WO2009076505A1

WO2009076505A1 - Plant aeration device and method of use

Info

Publication number: WO2009076505A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/086378
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim P. Fowler
Original assignee: Fowler Kim P
Priority date: 2007-12-12
Filing date: 2008-12-11
Publication date: 2009-06-18

Abstract

A plant aeration device includes one or more fans; one or more air inlets for drawing in air; one or more air outlets for expelling air; and one or more power sources for supplying power to the one or more fans, and wherein the plant aeration device is configured be positioned adjacent to a base of a plant having a canopy and direct air substantially upward from adjacent to the base of the plant to the plant canopy to improve air circulation in and around the canopy of the plant.

Description

PLANT AERATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

Field of the Invention:

[01] The present invention relates to plant aeration devices and methods of aerating plants.

Background of the Invention:

[02] Plants require water, nutrients, and maintenance for optimal health. A problem that occurs with plants is that they do receive optimal ventilation. As a result, waste gases, excess heat, and disease can degrade the health of the plant.

Summary of the Invention:

[03] The present invention relates to a plant aeration device and method of use that improves the circulation of air in and around the canopy of a plant.

[04] The microclimate around plants can have a significant effect on their health and development. Air circulation helps ventilate waste gases, remove excess heat, and prevent diseases that can develop in closed spaces.

[05] An aspect of the invention involves a plant aeration device including one or more fans; one or more air inlets for drawing in air; one or more air outlets for expelling air; and one or more power sources for supplying power to the one or more fans, and wherein the plant aeration device is configured be positioned adjacent to a base of a plant having a canopy and direct air substantially upward from adjacent to the base of the plant to the plant canopy to improve air circulation in and around the canopy of the plant.

[06] Another aspect of the invention involves a method of improving air circulation in and around a canopy of a plant using the plant aeration device described immediately above. The method includes receiving power via the power source to power the fan; drawing air into the plant aeration device through the one or more air inlets; imparting positive pressure on the air via the fan; and expelling the air out of the one or more air outlets from the plant aeration device adjacent to the base of the plant substantially upward towards the plant canopy to improve air circulation in and around the canopy of the plant.

[07] In another aspect of the invention, the plant aeration device includes an aeration member (e.g., aeration ring), an air communication passage, and a fan/motor housing. The plant aeration device is positioned adjacent the base of a plant/tree so that the aeration ring circumferential Iy surrounds the base of the plant/tree. Ambient air is drawn into the fan/motor housing by a fan/motor in the housing. The air is transmitted to the aeration ring through the air communication passage. The air is expelled upwards from the aeration ring through air tubes or holes. The air tubes or holes direct the air in and around the plant canopy. Air circulation in and around the plant canopy helps ventilate waste gases, removes excess heat, and helps prevents diseases in the plant.

Brief Description of Drawings:

[08] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

[09] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a potted plant with an embodiment of the plant aeration device shown applied thereto;

[10] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the plant aeration device shown in Figure 1 ;

[11] Figure 3 is right side elevational view of the plant aeration device shown in

Figures 1 and 2; and [12] Figure 4 is right side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a plant aeration device.

[13] Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a plant aeration device;

[14] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the plant aeration device of Figure 5 taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 5.

[15] Figure 7 is a diagram demonstrating the substantially upward direction of an air stream A from the plant aeration device.

[16] Figure 8 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a fan in another embodiment of a plant aeration device.

[17] FIG. 9A is a top plan view of another embodiment of a plant aeration device and shows a plurality of spaced fans of the plant aeration device.

[18] FIG. 9B is a partial side elevational view of one of the fans illustrated in FIG.

9A.

