CA1195118A - Method and system for transplanting seedlings - Google Patents

Method and system for transplanting seedlings

Info

Publication number
CA1195118A
CA1195118A CA000423452A CA423452A CA1195118A CA 1195118 A CA1195118 A CA 1195118A CA 000423452 A CA000423452 A CA 000423452A CA 423452 A CA423452 A CA 423452A CA 1195118 A CA1195118 A CA 1195118A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
growing medium
frozen
plant
ground
mold
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000423452A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Edward Thompson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA000423452A priority Critical patent/CA1195118A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1195118A publication Critical patent/CA1195118A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01CPLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
    • A01C21/00Methods of fertilising, sowing or planting
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01CPLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
    • A01C11/00Transplanting machines
    • A01C11/02Transplanting machines for seedlings

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A method of planting a seedling or seed comprises encapsulating the plant within a growing medium that is molded into a generally conical shape. The growing medium is then frozen so that growth of the plant is then halted and a rigid growing medium is obtained. This may then be stored under controlled conditions until ready for planting. To plant the frozen growing medium, it is projected towards the ground at high velocity whilst imparting a spin to the growing medium so that penetration is obtained. A spike is provided in the growing medium to assist in penetration. Once inserted in the ground, the growing medium thaws and growth of the plant continues.

Description

~95~

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for planting and to a transplantation system for use with such apparatus.
The planting of seeds or seedlings has been mechanized to a large extent in agriculture. However, attempts to utilise mechanical planting techniques in silvi culture have not met with great success. In general the terrain in which trees are planted is very rugged and generally inaccessible to mechanized planters. Further the ruggedness of the terrain prohibits the use of the conventional planters which depend upon controlled conditions for their use. Consequently the planting of trees and similar seedlings in remote areas tends to be a labour intensive procedure in which the trees are essentially planted by hand.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantages.
According therefore to the present invention there is provided a method of planting comprising the steps of forming a growing medium containing a plant into a generally conical shape, freezing said growing medium to inhibit further growth of said plant and maintain said growing medium in said conical shape, projecting said frozen growing medium into the soil so that the conical shape of said growing medium causes penetration of the ground and subsequently permitting thawing of said growing medium to permit continued growth of said plant.
~ ccording also to the present invention there is provided a transplantation system comprising a germinated plant at least partially contained within a growing medium, said
- 2 - ~ .

~L95~

growing medium having a generally conical shape with its apex directed opposite to the direction of growth of said plant, said system being frozen to inhibit growth of said plant and rigidify said growing medium for penetration into the ground.
According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a mold for forming a growing medium into a predetermined shape, said mold having a generally conical shape with helical grooves on its internal surface.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for planting a cone-shaped frozen growing medium containing a plant, said apparatus comprising an air supply connected to an ejection tube of internal diameter corresponding to the diameter of said growing medium said ejection tube having rifling on the interior thereof to impart spin to said frozen growing medium.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective side view of a planting mold.
Figure 2 is a view of the planting mold bottom.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of mold of Figure 1 in use.
Figure 4 is a side view showing a frozen semi-germinated seed capsule removed from mold.
Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing a seedling and protective wire arrangement in mold.
Figure 6 is a side view showing the seedling capsule of Figure 5 removed from ooldO

.~ ,, ~19S~

Figure 7 is a sectional view showing pneumatic machine accepting and spin delivering frozen capsule down to earth below.
Figure 8 is an enlarged section showing inner spine arrangement in final section of transmission tube to create final spin of capsule.
Figure 9 is a view of the end of a final tube section.
Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view showing seedling capsule spun-planted into uneven, unworked soilO
A capsule 20 for storage and planting is created in the following manner. Molds 1 having a generally conical shape are provided with helical grooves ~ on their internal surface 24.
~n aperture 26 is provided adjacent the apex of the mold 20 to receive a spike 5 figure 3. The generatrix of the mold 1 is an elongate S-shape to provide a convex exterior surface that transforms to a concave surface adjacent the apex. Into each of the molds 1 as shown in Figure 1, is placed a small amount of growing medium 3, a common one and one quarter inch (1 1/4") spiral iron nail 5, inserted into the growing medium and extending partially through the aperture 26 of the mold. Seed 7 and biodegradable string 4 are placed into the mold 1. The mold 1 is then filled with growing medium 3 and the moisture and temperature are maintained in this medium at predetermined levels. Excess moisture is allowed to escape between the mold face and the common nail 5O The seed is allowed to develop to approximately sixty-six per cent (66~) of its germination process. At this point, the total mold and its contents are frozen at 15 F into a solid mass. Some heat is then applied to 11~351~

