GB2313283A

GB2313283A - Plant cultivation device

Info

Publication number: GB2313283A
Application number: GB9709674A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Roger Fellows
Original assignee: WALLCHARM PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: WALLCHARM PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1996-05-22
Filing date: 1997-05-14
Publication date: 1997-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-14
Also published as: GB2313283B; GB9709674D0

Abstract

A plant cultivation device comprises a pot (10) and a lid (11) engageable on the top of the pot, the lid having a central opening (18) surrounded by a trough for supplying water to growing medium (26) within the pot, the trough having a base (20) with apertures therein through which water can pass. The pot and the lid have complementary interengaging peripheral lips so that they can tightly engage together. A drainage plate (110) can be tightly fitted in the pot (10) to define a drainage area below it in which gravel (121) or the like is received. The plate (110) can alternatively be used as a stand for the pot. The lid 11 and drainage plate can be use the support canes within the pot.

Description

PLANT CULTIVATION DEVICE This invention relates to a plant cultivation device, and has as its object the provision of such a device is an convenient and effective manner.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant cultivation device comprising a container intended to receive plant growing medium, in use, for raising the plant, and having a lid, the lid having an opening therethrough to allow passage of the growing plant, and a liquid reception area to supply liquid, in use, from said area into the growing medium.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a lid for use in plant cultivation, the lid comprising an opening therethrough to allow passage of a growing plant, and a shallow liquid reception area to supply liquid, in use, from said liquid reception area to an area below the lid, the area of the opening being, in plan, substantially less than the total area of the lid in plan.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a drainage element for use with an associated plant cultivation container, the element being of generally plate-like form and arranged for location in the container, in use, at a position where it is spaced from a base of the container, the element having at least one drainage opening therethrough to allow drainage of liquid therethrough, in use, into the space defined between the element and the base.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a part-sectional side view of a plant cultivation device of the invention, with a plant shown growing therein, Figure 2 is a top plan view of a lid of the device shown in Figure 1 in a slightly modified form, Figure 3 is an enlarged diametral sectional side view through the lid of Figure 2, with watering apertures thereof not being shown, Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of a drainage element for use with the device of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a side view of the drainage element in the direction of arrow A in Figure 4, Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view to a larger scale showing the drainage element within the plant cultivation container of Figure 1, and also showing such an element used alternatively as a stand for the container, Figure 7 is a part sectional, schematic exploded view of a plant cultivation device of the invention, with the drainage element therein, and with plant support canes being fitted in position, and Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing a fully grown plant supported by the canes.

Figure 1 shows a plant cultivation device of the present invention, the device comprising a circular, rigid pot 10 and a circular lid 11.

Although the one piece pot can be of any general form, and of any suitable material, it is preferably of plastics material and in the form of a circular base 12 with a frusto-conical side wall 13 terminating in a downturned lip 14 at the outer periphery of its upper open end. The lip 14 is formed with a first generally horizontal annular portion 15 from which downwardly depends a second generally vertical annular portion 16 spaced outwardly from the wall 13. As will be described, the lip enables the lid 11 to be securely fitted to the top of the pot 10, and in this regard the portion 16 extends downwardly by a sufficient amount to provide a fitting of the lid which is reasonably secure against inadvertent separation from the pot.

The pot could of course be of material other than plastics, for example of earthenware material, and could be of a section other than circular, with the lid 11 being of corresponding shape. As shown in Figure 1, the side wall 13 at a position just above the base 12 can be provided with drainage holes 1 7. The lid 11 is conveniently a one-piece plastics moulded component. As mentioned above, it will be of a shape to match the shape of the top of the pot 10 by fitting securely onto the upper rim of the pot 10, thereby substantially to close the otherwise open top of the pot.

The lid has a central, small diameter circular opening 18 within a short upstanding neck portion, with a frusto-conical wall 19 depending therefrom, the wall sloping radially outwardly from the centre axis of the lid. The slope of the wall 19 is generally relatively small, for example 30 or less relative to a plane normal to said central lid axis. The wall 19 extends to an annular base wall 20 in said plane normal to the lid axis, this base wall having four equi-angularly spaced apertures 21 therein (Fig. 2).

