CA2136036A1 - Moisture stabilized plant product - Google Patents
Moisture stabilized plant productInfo
- Publication number
- CA2136036A1 CA2136036A1 CA 2136036 CA2136036A CA2136036A1 CA 2136036 A1 CA2136036 A1 CA 2136036A1 CA 2136036 CA2136036 CA 2136036 CA 2136036 A CA2136036 A CA 2136036A CA 2136036 A1 CA2136036 A1 CA 2136036A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- glycerine
- moss
- subject plant
- solution
- plant
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A plant organism, preferably sphagnum moss or reindeer moss is stabilized against dusting while maintaining its water absorption characteristics using glycerine, sprayed onto the moss as an undiluted mist or as a solution of glycerine in water, with less than 15% by weight of glycerine. Undiluted glycerine is sprayed onto sphagnum moss in an amount of 0.9 kg or less per kg of moss, and onto reindeer moss at about 2/3 that rate. The solution is sprayed onto the plant material in a sufficient quantity to supply at least the same amount of glycerine, with excess quantities being removed by squeezing or evaporation. The resultant product is resistant to the degeneration into dust that is characteristic of untreated moss, while the water absorption properties of the moss are retained. The products are useful in horticulture, in floral applications and most other applications where the dry material has been used in the past.
A plant organism, preferably sphagnum moss or reindeer moss is stabilized against dusting while maintaining its water absorption characteristics using glycerine, sprayed onto the moss as an undiluted mist or as a solution of glycerine in water, with less than 15% by weight of glycerine. Undiluted glycerine is sprayed onto sphagnum moss in an amount of 0.9 kg or less per kg of moss, and onto reindeer moss at about 2/3 that rate. The solution is sprayed onto the plant material in a sufficient quantity to supply at least the same amount of glycerine, with excess quantities being removed by squeezing or evaporation. The resultant product is resistant to the degeneration into dust that is characteristic of untreated moss, while the water absorption properties of the moss are retained. The products are useful in horticulture, in floral applications and most other applications where the dry material has been used in the past.
Description
" ~
MOISTURE STABILIZED PLANT PRODUCT
FLELD OF THE INVENTION
~ . . }
The present invention relates to the treatment of certain plant organisms, particularly certain musci and lichens, to maintain their structural ; ~ , s properties.
BACKGROUND
Plant organisms of the type in question include mosses and Iichens that are widely used as moisture retainers and as decorative material both in horticulture and by florists. They are also used as bedding and litter for pets and livestock. However, these organisms have a tendency to dry ` i~`
out rapidly and to degenerate into dust. Because of this tendency, they are not used as widely as might otherwise be the case. For the sake of convenience, these organisms will be referred to collectively as the "subject .-~
plants" .
Of the mosses, sphagnum moss is particularly useful as it has .'':`~,'!'.~.,~the ability to pick up and release repeatedly up to 20 times its dry weight in water. The sphagnum moss plant also contains sphagnol, which is a phenolic compound with antiseptic properties. This acts as an inherent preservative, inhibiting the biological degeneration of the moss, although not 20 its physical crumbling. Another organism of particular interest is the lichen commonly known as reindeer moss.
The present invention is concerned with inhibiting the degeneration of the subject plants into dust while retaining their moisture absorption properties. ~,,.,~,'"'!
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a moisture stabilizing agent for the a subject plant, comprising a solution of glycerine in water, the glycerine being present in an amount not more than 15% by weight.
~ 2 1 3 6 0 3 6 lt has been found that using more than 15 % by weight of glycerine in the solution wi!l cause wilting and limpness and will inhibit the subject plant's moisture absorption properties. It has been found that subject plants treated with a 15% or less solution is resistant to the physical 5 crumbling and dusting that occurs with the natural product while maintaining a large water absorption ability.
