NL1025889C2 - Plants growing method for cultivating cut flower plants e.g. cut anthuriums by bringing the root cluster near the base to create an open space to be filled with additional substrate above the root cluster in the container - Google Patents

Abstract

The vertical distance between the base (15) and the top edge of the root container (10) is increased such that plant is kept in a root container for a certain period. The vertical distance of the base to the container top edge is further increased associated with a next period. The root cluster is kept or brought near the base to create an open space above the root cluster in the container. The open space is optionally filled partially with additional substrate, which is then available during the next period for root growth for the next period. An independent claim is also included for a plant growing system.

Description

Short description: Method for growing plants.

The present invention relates to the cultivation of plants, in particular cut flower plants, such as in particular cut anthuriums. Cut anthuriums are grown on a large scale in greenhouses because of their elegant flowers and leaves.

5

In a well-known method for growing cut anthuriums, each plant has its own pot with a bottom, circumferential wall and open top. Along the top of the circumferential wall, each pot has an outwardly extending circumferential flange. In the pot is the root package of the anthurium. In the greenhouse, elongated racks are arranged on the substrate, each rack having a row of openings at the top, with a pot hanging in an opening. Hereby the pot rests on the rack via its outwardly projecting peripheral edge. The racks are usually metal racks of rod elements, for example with inverted U-shaped uprights, which are arranged in longitudinal direction of the rack at distances from each other, and with horizontal connecting bars which connect the uprights to each other.

20 There is usually a walkway between the pots with pots for the staff who harvest the flowers and take care of and inspect the plants.

Another method for growing cut anthuriums is also known from the prior art. In this known method, the racks are designed such that a pot of choice can support on the top of the rack with its bottom or with a support formation provided near the top edge of the pot. As long as the plant is still small and the stem short, the pot with its bottom is placed on the top of the rack. Later, when the stem has become longer and the plant therefore higher, the pot is lowered, such that the support formation of the pot rests on the top of the rack. This known method aims at bringing the plant, and in particular the flower part thereof to be harvested, to a lower height when the plant has grown, which facilitates working in the greenhouse.

5

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved cultivation method for plants, in particular for cut flower plants, but also for plants with edible parts of plants.

To this end, the present invention provides a method according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the vertical distance between the bottom member and the upper edge of the root container is adjustable at each root holder, which method is at least once during the life of a plant comprises a distance-increasing operation, wherein the vertical distance between bottom member and top edge of the holder is increased, such that a plant is held in a root holder for a certain period of time while the bottom member thereof is at a vertical distance to the top edge associated with that period, 20, after which the vertical distance from the bottom member to the upper edge is increased to a larger vertical distance associated with a subsequent period, wherein the root package is held or brought to the bottom member, so that an open space is created above the root package in the root container, is at least partially filled with additional substrate that is available for root growth in that following period.

This method according to the invention is particularly suitable for the cultivation of cut anthuriums, but there is also provided an application for the cultivation of tomatoes and the monstera.

When used for growing anthuriums, the invention therefore provides that during the lifetime of the anthurium (which may, for example, be 5 years) the root package is moved down 35 or more times with respect to the upper edge of the root holder carrier , and therefore - if the root holder carrier has a fixed height relative to a 102 5889 3 walkway - relative to the walkway. Moreover, in the method according to the invention, additional substrate is provided in the root container on top of the already present root package.

The plant will therefore grow roots in this new substrate, in particular through the formation of side sprouts on the stem portion that is located in the additionally added substrate. This effect is very advantageous for the cultivation, in particular because it reduces the effective stem length between the root package and the flower / leaf to be harvested. For example, oasis, perlite or rock wool is used as the substrate.

Preferably, a separate root holder belongs to each plant, but it is also conceivable that several plants are placed in one root holder. In this context it is noted that with some anthuriums several stems quickly form from one plant, so that the image yields as if there were two or more plants in the root holder.