the exterior of the mold 20 to permit the removaL o~ the frozen capsule 20 containing growing medium, seed, spore, nail and string from the mold. ~he string aids in drawing the first and adjoining capsules from their molds in chain like fashion and remains attached. The strung capsules are placed in suitable containers and stored in a freezing environment in this state and shape, i.e. 15 F.
The capsules 20 conform to the internal shape of the mold 1 and so have flights 28 on the exterior surface.
To plant the capsules 20, they are transported in a frozen state to the area where they a~e to be planted. The capsules 20 are separated while still frozen, by cutting string 4 and they are then drawn into inlet opening 10 of the planter shown in Figure 7 and into ejection tube 11. A high speed air fan 9 creates a vacuum at the inlet opening 10 to draw capsule 3 or 3A into the ejection tube. The rushing downward air then drives the capsule down tube 11 around bends llA if required, into rifling cylinder 12 whose interior walls have helical splines 2B which protrude into the cylinder at an increasing rate of from zero (0) revolutions at the top to one (1) revolution per foot at the base over a tube 12 which is approximately thirty inch (30") in length. The capsule 20 which is blown into cylinder 12, has corresponding protruding flights 28, created in the original mold 2. These twist to the base of the frozen capsule 20 as the capsule is blown through cylinder 12. The splines 2B and flights 28 spin the capsule 3 so that it emerges from the bottom of tube 12 at approximately forty-four feet per second creating a spin of approximately 2000 revolutions per minute, giving directional stabilityO Downward ~-~'3S~

speed and revolutions per minute are adjusted by air speed created by fan 8. AS the whole of the planter and the base of the tube 12 travels some distance above the area to be planted, the spinning capsules 20 strike the earth 13 nail and bottom first, and the flights 28 act as an auger to bury the capsule to a desired depth again controlled by the speed and spin created by fan 9 and maintained by the weight of the frozen root mass.
The planter may be mounted in an all terrain vehicle or may be mounted in an aircraft where desirable.
Seedling capsules Figs. 5 and 6 may be created in the same described way, except that they would be previously allowed to germinate and grow to seedling size as indicated at 7A Figure 5. The capsules 20 include the spiral nail, growing medium string, and an additional inverted U-shaped protective iron wire 6, inserted into the growing medium and fused into the growing medium to protect the seedling once frozen, along with the growing medium, spiral mail, string and seedling. This seedling capsule is then removed from the mold and stored frozen in the same manner as previously described for see spore capsule.
An advantage o~ this invention over present methods is that it allows for extended storage time, as the seed spore or seedling remain dormant and rigid while frozen, and neither moisture nor root base material is lost whereas present transplanting methods require the quick transfer from the nursery area to the final planting site to cut down on moisture and root base material loss.

,.

~35~

The present method also allows the seed spore or seedling to continue growing during this transition period, and allows air to ~each the seedling roots.
The interconnecting string arrangement is an advantage in drawing the capsules from their frozen storage container, and also, while still attached 3A, in separating the capsules and dropping each into a pneumatic planting device as shown in Figure 7.
Lateral spacing is achieved by spacing two or more rifling tubes 12 Fig. 8 at equidistant intervals. Forward spaciny is achieved by the rate of drop per foot travelled giving a uniform planting pattern.
Another advantage is that once the seed spore capsule or the seedling capsule has penetrated the soil, the frozen capsule body begins to thaw, instant moisture is released and seed spore and seedling come out of their dormant state still in the original growing medium immediately and begin to set their roots into the new earth.
Still another advantage from an environmental standpoint, is that the iron spiral nail 5 at the base of the capsule and the protective U~shaped hoop 6 will begin to rust away entirely. The string also decays leaving only the plant to grow in the soil.

