Abstract: A method of naturally removing or inhibiting pollutants is described. Tree stems from trees having preformed root initials and a perennial root system are planted adjacent to or intersecting near surface ground water supply, at the area where water is to be decontaminated or at the source of pollution. The stems are planted densely to achieve maximum pollution control and environmental affects. Row planting is used and the crop harvested on a rotating basis.

Abstract: A medium for enhancing growth and availability of water and nutrients during plant growth, comprising a synthetic resin and a support material, the resin consisting essentially of a substantially-linear, non-gelling, water-soluble polymer capable of forming a water absorbing network with the support material, such that the polymer is dispersed within the material upon exposure to water and retains and transports water and nutrients for seedling growth. Use of such polyacrylamides benefits growth by retaining water, reducing evaporation loss, improving yields and enhancing nutrient uptake.

Abstract: A grafting film is provided which is formed of a film of a polyalkylene polymer having a self-adhesive property and an elastic memory which causes the film when stretched around a scion and rootstock graft union to gradually contract around the graft union and apply an increasing amount of pressure circumferentially around the graft union. The film also has oxygen and CO.sub.2 permeability properties which cause a gas volume isolated by the film adjacent the graft union to have a higher CO.sub.2 concentration and a lower oxygen concentration relative to the ambient environment around the plant. The film preferably has at least 12% oxygen permeability and less than 2% CO.sub.2 retention. The film is preferably less than about 60 .mu.m thick and more preferably less than about 50 .mu.m thick.

Abstract: A method for control of horticulture diseases and decontamination of plant tissue which includes applying a solution of hydrogen peroxide to plant tissue, said hydrogen peroxide being a solution having a concentration of between 0.05 to 3.00%. In some cases the hydrogen peroxide solution has a concentration of between 0.05 and 1.5%. Some forms of the invention may utilize a hydrogen peroxide solution that further includes an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid and phosphoric acid. Various structures are used for applying the hydrogen peroxide solution such as hydraulic spraying, misting, fogging, or injecting the hydrogen peroxide into a commercial cooling system. In other cases the hydrogen peroxide solution is injected into a recirculating subirrigation nutrient system solution to control microbial growth in the irrigation water. In some cases the hydrogen peroxide solution is applied to the plant tissue at a variety of stages in the plant production cycle.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the growth of Taxus X media `Hicksii` and related Taxus species to enhance the production and recovery of taxol and Taxotere from plant tissues is described. The method includes the steps of increasing the production of biomass by cycling growth periods of Taxus plants within a greenhouse or other enclosed structure, harvests of plant parts and cold storage of the remaining unharvested plants to break dormancy and condition the plant for the next cycle of growth and harvest. After at least several cycles, entire plants are harvested for extraction from all plant parts while other plants are saved for stock plants or reforesting. The collected plant material is prepared for extraction of taxol or Taxotere, compounds used in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Thiol compounds are employed in conjunction with compounds which modulate self proliferation, both as to plants and mammals. The thiol compounds find effect in enhancing the effectiveness of auxin like compounds, either as herbicides or in enhancing root formation. In addition, thiol compounds act in conjunction with cytotoxic agents in mammals to allow for lower dosages of the cytotoxic agents while retaining the cytotoxic effect against hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer. The combination finds particular effect against cells dependent upon an isoform of a surface membrane NADH oxidase for proliferation.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to clip and collect seedlings easily and effectively from runners of a parent plant such as strawberry. To attain this object, a method for raising seedlings comprising; planting a parent plant in a plant bed disposed in a high position, growing plural runners linked mutually to hang from said parent plant in said plant bed, attaching water absorbing block to each rooting part between runners hanging in midair, supplying water to each water block to grow root and seedling from said rooting part, and clipping and collecting the resulting seedlings from runners is provided.

Abstract: A method of vegetative propagation which comprises (a) developing etiolated shoots on stock plants by immersing a stock plant horizontally in a flat or bed that contains a growing medium; (b) removing said shoots after they have reached a semi-hardwood state; (c) placing the shoots in a high moisture environment and leaving therein until roots adequate for planting have developed; (d) removing the shoots from the high moisture environment; and (e) planting the shoots for growth into plants.

Abstract: A process for propagating Pelargonium x domesticum varieties by tissue culture propagation of petiole sections taken from a mother plant. In addition to tissue culture propagation steps and growth media constituents which are known in the art, an essential step of the preferred embodiment of the invention includes the conducting of callus formation by initial culturing of the petiole section in the dark. In all embodiments of the invention, however, it is believed that the effectiveness of the present process is attributable at least in part to the presence in the culture medium of a growth regulator selected from the group consisting of amino or benzyl-glucosides and amino- or benzyl-glycosides or any other composition chemically equivalent to the exemplary regulator benzylamino riboside.

