System and method for automated plant training

A method of plant training, the method comprising:

• growing a plant under first light conditions during a growth phase, while constraining vertical growth of the plant;
• altering light conditions of the plant to second light conditions at a light switch time while continuing to constrain the vertical growth of the plant;
• subsequently removing constraints on vertical growth of the plant, after the light switch time, wherein the method of plant training is performed using an automated plant training system comprising:
• an apex opening comprising a light opening;
• a grow enclosure surrounding at least a portion of an interior of the grow enclosure other than a portion comprising the light opening of the apex opening;
• a controller adapted to receive at least one of:
• (i) a predetermined control signal, and (ii) a sensed control signal produced based on a sensed presence of a plant growing in the interior of the grow enclosure;
• and
• a drive mechanism adapted to modify a direction of growth of the plant by controlling a position of the light opening under control of at least one of:
• (i) the predetermined control signal, and (ii) the sensed control signal;
• the controller being further adapted to cause the drive mechanism to modify the direction of growth of the plant by producing relative motion between the apex opening and the base of the plant such that (i) light is transmitted through the light opening to an apex of the plant as the plant grows, and such that (ii) the direction of growth of the plant is controlled in a horizontal direction based on the relative motion between the apex opening and the base of the plant.

A controller for an automated plant training system, the controller comprising:

• a controller input adapted to receive at least one of:
• (i) a predetermined control signal, and (ii) a sensed control signal produced based on a sensed presence of a plant growing in the interior of a grow enclosure, the grow enclosure surrounding at least a portion of an interior of the grow enclosure other than a portion comprising a light opening of an apex opening;
• and
• a controller output adapted to cause a drive mechanism to modify a direction of growth of the plant by producing relative motion between the apex opening and a base of the plant such that (i) light is transmitted through the light opening to an apex of the plant as the plant grows, and such that (ii) the direction of growth of the plant is controlled in a horizontal direction based on the relative motion between the apex opening and the base of the plant, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to modify a direction of growth of the plant by controlling a position of the light opening under control of at least one of:
• (i) the predetermined control signal, and (ii) the sensed control signal.