The glycerine used may be a crude glycerine, preferably including less than 20% impurity. Impurities that have been found acceptable are metal salts, fatty acids, mono- and di-glycerides and water o With an impure glycerine, unacceptable odors may be present and an appropriate odor suppressant may be added to the solution. It is also possible to add a dye as a tracer to show the mixing of the agent during its processing.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is 15 provided a method of stabilizing the structure of a subject plant, comprisingcontacting the plant with a solution of glycerine in water, the solution containing no more than 15% by weight of glycerine.
Preferably the solution is sprayed onto the plant as the plant is being agitated gently. The plant then may be compressed to remove excess 20 quantities of the solution.
, ~
Before treating the plant, it may be dried or moistened as ~ ~ ~
. .
necessary to a slightly damp state. `;
After treatment of the plant, it is preferably allowed to rest ` `
while exposed to the air, until its weight, structural appearance and "feel"
25 stabilize. A loss of weight occurs during stabilization and can be attributedto the evaporation of water. ~ :
- . .
To treat 1 kg of sphagnum moss that is barely dry to the touch takes approximately 6.9 kg of a 13% by weight glycerine in water solution when the excess solution is drained. This equates to approximately 0.9 kg `
~,:
of undiluted glycerine per kg of moss. This amount, or less, of undiluted glycerine may be sprayed directly onto the moss as a mist, as the moss is ~ ~ :
tumbled gently in order to achieve the objectives of the invention.
Other plants may use different amounts of glycerine for -- -s effective treatment. For example, reindeer moss will take about 2/3 the amount of glycerine used to treat an equivalent weight of sphagnum moss. ',' `~',' !',',~:~'`
Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of stabilizing the structure of a subject plant, comprising spraying the plant with glycerine in a selected amount of 10 undiluted glycerine.
With sphagnum moss, no more than 0.9 kg of glycerine per kg of moss is used. Preferably, the moss is well fluffed before spraying, and is ~-tumbled gently during the spraying.
.:, .~ . .~
The glycerine used for direct spraying has a preferred specific 15 gravity of 1.25.
The direct spraying technique eliminates the need to drain excess solution and to evaporate excess moisture to stabilize the product. .
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is .-~
provided a treated subject plant produced by one of the above processes.
The properties of the subject plants that are to be maintained according to the present invention are physical properties including structural integrity and water retention. Structural integrity provides resistance to crumbling and dusting. Water retention is one of the primary . ~ . .
25 useful characteristics of moss, especially in horticulture. Because the , -..
subject plants may be used in this environment, it is preferred to avoid the use of chemical preservatives, such as formaldehyde. Consequently, :
sphagnum moss, which contains the natural preservative compound ~ ~ ~
:: . '::
. . - .. ~.
- 4~
sphagnol is an especially suitable moss to be used for the present purposes.
The lichen known as reindeer moss is another particularly desirable material. ''~'`~"'''.'",'``':1"'`"
To treat the subject plants, water and glycerine are mixed to produce a solution of up to 15% by weight. Glycerine, in both purified and ~-crude forms, has been used successfully. Crude glycerine of between 83 ; - - -~
and 90% purity is preferred because it is considerably less expensive. The , impurities in crude glycerine inciude iron and nickel salts, fatty acids, mono- `~
and di-glycerides and water. The crude glycerine is a dark brown viscous liquid with a characteristic tallow odor. It has a specific gravity of -approximately 1.25 at 25C. The volatility of the glycerine is low. ~ .
It has been found that a solution using in excess of 15% by `
weight of glycerine is unsatisfactory as it causes the subject plants to wilt, :
that is to become limp. It has been found that the wilted subject plants will .,: .
not absorb moisture like the natural product. With subject plants treated with a solution of greater than 15% glycerine in water it appears that the ~ --product takes up moisture primarily as surface moisture. The moisture absorbing capacity has been observed to be considerably less than with untreated subject plants or with subject plants treated with a 15% or less ~ ~
glycerine solution. ~ ~-. . , , ,~,; .
