Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~7~
This invention relates to containers for
raising plants for transplantation, and particularly to
improvements in containers which provide a container
planting system superior to other known systems, and
which provides an adaptability not found in other plant
container systems.
Horticulture and forestry practices recently
have undergone changes in technigues. Industrial ideas
have been applied to these practices to make the two
disciplines more efficient than in the pastO Standardi~a-
tion of product, mass handling systems, and a "product
engineering" approach to growing plants have resulted.
Amcng the systems now practised is one known as "Container
Planting", where a plant is kept in a standard container,
not unlike a flower pot, and is protected during the
critical stages in its early growth. The container is
used throughout all the rearing stages, before final trans-
`~ planting occurs, and this would include seeding and/or
placing a cutting into a container.
~0 Man has long reeognized the need to replace
forests, and reforestation has been extensively practised
in r~any areas. Reforestation has been carried out by a
number of different methods, including:
; (1) the natural method, whereby a forested area
is allowed to regenerate itself, and
(2) the nursery methodO
The natural method of rerorestation, as will beappreciated, is haphazard.
Nurserie~ were the first step in meeting some
~74~
of the demand for new trees. In the nursery method of
reforestation seed is collected, prepared, sowed in
long narrow beds in as dense concentration as possible,
and covered with mulch; the beds are watered and the
seedlings tended as they germinate, spxout and begin to
gxow. Two years later, when the seedlings are three to
five inches high, they are duq up, the unpromising ones
are culled, and the seedlings are transplanted by machine
into other beds, and spaced out to allow further growth.
After a further two years, the seedlings are considered
strong enough to stand transplanting at their final site,
~d are ~hen uprooted again and moved out to the forest~
This method still is usedî however, it has been at least
partially supplanted by a newer method, container planting.
Largely as a result of the needs of reforesta-
tion programs, a good deal of work has been carried out in
recent years to develop improved methods and equipment for
growing and planting seedlings. One promising method,
with which this invention is concerned, is known as con-
tainer planting, and this method has beoome a useful addi-
tion to the nurseryman's techniques. The time-honored
method of raising seedlings in a nursery bed has some dis-
advantages, notably the lack of control over disease, the
damage to seedlings from pests and weather, and the
tendency of certain tree varieties to send out long roots
which would need to be pruned before the tree could be
removed, transported, and transplanted. Such pruning has
often set back a seedling's growth or caused deformation
` and weakening of the root system.
The ~container" methsd involves providing a
~7(~
large number of cell-defining containers. The containers
are filled with a growing medium, such as peat mosst
and a seed is planted in each cell. After covering with
grit or mulch, the seeds are permittea to germinate, and
after they begin to grow, the young seed~ings may be
kept in a greenhouse from 4 weeks to 8 months depending
on the variety and on the available environmental control.
At this point, the seedlings may be se~ out into a shaded
area to acclimatize them to normal conditions before
being transplanted. In some cases, a dormant condition
is desired for transplanting, so the young seedlings may
be specially treated with fertilizers, or in addition
may be slowly cooled~ In the planting season, the seed-
lings are transported to the planting site directly in
their containers, and kept in them for as long a time as
possible. The planting operation is commonly carried out
by a three-man crew. One of the crew carries the con-
tainers and distributes them to the other two; these men,
the planters, each form cavi~ies in the soil with a
dibble stick, extract the seedlings and a~tached root
balls from the cells and tamp them into the cavitiesO
- A good container is one of the keys to the
success of this systemO In the greenhouse stage, the
container should provide cells which foster the develop-
ment of a thick system of rovts. Without a good root
structure, the plant will usually not survive in the
field. For the purposes of the planting stage, the con-
tainer should be a compact article which can be easily
handled by the planters and which is adapted to permit
- 30 eficient extraction of the seedling and root ball in an
- 3 -
~17~
undamaged condition from the cell.
Advantages of container planting are as follows:
1. Each seedling is given an individual, non-competitive,
controlled environment in wh~ch to grow and develop.
2. Seedling production -- seeding, thinning, weeding,
atmosphere, fertilization, light control, temperature
regulation and above all h~ndli~g may he mechanized.
3. Seedlings are not "shocked" by transplanting, slnce
they are in individual "pots" and the roots do not get
damaged during ~his mechanical operation.
4. Because the s~edlîngs will no~ be "shocked" they may
be transplanted during summer months on a regular
weekly or daily basis. High productivity of labor
and facilities, high survival rates and tangible good
results are realized.
