AU4527400A - Improvements in plant cultivation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -1 IMPROVEMENTS IN PLANT CULTIVATION APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general terms, to an improved 5 apparatus for use in the growing of plants and the like. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an apparatus for use in relation to or with a plant pot or planter of any given type, whereby to allow for improved cultivation within such plant pot or planter of plants, shrubs etc. The apparatus in accordance with the present 10 invention, whilst especially suited to be supplied in conjunction with a plant pot, planter or the like, is equally suited to be sold individually, to be readily and easily added to or located within an existing plant pot, planter or the like. Nowadays, and for some years now, it has become an 15 established practice to grow or cultivate plants and the like within containers, generally known as plant pots or planters. Such plant pots or planters enjoy popularity for use both externally of and within any building or the like structure, as for example office buildings, factories, homes and the like, being structures or areas wherein a limited amount 20 of space is available for use for such purposes. Such plant pots or planters also enjoy frequent usage for the growing or cultivation of plant seedlings, ultimately intended to be transferred to other containers, or even to a tract of land, once a certain degree of maturity has been reached for such seedlings. 25 Whilst conventional plant pots or planters allow for the regular addition , manually, of water or other liquid nutrient thereto, thereby to enhance the growth of any plants or the like housed therewithin, as well as to provide an environment which is at all times well suited for plant growth, there has been a trend in recent times to provide what are 30 termed self-watering plant pots, planters or the like, wherein a replenishable reservoir of water or the like nutrient is provided for controlled passage to soil, humus or the like growing medium, and WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -2 hence to the plant, housed within the plant pot, planter or the like. In such a way a self-watering apparatus of this general type has been found to afford a degree of protection against the possibility of a plant being inadequately watered over a given period, as for example when 5 the owner is away from the premises for any extended period of time. One of the problems associated with the use of plant pots or planters has involved ensuring that any plant (or plants) within such a container receives (or receive) the requisite amount of water or other liquid nutrient to secure the well being thereof, as well as to enhance o10 the growing thereof. At the same time, however, care must be taken to ensure that over-watering does not take place, which over-watering could perhaps result in damage to the plant, inhibition of growth, etc. A variety of methods and means have been employed in the past in attempts to achieve such a desirable result, with varying degrees of 15 success. The present invention seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art by providing an improved apparatus which allows for controlled watering, or access to appropriate nutrients, for a given plant system, yet at the same time protects against 20 the possibility of either under-watering or over-watering thereof. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention has the further advantage of being adapted for both ready usage with, as by insertion into, existing plant pots or planters, as well as with previously unused plant pots or planters. 25 In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided an improved cultivation system for plants, said system including: a tank, reservoir or the like adapted, in use, to be located within a plant pot, planter or the like, said tank, reservoir or the like being adapted to receive and retain, for controlled distribution or 30 transmission therefrom, a replenishable supply of water or other liquid nutrient; means associated with said tank, reservoir or the like and adapted to allow for said controlled transmission of liquid nutrient from WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -3 said tank, reservoir or the like to a growth medium for said plants housed within said plant pot, planter or the like; and means allowing for replenishment of said supply of fluid within said tank, reservoir or the like as and when desired. 5 In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for delivering a liquid nutrient to a cultivation medium for plants, said apparatus including: a reservoir for said liquid nutrient, adapted in use to be located within a plant pot, planter or the like; means associated with said reservoir and adapted to allow for 10 controlled transmission of said liquid nutrient from said reservoir to said cultivation medium; and means allowing for replenishing of said reservoir with further nutrient as and when desired. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant pot, planter or the like having located therewithin an 15 improved watering system or liquid nutrient delivering apparatus of the type referred to in the preceding paragraphs. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and 20 put into practical effect reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of an improved liquid delivery system for plants in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 25 FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a plant pot or planter of any given type having an apparatus in accordance with the present invention located or housed therewithin, with soil, humus or the like growth medium disposed thereabove and containing therein a plant or the like of any given type; 30 FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3; WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -4 FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a feeder means in accordance with the invention, intended to allow for the controlled transmission of nutrient to the soil or the like growth medium; FIG. 6 is a view, from below, of the feeder means of FIG. 5; 5 FIG. 7 is a top view, taken in the direction of the arrow 7 in FIG. 1, of a means employed in accordance with the present invention for replenishing with water or the like liquid nutrient the reservoir; FIGS. 8 and 9 are side elevational views of a tubular element with associated funnel or the like means as shown in FIG. 1. 10 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shaped sheet of material adapted, in use, to be employed in conjunction with an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 11 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, of an especially preferred embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the 15 invention, having the sheet of FIG. 10 appropriately disposed within the plant pot or planter. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 9 show a preferred embodiment of a plant pot or 20 planter, generally designated 1, of any given size, shape and/or type, having an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, generally designated 10, adapted to be disposed therewithin and preferably substantially centrally of the base thereof. With particular reference to FIG. 3 an apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention, which 25 constitutes a reservoir for water or other nutrient, preferably is formed having a base or lower-most member or surface 11, top or upper-most member or surface 12 and surrounding circumferential or peripheral wall 13 extending therebetween. The arrangement is such that, once the overall apparatus 10 is appropriately disposed within a plant pot or 30 planter 1, then soil, humus or any suitable growth medium 2 can be located within the plant pot or planter 1, to receive and nurture therein a plant or the like 3.

WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -5 The apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention preferably takes the form of an integral, one-piece member formed from any suitable material and in any suitable manner. In an especially preferred embodiment the apparatus or reservoir 10 will be formed from 5 a suitable plastics material in an injection or blow-moulding operation. It must be realised, however, that neither the material of construction nor the actual method of construction of the reservoir 10 itself are considered to be essential to the practice of the present invention. In a further alternative embodiment, not shown, the reservoir 10 may be in 10 the form of a two-piece member, including a hollow base member and associated upwardly extending peripheral or circumferential side wall, and a separable cap or top member adapted to be releasably connected thereto in any suitable manner, as for example by the inter reaction of complementary threaded means provided on the respective 15 base and cap members. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the reservoir 10 is of a substantial circular shape when viewed in top plan, and substantially cylindrical when viewed in side elevation (see FIG. 3). It must be realised, however, that the actual shape of the reservoir 10 is not of the 20 essence of the invention. Indeed, different shapes and sizes could be employed dependent upon the actual shape and size of the plant pot or planter 1 with which the reservoir 10 is to be used. Preferably the reservoir 10 will have a plurality of external legs or rib members 14, shown in phantom in FIG. 3, disposed or formed 25 around the periphery thereof, such serving to locate the lower-most surface 11 of the reservoir 10 at a position spaced above the base of the planter or plant pot 1, thereby to allow for ventilation, aeration, drainage etc. In the preferred embodiment illustrated those legs or rib members 14 extend not only substantially radially across at least part of 30 the base or lower-most surface 11 of the reservoir 10, but also in an upward direction along at least a portion of the height of the peripheral wall 13. In use, the rib members 14 will be in substantial point contact WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -6 with the base and the internal side wall of the planter or plant pot 1, thereby aiding in location of the overall apparatus 10 within the planter or plant pot 1. In an especially preferred embodiment, not shown, the legs or rib members 14 can extend radially inwardly along both the 5 upper-most and lower-most members or surfaces 12 and 11 respectively of the reservoir 10, and furthermore preferably along the entire height or length dimension of the peripheral wall 13. One or more vent holes or apertures (not shown) may be provided in each leg or rib member 14. 10 As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the upper-most member or surface 12 of the reservoir 10 is shaped so as to be inclined downwardly towards the base member 11 thereof, and has at least one cavity or aperture 12a, disposed substantially centrally thereof, adapted to receive and releasably retain, in a manner to be explained in more 15 detail hereinafter, a feeder member or means 20 adapted, in use, to allow for controlled passage of water or the like nutrient from the reservoir 10 to the soil and plant located thereabove, in a capillary-type action. The fact that the upper-most member or surface 12 is sloping is of assistance for purposes of assisting in drainage of excess fluid back 20 into the reservoir 10, thereby preventing over watering, over saturation etc., of the soil as housed in the planter or plant pot. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the feeder member or means 20 takes the form of a truncated, substantially frusto-conical member adapted, in use, to be releasably disposed within an aperture 25 provided in the upper-most surface 12 of the reservoir 10, preferably in a snap-type fit. As shown the feeder member or means 20 is disposed so as to be in substantial point contact with the base member 11 of the reservoir 10. It should be realised that the actual shape of the feeder member or means 20, is not of the essence of the invention. As 30 illustrated, one end of the feeder member 20, being that end which, in use, is in juxtaposition with the surface 12 of the reservoir 10, is open.

WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -7 The other end of the frusto-conical feeder member 20 is preferably closed. Turning now in particular to FIGS. 4 to 6 of the drawings, there is illustrated therein an especially preferred embodiment of a feeder 5 member or means 20 in accordance with the invention, which functions to allow for controlled passage of liquid from reservoir 10 into the planter or plant pot, and the soil or the like housed therein. The preferred embodiment illustrated includes a lip or flange 21 extending substantially around the entire upper periphery of the feeder member 10 20. Disposed below said lip or flange 21, and spaced therefrom, are opposed, shaped ramps 22 which each extend around less than half of the circumference of the feeder means 20. Such ramps 22, in use, co operate with the free edge of the aperture disposed substantially centrally of the upper-most member or surface 12 of the reservoir 10, 15 thereby facilitating disposition of the feeder member or means 20 therewithin. In the preferred embodiment illustrated each ramp 22 includes an inclined lead-in section 22a, with the remainder of the ramp 22 then extending substantially horizontally around the feeder means 20. The lead-in section 22a is intended to assist in removable location 20 of the feeder 20 within the reservoir means 10. The afrangement is such that the ramps 22, lip member 21 and upper-most member or surface 12 interact to allow for feeder member 10 to be releasably yet firmly held within the reservoir 10 in a snap-type fit. The feeder means 20 includes means, in the form of one or more 25 apertures, adapted to allow for the passage of water or other nutrient thereinto from the reservoir 10. In one preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, at least one aperture 23 may be disposed at or in the vicinity of the base or lower-most portion of the feeder means 20. In an alternative embodiment, see FIGS. 4 and 6, at least two apertures 24 30 (of any desired size and shape) may be formed in the actual closed base of the feeder member 20.

WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -8 Means should be provided to allow for refilling of the reservoir 10, as and when required, once the overall apparatus in accordance with the present invention, made up of the reservoir 10 and the feeder member 20, is disposed within a plant pot or planter 1 and has soil, 5 humus or the like growth medium 2 located thereabove. In accordance with a preferred feature of the present invention such means takes the form of a flexible tubular member 30 adapted, in use, to be releasably attachable at one end thereof to the reservoir 10 and to extend upwardly to beyond the surface of the soil, humus or the like growth 10 medium 2 located within the plant pot or planter 1 in the manner shown, for example, in FIG. 1. The arrangement is such that the other, fee end of the tubular member 30 projects outwardly from the top surface of the soil, humus or the like. To assist in re-filling or replenishing of the reservoir 10 as and when desired, in an especially preferred 15 embodiment there is provided, adapted to be releasably attachable to the upper-most or protruding free end of the flexible member 30, a funnel means or the like 31. Such serves a dual purpose, firstly to facilitate injection of fresh water or the like nutrient into the tubular member 30 to be transferred to the reservoir 10, and secondly to 20 ensure ready access to the tubular member 30 itself within a given plant pot or planter 1. Returning now to FIGS. 1 to 3, illustrated therein is an especially preferred embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, wherein the upper-most member or surface 12 of the 25 reservoir 10 has a shaped groove or the like 15 extending around at least a substantial part of the external periphery thereof. Such groove or the like 15 is adapted to receive and releasably retain the tubular member 30 when the overall apparatus is not in use, as for example when packaged for sale or storage. Means preferably are provided, in 30 the form of an appropriately shaped and sized aperture 16, for receiving and releasably retaining an end of the tubular member 30, thereby WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -9 allowing for flow of liquid therethrough into the interior of the reservoir 10. The principle of operation of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be explained in more detail. 5 The reservoir 10, with feeder means 20 inserted therein in a snap-type fit, is located at the bottom of a plant pot or planter 1, with the reservoir 10 preferably being filled with water or the like liquid nutrient. The tubular member 30 is disposed within the plant pot or planter 1 as shown, for example in FIG. 1. Soil or humus 2 is then disposed within 10 the plant pot or planter 1, with a suitable plant or the like 3 also disposed therein. The soil or humus 2 acts to hold both the reservoir 10 (with associated feeder means 20), as well as the tubular member 30, within the plant pot or planter 1 in predetermined, desired locations. As shown the funnel or the like means 31 is adapted to be disposed on, or 15 extend from, the upper-most surface of the soil, humus or the like 2. The feeder means 20 may be filled with a suitable water or liquid transmitting substance, as for example soil, sand or the like. In an alternative, the feeder means 20 may contain a flexible wick of a suitable liquid absorbent material, adapted in use to allow for the 20 passage of water or the like liquid nutrient, in a controlled manner, from the reservoir 10 to the soil, humus or the like 2 and associated plant or plants 3 disposed within a given plant pot or planter 1. The arrangement is such that, in use, water or the like liquid nutrient is drawn from the reservoir 10, into the feeder means 20, and 25 then by capillary action travels to the soil or humus 2, to be absorbed ultimately by the plant 3 to enhance growing or maintain growth thereof. When the reservoir 10 needs replenishing, such can be achieved readily by pouring further water or the like nutrient into the tubular flexible member 30, via the funnel means or the like 31. 30 In an especially preferred embodiment, not shown, the funnel means 31 may have associated therewith a suitable closure means therefor. Such closure means, which may be in the form of a flap WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 - 10 member or the like hingedly or pivotably connected or attached to the upper-most portion of the funnel, serves a dual purpose. First of all, it prevents ingress of unwanted material, as for example insects such as mosquitos, into the reservoir itself. Secondly, it protects against the 5 possibility of over-filling of the reservoir, as from rain or the like. Turning now to the especially preferred embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 such involves, as well as the components/elements referred to and described earlier in this specification, a sheet or strip 35 of a suitable water-impermeable material adapted, in use, to be disposed 10 within the plant pot or planter 1 and to extend across the lateral or width dimension thereof. The sheet or strip 35 will preferably have at least one aperture 36 disposed substantially centrally thereof. The sheet or strip 35 may be formed from any suitable material, as for example a plastics material. 15 With particular reference to FIG. 11 the sheet or strip 35 will, in use, be disposed laterally of the plant pot or planter 1 and on top of the reservoir 10, such that soil, humus or any suitable growth medium 2 can be located thereon (within the plant pot or planter 1). The at least one aperture 36 is adapted to coincide with the top of the feeder means 20, 20 whereby to allow for free and uninterrupted passage of water or nutrient from the reservoir 10, via the feeder means 20, into the soil or humus 2. Preferably the free edges of the sheet or strip 35 which serve to de-limit the at least one aperture 36 may be disposed under the lip or flange 21 of the feeder means 20. 25 Preferably the sheet or strip 35 will be parallellapipedal in shape. It must be realised, however, that the shape and size of the sheet or strip 35, and the actual material of construction thereof, do not constitute part of the invention. In an especially preferred embodiment the sheet or strip 35 may have extending therethrough, in either a 30 random array or a pre-arranged pattern, a plurality of further small holes 37 for purposes of aeration, ventilation or the like.

WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -11 The sheet or strip 35, when appropriately disposed within a plant pot or planter 1 and in juxtaposition with the reservoir 10, forms an additional barrier to the passage of water or nutrient, thereby inhibiting at least to some extent the flow of water or nutrient due to capillary 5 action. By utilizing the apparatus in accordance with the present invention a replenishable, controlled flow means and method is provided for the provision of liquid nutrient to a plant (or plants) located within a given plant pot or planter. 10 It should be realised that the arrangement in accordance with the present invention may be made available in kit form, with or without an appropriately sized and shaped plant pot or planter. The present applicant's arrangement lends itself to ready location within an existing plant pot or planter, thereby to improve the operation thereof in terms of 15 providing an improved growth environment for a plant - of any given type - to be located therein. In the alternative, the apparatus in accordance with the invention may be marketed/purchased with its own particular plant pot or planter. Finally it is to be understood that the aforegoing description 20 refers merely to preferred embodiments of the present invention and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims.

Claims (39)

1. An improved cultivation system for plants, said system including: a tank, reservoir or the like adapted, in use, to be located 5 within a plant pot, planter or the like, said tank, reservoir or the like being adapted to receive and retain, for controlled distribution or transmission therefrom, a replenishable supply of water or other liquid nutrient; means associated with said tank, reservoir or the like and adapted to allow for said controlled transmission of liquid nutrient from 10 said tank, reservoir or the like to a growth medium for said plants housed within said plant pot, planter or the like; and means allowing for replenishment of said supply of liquid within said tank, reservoir or the like as and when desired.

2. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said tank, 15 reservoir or the like is in the form of a substantially cylindrical container made up of a base member, a top member and a circumferential side wall extending therebetween.

3. The system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said substantially cylindrical container is formed from a plastics material. 20

4. The system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said container is of an integral, one-piece construction.

5. The system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said top member is releasably affixable or attachable to said circumferential side wall of said container. 25

6. The system as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein said container includes a plurality of ribs or the like protrusions disposed at regular intervals about the periphery thereof, said ribs extending substantially radially across at least part of said base member.

7. The system as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said ribs 30 extend in an upward direction from said base member along the side wall of said container, along at least part of the height dimension thereof. WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -13

8. The system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said top member is shaped so as to be, when in place on said container, inclined downwardly towards said base member, said top member including an aperture or cavity, preferably circular in shape, disposed 5 substantially centrally thereof.

9. The system as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said central cavity is adapted to receive, and releasably retain, said means allowing for controlled transmission of liquid.

10. The system as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said means 10 allowing for transmission of liquid is in the form of a hollow member, preferably substantially frusto-conical in shape, open at at least one end thereof, said frusto-conical member being adapted to be located within said central aperture of said top member of said container and to extend downwardly into said container. 15

11. The system as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said substantially frusto-conical member includes a peripheral lip or flange at the upper-most free end thereof, said lip or flange being adapted, in use, to co-operate with the free edge of said cavity of said top member of said container such that said free edge constitutes a seating means 20 for said substantially frusto-conical member.

12. The system as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said frusto conical member further includes, on the outside surface thereof and spaced below said lip or flange, at least one sloped ramp extending around at least portion of the circumference thereof. 25

13. The system as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said frusto conical member includes two diametrically opposed external ramps, each extending around less than half the circumference thereof.

14. The system as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said frusto conical member includes at least one aperture in a wall thereof, to allow 30 for passage of liquid from said container thereinto, for passage by capillary action into said planter, plant pot or the like. WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -14

15. The system as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein said frusto-conical member includes at least two apertures in the lower most surface thereof, to allow for passage of liquid to and from said container. 5

16. The system as claimed in Claim 15, including means adapted in use to extend from said container to atmosphere above the surface of soil or the like disposed within said planter, plant pot or the like, whereby to allow for replenishment of said container with liquid.