Before treatment the subject plant is either dried or wetted so that it is barely damp to the touch.
The subject plant is then treated by spraying on the solution as the plant is gently tumbled or agitated. Once the plant is uniformly contacted with liquid, the spray is stopped. The plant may then be compressed or squeezed to remove excess liquid.
After treatment, the subject plant is allowed to rest for a time until its weight, structural appearance and feel stabilize. The stabilized plantfeels slightly darnp. Structurally, it is has some rigidity, but is not friable : -: ~ :.,- .
and does not break down easily into dust when handled. The treated : ~ -product remains highly water absorbent.
In some tests, green dye was incorporated into the treatment ~ -solution to act as a tracer, providing a visible indication of the treatment 5liquid distribution. The dye also provides a decorative function in some - !
applications. .-~,,r "p~
Because of the distinct odor of crude glycerine, odor suppressants were used in some test batches and were found to be effective.
o An alternative to treating the subject plan~ with a glycerine .,. .~ . ,.- ~solution is misting with undiluted glycerine. For treating sphagnum moss, ~- u the glycerine is used in an amount of ~).9 kg of glycerine at a specific ~-gravity of 1.25 per kg of barely dry moss. Before misting, the moss is well . ~. r fluffed. During misting, the moss is tumbled gently through the mist. The lS results are equivalent to those described above, but no post-treatment draining or evaporation is required. ~ -The same technique, using different amounts of glycerine is applicable to other subject plants. Fluffing and tumbling will vary according to the kind of material treated. For example, reindeer moss that is to remain 20 structurally intact will not be broken up by fluffing before spraying.
.,
MOISTURE STABILIZED PLANT PRODUCT
FLELD OF THE INVENTION
~ . . }
The present invention relates to the treatment of certain plant organisms, particularly certain musci and lichens, to maintain their structural ; ~ , s properties.
BACKGROUND
Plant organisms of the type in question include mosses and Iichens that are widely used as moisture retainers and as decorative material both in horticulture and by florists. They are also used as bedding and litter for pets and livestock. However, these organisms have a tendency to dry ` i~`
out rapidly and to degenerate into dust. Because of this tendency, they are not used as widely as might otherwise be the case. For the sake of convenience, these organisms will be referred to collectively as the "subject .-~
plants" .
Of the mosses, sphagnum moss is particularly useful as it has .'':`~,'!'.~.,~the ability to pick up and release repeatedly up to 20 times its dry weight in water. The sphagnum moss plant also contains sphagnol, which is a phenolic compound with antiseptic properties. This acts as an inherent preservative, inhibiting the biological degeneration of the moss, although not 20 its physical crumbling. Another organism of particular interest is the lichen commonly known as reindeer moss.
The present invention is concerned with inhibiting the degeneration of the subject plants into dust while retaining their moisture absorption properties. ~,,.,~,'"'!
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a moisture stabilizing agent for the a subject plant, comprising a solution of glycerine in water, the glycerine being present in an amount not more than 15% by weight.
~ 2 1 3 6 0 3 6 lt has been found that using more than 15 % by weight of glycerine in the solution wi!l cause wilting and limpness and will inhibit the subject plant's moisture absorption properties. It has been found that subject plants treated with a 15% or less solution is resistant to the physical 5 crumbling and dusting that occurs with the natural product while maintaining a large water absorption ability.
The glycerine used may be a crude glycerine, preferably including less than 20% impurity. Impurities that have been found acceptable are metal salts, fatty acids, mono- and di-glycerides and water o With an impure glycerine, unacceptable odors may be present and an appropriate odor suppressant may be added to the solution. It is also possible to add a dye as a tracer to show the mixing of the agent during its processing.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is 15 provided a method of stabilizing the structure of a subject plant, comprisingcontacting the plant with a solution of glycerine in water, the solution containing no more than 15% by weight of glycerine.
Preferably the solution is sprayed onto the plant as the plant is being agitated gently. The plant then may be compressed to remove excess 20 quantities of the solution.