The invention further provides for the method to be applied in a situation where the root holders with plants are not stationary at a location (and are harvested by staff walking along a walkway, etc.) but are movable, for example per (set) plant holder (s) or per rack. For example, it can be provided that plant holders are moved from a growing location to a harvesting location to be harvested there. The utilized cultivation method is then also advantageous at that location, for example with regard to the height of the flowers / fruits to be harvested, which can be more uniform and lower than in the known methods. Even if the harvest is carried out automatically, these are attractive benefits.

Relocation could also be to an inspection location to (automatically) follow the development of the plant, or, for example, to a location where plants are grouped at a certain stage of development, for example, all newly harvested plants together under optimum conditions.

35

Preferably the spacing-up operation is repeated several times during the life of the plant, for example once a year 102 5889 4 or every two years, or after each harvest or at other times #. This of course depends on the height of the plant.

Preferably the spacing-up operation is performed such that the root package of the cut flower plant remains in the root holder.

In practice, it is advantageous if the root holder carriers hold the support formations of the root holders at a predetermined height relative to a ground, in particular a walkway of that ground. In addition, the height is preferably such that several distance-enlarging operations are possible during the life of the plant.

15

In a practically advantageous embodiment, in particular for the cultivation of cutting anthuriums, the height of the root holder carrier is such that the upper edge of the root holders is 30 centimeters to 100 centimeters above the substrate, advantageously at a height between 40 and 70 centimeters, for example approximately 50 centimeters.

In a special variant of the method according to the invention, it is provided that after one or preferably several distance enlarging operations, a lower part of the root package is removed from the plant. This too preferably takes place without removing the root package (in particular the remaining part thereof) from the root holder. This step is based on the insight that the height of the root package can eventually become such that the root package becomes undesirably large and thereby adversely affects the growth of the plant. It may also be problematic in practice that the root package becomes too high, for example because the bottom member of the root holder has reached a lower position.

35 102 5889 5

The invention further relates to a root holder arranged and apparently intended for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The invention further relates to an assembly of root holder and root holder carrier arranged and apparently intended for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a greenhouse arranged and apparently intended for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which a non-limiting example of the cultivation method 15 and a cultivation system according to the invention that can be applied thereto is shown.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a cultivation system 20 for carrying out the method according to the invention,

FIG. 2 a top view of the cultivation system of figure 1,

FIGs. 3a, b in side view and top view the rack of the cultivation system of figures 1 and 2,

Fis. 4a, b, c, respectively, in side views and in top view, the tube of the cultivation system of figures 1 and 2,

FIGs. 5a, b, c show in top view, side view and detail on a larger scale the bottom member of the cultivation system of figures 1 and 2.

The method for growing a large number of plants according to the invention, in this example for cutting anthuriums, will be explained with reference to the drawing.

In figures 1,2 and 3a, b, a root holder carrier designed as a metal elongated rack 1 can be recognized, which is arranged on a base 2 in a suitable cultivation greenhouse (not shown). Next to the rack 1 there is a walkway 3 where staff can walk.

1025889 6

Viewed in vertical section, the rack 1 is substantially inverted U-shape and is here built up of inverted U-shaped wire element uprights 1a spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the rack 1, and horizontal connecting elements 1b which extend in the direction of the rack extend and interconnect the uprights. Additional cross bars 1c in the upper surface of the rack 1 form with the elements 1b one or more adjacent rows of openings 5, into which root holders 10 to be described can be placed. The openings 5 here are insertion openings 10 for inserting the root holders 10 from above into the rack 1.

As will be explained in more detail below, the elements 1b, 1c of the rack 1 form support surfaces for the support formations of the root holders 10 which are supported in the rack 1 and are supported thereon.

15

For the sake of stability an intermediate rack 8 is provided with the same pattern of openings 5 for the tubes 10. This intermediate rack 8 is situated at a distance below the top of rack 1 and in this example rests on projecting parts of bottom elements 20 to be explained in more detail. .

The embodiment of the root holders 10 used here will now be further elucidated with reference to Figures 1, 4a-c and 5a-c.

Each root holder 10 has an oratrek wall in the form of a tube that can be opened from above and is arranged substantially vertically with a tube circumference wall 10a and an upper edge 10b. For example, the sleeve 10 is substantially made of an extruded plastic pipe, for example a PVC pipe.

30

The tube circumferential wall 10a is provided with a plurality of slot openings 11a-e at different heights, so that a bottom member 15 (see Figure 5) can be placed in the tube 10 through each of those slot openings 11a-e. In this example two slot openings are arranged diametrically opposite each other, so that the bottom member 15 projects through the sleeve 10.

102 5889 7

It will be clear that the bottom member could also be designed as a kind of piston, which is slidable in the sleeve, for example with an operating projection through a slot in the circumferential wall of the sleeve or on the underside (preferred embodiment) or top side of the sleeve. tube.

The bottom member 15 comprises a plate part 15a, which can in each case be inserted through one of the corresponding, substantially horizontal slot openings 11a-e in the tube circumferential wall 10a. In this way it is achieved that the bottom member 15 is displaceable over a range vertically with respect to the tube wall 10a.

The plate part 15 is here provided on its front insertion edge 15a with a cutting edge for cutting off a lower part of the root package, as will be explained in more detail below.

At the top, the sleeve 10 has an outwardly projecting peripheral flange 10c, which forms a support formation with which the sleeve 10 rests on the elements 1b, 1c of the rack, which together form an insertion opening 20 for the sleeve 10. It will be clear that instead of a flange 10c, another support formation part can also be provided on the sleeve 10, also at a height below the upper edge of the sleeve. Preferably, as in this example, the support formation is at a fixed height relative to the upper edge of the sleeve.

25

The rack 1 thus holds the flange 10c of the sleeve 10 at a predetermined height relative to a foundation 2, in particular the walkway 3. For example, the rack 1 is between 40 and 60 centimeters high.

30

When cultivating cutting anthuriums, for example, the grower can first place the still relatively young anthuriums in a tube 10, the bottom member 15 protruding into the upper slot 11a and the root package of the anthurium thus being bounded in the space by peripheral wall 10a and bottom member 15. For example, the root system grows in a substrate of oasis. The plant stem (or 1025889 8 stems) protrude upwards through the opening at the top of the tube 10, which is here bounded by the top edge 10b.

The flowers and / or leaves and / or fruits of the plants in the tubes 5 can be harvested. For watering the plants, for example, a water supply is provided to each individual root container 10. Preferably, the water supply is adapted to supply water to the top of the root package, for example a drip water supply system. For example, a pen with a dropper is inserted into the top of each root package. Figure 1 shows a water collection and discharge facility 9, which extends below the root containers 10, here in the direction of the rack. The provision can be a gutter (for instance made of plastic) or for instance comprise a foil which is located under the root holders. The water can be recycled.

For example, the distance between the bottom of the tubes 10 and the water collection 9 is more than 5 centimeters.

In the system shown, vertical distance between the bottom member 15 and the top edge 10c of the root holder 10 can be adjusted in discrete steps by inserting the bottom member 15 into another slot opening 11ae.

The invention provides that a spacing-up operation is performed at least once during the life of a plant, wherein the vertical distance between bottom member 15 and top edge 10c of the root container 10 is increased. This is accomplished here by, for example, removing the bottom member from the slot aperture 11a and reinserting it into the one below it! slot opening 11b.

i i

A plant is therefore kept in I for a certain period of time

a tube 10 while its bottom member 15 is at a vertical distance to the top edge associated with that period (for example, in slot aperture 11a), whereafter the vertical distance from the bottom member 15 to the top edge 10c is increased to a next one at 1025. longer vertical distance (e.g. in slot opening 11b). The root package is hereby held or brought to the bottom member 15. In practice, the root package will be pressed down because it is clamped in the tube 10. As a result, an open space is created above the root package in the root holder, which space is at least partially filled with additional substrate (for example pieces of oasis) which in that following period is available for root growth.

It will be clear that the operation described above can be repeated several times at the sleeve 10. This spacing-up operation is performed while the root package remains in the sleeve 10, so that the operation can be performed quickly and without damage to the root package.

15

For example, the spacing-up operation is repeated several times during the life of the plant, for example periodically (such as annually or after one or more harvests) or, for example, depending on a perception of the growth of the plant.

Moving the root package downwards relative to the upper edge of the tube 10, and thus relative to rack 1 and substrate 2, leads to the height of the flowers 25 and / or leaves to be harvested relative to the rack 1 and hence does not increase undesirably compared to the walkway 3. Moreover, the addition of additional substrate on top of the existing root package is relevant, as a result of which the effective stem length of the plant is shortened, in particular if the stem starts to form side sprouts in that additional substrate as is the case with cut anthuriums.

There is provision for the possibility of removing a lower portion of the root package from the plant after one or preferably several distance enlarging operations. This can be done here by means of the cutting edge 15c formed on the bottom member 15, but other methods are of course also conceivable.

102 5889 10

The tubes 10 in this example are adapted to cut anthuriums.

These plants have one or more stems that give a node (node) in the stem per growing period at a node distance that belongs to that type of plant above the previous node. With a distance-increasing operation as described here, an increase in the vertical distance is then realized in each case which substantially corresponds to that node distance. In practice, this distance is often between 5 and 10 centimeters.

During root growth, an adhesion to the circumferential wall 10a of the tube 10 can take place such that it is difficult to move the root package downwards. Therefore, a flexible separating layer could be provided between the root package and at least the peripheral wall of the root container, optionally also between the root package and the bottom member. For example, the flexible separation layer is a film, preferably a plastic film.

In a variant not shown, the sleeve 10 does not have a uniform cross-section over its height, but, for example, a conical shape extending wider downwards or a shape that becomes stepped wider downwards.

In a version not shown, the root holder has a circumferential wall which can be assembled from several ring segments.

For example, the ring segments of the root holder are slidable coaxially and telescopically with respect to each other, so that in the distance enlarging operation the ring segments are shifted relative to each other to increase the distance between bottom member and upper edge. For example, one or more remaining rings are lowered relative to an upper ring which rests on the rack 1.

In another version, one or more ring segments can be mounted on another ring segment, so that in the distance enlarging operation 35 an additional ring segment is mounted on the root holder.

102 5889 11

The discussed cultivation system is also suitable for growing tomatoes and for growing monsteras (such as monstera deliciosa; an edible fruit).

5 102 5889

Claims (33)

A method for growing plants, in particular cut flower plants, such as in particular cut anthuriums, in which method a root package of a plant growing in a suitable substrate is accommodated in a root holder (10), wherein each root holder forms a space for receiving the root package, wherein the root holder has a circumferential wall (10a) with an upper edge (10c) bounding an opening of the root holder at the top where one or more plant stems of the plant protrude upwards, which root holder extends onto a vertical distance below the upper edge has a bottom member (15) for bounding the underside of the space for the root package, the root holder further having a support formation (10c) which is situated at a substantially constant vertical distance with respect to the upper edge of the root holder, in which method further use is made of root holder carriers (1), on which one or more wort each time each holder is arranged, each root holder with its support formation (10c) resting on the root holder carrier, wherein plant parts are harvested, characterized in that at each root holder the vertical distance between the bottom member (15) and the upper edge (10c) of the root holder which method is adjustable at least once during the life of a plant, a distance-increasing operation, wherein the vertical distance between bottom member and upper edge of the holder is increased, such that a plant is held in a root holder for a certain period of time while the bottom member thereof is at a vertical distance associated with that period to the upper edge, whereafter the vertical distance from the bottom member to the upper edge is increased to a greater vertical distance associated with a subsequent period, the root package being held at the bottom member or brought, leaving above the root package in the wort The holder creates an open space, which is at least partially filled with additional substrate that is available for root growth in that following period. 10 A method according to claim 1, wherein the spacing-up operation is performed while the root package remains in the root container. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance enlarging operation is repeated several times during the life of the plant, for example periodically (such as annually or after one or more harvests) or, for example, depending on a perception of the growth of the plant. 20 Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the root holder carriers keep the support formations of the root holders at a predetermined height relative to a surface, in particular a walkway. 25 5. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein after one or preferably several distance enlarging operations a lower part of the root package is removed from the plant. 30 6. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the plant has one or more stems that give a node in the stem per growing period at a node distance belonging to that plant species above the previous node, and wherein at the distance enlarging operation an increase of the vertical distance is realized which substantially corresponds to that node distance. 102 5889 —----- 7. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the root holder is adapted to increase the vertical distance between bottom member and upper edge in one or more discrete steps, for example in steps between 5 and 10 cm. 8. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the root holder has a circumferential wall in the form of a tube that can be opened from above, substantially vertically, with a tube circumferential wall and an upper edge and with such a height that the bottom member has a range can be moved vertically relative to the box wall. 9. Method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tube circumferential wall is provided with a plurality of openings at different heights, so that the bottom member can be placed in the tube through each of said opening. 10. Method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bottom member comprises a plate part which can be inserted into corresponding tube openings through corresponding, substantially horizontal slot openings. 11. Method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plate part is provided on its front insertion edge with a cutting edge for cutting off a lower part of the root package. 12. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the root holder carrier is adapted for placement on a surface. 30 13. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the root holder carrier is an elongated rack with a top side, which rack is provided with openings for root holders arranged in a row, which rack forms supporting surfaces for the supporting formations of the root holders supported thereon are placed in the rack. 102 5889 A method according to claim 13, wherein the openings are insertion openings for inserting the root holders from above into the rack. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the root holder carrier, viewed in vertical section, is substantially inverted U-shape. 16. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the root holder carrier is elongated and is composed of rod elements, for example inversely 0-shaped wire element uprights spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the carrier, and horizontal connecting elements which are in the direction extend from the carrier and interconnect the uprights. 17. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the root holder on its circumferential wall, preferably near the upper edge, has an outwardly protruding support formation, for instance a circumferential flange. 18. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein furthermore a provision is made for the placement of a flexible separating layer between the root package and at least the circumferential wall of the root container, optionally also between the root package and the bottom member. The method of claim 18, wherein the flexible separation layer is a film, preferably a plastic film. 30 A method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein furthermore a water supply is provided to each individual root container. A method according to claim 20, wherein the water supply is arranged for supplying water to the top of the root package, for example a drip water supply. 102 ^ 5889__ A method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein there is a water collection below the root containers, for example a water collection gutter. 5 Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the holder has a circumferential wall that can be assembled from several ring segments. A method according to claim 23, wherein the ring segments of the root holder are coaxial and are telescopically displaceable relative to each other, so that in the distance enlarging operation the ring segments are shifted relative to each other to increase the distance between bottom member and upper edge. 15 A method according to claim 23, wherein one or more ring segments are mountable to another ring segment, so that in the distance enlarging operation an additional ring segment is mounted on the root holder. 20 A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein cut anthuriums are grown. 27. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims 1-25, wherein monsteras are grown. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims 1-25, wherein tomatoes are grown. 29. Growing system for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims. 30. Carrot holder arranged and apparently intended for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims. 35 A root holder for growing plants, in particular cut flower plants, comprising a tube that is open from above, substantially 102 5889, with a tube circumferential wall and an upper edge and with a bottom member which can be moved vertically relative to the tube wall over a range is, wherein preferably the tube circumferential wall is provided with a plurality of openings at different heights, so that the bottom member can be placed through each of said opening in the tube, the bottom member preferably comprising a plate part which passes through corresponding, substantially horizontal slot openings in the tube circumference wall can be inserted. An assembly of root holder and root holder carrier arranged and apparently intended for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims. 33. Greenhouse arranged and apparently intended for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims. 02 5889