Extendable plant tray assembly

A method of making a plant tray assembly extendable in a first direction, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of plant holders in a grid structure, wherein at least one grid structure element is provided which is configured to hold a plurality of plant holders in a second direction transverse to said first direction, wherein the plurality of plant holders are arranged on the at least one grid structure element in a staggered manner, alternating a plant holder with a plant holder receiving space,
• providing an extension system configured to enable movement of the plant tray assembly in the first direction between a retracted position and an extended position, the assembly, and
• connecting at least two grid structure elements with an extendable connection member, the extendable connection member being detachably connected to the at least two grid structure elements;
• wherein the extendable connection member comprises at least a first beam, a second beam, and one or more sliding guiding members arranged to enable sliding of the first and second beams with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction thereof, and wherein, for the extendable connection member, at least a first connection unit and a second connection unit is arranged on respectively the first and the second beam, and wherein the first and second connection units are configured to be detachably connectable to dedicated portions of the grid structure elements by snap-fitting.

A plant tray system comprising:

• an extendable plant tray assembly comprising a plurality of plant holders in a grid structure, wherein in a first direction said plant holders are movably connected through an extension system arranged to move said assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, the assembly including at least one grid structure element holding a plurality of plant holders in a second direction transverse to said first direction, wherein the plurality of plant holders are arranged on the at least one grid structure element in a staggered manner, alternating a plant holder with a plant holder receiving space, wherein the extension system comprises extendable connection members which are configured to connect at least two grid structure elements, wherein the extendable connection members are detachably connected to said at least two grid structure elements, wherein each of the extendable connection members comprises at least a first beam, a second beam, and one or more sliding guiding members arranged to enable sliding of the first and second beams with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction thereof, and wherein, for each extendable connection member, at least a first connection unit and a second connection unit is arranged on respectively the first and the second beam, and wherein the first and second connection units are configured to be detachably connectable to dedicated portions of the grid structure elements by snap-fitting;
• and
• a base on which the extendable plant tray assembly is placeable, wherein the base comprises a plurality of gutters arranged in parallel next to each other extending in the first direction.

A method for producing plants, the method comprising:

• providing an extendable plant tray assembly comprising a plurality of plant holders in a grid structure, wherein in a first direction said plant holders are movably connected through an extension system arranged to move said assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, the assembly including at least one grid structure element holding a plurality of plant holders in a second direction transverse to said first direction, wherein the plurality of plant holders are arranged on the at least one grid structure element in a staggered manner, alternating a plant holder with a plant holder receiving space, wherein the extension system comprises extendable connection members which are configured to connect at least two grid structure elements, wherein the extendable connection members are detachably connected to said at least two grid structure elements, wherein the extendable connection member comprises at least a first beam, a second beam, and one or more sliding guiding members arranged to enable sliding of the first and second beams with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction thereof, and wherein, for the extendable connection member, at least a first connection unit and a second connection unit is arranged on respectively the first and the second beam, and wherein the first and second connection units are configured to be detachably connectable to dedicated portions of the grid structure elements by snap-fitting;
• filling the plant pots with medium, wherein a seed, seedling or plant is placed in the medium;
• providing a base on which the extendable plant tray assembly is placeable, wherein the base comprises a plurality of gutters arranged in parallel next to each other extending in the first direction;
• placing the extendable plant tray assembly in retracted position on said base;
• and
• extending the extendable plant tray assembly from the retracted position to its extended position based on a size of the plants.