Container, Soil Blend, and Method of Growing Plants
AssigneeTropicana Products, Inc.
InventorJames H. Keithly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Containers having air pruning holes are have dimensions configured for germination and/or growth of citrus plants, including citrus rootstock, as well as other plants. One such container may have a width of about 1.0 to 1.25 inches and a depth of about 5.0 to 7.0 inches. Another such container may have a width of about 4.0 to 6.0 inches and a depth of about 12.0 inches to 14.0 inches. Soil blends containing various additives configured for use in germination and/or growth of citrus and other plants may be used in connection with the containers or independently of the containers.
Claims24
A container comprising:
- a sidewall defining an internal cavity having an outermost peripheral dimension, a top having an opening providing access to the cavity and a bottom, with a depth defined between the top and the bottom, the cavity configured to hold a soil medium and a plant growing in the soil medium, wherein the outermost peripheral dimension of the sidewall has a width of about 1.0 to 1.25 inches and the depth is about 5.0 to 7.0 inches;
- and
- a plurality of air pruning holes defined within the sidewall and extending through the sidewall, the air pruning holes being dispersed across the sidewall.
A container comprising:
- a sidewall defining an internal cavity having an outermost peripheral dimension, a top having an opening providing access to the cavity and a bottom, with a depth defined between the top and the bottom, the cavity configured to hold a soil medium and a plant growing in the soil medium, wherein the outermost peripheral dimension of the sidewall has a width of about 4.0 to 6.0 inches and the depth is about 12.0 inches to 14.0 inches;
- and
- a plurality of air pruning holes defined within the sidewall and extending through the sidewall, the air pruning holes being dispersed across the sidewall.
A soil medium comprising about 40% peatmoss, about 30% Coconut coir, and about 30% Cyprus bark sawdust and one or more of the following additives, with each additive having a range of +/−10% of listed amounts:
- 5 lb. dolomite limestone per finished yard;
- 5 lb. gypsum per finished yard;
- 4 lb. micronutrients per finished yard;
- 18.5 lb. humic acid per finished yard;
- and
- 10 lb. slow-release NPK supplement per finished yard.
A soil medium comprising about 30% peatmoss, about 20% Coconut coir, about 20% Cyprus bark chips, and about 20% Cyprus bark sawdust, and about 10% perlite and one or more of the following additives, with each additive having a range of +/−10% of listed amounts:
- 5 lb. dolomite limestone per finished yard;
- 5 lb. gypsum per finished yard;
- 5 lb. coarse grade limestone per finished yard;
- 4 lb. micronutrients per finished yard;
- 18.5 lb. humic acid per finished yard;
- and
- 20 lb. slow-release NPK supplement per finished yard.
A method comprising:
- providing a container comprising a sidewall defining an internal cavity having an outermost peripheral dimension, a top having an opening providing access to the cavity and a bottom, with a depth defined between the top and the bottom, wherein the outermost peripheral dimension of the sidewall has a width of about 1.0 to 1.25 inches and the depth is about 5.0 to 7.0 inches, wherein the a plurality of air pruning holes are defined within the sidewall and extend through the sidewall, the air pruning holes being dispersed across the sidewall;
- placing a soil medium within the cavity of the container;
- and
- placing a seed within the soil medium, wherein the seed germinates to produce a plant growing in the soil medium.
A method comprising:
- providing a container comprising a sidewall defining an internal cavity having an outermost peripheral dimension, a top having an opening providing access to the cavity and a bottom, with a depth defined between the top and the bottom, wherein the outermost peripheral dimension of the sidewall has a width of about 4.0 to 6.0 inches and the depth is about 12.0 inches to 14.0 inches, wherein the a plurality of air pruning holes are defined within the sidewall and extend through the sidewall, the air pruning holes being dispersed across the sidewall;
- placing a soil medium within the cavity of the container;
- and
- transplanting a plant to the container, such that a root of the plant is at least partially within the soil medium, and the plant is supported by the soil medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.