Description of Embodiment of Invention:

[19] With reference to Figures 1 -3, an embodiment of a plant aeration device 100 and method of use will be described. The plant aeration device 100 improves the circulation of air in and around the canopy of a plant (e.g., plant, tree) 300. Although the plant aeration device 100 is described in conjunction with improving the circulation of air in and around the canopy of an indoor potted plant, in alternative applications, the aeration device 100 is used for improving the circulation of air in and around the canopy of an indoor plant that is planted (i.e., plant 300 does not have to be potted). [20] The plant aeration device 100 includes an aeration member (e.g., aeration ring) 110, one or more air communication passages 120, and a fan/motor housing 130 (with fan/motor therein). Although in Figures 1 and 2, the aeration ring 110, the air communication passage(s) 120, and the fan/motor housing 130 are shown as three distinct elements, in alternative embodiments, one or more of the aeration ring 110, the air communication passage(s) 120, and the fan/motor housing 130 are integrated together. For example, but not by way of limitation, in an alternative embodiment, the plant aeration device 100 is simply an annular ring or penannular (almost annular) member (See, for example, plant aeration device 400, FIG. 5). FIG. 9A shows an alternative embodiment of a plant aeration device including a penannular ring (or annular ring) with a plurality of spaced fans in or on the ring. [21] With reference back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the aeration ring 110 includes one or more upwardly extending air tubes 140 spaced substantially equidistantly relative to each other along the ring 110. The tubes 140 are open on both ends. The open lower end communicates with air passage(s) in the aeration ring 110. Although the tubes 140 are shown as delivering air flow straight up towards the plant canopy, in an alternative embodiment, the tubes 140 direct air substantially upward, but in one or more different directions/angles, to improve the circulation of air around the canopy of the plant 300.

[22] With reference to FIG. 7, as used herein "substantially upward" means directed up (i.e., from adjacent the base 330, upwards towards the canopy 340) more in the direction of vertical arrow U than in the direction of horizontal arrow H. In other words, air stream A is directed up at an angle α that is less than 45 degrees relative to vertical arrow U. In an alternative implementation of the embodiments described herein, air stream A is directed up at an angle α that is greater than O degrees and less than 45 degrees relative to vertical arrow U. [23] In another embodiment, the air tubes 140 are replaced with air holes. Similar to the air tubes 140, in an alternative embodiment, the air holes direct air substantially upward, but in one or more different directions/angles, to improve the circulation of air in and around the canopy of the plant 300. [24] In an alternative embodiment, the air tubes 140 (and/or air holes) are adjustable for flow rate control there through and/or to adjust the direction of flow there from to improve the circulation of air in and around the canopy of the plant 300. In an embodiment where the air tubes 140 are adjustable for providing flow rate control, flow through each air tube 140 is controlled by twisting the air tube 140. In an embodiment where the air tubes 140 are adjustable for controlling the direction of flow from each air tube, the air tube 140 may include an offset air outlet. Rotation of the air tube 140 causes the offset air outlet to be located in a different rotated position, emitting air flow in a different direction. Alternatively, the air tube 140 may have a ball/socket assembly so that the air tube 140 may be rotated/angled to a desired direction. The air tubes 140 may also be bendable/shapeable or movable for changing the flow direction/angle to improve the circulation of air in and around the canopy of the plant 300. [25] The aeration ring 110 is substantially flat, wide, and has a penannular configuration. The aeration ring 110 is rigid and is weighted so that the weight of the fan/motor housing 130 does not cause the plant aeration device 100 to pivot upwardly and/or out of the plant container (e.g., pot) 320. In an embodiment where the plant aeration device 100 is used with a planted plant that is not in a pot, the fan/motor housing 130 may be substantially coplanar with the aeration ring (e.g., See FIG. 5) so that the entire plant aeration device 100 lies flat on soil 310. In the embodiment of the plant aeration device shown in FIG. 9A, in another implementation, the fans may be substantially coplanar with the aeration ring similar to that described above with respect to FIG. 5. The air passage(s) in the aeration ring 110 may have a configuration that causes all of the air tubes 140 to have an equal flow rate there through. For example, but not by way of limitation, the air passage(s) in the aeration ring 110 may have a gradually increasing cross section progressing from where air communication passage 120 connects to aeration ring 110 to ends 150. Similarly, the cross section of the holes in the air tubes 140/air holes may have a gradually increasing cross section progressing from where air communication passage 120 connects to aeration ring 110 to ends 150. Thus, at least one of the air outlets (e.g., air tubes 140/air holes) and the one or more air communication passages 120 include dimensions that vary with distance from the one or more fans.

