed-alignment trough is configured such that seeds deposited in the trough become aligned or otherwise arranged. A second vacuum-activated probe is configured to successively remove individual seeds from the seed-alignment trough and to plant each removed seed in a selected planting chamber.

Abstract: Plant potting machines and methods have synchronized continuous motion pot track and soil drilling systems. In especially preferred forms, potting machines and methods of forming a planting recess in soil contained within a pot are provided which move a soil-filled pot continuously along a linear segment of a pot track, and move a drill bit continuously in synchronized registry with the soil-filled pot at the same time as the pot moves continuously along the linear segment of the pot track. Most preferably, simultaneous horizontal and vertical motion components are imparted to a soil-drilling drill bit relative to the linear segment of the pot track, for example, by moving the drill bit in an arcuate (preferably circular) orbit above the pot track.