The prior art containers used in reforestation
projects can be classified into two broad groups. The
first group comprises plastic trays or blocks having rows
of separate, tapered cells formed in them~ To ex~ract
the seedling and root bulb from this type of cell, one
grasps the seedling, at a time when ~he peat moss has
become root bound, and simply pulls it out. A problem
with this type of tray is that the time when the ball is
root bound dic~ates when planting can be carried out.
Another disadvantage is ~hat the trays are quite bulky
and relatively large ~tities of plas~cs m~erial ~ used in
making them~ The second group of containers comprises a
single cell unit, such as a paper or plas~ic cylinder.
~ost containers of this type are buried in the soil
togethex with the root ball and seedling. Becausç the
4 --
0~
only egress available to the roots is straight down through
the open end of the container, there is initially little
lateral growth of the roots. As a result, the plant is not
well anchored during its early development; this leads to
poor growth and a high mortality rate due to causes such as
frost heaving. Another defect of this type of container is
that the amount of labor required to handle large numbers
o~ lndividual, separate cells is higher than is the case
with multiple-cell units.
A distinct drzwback to he use of the above type
of planting container, which is intended to be allowed to
degrade and is therefore left in the ground, is that the
soil bacteria, the temperature, and generally the climate,
must be just right or else the degradation of the contain-
er will take place too slowly, causing problems with root
entrapment and de0rm2tion of the transplanted seedling.
Container planting involves the use of environ~
mental control during germination and early growth, pro-
viding healthy plants with a good chance of survival after
~ransplanting, and specifically allows tree seedlings to
grow i~ individual cells. A problem with many varieties
of plant containers has been their need to have long and
deep cells for h2ndling tap root development or to enable
the transplanted seedling to reach a low water table.
Ordinary po s or deep cells of this kind do not allow easy
removal of the seedlings for transplanting until the whole
volume has been filled with roots. Since such root-binding
is undesirable horticulturally, it is useful to have an
easy method of withdrawal, which allows the whole plug of
0 roots and soil medium ~o be handled without damage and to
-- 5 --
1070~14
be placed without any restrictive covering into the
transplanting site.
The present invention provides the above ad-
vantage, and also allows for easy inspection of root
development without disturbing the root system or strain-
ing the stem or trunk of the seedling. It is either a
folding planter or one made in two halves, single or
multiple, which can be removed from a box and opened
easily, without restriction, along an axial split to
reveal the root system for examination or easy removal
for planting or culling. The same container(s) and plant(s)
may then be closed and replaced in the box! which in turn
hold the two sides together in each container. Although
t~e-re-is no f~cti-~nal-joint to slow down the process of
opening or closing the container(s),---the~e is a shiplap
joint which provides a long and difficult path for
probing roots to traverse and escape into adjoining con-
tainers.
Within the walls of the container(s) of this
invention and formed into the siaes are longitudinal
grooves which catch and hold roots as they develop, and
prevent roots from spiralling, which is the roots' natural
tendency when they reach a smooth-walled surface. At the
bottom of the container(s) the growing medium must be
supported, yet as large as possible an opening is main-
tained to provide space for developing roots. In practice,
roots are allowed to emerge from the bottom of the con-
tainer(s) but are prevented from growingmuch fL~her by cir-
culation of air under the container(s). The grooves are
able to direct outside roots straight toward this opening,
-- 6 --
~7~
and since the roots in them are also straight, these roots
beco~e end-withered quickly. As the plant has certain
root-promoting qualities which are frustrated by this,
it throws out branches of roots which repeat the process.
It is therefore an objective of this invention
- to provide a container whose structure is adapted to direct
root growth to an air-pruning aperture to promote the
growth of a thick root system having relatively straight
roots~
It is another objective to provide a container
from which the seedling and root ball can be easily ex-
tracted at any time for planting.
An additional preferred objective of this i~ven-
tion is to provide a container having a large air-pruning
apertureO
I~ is a further preferred objective of this in-
vention to provide a container having a number of cells
for raising seedlings.
Still another objective of the invention is to
provide a compact container which is easily handled and
which is made from a relatively small quantity of pla~tics
material.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention,
a container is provided having a large root-pruning aper-
'ture at its base together with a number of circumferen-
- tially-spaced, downwardly-extending root grooves formed by
the interior surface of the container's side wall. The
roots of the seedling grcw laterally out to the container
side wall and then follow the root grooves down to ~he
aperture -- on contacting air, which is of course devoid
of nutrients, the xoots wither, with the result tha~ new
:,
roots sprout, thereby developing a thick root system. This
aspect of the invention is described in applicant's Canadian
Patent 989,614, issued May 25, 1976.