17. The system as claimed in Claim 16, wherein said means 10 for replenishing is in the form of flexible tubing adapted to be releasably affixed to said container.

18. The system as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said tubing is connected to said container via an aperture provided at or in the vicinity of the peripheral edge portion of the top member thereof. 15

19. The system as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said tubing includes a shaped funnel member adapted to be releasably attachable to the free end thereof and to project above the surface of soil or the like growth medium housed within said planter, plant pot or the like, said funnel member including a cap means for closure thereof.

20 20. Apparatus for delivering a liquid nutrient to a cultivation medium for plants, said apparatus including: a reservoir for said liquid nutrient, adapted in use to be located within a plant pot, planter or the like; means associated with said reservoir and adapted to allow for controlled transmission of said liquid nutrient from said reservoir to said 25 cultivation medium; and means allowing for replenishing of said reservoir with further nutrient as and when desired.

21. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, wherein said reservoir is in the form of a substantially cylindrical container made up from a base member, a top member and a circumferential side wall 30 extending therebetween.

22. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, wherein said substantially cylindrical container is formed from a plastics material. WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -15

23. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 22, wherein said container is of an integral, one-piece construction.

24. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 23, wherein said top member is releasably affixable or attachable to said circumferential side 5 wall of said container.

25. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 23 or Claim 24, wherein said container includes a plurality of ribs or the like protrusions disposed at regular intervals about the periphery thereof, said ribs extending substantially radially across at least part of said base 10 member.

26. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, wherein said ribs extend in an upward direction from said base member along the side wall of said container, along at least part of the height dimension thereof. 15

27. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 26, wherein said top member is shaped so as to be, when in place on said container, inclined downwardly towards the base member, said top member including an aperture or cavity, preferably circular in shape, disposed substantially centrally thereof. 20

28. The system as claimed in Claim 27, wherein said central cavity is adapted to receive, and releasably retain, said means allowing for controlled transmission of liquid.

29. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 28, wherein said means allowing for transmission of liquid is in the form of a hollow 25 member, preferably substantially frusto-conical in shape, open at at least one end thereof, said frusto-conical member being adapted to be located within said central aperture of said top member of said container and to extend downwardly into said container.

30. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 29, wherein said 30 substantially frusto-conical member includes a peripheral lip or flange at the upper-most free end thereof, said lip or flange being adapted, in use, to co-operate with the free edge of said cavity of said top member WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -16 of said container such that said free edge constitutes a seating means for said substantially frusto-conical member.

31. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 30, wherein said frusto-conical member further includes, on the outside surface thereof 5 and spaced below said lip or flange, at least one sloped ramp extending around at least portion of the circumference thereof.

32. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 31, wherein said frusto-conical member includes two diametrically opposed external ramps, each extending around less than half the circumference thereof. 10

33. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 32, wherein said frusto-conical member includes at least one aperture in a wall thereof, to allow for passage of liquid from said container thereinto, for passage by capillary action into the planter, plant pot or the like.

34. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 33, wherein said 15 frusto-conical member includes at least two apertures in the lower-most surface thereof, to allow for passage of liquid to and from said container.

35. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 34, including means adapted in use to extend from said container to atmosphere above the 20 surface of soil or the like disposed within said planter, plant pot or the like, whereby to allow for replenishment of said container with liquid.

36. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 35, wherein said means for replenishing is in the form of flexible tubing adapted to be releasably affixed to said container. 25

37. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 36, wherein said tubing is connected to said container via an aperture provided at or in the vicinity of the top member thereof.

38 The apparatus as claimed in Claim 37, wherein said tubing includes a shaped funnel member adapted to be releasably 30 attachable to the free end thereof and to project above the surface of soil or the like growth medium housed within said planter, plant pot or the like, said funnel member including a cap means for closure thereof. WO 00/72661 PCT/AU00/00493 -17

39. A planter, plant pot or the like, including a cultivation system for plants as claimed in Claim 1 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 20.