, ~
Before treating the plant, it may be dried or moistened as ~ ~ ~
. .
necessary to a slightly damp state. `;
After treatment of the plant, it is preferably allowed to rest ` `
while exposed to the air, until its weight, structural appearance and "feel"
25 stabilize. A loss of weight occurs during stabilization and can be attributedto the evaporation of water. ~ :
- . .
To treat 1 kg of sphagnum moss that is barely dry to the touch takes approximately 6.9 kg of a 13% by weight glycerine in water solution when the excess solution is drained. This equates to approximately 0.9 kg `
~,:
of undiluted glycerine per kg of moss. This amount, or less, of undiluted glycerine may be sprayed directly onto the moss as a mist, as the moss is ~ ~ :
tumbled gently in order to achieve the objectives of the invention.
Other plants may use different amounts of glycerine for -- -s effective treatment. For example, reindeer moss will take about 2/3 the amount of glycerine used to treat an equivalent weight of sphagnum moss. ',' `~',' !',',~:~'`
Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of stabilizing the structure of a subject plant, comprising spraying the plant with glycerine in a selected amount of 10 undiluted glycerine.
With sphagnum moss, no more than 0.9 kg of glycerine per kg of moss is used. Preferably, the moss is well fluffed before spraying, and is ~-tumbled gently during the spraying.
.:, .~ . .~
The glycerine used for direct spraying has a preferred specific 15 gravity of 1.25.
The direct spraying technique eliminates the need to drain excess solution and to evaporate excess moisture to stabilize the product. .
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is .-~
provided a treated subject plant produced by one of the above processes.
The properties of the subject plants that are to be maintained according to the present invention are physical properties including structural integrity and water retention. Structural integrity provides resistance to crumbling and dusting. Water retention is one of the primary . ~ . .
25 useful characteristics of moss, especially in horticulture. Because the , -..
subject plants may be used in this environment, it is preferred to avoid the use of chemical preservatives, such as formaldehyde. Consequently, :
sphagnum moss, which contains the natural preservative compound ~ ~ ~
:: . '::
. . - .. ~.
- 4~
sphagnol is an especially suitable moss to be used for the present purposes.
The lichen known as reindeer moss is another particularly desirable material. ''~'`~"'''.'",'``':1"'`"
To treat the subject plants, water and glycerine are mixed to produce a solution of up to 15% by weight. Glycerine, in both purified and ~-crude forms, has been used successfully. Crude glycerine of between 83 ; - - -~
and 90% purity is preferred because it is considerably less expensive. The , impurities in crude glycerine inciude iron and nickel salts, fatty acids, mono- `~
and di-glycerides and water. The crude glycerine is a dark brown viscous liquid with a characteristic tallow odor. It has a specific gravity of -approximately 1.25 at 25C. The volatility of the glycerine is low. ~ .
It has been found that a solution using in excess of 15% by `
weight of glycerine is unsatisfactory as it causes the subject plants to wilt, :
that is to become limp. It has been found that the wilted subject plants will .,: .
not absorb moisture like the natural product. With subject plants treated with a solution of greater than 15% glycerine in water it appears that the ~ --product takes up moisture primarily as surface moisture. The moisture absorbing capacity has been observed to be considerably less than with untreated subject plants or with subject plants treated with a 15% or less ~ ~
glycerine solution. ~ ~-. . , , ,~,; .
Before treatment the subject plant is either dried or wetted so that it is barely damp to the touch.
The subject plant is then treated by spraying on the solution as the plant is gently tumbled or agitated. Once the plant is uniformly contacted with liquid, the spray is stopped. The plant may then be compressed or squeezed to remove excess liquid.
After treatment, the subject plant is allowed to rest for a time until its weight, structural appearance and feel stabilize. The stabilized plantfeels slightly darnp. Structurally, it is has some rigidity, but is not friable : -: ~ :.,- .
and does not break down easily into dust when handled. The treated : ~ -product remains highly water absorbent.