In accordance with a preferred orm of the
invention, a multiple-cell, single-row container is pro-
vided. It is split longitudinally and preferably hinged
- along its bottom edges so that it can be opened to expose
the contents of its two halves. To extract the seedling
from one of the cells, the planter opens the container
and holds it in the palm of one of his hands, as one
would do with a book, or places it in a carrying pouch,
and uses his other hand to gently pry the exposed root
ball free. At the same time, he may flex the thin-walled,
flexible sheet plzstic container to aid in releasing the
root ball. In the greenhouse, the containers are tightly
packed together in rows in a tray or box; the walls of
the tray or box act to hold the containers closed. The
structure of the container is such that it can be formed
frGm a single ff~n sheet of plastics material; the consump~on of
raw material in manufacturing it is therefore kept to a
minimumO
For mass production, it is more economical to
have the containers in ganged and hinged "books" which
are held closed within the confines of a foraminous-
bottomed box. Several variations of this version with
and without the hinges are possible. For individual plant
sales or for such applications as when the grower may wish
to keep individual plants separate, a tube-liXe container
may be provided with most of the above-mentioned specific
- 30 features which zre improvements to contziner planting,
and in addition some other features especially suited to
the individual container.
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A common featurP of these containers is the
form of the side walls of the container, which contain
multiple grooves or flutes (more than four) which extend
throughout the full effective length of the container to
direct roots to the opening at the bottom. When filled
- with a growing medium, plants grow roots in each con-
tainer, which roots are directly channeled toward the
bottom by being trapped in these grooves or be~ween ridges
of the flutes. By the term "effective length", is meant
that part of the container which contains the growing
medium.
Another common feature of these containers is
ir possible o~bination with a box, tray or oo~parable ~at-
bottomed holder which holds them in a satisfactory posi-
tion for filling, either by having the box or tray made
with a foraminous bottom which will not allow the growing
medium to fall through (but will allow the roots to pene-
trate and be ai~p ~ ed) or by preventing ~he ~olding "b~" from cominy
open, or both.
Another common feature of these containers is
their substantially constant cross section throughout
their effective length, which gives the roots as much
unrestricted volume as possiblef and assists in maintaining
a tight pack of containers for vibration filling, the box
or tray ~eing the holding fixture with vertical parallel
sides, and the containers being fitted tightly into the
box.
A specific feature of the folding ganged con-
tainer is its hinged design, which allows the ganged
container (when removed from the holding box or tray~
- 9
to be opened and closed like a book so that the progress
ofgrow~ may be stud~ed. In early ~veloFment
of the plants, during climatic changes which provide more
or less humidity and more or less heat, development of
the plant may not match the fertilizer regimen that has
- been chosen~ In a case,for example, where fertilizer
has built up and salts have collected in the containers,
the roots may rot out, unless the excess fertilizer i5
leached through by plain water. Such conditions are not
easy to discern unless the state of the roots can be
inspected. In other containers, it is difficult to
remo~e the "plug" of growing medium without damaging the
root structuxe. Hence it is important to be able to
open the sontainer on a hinge and to close it up again
without dis~urbing the plant, and this invention provides
an easily opened container.w~-thout-snapsj-catc~es or
~ict-i~n locks.
