GB2259841A

GB2259841A - The artificial root and artificial root propagator

Info

Publication number: GB2259841A
Application number: GB9213968A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian John Patrick Devereux
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-07-02
Filing date: 1992-07-01
Publication date: 1993-03-31
Also published as: GB9213968D0

Abstract

A hollow flexible or hollow rigid tube 1 with a hollow fixed or detachable pointed probe 4 with outlet holes at one end can be inserted into the base of cuttings taking up the transpiration pull. The cuttings are then planted in the soil or in a two floored artificial root propagator which holds water and nutrients below and a rooting medium in the top floor. Sponges through access holes connect both floors pulling up water to the growing medium. The base of the cutting is in the growing medium, the artificial roots lead from the cutting to the water in the bottom compartment pulling up water and nutrients into the cutting. For larger branch cuttings the hollow flexible roots are pushed into the base of the branch cutting. The tube roots then curve upwards till they are above the soil and connect to a container above ground level which holds water and nutrients which enter the transpiration stream by gravitation. The container can also be pressurised speeding up the intake into the transpiration stream. <IMAGE>

Description

THE ARTIFICIAL ROOT AND ARTIFICIAL ROOT PROPAGATBR This invention relates to an artificial root and an artificial root propagator.

Taking cuttings from plants is often a very hit and miss affair for some people. Generally the larger the cutting, the smaller the success rate. Cuttings take a long time to root and need constant care. Commercial propagation ( misting ), uses a large amount of water and energy.

According to the present invention, there is provided an artificial root or roots comprising of hollow flexable or riged tube with a pointed probe at one end. The pointed probe has exit holes in it so when the probe is pushed into the cut end, or into the side of the cutting, the pull of the transpiration stream is taken up through the holes in the probe and is conducted down the hollow tube. This pull is sufficient to take up water and nutrients into the cutting, acting as natural roots. This speeds up growth and encourages quicker rooting.

It also makes possible the rooting of much larger hardwood cuttings. The roots in this case are pushed into the cut end and then bent upwards to a container that is fixed to the trunk above ground. The contents of the container, water and nutrients or pesticides, fungicides, are pulled into the cutting by the transpiration stream, helped by gravitation, allowing the large branch cutting to grow, and form a natural rooting system.

The artificial root propagator is a clear container so that root growth can be visible . The container is divided into two compartments. The bottom half holds water and nutrients and is separated from the above compartment by a floor in which holes that fit the artificial roots are provided, enabling the artificial roots to be pushed through to the water, once they are in the cutting. There are also spaces for lenghs of sponge that span the two compartments allowing water to soak up into the above container which holds the growing medium keeping it moist. The artificial root can also be attached to the cutting and buried in the ground and watered as normal.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 in plan view, the artificial root moulded in plastic in one piece.

Figure 2 shows in cross section hollow root and detachable brass pointed probe.

Figure 3 shows in cross section the artificial tube roots in cutting and artificial root propagator with the movement of water and nutrients into the cutting and the movement of water into rooting medium.

Figure 4 shows in cross section artificial root with container and artificial press-stud root buried in the soil.

Figure 5 shows in cross section cuttings buried in soil with two atrificial roots in position.

Referring to the drawings. The artificial root comprises of a hollow tube Fig 1 made of a flexible or rigid. clear material at the end of which is a pointed probe with exit holes 2 moulded in one unit. At the hilt of the pointed probe, is an angled shoulder 3 to stop leaking. Fig 2 4 shows a brass detachable probe that is pushed into the hollow tube to form an artificial root which is pushed into the xylem of the cutting Fig 3 5 the artificial roots are then pushed through holes in the dividing floor 6 into the bottom container which holds water and nutrients 7. Sand 8 or any sterile medium is added to the top container 9. Sponge strips 10 absorb water into the growing medium. The walls of the propagator are clear so as to see new root formation.

To plant larger branch cuttings Fig 4 an artificial root or roots are pushed into the xylem and are then bent upwards Fig 4 11 and are then attached to a container 12 ,when the container is filled through access cup 13. Before water and nutrients can be drawn up into the cutting, the air lock must be absorbed.

Nutrients and water will entre the transpirational flow aided by gravity. Once the xylem absorbes the air lock in the root, water and nutrients will be drawn up into the cutting.

A press-stud root system Fig 4 13 can also be used with a built in nutrients pellet 14 that is soluable.

Fig 5 2 individual artificial roots 1 are pushed into a cutting and planted as normal and watered.

Claims

1 A hollow flexible or hollow rigid tube ending in a hollow pointed probe in which are exit holes. The probe and the tube, being of one mould, that when pushed into the xylem of a cutting, takes up the transpiration pull drawing up water and nutrients from a propagator, or from the soil, or from a container placed above the ground, using gravity as an aid.

2 A hollow flexible or hollow rigid tube as claimed in claim 1 with a detachable hollow pointed brass probe with exit holes.

3 A hollow flexible or hollow rigid tube as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 that is fed by a container above ground strapped to the trunk of a large branch cutting, pushing water and nutrients with the help of gravitation by way of tubes pushed into the base of the cutting under ground.

4 A hollow flexible or hollow rigid tube as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 and claim 3 pushed into the xylem at the base of the branch cutting, fed by an above ground container that is pressurised to push contents into stem of cutting.

5 A hollow flexible or hollow rigid tube as claimed in claim 4 that when pushed into the xylem at the base of the cutting can be inserted into a propagation unit containing water and nutrients in the bottom compartment and a growing medium in the top being seperated by a floor that has access holes for the tube roots and a means of keeping the growing medium moist by way of sponges that extend into both componants.

6 A two floored container as claimed in claim 5 comprising of a bottom compartment containing water and nutrients. This compartment is seperated from the above compartment by a rigid or moveable floor. In this floor are access holes so that a hollow flexible or hollow rigid tube can be pushed in from the top compartment which contains a sterile growing medium so once a cutting is pushed onto the hollow tube roots, water is drawn up into the cutting from the compartment below.

7 A two floored container as claimed in claim 4,5 and 6 with access holes in the dividing floor into which strips of sponges can be pushed, allowing water to seep from the bottom compartment moistening its contents.

8 A hollow flexible or hollow rigid tube and propagation unit substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.