The wall 19 and the base wall 20 form part of a liquid reception area in the form of an annular water trough around the central opening 18. The outer wall of the trough is formed by an annular wall 22 extending upwardly, and being angled slightly outwardly, from the base wall 20, this wall extending to a level at, or substantially at, i.e. just below, that of horizontal plane through the top of the lid formed by the collar around the opening 18. As can be seen in Figure 1, the upward extent and disposition of the wall 22 is such as to match the inner surface of the top of the side wall 1 3 of the pot so that the lid is a relatively close fit into the top of the pot. As can also best be seen from Figure 1, a downturned lip extends outwardly from the wall 22, this lip being of complimentary shape and size to the lip 14 of the pot, having a first generally horizontal annular portion 23 and a second generally vertical annular portion 24, the portions 23 and 24 snugly engaging over the portions 15 and 16 of the lip 14 of the pot, when the lid is fitted to the pot as shown in Figure 1. However it will be appreciated that any other suitable form of engagement, normally at the respective rims thereof, can be provided between the lid and the pot so as to fit the lid securely to the top of the pot, whilst at the same time permitting removal of the lid when it is desired to remove the plant or plants from the pot, or to replace or add to the contents thereof as will be described. Spring clips could be provided releasably to secure the lid 11 to the lip 14.

In use, the pot 10 is prepared for reception of a plant or seed to be cultivated, in the normal way, for example by placing pebbles, stones or the like 25 in the bottom of the pot to aid drainage, substantially the whole of the remainder of the pot being filled with a growing medium 26, such as a mixture of soil and potting compost. The seed, or as shown in Figure 1 the plant seedling 27, to be cultivated by way of the device of the invention is then bedded into the top of the growing medium 26. The lid 11 is then fitted on to the top of the pot, for example in the manner described and as shown in Figure 1, or alternatively by being screw-threadedly or alternatively engaged with the complimentarily adapted upper rim of the pot. If a plant seedling 27 is already of significant height, then it is necessary to arrange the seedling 27 centrally in the pot so that it extends upwards through the opening 18. In any event it is clearly important to align any seeds or seedlings which have yet to acquire any significant height, beneath the opening 18 so that they can pass therethrough as they proceed to grow. Alternatively the lid could be provided with more than one opening, and such a plurality of openings could of course be provided in any prescribed form and size in the lid, for example with a central opening for a relatively large plant, and surrounding smaller openings for smaller bordering plants. With this arrangement a water trough could be provided around each individual opening, or alternatively the lid could be configurated so that water is led from a main water trough around the central opening to respective positions adjacent the subsidiary openings. The total area of the openings would normally be substantially less than the total area of the lid in plan.

The plant is watered, in use, by filling the water trough formed by the walls 19, 20 and 22. Depending upon the amount of water required by the plant, the trough can be filled to the brim, or to a predetermined level defined by one or more graduations on one or both of the walls 19 and 22. Of course the water supplied can contain plant food and/other nutrients, or alternatively such plant food could be placed in solid form in the trough so as to dissolve in water supplied to the trough thereafter.

It will be appreciated that the water will drain through the apertures 21 down into the growing medium 26. Clearly the size of the apertures can be varied as required to control the rate of watering. If additional water is required, it would of course be possible for water to be introduced through the opening 18, although this is of a small diameter so that the area of the opening 18 is very substantially less than the total area of the lid. In this manner there is a greatly reduced chance ot dehydration compared, for example, with an un-lidded pot arrangement n the example shown, in Figure 2, the area of the opening is approximately 9% of that of the 'interior' surface of the lid, namely that defined within Its rim.

Instead of the lid being removably fitted to the pot, in use, it could be formed in one piece therewith, or non-removably secured thereto. The disadvantage would of course be the difficulty of filling the pot with the drainage material 25 and the growing medium 26, given the small diameter of the hole 18. It is of course principally intended that a wide variety of sizes of pots and complimentarily sized associated lids would be provided, although it would be possible for a lid alone to be used in plant cultivation by being placed directly on open soil over a seed or plant seedling which, as above, would then grow up through the opening 18, the lid providing protection against dehydration and also allowing easy watering by means of the water trough described. With this arrangement, the underside of the base wall 20 would rest on the soil and the water would permeate directly into it through the apertures 21. The downturned lip around the outer peripheral lid of the would function purely for placing and lifting the lid in position.