The present invention in one broad aspect
resides in a ~ontainer for growing seedlings, said con-
tainer being normally upstanding when in use and comprising
? pair of first and second wall members, each formed ofsubst~tially non-poro~ sheet plastics
material. Each said wall member comprises a series of
spaced, inwardly-projecting, elongate shoulders integrally
joined by webs, the shoulders of the first wall member
being mutually opposed relative to the shoulders of the
second wall member~ and said mutually-opposed shoulders
are provided with inter-engaging means, whereby when the
wall members are pressed together, a series of open-topped
cells are formed~ defined by the shoulders and their
connecting webs and closed along the greatest part of their
length. The lower end portions of each pair of opposed webs
and integrally joined shoulders co~bine to form the base of
each cell, within which is formed an aperture, which aperture
is smaller than the aperture at the top of the cell. Said
webs constitute the predominant portion of the side walls of
the container, and each pair of opposed webs form the side
walls of an individual cell of said series of cells. Each
side wall of said individual cell has in i~s interior surface
a plurality of spaced grooves, said grooves extending down-
wardly towards the base aperture and constitu~ing a series ofroot grooves for directing root growth toward said aperture.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, each said web is
corrugated longitudinally of said cell, with the grooves of
the corrugations on the interior side walls of each said cell
extending downwardly directly toward the base aperture and
constituting a series of root grooves for directing root
growth toward the aperture. Another feature of a preferred
aspect of the invention is that a pair of substantially
horizontal, mutually-opposed, finger-like members extend in
fr~m the lower end portions of each pair of opposed webs to
form a growing medium-retaining bar extending across the base
aperture of each cell. As an optional but preferred feature of
the invention, ~he container may include hinge means connecting
the wall members at their lower ends. Desirably, the plastics
material from which the container is made is thin-walled and
flexible; however thIs is not essen~ialO
In another broad aspect, this invention resides in -
the combination of:
--:Ll--
(a) a plurality of upstanding containers for growinq
: seedlings, each said container comprising a pair of opposed
first and second wall members, each formed of substantially
non-porous sheet plastics material, each said wall member
being formed by a series of spaced, inwardly projecting
elongate shoulders integrally joined by webs, the shoulders
: of the first wall member being mutually opposed relative
to the shoulders of the second wall member, said mutually
opposed shoulders being provided with interengaging means,
lQ whereby when the wall members are pressed together, a series
of open-topped cells are formed, defined ~y the shoulders and
their connecting webs and closed along the greatest part of
their length; the lower end portions of each pair of opposed
webs and integrally joined shoulders combining to form the
base of each cell, within which is formed an aperture, said
webs constituting the predominant portion of the side walls
of the ~ontainer, and each pair of opposed webs forming the
side walls of an individual cell of said series of cells;
each side wall of said individual cell having in its interior
surface a plurality of spaced grooves, said grooves extending
downwardly toward the base aperture and constituting a series
of root grooves for directing root growth toward said
aperture; and
~ b) a holder for said containers, said holder having
side and end walls and a flat, foraminous bottom for retain-
ing growing medium in the cells, said containers being
:~ disposed in abutting relationship with respect to each other
: and to the walls of the holder, said containers being so
arranged as to fill said holder.
For a more detailed description of the invention,
reference will now be made to ~he accompar.yinS drawings
:
which illustrate various aspects of the present inven-
tion by way of example, and wherein~
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of
the container in the open position;
Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the con-
- tainer illustrated in Fig. l;
Figure 3 is an end view of the container of
Fig. 1 in the open position;
Figure 4 is a side view of one half of the container
1~ of Fig.l;
Figure 5 i~ a top view of the container of
Fig. 1 in the closed position;
Figure 6 is a plan view from below of the con-
tainer o~ Fig. 1 in the closed position;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of an alternative
embodiment of the container in an open, flat position;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of one side wall of
the container shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a siae view of one end of the con-
tainer shown in Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a partly cut away perspective view
of the container of Figure 7 in the closed position;
Figure 11 i5 a perspective, partly broken away
view of an alternative embodiment of the container in the
closed position;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a single cell
member, similar to those shown in ganged arrangement in
Figure 11, in the open position;
Figure 13 is a perspective view, partly broken
. 30 away, showing a container comprising separate wall members;
- - 13 -
~7~
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a container
similar to that shown in Figure 11, disposed in a box
having a grid bottom; and
Figure 15 i5 a pictorial representation, in
perspective, of a typical growing seedling showing the
root pattern developed by the use of the container of
this invention.
- Referring now to Figures 1 - 6, the containexl
illustrated includes a pair of upstanding, opposed,
generally rectangular wall members 2, 3 hinged along their
bot'om eZge~ by the horizontal, rectangular hinge member
4. The wall and hinge members 2, 3, 4 are formed from a
single~ thin-walled, flexible, non-porous plastic sheet
so as to provide a unit comprised of three integral parts.
Each wall member 2, 3 comprises a series of
spaced, inwardly-projecting, elongate shoulders 5, 6 joined
by curved webs 7, 8~respectively. The shoulders 5,6 and webs 7, 8
combine to define two rows of parallel, open-topped,
inwardly-opening, downwardly-extending grooves 9l 10 of
semi-circular cross section~ The shoulders 5 of the wall
member 3 are mutually opposed relati~e to the shoulders 6
of the wall member 2 whereby, when the container 1 is
c10s2d, they combine ~o define a row of separate compart-
ments or cells 11.
In a preferred feature, the shoulders 6 have
pointed edges 12 ~nd the shoulders 5 have indentations 13.
When the wall members 2, 3 are pressed together, the
edges 12 seat in the indentations 13 to provide tignt
lengthwise seals between adjoining cells.
