GB2365737A

GB2365737A - Plant watering syatem with stake supporting means

Info

Publication number: GB2365737A
Application number: GB0019810A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Tsappi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-08-14
Filing date: 2000-08-14
Publication date: 2002-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-14
Also published as: GB0019810D0; GB2365737B

Abstract

The system comprises a plurality of interconnecting tubes 1 having holes 4 through which canes or stakes 5 are inserted into ground 6. Tube 1 is anchored by U-shaped rods 10 to ground 6. The side of tube 1 may have openings 7 and to each end an upright tube 2 is connected. Water poured in tube 2 is distributed through openings 7 and the gaps between the canes and holes 4 to the roots 8 of plants 9 planted adjacent to tube 1.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> COMBINATION WATERING SYSTEM AND RETAINING MEANS FOR PLANT SUPPORTS This invention relates to a combination watering system and retaining means for plant supports for use with transplanted plants.

Fruit bearing plants such as tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, peppers, etc, need to be supported when they reach a certain size. Traditionally this is achieved by inserting a cane in the ground and tying the plant stems to it.

However, in many cases a single cane offers inadequate support and other ways have been devised. In the case of a plant growing in a pot, provided a measured quantity of water is poured in, none is wasted. However, when the plant grows in the soil a large volume of water has to be supplied to the surface before it reaches the roots of the plant and subsequent evaporation results in water being wasted. With a metered water supply, supplying water to the plants through the surface can be costly thus discouraging growing vegetables. There are also environmental reasons for conserving water. To overcome excessive use of water, the plants' roots are watered directly and one method used is to insert vertically into the soil and near the plant a perforated open top tube through which water is poured in. A porous pipe can also be buried and trailed amongst the plants. However, none of the current techniques for distributing water incorporates retaining means for plant supports. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a single watering system delivering water and nutrients as required to the roots of a number of plants combined with the means to retain a cane or stake at each plant position so that a

single cane will give adequate support.

According to the present invention there is provided a combination watering system and retaining means for plant supports comprising a number of interconnected tubes at least part of which is intended to be positioned in use beneath the surface of the ground, said tubes consisting of at least one straight portion characterised in having a plurality of diametrically opposite pairs of holes along its length for retaining an equal number of plant supports insertable through the said holes and into the ground and at least one upright portion communicating with the straight portion via connecting members whereby water and any nutrients entering any one of the upright portions is conveyed through the holes to the roots of plants adjacent to the plant supports, there being further means for anchoring the combination to the ground. Small openings can be added to one or both sides of the straight portion of the tube to assist with the distribution of water and nutrients. Preferably these openings are made near the position of the plant supports and transplanted plants. The basic configuration of the interconnected tubes is a straight long length of standard diameter tube about 1.6m long connected to two short lengths of tubes at either end by means of knuckle bends but other methods are possible. The length of the upright tube is about 25cm long so that the assembly can be placed about 15cm below ground level with the long tube resting horizontally or slightly at an angle. The length of the long tube is governed by its rigidity but 1.60m is adequate to accommodate five canes and remains reasonably straight. The material for the tubes is preferably of a suitable plastic such as PVC or polypropylene although other materials can be used. By connecting the upright tubes to the horizontal one with push fit components these tubes can be swiveled. Furthermore a number of tubes can be easily connected to produce different configurations. The tubes can have different diameters and to