Instead of water merely falling through the apertures 21, as shown with the arrangement of Figure 1, an alternative arrangement could be used where respective wicks extend through the apertures 21 from the water trough, these wicks extending down into the growing medium 26, thereby to transfer water from the water trough into the growing medium. In this way a slower, more controlled supply of water, over a longer period of time can be effected. A mixture of open apertures and wicks could also be used. Holes/wicks could also/alternatively be provided in the wall 19.

As well as the plant cultivation device of the invention being in the form of a conventional lidded pot as shown in Figure 1, it will be appreciated that the container part can be of any desired form, for example, in the form of the container part of a conventional hanging basket, the lid 11 being suitably adapted to fit on the top thereof in the manner described, without interfering with the suspension chains or other hanging means of the basket.

The invention described thus relates to a plant cultivation device and also separately to a lid for use in plant cultivation. Additionally, the invention relates to a method of plant cultivation using a lidded container, where liquid is supplied to a liquid reception area around at least part of an opening in the lid, with liquid passing from the liquid reception area into the container.

With the invention, watering per se is made easier, it also being easier to supply the plant with an accurately known quantity of water and/or nutrients. Dehydration is also greatly reduced.

The lid shown in Figures 2 and 3 differs slightly from that shown in Figure 1 in that it is formed with at least one cane support opening 28 in its wall 19. A conventional garden cane can thus be inserted though the opening 28 and held in the growing medium 26, to support the plant 27 as its height increases, by means of a tie of some form between the cane and the plant.

Figures 4 to 6 show a drainage element according to another aspect of the invention, which is for use with a plant cultivation device of the invention, as best shown in Figures 7 and 8. The device shown in those figures is in a very similar form to that of Figures 1 to 3. The only change ot any substance relates to the lid, where, from Figures 7 and 8 it can be seen that its frusto-conical wall is formed with three equiangularly spaced cane support openings 128 therethrough. Additionally the number of apertures in the base wall of the lid has been increased to eight instead of the four illustrated in Figure 2, the apertures however remaining equi-angularly spaced around said base wall. As previously mentioned with regard to the lid of Figures 1 to 3, the lid of Figures 7 and 8 can be retained in place on the container by mechanical means, for example bv three equi-angularly spaced spring clips, each having one limb engaged over the rim of the lid and its other end engaged under the down-turned rim of the container. Alternatively other mechanical connecting means, such as toggle mechanisms could also be used securely to hold the lid onto the top of the container.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the use with the plant cultivation device of one aspect of the Invention of a plastics material element 110 of circular, generally plate-like form shown in Figures 4 to 6. Although, as described, the main purpose of the element 110 is to act as a drainage plate/divider within the container, such an element can also/alternatively be used as a stand to support the container of the plant cultivation device above a surface so that required drainage from the bottom of the container and also from the support can take place. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the element per se.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the element 110 has a circular base part 111. At its outer periphery, on the side of the base part 111 which is intended to be uppermost in use, there is provided a short upstanding wall 112 which is cut away to define four wall sections 113, each extending over 60 of arc and being equi-angularly spaced from one another around the periphery of the base part 111, as shown in Figure 4 so that each wall section is opposite, and a mirror image, of another section 113.

Similarly, wall sections 114, which are slightly deeper than the wall sections 113, extend downwardly around the periphery of the base part 111 at its underside, as best shown in Figure 5. Although not shown as such, each wall section 114 can be slightly inwardly of the outer periphery of the base part 111. Each wail section 114 also extends through an arc of 60 , but the wall sections 113 and 114 are respectively angularly- offset so that there is only an overlap of 15 of arc therebetween, so that, as shown in Figure 5, at the position of the 30 of arc gap between two adjacent wall sections 113, a lower wall section 114 is disposed, this wall section 114 extending at its respective opposite ends to overlap with the two adjacent wall sections 113 at opposite sides of the upper gap.