The shoulders 5, 6 and webs 70 8 are tapered and
- 14
.
~7~
curved, respectively, to provide gathered portions 14, 15
at the bases of the grooves 9, 10. Semi-circular apertures
16, 17 are formed in the gathered portions 14, 15. When
the container 1 is closed, the apertures 16, 17 unite to
form apertures 30 for drainage and air-pruning.
One or more inwardly-opening, longitudinal root
grooves 18, 13 are formed in ~he webs 7, 8. These grooves
18, 19 lead down to the base apertures 16, 17 and serve to
direct root growth in that direotion.
Adjacent the upper ends of some of the shoulders
5, 6 tapered sockets 20 are formed; lugs 21 extend from
the opposed shoulders so as to frictionally engage the
sockets 20 when the container 1 is closed. These elements
combine to hold the container 1 closed under most circum-
stances and prevent the wall members 2, 3 moving vertically
relative to one another.
Turning to hinge me~ber 4, a series of openings
22, which correspo~d with the apertures 30~ are provided.
In addition, the hinge member 4 i5 formed to provide a -~
series of downwardly-extending lugs 23. These lugs 23
ser~e to elevate ~he container 1 above the tray floor (not
shown) so that the roots protrude through the apertures 30
and 22 for pruning.
In use, a number of ~he containers 1 are stzcked
~ether in a closed, ups~nding po~ition in a tray or box.havin~
a foraminous kottam. Peat moss or ~ er suitable grcwing medium is pa~ed
into the cells 11, and a seed is planted in each~ With
watering, the seed germinates and grows into a seedling.
As its roots lengthen, they are guided downward by the
grooves 18, 19 to the apextures 30~ When the roots
- 15 -
protnu~ out of the gr ~ ng medium and ~tact air, they wither at their
ends; this is called "air pr~ning". The seedling then sprouts more ~ots
and the sequence is repeated~ In this way, a thick growth
of relatively straight roots is gradually developed. The
roots of each seedling are prevented by the combination
- of the shoulder edges 12 and indentations 13 from extending
into the next cell. As a result, the roots of adjoining
seedlings do not become entangled with each other. I~hen
the seedlings are to be planted, the closed containers are
pa~ed in trays or bcxes and carried into the fields. ~here each
container is opened to expose the seedling and its root
ball. These are extracted in the manner previously des-
cribed and the empty container is retained for re-use.
According to one method of manufacture, the con-
tainer is thermo-formed from .010 inch thick base stock,
high impact polystyrene. This pl~stic strip is indexed
into a hydraulic press having a perforated, heated platen
which is equipped with a sealing ring circumscribing its
wo~ng faoe. Ihe press forces the plastics material against a
corresponding ring on the mold side, thereby sealing the
wo~king area of the plastics material. The mold is sultable perfor-
ated to a~ow for the passage of air. Ihe plastics material is pre-
stretched and forced by air fed through the mold againstthe heated platen, which has a vacuum applied against its
non-working side. A vacuum is then applied to the non-
working side of the mold, and air is passed through the
platen to force the plastics material onto the mold where it ccols
to a rigid state. The p~ss then openS and the plastics materi~ is
lifted off the mold ar.d conveyed into a punch press. The
necessary holes are punched and parts cut ou~, e~cept for
- 16 -
~7~
connecting tabs, by the press. The material i5 then moved
to a cut-off knife and the units are separated.
An alternative embodiment of the container is
shown in Figures 7 - 10. In this version, the opposing
shoulders are constructed to provlde shiplap joints which
maintain separation between the cells even when the con-
tainer walls are forced slightly apart, as can occur when
the growing medium settles within the cells with a wedging
action. As mentioned above, cell separation is desirable
to prevent .intermingling of the plant root systems.
In greater detaiL, the container 50 comprises
opposed first and second wall members 51, 52, each having
shoulders 53, 54. The shoulders 53 are rebated along their
right-hand side edges, when viewed from the right of Fig. 7, to define the
~dentations 55; ~e shoulders 54 are rebated along their left-hand side edges,
wnen viewed from the right of Fig. 7, to define the ind~ntations 56. Ihe
ind~ntations 55, 56 terminate short of the upper ends of the shoulders 53, 54.
~ort indentations 57, 58 are formed in the left- and right-hand edges
respectively, w~ viewed from the right of Fig. 7, of the sh~lders 53, 54.
20 It is to be noted that the shoulders 53, 54 of wall 51 are mutually opposed
to the shculde~ 54, 53, respec~ve1y, of wall 52. As a re~lt, the non- ~ atec
portions 59, 60 of shcul~rs 53, 54 seat in the indentations 58, 57
of shoulders 54, 53 when the walls 51, 52 are in the
closed position to provide ~hiplap jointsO An interlocking
arrangement is thus provided which reduces twisting and dis-
tortion of the shoulders when the container is in use.
At the base of this embodiment of the container
as shown in Fig. 7, there are a series of hinged members 62,
each being in~egrally fonmed with an adjacent pair of opposed
shoulders and interconnecting webs of container 50~ which
- 17 -
hinoed members are foldable along hinge line 63. Referring
now to Fig. 7 which illustrates the con~ainer in an open,
flat condition, the hinsea members are raised relative to
the corrugated side walls of the cavities in the manner of
a plateau, as it were, but are below the level of the
pointed edges 60a, 60b of the shoulders 53, 54. Be~een
each adjacent pair of hinged mem~ers 62 and also between
the gathered portions 65, 66 of the opposed shoulders and
interconnecting webs of container 50 a comparatively wide
and shallow channel-shaped depression 64 is formed. The
shape of the hinged members 62 and channel-shaped depres-
sions 64 is as shown in Figures 7 and 10. During the pro-
cess of manufacture of the containers, the channel-shaped
depressions 64 are slit in line with the hinges so that
when the hinge is folded shut, the slit expands to provide
a l~e drainage and a~pr~ing cpenlng (not specifically shawn in Figs.
7-10) for each cavity, at location 67. When the container
is in the closed position as illustrat~d in Figure 10, each
hal~ of the hinged members 62 resembles a deltoid~wing-
2Q ~ ped m~ber. Root grooves 68, 69 are formed in the wa~ me~bers 51, 52 for
d;rect~g root grcwth.
Those e~bodiments of the invention which are
illustrated by Figs. 1-10 of the drawings have been generally
described in applicant's Canadian Patent 989,61~ dated
May 25, 1976; but this description is repeated herein,
together with additional description, for the sake of con-
venience to the readex, and to show clearly the relation-
ship between these embodiments and additional embodiments
of the invention, as described in the following portion of
this specification, and illustrated in Figs. 11-15 of the
drawings.
- 18 -
~L~7~
~,
In another embodLment illustrated in Figures ll
and 12, the container 70 is formed with shoulders 71, 72
and webs 73 which extend downwardly generally vertically,
thereby pxoviding a cell 74 of substan~ially constant
cross~sectional area throughout its length. To prevent the
- contained peat moss or other growing medium from dropping
o~ of the base aperture, substantially horizontal,mutually-
opposed,finger-like members 75~ 76 extend inwardly from the
lower edge portions of each opposed pair of webs 73,
to form a growing medium-retaining bar extending across the
. -~ '' ' .
apert ~ to di~de it into smaller ~r-pruning apertures 77. As illus-
trated, the membexs 75, 76 are preferably connected at their
ends to provide a hinge. The shoulders are also inter-
connected at their bases by horizontal member~ 78 - the
m~bes 75, 76, 78 c ~ ining to prcvide hinge means c~cting
the two wall members 79.
-- 1 9
' '
L4
In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 13,
the container 80 comprises separate wall members 81, 82
which may be inserted in a box 83 having a grid floor 86
as shown in Figure 14. When the box 83 is filled, the
container wall members 81, 82 hol~ themselves up. As
illustrated, a slightly different shiplap joint is used.
When this last-mentioned embodiment is in use,
the roots grow down along the root grooves 84 to the aper-
tures 85. Here they extend through the grid floor 86 and
are air-pruned. The members of the grid floor traverse
the base aperture of each cell, helping to hold the peat
moss (or other growing medium) within the cell.
Another specific feature of the folding ganged
container of this invention is the design of the grooves
` in the side walls. The side walls of each container cell
or unit are provided with alternating lo~gitudinal ridges
and grooves on the exterior as well as the interior, as
can be seen from an inspection of the drawings. Each ridge
on the outer container wall is disposed directly opposite
a groove in the interior side wall of the same container;
that is to say, the side walls of the container are corru-
gated. Each such groove ~referring here to
grooves 68, 69 in Fig. 7, and grooves 84 in
Fig. 13~ is so designed as to be in mating relationship
with a corresponding ridge on the outer wall of a similar
container placed in juxtaposition thereto, so that when
another "book" or folded ganged container is placea next
to it, the longitudinal ridges on the exterior walls of
one such container ~ate with corresponding longitudinal
grooves in the exterior walls of the container next to it,
so that the containers are prevented from sliding laterally
relative to each other.
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Ar.other specific feature of the folding ganged
container of this invention is that the top portions of
the wall members 51, 52 (Figs. 7, 10) extend vertically a
short distance above the effective
length of the container as flanges 51a, 52a (Figs. 7, 10).
Referring here to Figs. 7 and 10 of the drawings, at pre-
determined spaced intervals along the length of wall members
51, 52 there project shoulder members 53, 54 which are
normal to the plane of the wall members 51, 52. The wall
members of the containers when in use are vertical so that
the shoulder members are horizontally extending. Each pair
of wall members and shoulder members combine to define a
container celi for holding growing medium within which an
individual seedling may be placed. The top surface of
shoulder members 53, 54 form ledges 53a, 54a ~see Fig. 10)
which, when the shoulders are joined together to provide a
shiplap joint as previously described, fcrm a ledge extend-
ing across the container. The vertically-extending flanges
51a, 52a and ledges 53a, 54a are smooth and straight rather
than grooved or corxugated, as with the side walls of the
container, so that when the ledges fit together, the pos-
sibility of the growing medium becoming lodged be~ieen
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adjacent container cells and between abutting ganged con-
tainers is substantially prevented; and so that excess
growing medium may be placed above the container cells
and later compressed down into the container cells. The
ledges also act as a standardizing level for screeding off
excess growing medium during the filling stage. These
ledges have a further purpose, that of shielding the plant
in its succulent stage from being heavily hattered by
strong water and fertilizer spxays, and of catching and
directing such sprays to the grooves, thereby enticing the
roots toward the last wet place between waterings, at the
outside wall of the container.
~ further specific eature of the folding ganged
container of this invention is the shape of the seal be-
t~een cavities or cells, which seal is similar to a shiplap
seal, and provides in each cavity half (as observed when
opened up) a high portion on the one side and a low portion
on the other side, which match universally like two right
hands or two left hands in a handshake, each to the opposite
cavity half. Closed, tlle cavity has seal lines which are
.thus off the center line of the hinge by half the depth of
the shiplap seal. The locking portions of this shiplap seal
are like the thumbs of two right hands (or ~wo left hands)
and seal to the depth of the main shiplap seal. The cross-
over from one side to the other is made with a minimum of
an opening, so as to provide the least possible chanCe for
roots to work their way between cavities. This minimum
opening is provided by making the cross-over edges at
45 to the part line, so that the joint has only one smal
contact point. The joint is also kep~ as near ~o the top
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of the cavi~y as possible to again minimize root migration.
In use, a number of the containers of this
.. .. . . . . . .... .
invention, for example containers 50 as illustrated in
Figs. 7 - 10, or containers 70 as illustrated in Fig. 11,
or 80 as illustrated in Fig. 13, are stacked together in
abutting relationship in an upstanding position in a tray
or box or comparable flat-bottomed holder. The containers
are then filled with a growing medium, such as treated peat,
ground bark, vermiculite, expanded perlite, sterilized soil
or sand. After watering and settling, the containers are
seeded. A vacuum-head seeder may be used, which simply
draws seeds from storage to small holes arranged in the
pattern of t~e cavities. The seeder is then placed over
the tray and the vacuum released, which allows seeds to
drop into each cavity. Next, a mulch, generally of sand
or limestone grit, is sprinkled to cover the seed. Trays
are put in a suitably warm place and covered with a poly-
ethylene film while the seeds germinate. Overseeding
; o~n is c~ried out to ensure 100~ utilization, so thinning
becomes part of a later operation.
Germination takes place normally in a moist
atmosphere at 70-75F. A she~t of thin polyethylene is
wrapped around a batch of seeded, watered trays. Heat
bulld-up during this period must be watched to provide the
best temperature. When seeds reach above 80F their r te
of germination may decrease. It has been found that the
early life of any plant is extremely sensitive to changes
in environment, and it is desirable to keep plants in the
greenhouse for at leas~ 8 week~ after seeding, from the
standpoint of the extra good start they get in life.
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The containers of this invention are very useful
during these first eight weeks.
~ uring growth of the seedling, the technique of
"Air-Pruning" is used ~o promo~e root growth. Normal
growth of a root follows the path of least resistance, and
- guides such as the aforementioned grooves, tend to direct
most of the roots which touch the side walls toward the
bottom of the container. The biological urge which causes
root growth is frustrated by the air which the emerging
growing root meets as it finds it way out of the bottom
and withers off. ~his urge makes the roots within the
containerbranch out further and more new roots then follow
the grooves and ridges to the bottom where the process is
repeated.
At any time duri~g the seedling's growth, its
root deveiopment may be inspected.
All that is necessary is to take the filled con-
tainer containing the growing seedling(s) (which, since it
can be opened up like a book, will be referred to here as
a "book"), open the "book", and visually inspect the root
ball (plug). If desired for this purpose the root plug
can be readily removed from the container and held in the
hand, as illustrated in Fig. 15. The developmen~ of the
seedliny 88 (referring to that Figure) and in particular
its roots 90 can be seen at a glance. After inspection
is completed, the root ball plug 92 comprising the seedling
root system within the compacted growing medium, is
simply placed back in the individual container cell from
which it was taken, and the "book" is closed.
At the same time as the root development of the
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seedling is being inspected, the inspector can tell by the
- color of the growing medium whether there are dryness or
over-watering problems. Root development in these early
stages of development may be examined without damage to
the plant.
When the seedling has developed to the point
where it is large enough to transplant, the seedling in
its container is moved to a semi controlled outdoors area
or to a small unheated greenhouse -- the so-called "cold
frame" -- where the plant is acclimatized or "hardenedn
to outdoor conditions.
When moved-out to the cold frames or open
~torage, the trays with enclosed containers are placed up
off the groundj This enables "Air-Pruning" to occur.
"Air-Pruning" is really a method of tricking the plant to
put out branch roots. When the plant roots reach the open
bottom of the container they dry off in the air. This
temporary growth stoppage is biologically signalled to the
seedling, and this triggers the development of new branch
root growth. Since most roots are directed by the grooves
- in the container walls straight to the bottom, the process
is speeded up by use of the containers of this inVentiOn~
Normally, a nursery seedling, placed beside its fellows in
a seed bed, develops very long roots that are few in number.
;~ The long roots cannot be transplanted so they are cut off~
there~y "shocking" the transplant. In contrast thereto,
seedlings grown in containers of this invention have all
. the roots intact when they are transplanted; so may be
transplanted at any time, even when "flush" with new growth.
A11 the roots of importance are on the outside, waitins to
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make contact with new soil, and they fan out evenly on all
sides, making an ideal root system to prevent blowdowns
at a later stage of growth.
The plant may then be taken directly to the
transplanting area, and removed from the container by the
same simple procedure as outlined previously herein in
connection with the inspection of the seedling during its
early growth.
Transplanting may be accomplished by ordinary
standard methods, but the trays are compact and are often
used to carry seedlings right to the site. A hoe, dibble,
adze, mattock, spade or planting tube may be used. All
methods have been tried with success in the field, and
are chosen at the discretion of the planting supervisor.
The o~n~ners of the present inventionhave d
number of important advantayes, summarized as follows:
1. The ~ntainers can be made in any desired size to
accommodate numerous different varieties of seedling.
2. Storage and shipping cost~ ~re minLmum.
0 3. The containers are easy to loadj fill, seed, thin and
weed.
4. The container grooves speed root development, minimize
spiralling, and promo~e healthy growth of contact
roots (i.e., ~he roots which will first contact new
soil when transplanted).
5. The containers of this invention allow inspection at ~-
any stage of srowth. A "book" may be readily pulled
out, opened, and one may "read" the root development
of the seedling.
0 6. The ~ntainers of this invention allow removal of the
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seedling at any stage of growth, and removal is very
easy. ~11 that need be done is to open the container.
Smooth, hard sides, a hinged bottom and linear grooves
make removal easy. No time is lost in transplanting
directly from the box in the field.
7. The containers of this invention give nearly maximum
bench density, yet may be spaced out to give leaf room
at later development stages, without losing their
multiple handling advantage.
8. The containers of this invention are useful for a wide
variet~ of horticultural techniques: rooting from
cuttings, sprouting from root cuttings, "air-pruning"
of heavily tap-rooted plant varieties, and for many
kinds of plants, fro~ trees to wild grasses, to shrubs
to vegetables.
9. me containers of this invention grow plants that are
: easy to transplant. No special equipment is required,
yet they will easily adapt to the most sophisticated
transplanting machines.
10. The containers o~ this invention are relatively inex-
pensive to manufacture.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have
been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made
by one skilled in the art without departing ~rom the spirit
of the Lnvention, which is defined in the appended claims.
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