extend the system, two lengths of tubes can be connected by a straight connector or a swept tee to which another upright tube can be connected to provide an intermediary water supply point. Two remote systems can be supplied with water by means of a single hose-pipe. The assembled system after it has been positioned in the trench is conveniently anchored by inserting a U-shaped steel rod into the ground through holes on the top surface and near either end of the long tube. For longer lengths of tube additional anchoring points may be required. Alternatively inverted L-shaped rods can be used. To accommodate different sizes of supports the diameters of the holes can be unequal so that a tighter fit can be achieved with canes which by nature have random size stems. Along one side of the horizontal tube and above its bottom surface small openings of about 5mm diameter near the plant position can be added to convey the water to each root ball in addition to the holes. Particularly if canes are used, water also discharges from the holes supporting them but provided water is fed vigorously it reaches the opposite end. When the soil around the tube becomes saturated water is retained within the tube, which then acts as a reservoir. A hose connector can also be fitted to one upright tube. The plants can be planted on either side of the long tube to balance the forces on the anchoring means. In this case the openings must be made to correspond with the position of the plants. The canes can be supported at an angle by anchoring the combination so that the holes holding the canes are inclined to the vertical.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and so that further features may be appreciated, embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure I shows a front elevation of one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 through section AA. Figure 3 is a plan view of an alternative configuration of the tubes. Figure 4 shows a plan view of the system of Figure I extended to twice its capacity. Figure 5 shows a side view of two systems arranged for watering and supporting bean plants. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a length of tube I is connected to upright tube 2 by means of push fit knuckle bends 3. Tube 1 has holes 4 along its length through which canes or stakes 5 are inserted and pushed into ground 6. Openings 7 above the bottom surface of tube 1 allow water poured in tube 2 to be discharged to water and the root balls 8 of plants 9. Water escaping from the gaps between holes 4 and canes 5 also contribute to the watering process. Tube 1 is anchored by means of U-shaped rust-proofed steel rods 10 pushed into the ground through holes 11 on the top surface of tube 1. An alternative arrangement of the tubes is shown in Figure 3 where the plants 9 are planted on both sides of tube 1. The basic configuration of the system can be extended by adding a tube I by means of a straight connector or a swept tee 12 to which another tube 2 is fitted (Figure 4). Referring to Figure 5 two systems are used to water and support two rows of bean plants 9. The U-shaped pegs 10 are inserted through holes 11 whose centres are displaced from those of holes 4 by an angle of about 30 so that the canes 5 are

supported in an inclined position. In use, a trench is first made and the combination system 13 is laid at the bottom with tube 1 resting horizontally or slightly at an angle on the soil. Tube 1 is anchored by the U-shaped pegs 10, the canes are inserted in holes 4 and pushed into the ground, the plants are then transplanted adjacent to each plant support and the trench filled in. Water is poured in tube 2 either by a watering can or by inserting the free end of a hose pipe within tube 2.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A combination watering system and retaining means for plant supports comprising a plurality of interconnected tubes at least part of which is intended to be positioned in use beneath the surface of the ground, said tubes consisting of at least one straight portion characterised in having a plurality of diametrically opposite pairs of holes along its length for retaining an equal number of plant supports insertable through the said holes and into the ground and at least one upright portion communicating with the straight portions via connecting members whereby water and any nutrients entering any one of the upright portions is conveyed through the holes to the roots of plants adjacent to the plant supports, there being further means for anchoring the combination to the ground.
2. A combination according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of openings along the side of the straight portion providing communication between the internal chamber of the said portion and surrounding growing medium.
3. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the means for anchoring the combination consist of inverted U-shaped steel rods whose ends enter the ground after passing through holes in the straight portion.
4. A combination according to claiml wherein the holes retaining the plant supports have unequal diameters.
5. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the connecting member is a knuckle bend or swept tee.
6. A combination according to claim 5 wherein the connecting members are of the push fit type.
7. A combination according to claim 1 wherein an upright portion is connected to each end of a straight portion.

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8. A combination according to claim 1 wherein two straight portions are connected by a straight connector.
9. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the openings are on both sides of the straight portion.
10. A combination according to claiml and claim 3 wherein the centres of the holes retaining the plant supports and the centres of the holes retaining the anchoring means are angularly displaced.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 8. A combination according to claim 1 wherein two straight portions are connected by a straight connector. 9. A combination according to claim 2 wherein the openings are on both sides of the straight portion. 10. A combination according to claiml and claim 3 wherein the centres of the holes retaining the plant supports and the centres of the holes retaining the anchoring means are angularly displaced.