On the underside of the base part 111, at the centre thereof, are four depending ribs 115 arranged in cruciform shape, with the plane containing each opposite pair of ribs being aligned with the opposite centres of facing wall sections 113, as shown in Figure 1. It will however be appreciated that the projection means can be of other suitable forms to provide, as will be described, a surface engagement for the element 110 when it is used as a stand for the plant cultivation container. As shown in Figure 6, each rib can preferably be downwardly tapered.

The base part 111 is provided with a series of countersunk circular cane support openings 116. It can be seen from Figure 4 that an outer series ot six openings 11 6 is provided with their centres on an arc struck about the centre of the base part 111, these outer openings being equiangularly spaced around said arc. Additionally a pair of inner openings 116 are arranged at the respective opposite ends of a pair of aligned ones of said ribs 11 5. As will be described, it is possible by rotating the lid on the container to align the three cane support openings in the lid with a respective three of the cane support opening 11 6 in the plate so that respective canes can be passed through the openings in the lid and also through aligned openings in the plate, in the manner shown in Figure 7. Additionally It will be appreciated that an additional cane or canes can be inserted through the central opening in the lid and passed through either of the Inner two holes 116 at the respective ends of the ribs.

Figure 4 also shows three equi-angularly spaced areas of the base part 111 which are provided with a number of small drainage holes 117 so that liquid can pass through the base part 111 from an upper portion of the container, In use, to a lower portion thereof as will be described.

The primary purpose of the element 111 is as a drainage plate which is fitted within the container 118 as shown, in one embodiment, in Figure 6, and also more schematically in Figures 7 and 8. It is intended that the drainage plate fixedly wedges within the container with which it is intended to be used, and thus not only will the drainage plate be of a particular diameter, but its wall sections, particularly its wall sections 114 will be tapered, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 so as to engage against the tapered internal surface of the container 118. The diameter of the drainage plate is such that this engagement takes place at a position a short distance above a base surface 119 of the container, thereby to define a drainage area at the bottom of the container beneath the drainage plate. In this position it will be appreciated that liquid draining downwardly from the lid 120 will eventually pass through the drainage holes 117, and also possibly the openings 116, unless they are closed by the tight engagement of a support cane, into the drainage area at the bottom of the container and thence therefrom via drainage holes in the side wall of the container, as described with reference to Figure 1.

Accordingly referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the plant cultivation device is intended to be used as follows. Firstly approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) of gravel 121 or like drainage material is placed into the bottom of the container 118. The drainage plate element 110 is then inserted downwardly into the container until it tightly engages the tapered internal side wall and is securely located in position. Normally this location would take place at or just above the top of the gravel, although it will be appreciated that after this initial step it may be necessary either to remove some gravel or to insert further gravel in order to produce the required arrangement in which the drainage plate is securely fixed in position with the upper surface of the gravel being at or closely adjacent to its undersurface. In some cases it may be possible to press the drainage plate downwardly slightly to compress the gravel and form a firm base whilst the drainage plate securely engages in position by virtue of its engagement with the internal side wall of the container. Three canes 122 can then be inserted into appropriate ones of the openings 11 6 which are 120" apart. The canes can be pushed down through the gravel and the container then filled with soil and/or compost, or other appropriate growing medium.

The chosen plant, shrub, or seed is then placed in the centre of the tub In the growing medium at the recommended depth. The lid 120 is then angularly orientated so that the cane support openings therein are aligned with the three canes 122, the lid then being lowered to slide over the canes and with any plant or shrub passing out through the centre hole in the lid. The lid is then engaged on the top of the container and, if necessary, secured in place by spring clips or other mechanical means.

Thereafter it is merely necessary to provide water and/or liquid feed or the like to the plant by supplying it to the trough formed in the top of the lid. As shown in Figure 8, the canes 122 can be used to support a fully grown plant and in this regard the device is ideal for growing tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, aubergines, sweet peas and floral plants that require support. With the arrangement described, it is possible to hold the heaviest and most abundant of cropping and floral plants. The lid provides for easy watering and also provides excellent protection to the plants from garden pests such as slugs and snails. The drainage plate element effectively separates the growing medium 123 from the drainage medium such as the gravel and assists the holding of the canes in position. The drainage plate element 110 is preferably made from robust polypropylene which is thus resistant to frost, and also to breaking or rusting. It is also possible that the roots of the plant are able to penetrate the drainage holes 11 7 in seeking water from the drainage area below the drainage plate element 110.