In some tests, green dye was incorporated into the treatment ~ -solution to act as a tracer, providing a visible indication of the treatment 5liquid distribution. The dye also provides a decorative function in some - !
applications. .-~,,r "p~
Because of the distinct odor of crude glycerine, odor suppressants were used in some test batches and were found to be effective.
o An alternative to treating the subject plan~ with a glycerine .,. .~ . ,.- ~solution is misting with undiluted glycerine. For treating sphagnum moss, ~- u the glycerine is used in an amount of ~).9 kg of glycerine at a specific ~-gravity of 1.25 per kg of barely dry moss. Before misting, the moss is well . ~. r fluffed. During misting, the moss is tumbled gently through the mist. The lS results are equivalent to those described above, but no post-treatment draining or evaporation is required. ~ -The same technique, using different amounts of glycerine is applicable to other subject plants. Fluffing and tumbling will vary according to the kind of material treated. For example, reindeer moss that is to remain 20 structurally intact will not be broken up by fluffing before spraying.
.,
Claims (24)
1. A moisture stabilizing agent for a subject plant, comprising a solution of glycerine in water, the glycerine being present in an amount not more than 15 % by weight.
2. An agent according to Claim 1 including, as impurities in the glycerine, less than 20% by weight of a mixture of metal salts, fatty acids, and mono- and di-glycerides.
3. An agent according to Claim 2 including an odor suppressant.
4. An agent according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 including a dye.
5. A method of stabilizing the structure of a subject plant, comprising contacting the subject plant with a solution of glycerine in water, the solution containing no more than 15% by weight of glycerine.
6. A method according to Claim 5 wherein the step of contacting the subject plant with the solution comprises agitating the subject plant while spraying the solution onto the subject plant.
7. A method according to Claim 5 including the subsequent step of compressing the subject plant to remove excess liquid.
8. A method according to Claim 5, 6 or 7 including the preliminary step of altering the moisture context of the subject plant to provide a selected moisture content.
9. A method according to Claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the solution contains impurities in the glycerine in an amount less than 20% by weight, the impurities comprising metal salts, fatty acids, mono- and di-glycerides.
10. A method according to Claim 9 wherein the solution contains an odor suppressant.
11. A method according to Claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the solution contains a dye and including the step of monitoring the distribution of the dye in the subject plant as the subject plant is being contacted with the solution.
12. A method according to Claim 5, 6 or 7 including the subsequent step of allowing the subject plant to rest exposed to atmosphere until the weight of the subject plant has stabilized.
13. A method according to Claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the subject plant is sphagnum moss.
14. A method according to Claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the subject plant is reindeer moss.
15. A method of stabilizing the structure of a subject plant, comprising spraying the subject plant with glycerine in a selected ratio by weight to the amount of plant being treated.
16. A method according to Claim 15 wherein the subject plant is sphagnum moss and the glycerine is used in an amount no more than 0.9 kg of glycerine per kg of moss.
17. A method according to Claim 16 comprising the preliminary step of fluffing the subject plant.
18. A method according to Claim 15, 16 or 17 including tumbling the subject plant during the spraying step.
19. A product comprising sphagnum moss treated according to the method of Claim 5, 6 or 7.
20. A product comprising sphagnum moss treated according to the method of Claim 15, 16 or 17.
21. A product comprising sphagnum moss with glycerine distributed substantially uniformly therethrough in an amount sufficient to sustain the structural integrity and water retaining properties of the moss.