[26] A recess or gap 160 is formed between ends 150 of aeration ring 110. The aeration ring 110 includes a central opening 170.

[27] In an alternative embodiment, the aeration member 110 includes a flexible construction and/or bendable/shapeable construction so that the aeration member 110 can be flexed and/or bent to a desired configuration for optimal air flow and/or for optimally fitting different-sized plants, canopies, and/or pots (e.g., on the inside of the upper rim of the pot 320, on the outside of the upper rim of the pot 320, around and/or under a plant 300 that is not potted). For example, the aeration member 110 may include a tubular flexible elastomer construction with a bendable wire embedded therein. The aeration member 110 may be bent/shaped do a desired configuration for the specific plant aeration application. [28] In another embodiment, the aeration member 110 is a continuous ring instead of a penannular ring. In a further embodiment, the aeration ring 110 has a variable thickness and/or diameter. In a still further embodiment, the aeration ring 110 and/or the air communication passage(s) 120 includes one or more fasteners (e.g., clips) to attach the aeration ring 110 and/or the air communication passage(s) 120 to the pot 320 and/or plant 300. In an additional embodiment, the aeration ring 110 is spring-loaded (e.g., includes spring mechanism that biases/urges aeration member 110 outwardly, to inner surface of pot 320, or inwardly, to outer surface of pot 320) so that the aeration ring 110 is compressed to fit the aeration ring 110 inside the upper rim of the pot 320 (or expanded to fit the aeration ring 110 outside the upper rim of the pot 320) and then released, allowing the aeration ring 110 to take the shape of the upper rim of the pot 320. Thus, the spring mechanism of the plant aeration member 110 biases the plant aeration member 110 against at least one of the base 330 of the plant 300 and a plant container (e.g., pot) 320 to secure the plant aeration device 100 into position relative to the plant 300. [29] In an alternative embodiment, the aeration ring 110/plant aeration device 100 is integrated or built into the pot 320 (e.g., inside the upper rim of the pot 320, outside the upper rim of the pot 320) instead of being a stand-alone device. [30] With reference to Figure 3, the fan motor housing 130 includes an air inlet with an inlet filter or grate ("filter") 180. The filter 180 includes holes therein for allowing ambient air to be drawn into the plant aeration device 100. The fan motor housing 110 houses a motor that drives a fan for drawing ambient air into the plant aeration device 100 and transmitting the air flow through and out of the plant aeration device 100. An on/off switch 190 controls the supply of power from power source (e.g., rechargeable, disposable, alkaline, zinc-carbon, solid-state battery/batteries) 200 to the fan motor. In an embodiment, where rechargeable battery/batteries 200 power the motor, a power cord and adapter may be provided that plugs into the fan motor housing 110 and an AC outlet for charging/recharging the rechargeable battery/batteries 200. In an alternative embodiment, the fan motor housing 130 houses a controller and further includes a settings switch (or a variation of switch 190) for putting the plant aeration device 100 into a desired mode or setting (e.g., an intermittent mode/setting where the plant aeration device 100 directs air flow intermittently to and/or around the plant 300, a variable rate mode/setting where the plant aeration device 100 directs air flow at different flow rates to and/or around the plant 300). In a further embodiment, the fan motor housing 130 includes one or more solar panels for powering the motor through solar energy. Thus, the power source 200 may include, but is not limited to, least one of one or more batteries, one or more rechargeable batteries, one or more fuel cells, one or more solar cells, and one or more power cords/plugs. [31] With reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, in an alternative embodiment, a plant aeration device 600 includes a plurality of spaced fans 610 disposed on or in ring 620 (e.g., penannular ring, annular ring). The plant aeration device 600 includes one or more motors for the fans 610. The plant aeration device 600 includes one or more power source compartments 630 (e.g., battery compartment(s)) with one or more power sources (e.g., disposable battery/batteries, rechargeable battery/batteries) disposed in the ring 620. The fan(s) 610 are preferably integrated with the ring 620. In an alternative embodiment, the fan(s) 610 are removably attachable to the ring 620 (or another support structure). The fans 610 are disposed in the ring 620, substantially coplanar with the ring 620, or project upwardly from the ring 620 as shown in FIG. 9B. The fan(s) 610 are generally similar to fan 500 described herein with respect to FIG. 8. [32] With reference to Figure 4, an alternative embodiment of a fan motor housing 130 is shown. In this embodiment, the fan motor housing 130 includes an AC adapter, a power cord 210, and a plug 220 for plugging the plant aeration device 100 into an AC outlet for powering the motor.