The element 110 is intended to be dual purpose in that it can be used either as a drainage plate or alternatively as a stand for the container 118. Accordingly if it is wished to use such a drainage plate as described, an additional identical plate can be provided and used as the container stand. Alternatively if it is not wished to use the drainage plate within the container in the manner described, it can merely be alternatively used as the stand without needing to obtain an additional element 110.

It can be seen from the lower part of Figure 6 that the base of the container 118 is merely received upon the upper surface of the base part 111. The base part is of a diameter and has its wall sections 113 arranged and sized so that the bottom of the container 118 is preferably a close fit relative to the respective internal surfaces of the wall sections 113 so that the container is, in effect, prevented from any lateral movement, or at least any lateral movement to any substantial extent. It would of course be possible to arrange for the bottom of the container and/or the surface of the base part within its wall sections 113 to be arranged so that the bottom of the container is in fact a tight fit between the upstanding wall sections 113 rather than merely a close fit. The bottom of the container can be provided with an annular rim, as shown in Figure 6, or can alternatively merely be in the form of a flat base which rests upon the base part 111. Instead of providing wall sections 113, 114, continuous walls at the top and/or bottom of the base part 111 could be provided.

It will be appreciated that as the lowermost surface of each rib 115 is flush with the lowermost surface of each of the wall sections 114, the drainage plate element 110 can rest in a stable configuration upon a flat surface to act as a support for the container 118. It will be particularly appreciated that the provision of the ribs provides strength to the centre of the stand and prevents any tendency for bowing where the container Is particularly heavy.

It will be appreciated that liquid draining from the container via the openings in the side wall thereof which communicate with the drainage area is likely to run down the side of the container and drain away, such drainage, with some forms of container bases, being through the holes 11 7 in the stand. If however the container is provided with drainage openings in its base, liquid draining through said base drainage holes will be received on the upper surface of the base part 111 and then drained through the openings 116 or drainage holes 117, so that again, there is no danger of inadequate drainage at the bottom of the container, which is effectively lifted off the support surface on which the element 110 rests.

Accordingly the provision and use of the element 110 significantly improves and enhances operation of the plant cultivation device. The container need not be internally tapered, so that a plate equivalent to plate 110 could merely rest on the gravel without engaging or tightly engaging the container wall.

Claims

1. A plant cultivation device comprising a container intended to receive plant growing medium, in use, for raising the plant and having a lid, the lid having an opening therethrough to allow passage of the growing plant, and a liquid reception area to supply liquid, in use, from said area into the growing medium.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the liquid reception area has a base with holes therethrough for passage of liquid into the growing medium.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the lid has said opening therethrough disposed centrally, with said liquid reception area being a trough surrounding said opening.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the lid has a shallow frusto-conical wall between said opening and said trough.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein at least one aperture is provided through said frusto-conical wall, for reception, in use, of a support cane.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the holes in said base contains a wick for transferring liquid from said liquid reception area into the growing medium, in use.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid has a downturned lip at its outer periphery which engages a complementary downturned lip at an upper periphery of the container.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said liquid reception area is formed in said lid immediately adjacent a continuous inner wall of said downturned lip at its outer periphery.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said inner wall extends from one side surface of the lid to terminate at or substantially at the level of the mouth of said opening through the lid.

10. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the lid is separate from and removably fittable to the container.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 10, comprising means for retaining the lid on the container.

12. A device as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said means for retaining the lid are spring clips engaging, in use, over said lip of the lid and under the lip of the container.

1 3. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the lid is non-releasably secured to said container.

14. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container has a plate or plate-like member disposed therein at a position spaced from a base of the container, the member having at least one opening therethrough to allow liquid to drain, in use, from growing medium above the member to a drainage area defined below the member.

