# US 10,765,072 B2 · Method of accelerating the growth and development of trees and shrubs via enhanced root development > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,072 B2 - Document ID: US10765072B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/669,624 - Filed: 2017-08-04 - Published: 2017-11-16 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2001-08-15 - Assignees: Wayne Lovelace & Judy Lovelace - Applicants: Wayne Lovelace & Judy Lovelace - Inventors: Wayne Lovelace; Hugh Steavenson; Bob Suddarth - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765072B2 ## CPC - A01G 9/029: Receptacles for seedlings (growth substrates in block form A01G24/44) - A01G 9/028: {Multi-compartmented pots} - A01G 23/00: Forestry - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) ## Abstract A method and container for developing seedlings includes germinating the seeds and air pruning the seedlings to a depth of about 3 inches. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of facilitating air root pruning of seedlings, the method comprising: placing seeds on a surface of a growing medium; germinating the seeds on the surface of the growing medium to obtain seedlings; subjecting the seedlings to a first air root pruning by growing the seedlings in a first bottomless container of 2½ inches to 5 inches deep; and after the first air root pruning, subjecting the seedlings to a second air root pruning by growing the seedlings in a second bottomless container of 3 inches to 5½ inches deep. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the growing medium comprises 35% to 40% composted rice hulls and 35% to 40% pine bark. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the air root pruning of the roots of the seedlings is performed by the growing medium being in one or more containers having an open bottom, the one or more containers adapted to be set on a mesh support. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the open bottom and mesh support are configured to expose to air at least some roots of the seedlings growing in the one or more containers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising stratifying the seeds on the growing medium at 32 degrees F. prior to the seeds germinating. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the seedlings are transplanted between the first and second air root prunings. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein air pruning of the seedlings' roots comprises growing the seedlings in bottomless flats at a height of between about 24 inches and about 36 inches above the ground. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the growing medium is inoculated with mycorrhizae spores. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The growing medium according to claim 1, further comprising a systemic insecticide. ### Claim 10 A method of developing new seedlings comprising: germinating seeds on the surface of a growing medium to obtain the seedlings; air pruning roots of the seedlings at a depth of 2½ to 5 inches, transplanting one or more air pruned seedlings from a first container to a second container; and air pruning the roots of the transplanted seedling in the second container at a depth of 3 inches to 5½ inches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the growing medium comprises 35% to 40% composted rice hulls, 35% to 40% pine bark, and 20% sand. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein before germinating the seeds on the surface of the growing medium, the seeds are placed on the surface of the growing medium, and the seeds are stratified on the growing medium at 32 degrees F. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10 wherein air root pruning of the seedlings' roots comprises growing the seedlings in one or more containers having an open bottom, the one or more containers adapted to be set on a mesh support. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, further comprising air pruning the seedling roots by allowing roots of the seedlings to be exposed to air in bottomless containers at a height of between 24 and 36 inches above the ground. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The growing medium according to claim 10, further comprising micronutrients and a wetting agent. ### Claim 16 A method of improving the root structure of seedlings, the method comprising: placing seeds on a surface of a soil-less growing medium for germination on the surface of the growing medium to obtain seedlings; subjecting the seedlings to a first air root pruning by growing the seedlings in a bottomless container of 2½ to 5 inches deep; and subjecting the seedlings to a second air root pruning by growing the seedlings in a bottomless container of 3 to 5½ inches deep, wherein the growing medium comprises 35% to 40% composted rice hulls, 35% to 40% pine bark, and 20% sand. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16 further comprising transplanting the seedlings after the first air pruning step into containers having a depth of 3 to 5½ inches for a second root air pruning step, wherein the second air root pruning occurs at a root depth of 3 to 5½ inches. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein air root pruning of the seedlings' roots is performed by the growing medium being in one or more containers having an open bottom, the one or more containers adapted to be set on a mesh support. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein air pruning of the seedlings' roots comprises growing the seedlings in bottomless flats supported at a height of between 24 inches and 36 inches above the ground. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The growing medium according to claim 16, further comprising slow release fertilizers, micronutrients and a wetting agent.