~`

Claims (17)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method of planting comprising the steps of forming a growing medium containing a plant into a generally conical shape, freezing said growing medium to inhibit further growth of said plant and maintain said growing medium in said conical shape, projecting said frozen growing medium into the soil so that the conical shape of said growing medium causes penetration or the ground and subsequently permitting thawing of said growing medium to permit continued growth of said plant.
2. The method of claim 1 including the step of spinning said growing medium as it is projected into the ground to assist in penetration of said ground.
3. The method of claim 2 including the step of providing external helical flights on said growing medium to enhance penetration of said growing medium.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said growing medium is formed into said conical shape in a mold.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein a protective hoop extends from said growing medium to protect a plant in said medium, said hoop being retained in said growing medium during freezing thereof.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said planting medium is frozen in a mold.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein an elongate spike is inserted in said mold prior to said growing medium so as to project from the apex of said conical shape, said spike being retained in said growing medium during freezing.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein a string is inserted in said mold to pass through said growing medium and facilitate extraction of said frozen growing medium from said mold.
9. A method according to claim 8 including the step of spinning said frozen growing medium as it is projected into the ground.
10. A method according to claim 9 including the step of molding a plurality of helical flights onto said frozen growing medium to assist in penetration of the ground.
11. A method according to claim 10 including the step of engaging said flights with corresponding rifling in a tube as said frozen growing medium is projected toward the ground to impart spin to the growing medium.
12. A transplantation system comprising a germinated plant at least partially contained within a growing medium, said growing medium having a generally conical shpae with its apex directed opposite to the direction of growth of said plant, said system being frozen to inhibit growth of said plant and rigidify said growing medium for penetration into the ground.
13. A system according to claim 12 wherein a spike projects from the apex of said cone along the axis thereof.
14. A system according to claim 13 wherein generally helical flights are provided on the exterior of said frozen growing medium.
15. A system according to claim 14 wherein said spike is provided with helical formations of the same hand as said flights.
16. A system according to claim 15 wherein a length of string is embedded in said growing medium and projects from diametrically opposed areas of the base of said cone.
17. A system according to claim 16 wherein a projective hoop projects outwardly from said base.
CA000423452A 1983-03-11 1983-03-11 Method and system for transplanting seedlings Expired CA1195118A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000423452A CA1195118A (en) 1983-03-11 1983-03-11 Method and system for transplanting seedlings

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000423452A CA1195118A (en) 1983-03-11 1983-03-11 Method and system for transplanting seedlings

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1195118A true CA1195118A (en) 1985-10-15

Family

ID=4124769

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000423452A Expired CA1195118A (en) 1983-03-11 1983-03-11 Method and system for transplanting seedlings

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1195118A (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2646053A1 (en) * 1989-04-24 1990-10-26 Ferrand Claude Device for installing and automatically positioning plants
WO1990012491A1 (en) * 1989-04-24 1990-11-01 Claude Ferrand Device for the automatic setting in place and positioning of plants
EP0729697A1 (en) * 1995-02-28 1996-09-04 Van den Eynde, Willy Machine for planting sprigs
WO2010048717A1 (en) * 2008-10-31 2010-05-06 David Larsen Seed and plant growth medium module
WO2010078534A1 (en) * 2009-01-05 2010-07-08 Energy Performance Systems, Inc. Planting structure and methods
USD951133S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-05-10 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with soil anchor
USD951136S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-05-10 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with soil anchor
USD951134S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-05-10 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with soil anchor
USD951132S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-05-10 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with soil anchor
USD963515S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-09-13 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with integral soil anchor
USD963516S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-09-13 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with integral soil anchor

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1990012491A1 (en) * 1989-04-24 1990-11-01 Claude Ferrand Device for the automatic setting in place and positioning of plants
US5241917A (en) * 1989-04-24 1993-09-07 Claude Ferrand Device for the automatic setting in place and positioning of plants
FR2646053A1 (en) * 1989-04-24 1990-10-26 Ferrand Claude Device for installing and automatically positioning plants
EP0729697A1 (en) * 1995-02-28 1996-09-04 Van den Eynde, Willy Machine for planting sprigs
BE1009161A3 (en) * 1995-02-28 1996-12-03 Den Eynde Willy Van Machine for planting of cutting plants.
US8458955B2 (en) * 2008-10-31 2013-06-11 David Larsen Seed and plant growth medium module
WO2010048717A1 (en) * 2008-10-31 2010-05-06 David Larsen Seed and plant growth medium module
US20110162270A1 (en) * 2008-10-31 2011-07-07 David Larsen Seed and plant growth medium module
WO2010078534A1 (en) * 2009-01-05 2010-07-08 Energy Performance Systems, Inc. Planting structure and methods
USD951133S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-05-10 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with soil anchor
USD951136S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-05-10 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with soil anchor
USD951134S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-05-10 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with soil anchor
USD951132S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-05-10 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with soil anchor
USD963515S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-09-13 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with integral soil anchor
USD963516S1 (en) 2020-05-11 2022-09-13 Gerald Johnson Flowerpot with integral soil anchor

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