22. A product comprising reindeer moss treated according to the method of Claim 5, 6 or 7.
23. A product comprising reindeer moss treated according to the method of Claim 15, 16 or 17.
24. A product comprising reindeer moss with glycerine distributed substantially uniformly therethrough in an amount sufficient to sustain the structural integrity and water retaining properties of the reindeer moss.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US15398793A | 1993-11-18 | 1993-11-18 | |
| US153,987 | 1993-11-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2136036A1 true CA2136036A1 (en) | 1995-05-19 |
Family
ID=22549554
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2136036 Abandoned CA2136036A1 (en) | 1993-11-18 | 1994-11-17 | Moisture stabilized plant product |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2136036A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006061535A2 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2006-06-15 | Fonds De Developpement Des Filieres Des Oleagineux Et Proteagineux (Fidop) | Use of glycerol as an anti-moss and/or anti-lichen agent |
| RU2786496C2 (en) * | 2021-06-08 | 2022-12-21 | Елена Александровна Коган | Method for preservation and coloring of mosses and lichens with giving glow in dark |
-
1994
- 1994-11-17 CA CA 2136036 patent/CA2136036A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006061535A2 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2006-06-15 | Fonds De Developpement Des Filieres Des Oleagineux Et Proteagineux (Fidop) | Use of glycerol as an anti-moss and/or anti-lichen agent |
| WO2006061535A3 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2006-10-05 | Proteagineux Fidop Fonds De De | Use of glycerol as an anti-moss and/or anti-lichen agent |
| RU2786496C2 (en) * | 2021-06-08 | 2022-12-21 | Елена Александровна Коган | Method for preservation and coloring of mosses and lichens with giving glow in dark |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP1424891B1 (en) | Multi-layer adjuvants for controlled delivery of agro-materials into plant tissues | |
| DE2927994C2 (en) | ||
| AU2002329024A1 (en) | Multi-layer adjuvants for controlled delivery of agro-materials into plant tissues | |
| DE3835592A1 (en) | INSECTICIDES | |
| EP3071033B1 (en) | Use of hydroxyapatite as a carrier of bioactive substances for treating grapevine trunk diseases | |
| CN108576199A (en) | A kind of fresh-keeping compounding method of grape fruit picking | |
| Mondal et al. | Effect of urea, CaCO3, and dolomite on pseudothecial development and ascospore production of Mycosphaerella citri | |
| US2392518A (en) | Plant stimulants and methods of making them | |
| US3678621A (en) | Horticultural method for giving seeds, plants and harvested items hygroscopic character during arid condition | |
| CA2136036A1 (en) | Moisture stabilized plant product | |
| Blavia et al. | Materials for stabilizing surface clods of cropped soils | |
| RU2112378C1 (en) | WATER-ABSORBING PAPER OR NONWOVEN FABRIC FOR CONVERSION OF PLANT SLICE eDECOLORIZATION TO METHOD OF PLANT SLICE SURFACE BLEACHING PREVENTION | |
| US5459121A (en) | Method of using sorbitol or xylitol for plant water loss reducing agent | |
| US3632514A (en) | Sawdust material with quaternary ammonium halide odor-retardant | |
| KR200255466Y1 (en) | A ethylene generating kit for removal of astringency or softening of persimmon | |
| BR112021012534A2 (en) | PERMANENT ECOLOGICAL FERTILIZER AGAINST PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS AND PESTS IN FRUIT | |
| US3388992A (en) | Method of reducing plant transpiration | |
| RU2804372C2 (en) | Sustainable environmentally friendly fertilizer designed to combat pests and physiological disorders of fruit | |
| JPH01172302A (en) | Granular chloropicrin preparation for soil disinfection and production thereof | |
| US3970443A (en) | Cycloheximide-cyanobenzene compositions as fruit abscission | |
| JP2946305B2 (en) | Treatment agent and treatment method for natural plants for decoration | |
| JP3100965B1 (en) | Termite control agent and manufacturing method of termite control agent | |
| JPH0755097B2 (en) | Plant implant material using bark and method for producing the same | |
| DE69130525T2 (en) | Process for plant protection to the exclusion of plant damage caused by pesticide interactions | |
| Vanitha et al. | Moist sand conditioning to minimize loss of viability in cocoa (Theobroma cacao Linn.) seed |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |