WO2003059041A2

WO2003059041A2 - Device and method fro growing cut flowers

Info

Publication number: WO2003059041A2
Application number: PCT/NL2002/000807
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Petrus Jozef Van Os
Original assignee: Johannes Petrus Jozef Van Os
Priority date: 2001-12-13
Filing date: 2002-12-10
Publication date: 2003-07-24
Also published as: AU2002354391A1; AU2002354391A8; NL1021180C2; WO2003059041A3; EP1453373A2

Abstract

A root container (100) for receiving roots of a cut flower plant with upright plant parts (106) and bent-off plant parts (107). The root container (100) is of substantially tubular design and stands in an upright position during use. At a bottom end, the root container has a base (101), and has an open top end (105), from which, during use, the upright and bent-off plant parts (106,107) of the plant project. On the outer side of the root container (100) there are holding means (110) for holding bent-off plant parts (107) along the root container (100).

Description

Short title: Growing cut flowers.

The invention relates to a root container for receiving roots of a cut flower plant with upright plant parts and bent-off plant parts, which root container is substantially tubular and stands upright during use, the root container, at a bottom end, having a base, and having an open top end, out of which, during use, the upright and bent-off plant parts of the plant project.

When growing roses, it is known to grow the rose plants in a bed in a suitable substrate or soil. The rose plants have upright plant parts, from which it is possible to harvest, and plant parts which hang down and have leaves which are required for continuous growth of the plant. The bent-off plant parts are in this case situated on or just above the bed. The bent-off plant parts situated on or just above the bed have the drawback of being relatively burdened by leaf drop on account of the absence of ventilation just above the bed, which is disadvantageous with regard to the growth and strength of the plant.

It is also known to use an elevated bed, in which case the bent- off plant parts can hang down along the bed so that they do not touch the ground. In this case, the bent-off plant parts are less troubled by leaf drop on account of improved ventilation along the leaves.

Furthermore, it is known to grow rose plants in root containers, for example bucket-shaped pots, filled with soil or substrate, which are placed onto an elevated structure, such as an elevated channel or rack. Because the root containers are positioned at a high level, the bent-off plant parts can hang downwards without touching the ground. In this case too, the bent-off plant parts are less troubled by leaf drop on account of improved ventilation along the leaves.

Furthermore, WO 97/30577 has disclosed a root container intended in particular for growing plants, in particular cut flowers. The known root container comprises a tubular element in which soil or a substrate is held. The roots of a plant can grow in the soil or the substrate. The hanging plant parts hang down over the entire circumference of the upper edge of the tubular element. Therefore, the hanging plant parts can hang freely along the outer side of the tubular element over the entire circumference. This known root container has to have a height which is at least equal to the length of the bent-off plant parts, in order to ensure that the bent-off plant parts do not touch the ground. The great height means that this known root container has a large internal volume, and consequently large amounts of substrate or soil are required. Furthermore, the known root container is difficult to transport on account of its size. Furthermore, at a nursery it is necessary for the tubular elements to be kept at a certain distance from one another in order to maintain space between them for the hanging plant parts. The hanging plant parts may present an obstacle during harvesting of upright plant parts.

One object of the invention is to provide an alternative root container.

This object is achieved by a root container of the type described in the preamble of claim 1 in which holding means are present on the outer side of the root container for holding bent-off plant parts along the root container. The grower ensures that the bent-off plant parts are held along the root container by means of the holding means and do not present any obstacle.

The holding means are preferably arranged in such a manner that the bent-off plant parts are held at a distance from the root container. This measure means that the plant parts are held along the outer side of the root container but also at a certain distance from the outer side of the root container. The fact that the hanging plant parts do not bear against the outer side of the root container means that ventilation is possible between the root container and the hanging plant parts. This ensures a sufficient supply of nutrients to the plant via the air. Moreover, the ventilation prevents leaf drop, which would reduce the production rate and strength of the plant.

In a preferred embodiment, the root container has a wall part which extends substantially perpendicular to the base and at least one inclined wall part which extends at an angle with respect to the base which is such that the periphery of the root container at the top end is smaller than the periphery at the bottom end, the holding means being arranged at the inclined wall part. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because the hanging plant parts are held along the inclined wall part, while the remainder of the outer side of the root container is free of hanging plant parts. This makes it possible for the sides of root containers which are free of hanging plant parts to be positioned very close together or even against one another. Moreover, it is possible for the root container to be positioned with the inclined wall part and the bent-off plant parts which are held along it to be positioned so that they face the light. This is an advantage over the root container which is known from the prior art, since in the known root container the bent-off plant parts hang along the tubular element over the entire circumference and therefore some of them are always in the shadows.

The above-described root container according to the invention can advantageously be used in a method which forms a second aspect of the invention. The second aspect of the invention relates to a method for growing cut flowers, in particular for growing roses, in which each cut flower plant is positioned in a separate root container.

A method of this type is known. Hitherto, when growing roses it has been customary for the rose plants to be grown in the soil or a suitable substrate, optionally using a raised bed. The plant density is generally at most 10 plants per m², while recently this density has been reduced to 6-8 plants per m², with exceptions to both the upper and lower limits. The ideal plant density is on the one hand dependent on the plant itself, on account of competition for the space available and other growth factors, while on the other hand ease of working and supervision also plays a role, on account of labour costs. The object is to achieve the highest possible production level with a defined quality at the minimum possible (labour) costs.

In the known growing method, the plants are often grown in the form of one or more rows of hedges. The development of rose plants includes a shooting stage, a growth stage, a flowering stage and a ready-to-harvest stage. The harvesting of the roses is carried out by walking through the paths along the growth beds daily or more frequently and cutting off the plant parts which are ready to harvest. Since the branches of one plant and also the branches of various plants are not at the same stage of development, the plant has to be inspected regularly during harvesting, and the harvestable parts of the plant have to be harvested regularly. After harvesting, the harvested plant parts, for example rose branches, are sorted according to length and quality and are tied in bunches.

The costs of the known method can be divided into approximately 40% labour costs, approximately 30% energy costs and 30% miscellaneous costs. The labour costs are highly dependent on the type of plant which is grown. Production differences of between of between 140 and 600 branches per m² sometimes occur in roses. 60% of the abovementioned labour costs are related to harvesting, and 20% to the subsequent processing of the harvested plant parts. Therefore, harvesting is a labour- intensive, expensive component of the known growth method, with difficult working conditions for the staff, primarily on account of the posture, controlled temperature and relative humidity.

Furthermore, in the known method, since all the development stages of the growing process are present in the same growing bed, the growth conditions, such as temperature, light intensity and relative humidity, cannot be set optimally for each stage. It is not feasible to monitor production for each plant, for example the number of branches harvested from each plant per growing cycle. It is difficult to replace a low-productivity plant, since a new plant has to be planted in the hedge between existing fully grown plants. Consequently, there is a considerable risk of the new plant being stifled by the other plants. In practice, therefore, a hole which forms in the rose hedge is not filled.

The object of the invention is to reduce the labour-intensive nature of growing cut flowers.

The above object is achieved by a method in which the root containers with plants are conveyed separately or in groups past an assessment station, where each plant is observed and where an action to which the plant in question is subjected is selected on the basis of a selection criterion for each plant.

In the method according to the invention, each plant is grown in a separate root container which is filled, for example, with compost or other suitable substrate. The conveying of the plant to the assessment station and the selection of an action which a plant is to undergo at the assessment station ensures that the grower no longer has to walk past the rose hedges himself in order to determine which treatment the individual plants are to undergo, with the result that labour-intensive work is reduced.

The root containers with cut flower plants which are ready to harvest are preferably placed into a harvesting section. From the harvesting section, the root containers are conveyed past the assessment station. By way of example, the assessment station is used to select which plant parts can be harvested immediately on the basis of observations in the assessment station, after which the plant parts are harvested immediately, for example by machine.

At the assessment station, by way of example also on the basis of the observation and a selection criterion comprising a harvesting time for the plant parts, an operation which the plant in question is to undergo can be selected, i.e., for example for plants which have parts which can be harvested immediately, an action is selected whereby they are conveyed to a harvesting station, where they are harvested, while for plants with parts which can be harvested later, an action is selected whereby they are conveyed back to the harvesting section. Since the selection can be carried out in an automated manner, the labour-intensive work is reduced further.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the plants are sorted on the basis of the selection criterion, for example by placing plants which have parts with a matching harvesting time into the harvesting section together. As a result, it is not necessary for all the plants in the harvesting section to be moved past an assessment station or harvesting station every day. Only those plants which have parts which can be harvested on the relevant day are conveyed to a harvesting station. This increases the efficiency of harvesting of the roses or other cut flowers.

Furthermore, at the assessment station a selection can be made between plants which have been fully harvested and plants which have parts which are not yet ready for harvesting, so that a plant which has been fully harvested is returned to a section other than the harvesting section in order to prepare for a new growth cycle, with the result that the time between successive growth cycles is shortened and there is no delay. As a result, the number of harvesting cycles per year can increase from the usual 6-7 cycles to 9 cycles or more, so that annual production rises.

The root containers with plants in the shooting stage are advantageously placed into a shooting section, root containers with plants in the growth stage are advantageously placed into a growth section and root containers with plants in the flowering stage are advantageously placed into a flowering section. In this case, the growth conditions can be optimized for each development stage of the rose plants, and it is not necessary for each section to be equipped with all the facilities for each stage. The various sections can be connected to one another by conveyor means. In this way, the growth of plants can be automated further, resulting in optimum utilization of space.

This utilization of space can be increased further by changing the distance between the plants during the successive stages of the growth cycle. In general, a rose plant requires more space during the growth stage than during the shooting stage and flowering stage and ready-to-harvest stage.

Furthermore, a means of identification is advantageously provided for each root container with plant, and, by way of example, at the assessment station the number of plant parts which have been or are to be harvested is determined and recorded for each plant. This recording of production for each plant makes it possible to optimize production and to even out production differences. It is preferable for the plants with insufficient production to be removed and for new plants replacing them to be introduced into the rows of plants which are sent to the shooting section, so that the number of plants remains the same. Since these plants are in the same stage and are not competing with one another, there is little or no risk of these new plants not taking. On account of the above- described recording of the production for each plant, this production can easily be monitored for each growth cycle, with the result that a rapid insight into the production of a plant is obtained. In the growth method which was used hitherto, it has only been possible to use the total annual production to gain an overview of the mean production of all the plants together, and if necessary to take steps to increase this production.

The above-described arrangement of the growth cycle in separate sections also makes it possible to optimize the conditions for the various development stages of the rose plants, with the result that differences in development between plants in the same stage are evened out further, which is of benefit to the overall efficiency of the method according to the invention. For example, a high humidity and a high temperature and a low light intensity can be set during the shooting stage, while a higher light intensity and a slightly lower temperature are used for the subsequent growth stage in the growth section. Feeding can also be optimized in the various stages. Another advantage of growth in separate sections and the possibility of optimizing the growth conditions is that the energy consumption per product unit can be reduced, which gives an economic advantage.

The invention also relates to a device for growing cut flowers, in particular for growing roses, which device comprises a separate root container for each cut flower plant, the device comprising at least one assessment station for assessing each plant, and the device being provided with conveyor means for conveying the root containers and the assessment station with respect to one another.

The device preferably comprises a harvesting section for receiving root containers with plants which are ready to harvest, the conveyor means forming at least one path between the assessment station and the harvesting section. As a result, it is possible for plants which are ready to harvest to be conveyed to the assessment station, so that the parts of the plants which can be harvested can be assessed. Plants which have parts which are to be harvested later can advantageously be conveyed back to the harvesting section.

The conveyor means preferably comprise a support for root containers. The distance between the supports is preferably variable, and can be matched to the specific space requirements of the type of plant grown and to the stages of development. The root container can preferably be easily and quickly removed from the support. The conveyor means preferably comprise shunting means and are preferably advantageously also suitable for root containers with different dimensions.

Supports which can be used in the method and device according to the invention comprise, for example, elongate supports in which a plurality of root containers can be positioned next to one another.

The device is preferably provided with a sorting station, by which plants with a common property which has been determined by the assessment station can be sorted. In one possible embodiment, this can be implemented by, for example, taking root containers with plants for which, by way of example, the same harvesting time has been determined with the aid of the method described above, out of various elongate supports and placing them together in another support. The supports filled with root containers with plants with a matching harvest time can then be placed into the harvesting section together.

The conveyor means may comprise a common drive for the supports, which common drive comprises, for example, chains which are guided over driven toothed wheels, the chains being provided with drivers for carrying the supports along. Other drives comprise, for example, drive belts or tie rods arranged along the guides, by means of which plants can be guided to the assessment station, the harvesting station or another section.

The distance between the supports is preferably adjustable and can be matched to the requirements of a corresponding section (and therefore development stage) .

The device is preferably provided with supply means for supplying water and nutrients to each support during conveying. By way of example, the device is provided with supply points which are arranged at fixed positions and are arranged in such a manner that a support is provided with water and nutrients during all or at least a large part of the conveying time.

Furthermore, the device is preferably provided with drainage means, so that it is possible for water to circulate through the supports during transport. As a result, any excess water which is supplied to the support is not lost, but rather can be drained away. This results in economical water consumption.

To allow the production to be monitored, it is preferable for each support or root container to be provided with a means of identification, as has already been explained above in connection with the growing method according to the invention. Furthermore, the assessment station advantageously includes detection means for detecting the means of identification, which detection means are coupled to a computer in which among other things the production levels for each plant are recorded.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the growing method according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a diagram of an embodiment of part of the growing method shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows a diagram of another embodiment of the growing method according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a part of the device according to the invention with a carrier used therein,

Fig. 5 shows a cross section through the carrier shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 shows a front view of a root container according to the invention,

Fig. 7 shows a side view of the root container shown in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of holding means which may be located on the root container according to the invention,

Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of holding means which may be located on the root container according to the invention,

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a root container according to the invention, Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a base part of the root container shown in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a top part of the root container shown in Fig. 10,

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of holding means of the root container shown in Fig. 10,

Fig. 14 shows a side view of yet another embodiment of a root container according to the invention, and

Fig. 15 shows a side view of yet another embodiment of a root container according to the invention.

Fig. 1 diagrammatically depicts an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention. This growth method comprises a cycle of at least one cultivating stage of the cut flower plant and a ready-to-harvest stage, in which the cut flower plant has ready-to-harvest parts which can be harvested, and is preferably carried out in different areas of a greenhouse. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cultivation stage comprises a shooting stage, a growth stage and a flowering stage. Reference numeral 1 denotes a shooting section, where the plants which are in the shooting stage are placed. Reference numeral 2 denotes a growth section, where the plants which are in the growth stage are placed. Reference numeral 3 denotes a flowering section, where the plants which are in the flowering stage are placed. Reference numeral 4 denotes a harvesting section, where the plants which are ready to harvest are placed.

The method shown relates, for example, to growing roses. In the method, each rose plant is in a separate root container (not shown) . Conveying is carried out, for example, by placing one or more root containers in a support which is then displaced.

When the shoots are large enough, the plants are conveyed to the growth section 2. In this stage, it is possible to limit the number of shoots which is allowed to grow further by breaking off the remainder. In the growth section 2, the plants are positioned at what may be a different distance from one another.

When the shoots are fully grown and the bud has clearly formed, the rose plants are conveyed to the flowering section 3, and small shoots can also be broken off at the axils . In the flowering section 3, it is possible to vary the distance.

When the first rose branches are harvestable, the rose plants are conveyed to the harvesting section 4. The plants are, for example, guided daily past a station 15 where the branches which are ready for harvesting are assessed and harvested. If harvestable branches are still present on a plant, it continues to move between the harvesting section 4 and station 15. As soon as the plant has been fully harvested, it returns to the shooting section 1 for a new growth cycle.

Conveyor means are used to convey the plants. These conveyor means comprise a first loop 6, which moves past all the sections 1-4 and the station 15, and a second loop 7, which only moves past the station 15 and the harvesting section 4. In the embodiment which is diagrammatically depicted, the first loop 6 and the second loop 7 include a common section from the start of the harvesting section 4 to the station 15, where this section splits into the corresponding loops 6 and 7. In sections 1-4 , the conveyor means may form a continuous path. Another possibility consists in the conveyor means within a section forming a number of parallel sub-paths, which are connected to a common introduction and discharge path.

At station 15, the number of branches or flowers which have been cut off, i.e. the production rate per plant, which is provided with a suitable means of identification, such as a transponder or a bar code, is determined, for example using a device for receiving a signal which originates from the transponder or a device for reading the bar code, and recorded, for example in a computer. In this way, it is possible to monitor the production from each plant, and if a plant is producing insufficient branches or flowers, it is removed from the growth cycle after station 15 and replaced by a new plant which is conveyed to the shooting section 1. This results in a high level of uniformity among the plants.

Fig. 2 diagrammatically depicts an exemplary embodiment of the station 15 shown in Fig. 1. The station 15 comprises an assessment station 5, a harvesting station 8 and a sorting station 9. From the harvesting section 4, the root containers are conveyed to an assessment station 5.

In the assessment station 5, an estimate of the harvesting time of the harvestable parts of the plants is made. For this purpose, the assessment station 5 may comprise digital image processing means. The harvesting time is used to select which treatment the plant is to be subjected to at a specific time. Then, the root containers are conveyed to a sorting station.

In the sorting station 9, the plants are sorted on the basis of the selection made by the assessment station 5, in such a manner that plants which have parts which can be harvested immediately are conveyed to a harvesting station 8, and plants which have parts which can be harvested later are conveyed to the harvesting section 4. The plants which come out of the harvesting station 8 and have parts which can still be harvested are conveyed to the harvesting section 4 after harvesting. Harvesting is carried out more efficiently as a result of the plants which do not have any parts which can be harvested immediately not being conveyed past the harvesting station 8.

Fig. 3 diagrammatically depicts a further exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, root containers with plants are conveyed past an assessment station 5. The individual plants are observed in the assessment station 5. A harvesting time for the parts which are to be harvested is determined on the basis of the observation. The possible harvesting times are given in a selection list. The selection list comprises a number of treatment options which are dependent on the harvesting time. In the present example, the treatment options are the various locations where the plants are placed into the harvesting station 4. In the harvesting station 5, a treatment option is allocated to the plant.

Then, the plants are sorted in the sorting station 9 on the basis of the treatment option which has been selected in the assessment station 5. In this example, the plants of which the parts to be harvested first have a corresponding harvesting time are placed into the harvesting section 4 together. For this purpose, the harvesting section is subdivided into a number of subsections 4a to 4d. The plants which can be harvested directly are, on a specific day, placed for example in subsection 4a, while the plants which are to be harvested one day later are placed for example in subsection 4b, the plants which are to be harvested two days later are placed for example in subsection 4c, etc. This allocation may change from day to day.

From the harvesting section 4, the plants are conveyed from one of subsections 4a to 4d to the harvesting station 8. In the present example, in which on a specific day the plants which can be harvested immediately are placed into the subsection 4a, the plants are conveyed from the subsection 4a to the harvesting station 8, where the parts which are ready for harvesting are harvested. In the present example, the plants which have parts which can be harvested immediately are conveyed from the sorting station 9 to the subsection 4b the day after, and the plants from subsection 4b are conveyed to the harvesting station 8, where the parts which are ready for harvesting are harvested.

From the harvesting station 8, the plants are conveyed to the assessment station 5, where the plants are observed again and a treatment option is allocated to the plant.

In the example, it is, of course, also possible for plants which no longer have any harvestable parts to be conveyed via the sorting unit 9 to the shooting section 1.

It should be understood that the invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments of the method which have been described with reference to Figures 1-3. It is eminently possible to give consideration to other embodiments in which the various components are connected to one another in a different way from that shown in the examples, without departing from the inventive idea. For example, it is also possible for the plants to be assessed by a station at various points in the growth cycle. For example, at the shooting section it is possible to assess whether the plants have grown sufficient shoots to be conveyed to the growth section.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of part of a device according to the invention. As conveyor means, the device has supports 20 in which root containers can be received. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the support 20 is designed as an elongate support in which a plurality of root containers 100 can be positioned next to one another. Each support 20 is provided with a supply unit 21 for supplying water and nutrients. Furthermore, the support 20 also has a drain 22 for draining water.

Fig. 5 shows a cross section through the support 20 in which a root container 100 is accommodated. The support 20 has vertical walls 29 and a base 23 comprising a baseplate 24 which is designed to support a root container 100. Furthermore, the base 23 comprises channels 25, 26 which extends next to the baseplate and are used to collect water. The passages 25, 26 are connected to a drainage opening 22 for draining off excess water. An overflow plate (not shown) is arranged in the drainage opening 22, so that the support 20 is filled with water to a defined height, preferably to just above the height of the baseplate 24. As a result, a base 101, which is provided with openings (not shown), of the root container 100 is always in the water, with the result that a plant can be provided with water.

The device is provided with supply means 35 for supplying water and nutrients to each support 20 during conveying. The supply means 35 may, for example, comprise a line 36 at which various supply points 37 are arranged along the conveying path.

The supply units 21 of the supports 20 are formed in such a manner that the front part 21a, as seen in the direction of movement 50, of the supply unit 21 is always overlapped by the back part 21b of the supply unit 21 of the preceding support 20. Consequently, there is always a supply unit 21 of a support 20 below the supply points 37, even if the distance between the supports 20 varies, and consequently no water is lost.

Furthermore, the device is provided with drainage means 30 in which the water which flows out of the drainage opening 22 is collected. This results in water circulating through the supports 20 during conveying of the supports. The water which arrives in the drainage means 30 can be recirculated to the supply means 35, so that circulation of water takes place throughout the device while the supports 20 are being conveyed.

The abovementioned sorting station 9 is preferably provided with means for taking a root container 100 out of a support 20 and for placing a root container 100 into a support 20. As a result, root containers 100 with plants with plant parts with matching harvesting times can be placed into a support 20 together.

Fig. 6 and 7 show the root container 100. The root container 100 is substantially in the form of a box and has a base 101 and an open top side 105, out of which upwardly projecting plant parts or branches 106 and hanging plant parts or branches 107, for example of a rose plant, project.

The base 101 of the root container 100 is removable. As a result, soil or substrate can be introduced into the root container 100, and the roots of the plant can grow in this soil or substrate. The base 101 is provided with slots 102 through which water and air can flow under the base 101. Openings (not shown) may also be present in the slots 102, through which openings the soil or substrate can come into contact with water and air.

It can be seen from Fig. 7 that the root container 100 has a rear wall 103, which extends substantially perpendicular to the base 101. Furthermore, the root container 100 has an inclined front wall 104 which extends in such a way that it diverges from the top side 105 towards the base 101. In the embodiment shown, the root container 100 also has two side walls 108 which extend obliquely from the top side 105 towards the base 101.

In the embodiment shown, the front wall 104 has a region 104a which adjoins the base 101 and extends substantially perpendicular to the base 101. The side walls 108 also have a region 108a which extends substantially perpendicular to the base 101. The regions 104a, 108a and the back wall 103 in the vicinity of the base 101 form a region of the root container 100 with a constant periphery. One advantage of this form is that root containers positioned next to one another, in the vicinity of the base, completely or almost completely cover the supports of the conveyor system, with the result that it is impossible for any dirt to reach the supports. Consequently, there is less risk of decay processes taking place in the water in the supports, which could adversely affect the roots in the root containers. The region in the vicinity of the base 101 is provided all the way around with ventilation openings 111 which ensure that sufficient air can reach the soil or substrate in the root container 100.

Ribs 140 are arranged on the side walls 108. These ribs 140 are used to make it easy to manually or mechanically pick up the root container 100, for example in the sorting station 9.

Holding means 110 are arranged on the front wall 104. These holding means 110 are used to enable hanging plant parts to be held in place along the front wall 104. This therefore prevents hanging plant parts from hanging along the side walls 108 and the back wall 103. This is advantageous because the root containers 100 can then be placed close together, for example in supports 20, as shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, this is advantageous because during the harvesting phase the root containers 100 can be positioned with the rear wall 103 facing the station 5. This prevents the hanging plant parts from forming an obstacle during the harvesting operations carried out on the upright plant parts 106. Fig. 8 shows holding means 110. The holding means 110 comprise clamping members 112, each with clamping halves 113 and 114. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the holding means 110 therefore comprise two clamping members 112. Between the clamping halves 113 and 114, there is a space 115, into which hanging plant parts can be pushed from the clamping opening 116. The clamping half 114 is provided with teeth 117. These teeth 117 are used to prevent the hanging plant part held in the clamping member 112 from slipping out of the space 115.

The clamping members 112 are arranged on a spacer 120. The spacer 120 is arranged between the holding means 110 and the root container 100. The spacer 120 comprises a wall 121 with wall surfaces 121a and 121b which respectively face the top and bottom ends of the root container 100. The wall 121 is provided with a number of ventilation openings 122. The ventilation openings 122 ensure that the air flow along the front wall 104 is not excessively impeded, with the result that leaf drop onto the hanging plant parts is prevented and it is ensured that the plant can absorb sufficient nutrients from the air.

Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of holding means 110, these means comprising a single clamping member 112. In this embodiment, both clamping halves 113 and 114 of the clamping member 112 are provided with teeth 117.

In practice, it will be possible for the first bent-off branch, which is denoted by 107, to be wound around the holding means by the grower, as shown in Fig. 6. The following hanging branches (not shown) are clamped into the holding means 112.

It can be seen from Figs 6-9 that a guide channel 130 is arranged on each of the sides of the holding means 110. These guide channels 130 are used to guide the bent-off plant part or branch 107 around the holding means 110, the guide channels 130 ensuring that the branch 107 is not kinked. Kinking in the branch causes damage to the plant, since the internal transport of plant juices is obstructed at the kink, and this impedes good growth of the plant. For this reason, a guide channel 131 is also arranged at the top end of the root container 100. This guide channel 131 is used to guide the bent-off branch 107 downwards over a top edge 105a of the root container 100 without the branch 107 kinking or being damaged by the edge 105a. Of course, it is also possible to arrange guide channels at other locations on the outer side of the root container 100 to complement or completely or partially replace the abovementioned guide channels 130 and 131.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the root container 100, in the vicinity of the base 101, has an area of the root container 100 with a constant periphery which is formed by regions 104a, 108a and the back wall 103, which forms a single unit with the area above it, which is formed by the front wall 104, the side walls 108 and back wall 103 and is removable. In another possible embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 10, the area 200 in the vicinity of the base 101 and the area 201 located above it are produced separately from one another. In this embodiment, therefore, the root container 100 comprises a traylike base part 200, which is shown separately in Fig. 11, and a top part 201, which is shown separately in Fig. 12. These two parts 200 and 201 of the root container 100, for use, can be placed on top of each other, resulting in a root container 100 as shown in Fig. 10. The base part 200 is preferably produced integrally with the base 101. The top parts 201 of various root containers 100 can be nested in one another in the latter embodiment, and the base parts 200 can likewise nest in one another, so that when they are not in use, for example during storage and transport, they take up less space.

The base part 200 and the top part 201 can be connected to one another, for example by means of hinge means 203 and locking means 204. During use, the root container 100 can be opened by unlocking the lock between the top part 201 and the base part 200 and tilting the top part 201 upwards, so that the two parts 200, 201 of the root container hinge with respect to one another at the location of the hinge means 203. The hinge means 203 may, for example, be designed as flexible lips 221 which project from a top edge 220 of the base part 200 and can be fitted into slot- shaped holes 222 in the top part 201, as shown in Fig. 10.

The holding means 110, which are shown separately in Fig. 13, in this embodiment are preferably arranged in the vicinity of the separation point between the base part 200 and the top part 201, on the top part 201, as can be seen from Fig. 10. The holding means 110 may be provided with locking lips 205 which can interact with locking holes 206 which are arranged in the base part 200 and locking holes 207 which are arranged in the top part 201. In this example, therefore, the abovementioned locking means 204 comprise the locking lips 205 and the locking holes 206, 207, although they may also be designed differently.

In this embodiment, the base part 200 is preferably also provided all the way around, in the vicinity of the base 101, with ventilation openings 11 which ensure that sufficient air can reach the soil or substrate in the root container 100, and the base 101 is provided with slots 102 through which water and air can flow under the base 101 and can reach the soil or substrate. via openings 210.

On the sides at the top edge, the base part 200 is provided with projecting ribs 250. The ribs 250 can be used as a pick-up member for the root container 100 to be picked up by. The ribs 250 have the additional advantage that root containers 100 positioned next to one another, by means of the ribs 250, completely or almost completely cover the supports of the conveyor system, with the result that it is impossible for any dirt to reach the supports.

It is preferable for means which inhibit root growth and ensure that the plant roots cannot grow via the ventilation openings 111 and openings 210 in the base 101 and out of the root container 100 to be region arranged in the base. The root growth-inhibiting means may be made from a water-permeable and air-permeable fabric material and are designed, for example, as a cloth of the abovementioned material which is arranged in the base part 200 and covers the openings 111 and 210 from the inner side. In a further embodiment, the root container 100 is provided on the upper side, preferably at the rear wall 103, with a water collection compartment 190, which is in communication with the interior of the root container 100 by means of through-passage means 191, as shown in Fig. 14. Water and nutrients which are supplied by supply means can be collected in the water collection compartment 190 and are then fed via the through- passage means 191 to the roots in the root container 100.

In a possible embodiment which is shown in Fig. 15, two root containers can be combined to form a root container 300 for two plants or a single plant, in which case the bent-off plant parts are bent off to both sides and are held by holding means 110 on both sides. In this case, the root containers can be produced from a single piece. It is also conceivable for, by way of example, the rear wall 103 of separate root containers to be placed against one another and coupled to one another in order to receive two plants.

Claims

1. Root container for receiving roots of a cut flower plant with upright plant parts and bent-off plant parts, which root container is substantially tubular and stands upright during use, the root container, at a bottom end, having a base, and having an open top end, out of which, during use, the upright and bent-off plant parts of the plant project, characterized in that on the outer side of the root container there are holding means for holding bent-off plant parts along the root container.

2. Root container according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means comprise at least one clamping member for holding the bent-off plant parts clamped.

3. Root container according to claim 2, characterized in that the clamping member is provided with teeth on a side which, during use, faces the plant parts which are to be held.

4. Root container according to one or more of claims 1-3, characterized in that the holding means are arranged in such a manner that the bent-off plant parts are held at a distance from the root container.

5. Root container according to claim 4, characterized in that a spacer is arranged between the holding means and the root container.

6. Root container according to claim 5, characterized in that the spacer is provided with one or more ventilation openings .

7. Root container according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the spacer comprises a wall with wall surfaces which face the top and bottom ends of the root container.

8. Root container according to one or more of claims 1-7, characterized in that the root container is provided, on the outer side, with at least one guide channel for guiding bent-off plant parts.

9. Root container according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide channel is arranged on the holding means in order to guide one or more bent-off plant parts around the holding means.

10. Root container according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide channel is arranged at the top end of the root container for guiding one or more bent-off plant parts downwards.

11. Root container according to one or more of claims 1-10, characterized in that the root container has a wall part which extends substantially perpendicular to the base, and at least one inclined wall part which extends at an angle with respect to the base which is such that the periphery of the root container is smaller at the top end than the periphery at the bottom end, the holding means being arranged at the inclined wall part.

12. Root container according to claim 11, characterized in that the root container, in the vicinity of the bottom end, has a region with a constant periphery.

13. Root container according to one or more of claims 1-12, characterized in that the root container is provided, in a region close to the bottom end, with openings for allowing air and/or water to pass through.

14. Root container according to one or more of claims 1-13, characterized in that the root container is provided on the outer side with at least one pick-up member, for example a projecting rib, for picking up the root container.

15. Root container according to one or more of claims 1-14, characterized in that the base of the root container is removable .

16. Root container according to claim 12, characterized in that the region in the vicinity of the bottom end can be detached from the region of the root container located above it.

17. Root container according to claim 16, characterized in that the region in the vicinity of the bottom end and the region of the root container located above it are connected to one another by locking means.

18. Root container according to claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the region in the vicinity of the bottom end and the region of the root container located above it are connected to one another by hinge means.

19. Root container according to claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the region in the vicinity of the bottom end is integral with the base.

20. Root container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that collection means for supplied water and nutrients are arranged on the root container.

21. Root container according to claim 13, characterized in that means for inhibiting root growth through the openings are arranged in the region in the vicinity of the bottom end.

22. Root container according to claim 21, characterized in that the root growth-inhibiting means comprise a cloth made from a water-permeable and air-permeable fabric material.

23. Root container for receiving roots of a cut flower plant with upright plant parts and bent-off plant parts, which root container is substantially tubular and stands upright during use, the root container, at a bottom end, having a base, and having an open top end, out of which, during use, the upright and bent-off plant parts of the plant project, characterized in that the root container has a wall part which extends substantially perpendicular to the base and at least one inclined wall part which extends at an angle to the base which is such that the periphery of the root container at the top end is smaller than the periphery at the bottom end.

24. Root container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the root container is designed to receive the roots of two cut flower plants.

25. Method for growing cut flower plants, in particular for growing roses, in which a root container according to one or more of claims 1-22 is used, characterized in that one or more plant parts are bent off and are arranged in the holding means, so that they are held along the root container.

26. Method for growing cut flowers, in particular for growing roses, in which each cut flower plant is placed in a separate root container, characterized in that the root containers with plants are conveyed separately or in groups past an assessment station, where each plant is observed and where a treatment to which the plant in question is subjected is selected on the basis of a selection criterion for each plant.

27. Method according to claim 26, characterized in that the root containers with plants which are ready for harvesting are placed into a harvesting section.

28. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that the assessment station is designed to assess the plants in the harvesting section.

29. Method according to one or more of claims 26-28, characterized in that the selection criterion comprises a harvesting time.

30. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that a root container with a plant which has parts which are ready for harvesting and for which a later harvesting time is selected are conveyed back to the harvesting section.

31. Method according to one or more of claims 26-30, characterized in that the root containers with plants are sorted on the basis of the selection criterion.

32. Method according to one or more of claims 29-31, characterized in that the root containers with plants which have parts which are ready for harvesting and whose selected harvesting time matches are placed into the harvesting section together.

33. Method according to one or more of claims 26-32, characterized in that a means of identification is provided for each root container.

34. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that a plant which has parts which are ready for harvesting is harvested at the harvesting time.

35. Method according to one or more of claims 26-34, characterized in that the root containers are conveyed along a harvesting station in order for parts which are ready for harvesting to be harvested.

36. Method according to one or more of claims 26-36, characterized in that root containers with plants which are in a shooting stage are placed into a shooting section.

37. Method according to claim 36, characterized in that if the plant in the assessment station does not have any parts which are to be harvested, the plant is conveyed to the shooting section.

38. Method according to one or more of claims 26-35, characterized in that plants which are in a shooting stage are placed into a shooting section, plants which are in a growth stage are placed into a growth section and plants which are in a flowering stage are placed into a flowering section, and it being possible to vary the distance between the plants in the various sections.

39. Method according to claim 33, characterized in that the number of parts which are to be harvested or have been harvested from each plant is determined and recorded at the assessment station.

40. Method according to claim 39, characterized in that the selection criterion comprises a desired number of harvested parts .

41. Method according to claim 40, characterized in that plants which are insufficiently productive are removed.

42. Device for growing cut flowers, in particular for growing roses, which device comprises a separate root container for each cut flower plant, the device comprising at least one assessment station for assessing each plant, and the device being provided with conveyor means for conveying the root containers and the assessment station with respect to one another.

43. Device according to claim 42, characterized in that it comprises a harvesting section for receiving root containers with plants which are ready to harvest, the conveyor means forming at least one path between the assessment station and the harvesting section.

44. Device according to claim 42 or 43, characterized in that the conveyor means comprise a support for the root containers.

45. Device according to claim 44, characterized in that the supports are designed as elongate supports for receiving a plurality of root containers next to one another.

46. Device according to claim 44 or 45, characterized in that each support is provided with a supply unit for supplying water and nutrients.

47. Device according to one or more of claims 44-46, characterized in that the device is provided with supply means for supplying water and nutrients to each support during conveying.

48. Device according to one or more of claims 44-47, characterized in that the device is provided with drainage means, so that circulation of water through the supports is possible during conveying.

49. Device according to one or more of claims 44-48, characterized in that the support has a base comprising a baseplate, which is designed to support a root container, and a passage, which extends next to the baseplate, for receiving water, and a drainage opening for draining water.

50. Device according to claim 42, characterized in that there are means for taking a root container out of a support and for placing a root container into a support.

51. Device according to claim 42, characterized in that the device comprises a harvesting station.

52. Device according to claim 42, characterized in that the device comprises a sorting station.

53. Device according to claim 52, characterized in that the sorting station is provided with means for picking a root container out of a support and for placing a root container into a support.

54. Device according to one of claims 42-53, characterized in that the assessment station comprises detection means for detecting a means of identification arranged on the root containers, which detection means are coupled to a computer, in which, for example, the production level of each plant is recorded.

55. Device according to one of claims 42-54, characterized in that the assessment station comprises digital image processing means.

56. Method according to one or more of claims 26-41, in which the root container according to one or more of claims 1-24 is used.