15. A device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the member is located in said container by its engagement with an inner wall of the container.

16. A device as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said inner wall of the container is frusto-conical and is engaged by a correspondingly tapered outer peripheral wall surface of the member.

1 7. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 16, wherein the member has a central body part in the form of a flat plate through which said at least one drainage opening extends.

18. A device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein at least one cane support opening is provided through said body part, being aligned, in use, with at least one aperture through said lid for reception of a support cane.

19. A device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein at least one cane support opening is provided through said body part, being aligned, in use, with said opening through the lid for passage of the growing plant, for reception of a support cane.

20. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, comprising a plate or plate-like member on which the container stands, in use, the member having a central body part in the form of a plate defining a flat surface on which the bottom of the container engages, with at least one opening extending through the plate to allow liquid from the container to drain, in use, through said at least one plate opening, by way of said central body part having surface engaging means which spaces said central body part above said surface, in use.

21. A device as claimed in Claim 20, wherein said surface engaging means comprise one or more depending walls around the periphery of the central body part.

22. A device as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21, wherein said surface engaging means comprise ribs depending from the centre of the body part.

23. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 22, wherein there is a series of spaced wall sections or a continuous wall upstanding around the periphery of said flat surface so as to prevent or substantially to prevent lateral movement of the container in said member.

24. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 19, wherein the container has at least one liquid drainage hole therein below said plate or plate-like member, so as to drain liquid from said drainage area.

25. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 23, where < the container has at least one drainage hole therein to allow said dra dge of liquid, in use, therefrom to said at least one plate opening.

26. A device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the member is removable from the container for utilisation as a stand for the container, preventing or substantially preventing lateral movement of the container thereon, and spacing the bottom of the container from the surface on which the stand rests, in use.

27. A lid for use in plant cultivation, the lid comprising an opening therethrough to allow passage of a growing plant, and a shallow liquid reception area to supply liquid, in use, from said liquid reception area to an area below the lid, the area of the opening being, in plan, substantially less than the total area of the lid in plan.

28. A lid as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the liquid reception area has a base with holes therethrough for passage of liquid to said area below the lid, in use.

29. A lid as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the liquid reception area is a trough having said base.

30. A lid as claimed in Claim 29, wherein said trough surrounds said opening.

31. A lid as claimed in Claim 30, wherein said opening is disposed centrally and a shallow frusto-conical wall connects said trough to said opening.

32. A drainage element for use with an associated plant cultivation container, the element being of generally plate-like form and arranged for location in the container, in use, at a position where it is spaced from a base of the container, and the element having at least one drainage opening therethrough to allow drainage of liquid therethrough, in use, into the space defined between the element and the base.

33. A drainage element as claimed in Claim 32, having a central body part with said at least drainage opening therethrough and outer peripheral wall means arranged to engage said internal wall of the container, In use, so as to locate and fix the element at said position.

34. A drainage element as claimed in Claim 32 or Claim 33, wherein support means depend from one side of said central body part for resting the element on a surface, in use, so that it can act as a stand, with said container received on the surface at the opposite side of the central body part.

35. A drainage element as claimed in Claim 34, wherein restraining means around the periphery of a flat surface of the central body part at the other side thereof prevent or substantially prevent the supported container moving laterally of the stand, in use.

36. A method of plant cultivation using a lidded container, wherein liquid is supplied to a liquid reception area around at least part of an opening in the lid through which the cultivated plant extends, with liquid passing from the liquid reception area into the container.

37. A method as claimed in Claim 36, wherein drainage material is placed in the bottom of the container, a drainage element with a drainage hole therethrough is received in the container above the drainage material, growing medium is placed onto the drainage element so as to be spaced from the drainage material and the plant/seeds to be cultivated are placed in the growing material.

38. A method as claimed in Claim 37, wherein the drainage element is located in the container at a fixed position by engaging it with the inner surface of the container.

39. A plant cultivation device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

40. A lid for use in plant cultivation substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figure 1, or Figures 2 and 3, or Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

41. A drainage element for use with an associated plant cultivation container substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figures 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

42. A method of plant cultivation using a lidded container substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figure 1, or Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.