Abstract: An improved method for producing potato microtubers by tissue culture is provided. The improvement comprises culturing potato plants in a medium containing a high sugar content, i.e., 8% (w/v), for about 1 to 4 weeks under the light prior to culturing the plants in the dark to produce the microtubers.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of producing virus-free potato minitubers, which includes the steps of selecting virus-free test-tube plantlets and stem sections cut from seedlings grown 30 days after cuttage of such virus-free test-tube plantlets as cuttaging seedlings, choosing vermiculite as cuttage medium, treating the cuttaging seedlings with plant growth regulators, keeping the growth conditions of the cuttaging seedlings at 25.degree. C. during the daytime and 12.degree.-17.degree. C. at night, relative humidity 95-100% during the early stage and 60-70% at the later stage, and a light duration of ten hours a day with illuminance of 400-600 lux, along with suitable field management of water and fertilizer. The virus-free potato minitubers can be harvested in 30 to 60 days.

Abstract: A method of growing a plant, which comprises growing the plant mat consisting of an open-cell polyurethane foam comprising from 10 to 50% by weight of ethyleneoxy residues and having a density in the range of from 15 to 30 kilograms per cubic meter and a mean number of cells per centimeter in the range of from 10 to 25, a polyurethane foam for use in the method, and a process for preparing the polyurethane foam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plant growth media which comprises small tufts of mineral wool having dispersed therein, particles of acidic phenolic resin for pH control and particles of vermiculite. The ingredients and structure of the product results in a lightweight growth media having a suitable pH for growing certain plants while also providing for flowability, enhanced water adsorption and cohesiveness which prevents the composition from spilling out of certain types of plant containers. The composition also provides enhanced root anchorage without sacrificing the properties of flowability and water adsorption. The composition also optimizes other features which makes the composition and ideal plant growth media.

Abstract: An automated system for growing plant material includes an first length of membrane material having a plurality of open growing chambers and a second length of membrane material having a plurality of growing chambers filled with the plant material. A media preparation unit mixes measured amounts of individual stock solutions for dispensing media into the open growing chambers by a fill unit. A fill check scanner unit determines that a sufficient amount of media has been dispensed within each growing chamber. A sterilization unit sterilizes the media filled open growing chambers which then pass to a cooling and storage unit for cooling and storing the media-filled open growing chambers until ready for planting with plant material. The second length of plant-filled growing chambers are housed in a plant culture room where the plant material is permitted to grow. A growth detection scanner determines the extent of growth of the plant material.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a process for the expeditious production of members of the Lilium genus. Using the procedures described here, it is possible to produce Lilium bulbs of forcing size in less than a one-year period. Specifically, young plants are grown in a vegetative, not reproductive, state in order to produce a large bulb in only about 10 months. The young plants are obtained from pathogen-free mother plants using tissue culture techniques. Virus-free production zones can be used to ensure pathogen-free plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of obtaining, on a large scale by tissue culture, tuber of potato, corm of taro, konjak, jack-in-the-culprit, rhizome of Scopolia japonica, tuberous root of Chinese yam, etc. having an enough large size to cultivate seed tubers by one cultivation in the soil. This method comprises culturing the plant itself or its slices in a liquid medium till the plant grows to a size of 15 to 30 cm on the average, sinking 90% or more of the plant in the liquid medium, while further performing cultivation, reducing the amount of the liquid medium with passage of time to such a degree that 50 to 98% of the plant is exposed into the aerial phase to thereby obtain a large amount of tuber, corm, rhizome or tuberous root in a short time.

Abstract: A sheet material (4) for use in cultivating plants comprising a body having a coilable flexible, fluid-permeable structure and a plurality of passages (7,9) formed in and extending from one surface (3) to the another (5) of said body. The passages serve to induce root tips to grow and contain fertilizers. The body has at least one surface formed with projections and/or recesses. Preferably, the surface having projections and/or is provided with a ceramic powder discharging infrared rays of wavelength in the range of about 5 to 15 micrometers, a elution-rate controlling growth regulation fertilizer and a small amount of a chosen element. In use, a given length of the sheet material is wrapped around the plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plant growth media which comprises small tufts of mineral wool having dispersed therein, particles of acidic phenolic resin for pH control and particles of vermiculite. The ingredients and structure of the product results in a lightweight growth media having a suitable pH for growing certain plants while also providing for flowability, enhanced water adsorption and cohesiveness which prevents the composition from spilling out of certain types of plant containers. The composition also provides enhanced root anchorage without sacrificing the properties of flowability and water adsorption. The composition also optimizes other features which makes the composition and ideal plant growth media.

Abstract: A process for the multiplication of plant varieties which comprises the following operations: grafting of the variety to be reproduced on the tendril of a mother plant at various levels; production of cuttings of said grafted tendril, and rooting of said grafted cuttings of tendril. The process allows in particular the complete "rooting" of the graft (100%), the dematerialization of the product, the intensification of the density of cultivation. It also gives a high speed of multiplication and a prolonged biological and structural preservation. The invention also includes the product obtained through the process.

Abstract: In a method of propagating and growing plants of the bromeliaceae family, in particular of the genus pineapple, to obtain ornamental pot plants, the plant is caused to grow in the usual way until a floral stalk carrying a fruit is formed and this floral stalk is cut and rooted in a pot filled with soil.

Abstract: A method of preparing an organ culture from branched tissue of a Catharanthus roseus seedling is disclosed. The indole alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine can be recovered from the organ culture tissue via extraction.

Abstract: An opaque flexible separable hook and loop fastener, e.g. Velcro, is used to band a portion of a plant stemming to enhance rooting of a cutting subsequently derived therefrom. Etiolation prior to banding is contemplated. Coating the banding fastener with a root growth stimulating compound is contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plant growth media which comprises small tufts of mineral wool having dispersed therein, particles of acidic phenolic resin for pH control and particles of vermiculite. The ingredients and structure of the product results in a lightweight growth media having a suitable pH for growing certain plants while also providing for flowability, enhanced water adsorption and cohesiveness which prevents the composition from spilling out of certain types of plant containers. The composition also provides enhanced root anchorage without sacrificing the properties of flowability and water adsorption. The composition also optimizes other features which makes the composition and ideal plant growth media.

Abstract: Aqueous rooting gel which comprises a thixotropic gel of hectorite in water containing at least 60 ppm, and preferably not more than 200 ppm calcium ions. There is also provided a transparent container including such a rooting gel. The gels are useful for rooting a wide variety of soft wood cuttings, eg fuchsia and geranium.

Abstract: An improved method of growing an Easter lily or other species of the genus Lilium is disclosed. A bulb scale from a substantially pathogen-free lily plant is propagated in a growing medium to form a bulblet which is thereafter grown in plant form rather than bulb form. The bulblet is planted and the young plant is grown under conditions of short days to prevent flowering and encourage foliage and root formation. After the initial short-day growing period of approximately thirty-four weeks, a three week period of long-day conditions initiates flowering. Subsequently, a three month period of natural lighting effects the final growth and finishing of the desired lily plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of propagating material of plants by micropropagation in sterile tissue culture which comprises(a) planting sterile shoot cuttings of plants in solid nutrient medium in a suitable flask, filling up the flask with a suitable liquid nutrient medium optionally containing a growth regulator and growing the shoots in the submersed system; thereafter(b) cutting up into pieces the ramified culture thus obtained which contains a number of lateral buds and shoots, rooting the top-end shoots and planting the same after adaptation, and subjecting the cuttings prepared from the lower and middle parts of the shoot cultures to further cultivations according to step (a);and repeating steps (a) and (b) until the desired number of top-end shoots is reached.

Abstract: A method is provided for asexually propagating pine trees, preferably loblolly pine, by vegatative propagation. According to this method, pine seedlings are hedged by severing the main stem and detaching the branches so that only one lateral branch is left intact and attached to the remaining main stem. The hedged seedlings are maintained under conventional growth conditions at least until elongated shoots having juvenile characteristics are obtained at the cut end of the main stem. The elongated shoots are then severed from the main stem and rooted by conventional means.

Abstract: A process for protecting cultivated plants against aggressive agricultural chemicals is described in which oxime derivatives of the formula ##STR1## are used as antidotes. Either the cultivated area for the cultivated plants or the cultivated plants themselves or parts of the plant (seeds, tubers, stem parts and the like), as desired, can be treated with these oxime derivatives, which are used as a dressing.

Abstract: Pineapples are propagated by removing a thick rosette of leaves from the top with no flesh attached, peeling off a few of the bottom leaves to expose the stalk and placing the stalk in a rooting medium.

Abstract: An improved rose plant propagation process which can be carried out on an expeditious basis is provided. Stem segments from a scion rose plant and an understock rose plant are obtained during an active stage of growth. An end of a scion segment is placed into a cut formed in an understock segment, and an end portion of the understock segment is placed in a rooting medium. Roots simultaneously are formed on the understock segment while a graft union between the scion and understock rose plant stem segments is formed. The portion of the understock stem above the graft union next is removed. The process of the present invention offers a reliable rose plant propagation technique not heretofore available to the rose industry whereby quality new rose plants readily can be formed on an economical basis in a significantly shorter period of time than commonly required for prior rose plant propagation techniques.

Abstract: Method of obtaining engrafted engrafting material from a giant filbert tree. Engrafting takes place on Turkish filbert shoots and afterwards the shoots engrafted are stratified in a neutral granular medium preferably composed of swelled perlite, the temperature being maintained at about 35 - 38.degree. C. in the room throughout the first 6 - 7 days and at about 25 - 28.degree. C. during the following 15 - 18 days. The relative air humidity is maintained at about 70 - 75%. Just before taking out the material, it is held for a few days at ambient temperature, that is, about 16 - 18.degree. C.

Abstract: A device for automatically supplying water to house plants over a prolonged period of time including a body for the storage of water and an elongated neck with a small hole in its side attached to the body. When inverted the neck is stuck into the potting soil of a house plant so the body rests on the soil, water slowly seeps out into the soil. When in an upright position with holes made in the body portion, and the device is hung by appropriate means, it may also serve as a rooting device when plant cuttings are inserted into the water in the body through the formed holes.