[33] The plant aeration device 100 will now be described in use. The plant aeration device 100 is positioned adjacent the base 330 of a plant 300 so that the aeration ring 110 circumferentially surrounds a base 330 of the plant 300. The recess 160 in the aeration ring 110 allows one to slip the aeration ring 110 over the base 330 of the plant 300 and position the aeration ring 110 so that the base 330 is centrally disposed in the central opening 170 of the aeration ring 110. The plant aeration device 100 is positioned so that the open ends of the upwardly extending air tubes 140 face substantially upward, towards the canopy of the plant 300. As indicated above, the air tubes/air holes may be directed substantially upward, but in one or more different directions (i.e., air tubes/holes may be fixed in one or more different directions, air tubes/holes may be rotated, bent, or moved so that the air tubes/holes are directed in a variety of different directions), to cause air flow in one or more different directions to improve the circulation of air in and around the canopy of the plant 300.

[34] In an embodiment of the plant aeration device 100 where the plant aeration device 100 is used with a potted plant 300 and one or more fasteners are provided, the plant aeration device 100 is clipped onto a rim of pot 320 and/or the base 330 of the plant 300. If a plug 220 is provided (Figure 4), the plug 220 is plugged into an AC outlet to power the motor. The switch 190 is either moved to desired setting (e.g., an "ON" setting, an "intermittent" setting, a "variable-mode" setting). Ambient air is drawn into the fan/motor housing 130 by the fan/motor in the housing 130. The air is transmitted to the aeration ring 110 through the air communication passage(s) 120. As indicated above, the air passage(s)/air tubes/air holes in the aeration ring 110 may have a gradually increasing cross section progressing from where air communication passage 120 connects to aeration ring 110 to ends 150 (or a different configuration/construction) so that air flows through the air tubes 140 at a constant flow rate.

[35] In an embodiment where the air tubes/air holes are adjustable for adjusting the flow rate there through, one or more of the air tubes/air holes may be adjusted (e.g., rotated) to individually adjust the air flow through the air tube/air hole. The air is expelled substantially upward in separate air streams from the aeration ring 110 through the respective air tubes 140.

[36] The air tubes/holes direct the air substantially upward. Some of the air flow may be directed towards the canopy of the plant 300 to improve the circulation in and around the canopy of the plant 300. Air flows to branches 340 and leaves 350 of the plant 300. The air flow may deflect off the branches 340/leaves 350 to other nearby branches 340/leaves 350, up along the plant 300. Where the air tubes/air holes are directed upward substantially upward in one or more different directions and air flows in one or more different directions, the circulation of air around the canopy of the plant 300 is improved. The improved air circulation in and around the canopy of a plant helps ventilate waste gases, remove excess heat, and prevent diseases in the plant 300. [37] An additional advantage of the flat, wide ring 110 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is that it helps to keep water and moisture in the soil 310, inhibiting evaporation of water in the soil 310.

[38] With reference to Figure 5, another embodiment of a plant aeration device 400 will be described. The plant aeration device 400 includes an aeration member (e.g., penannular tubular aeration ring) 410 and a fan/motor housing 430 that is substantially coplanar with the penannular tubular aeration ring 410. The plant aeration device 400 is particularly suited for resting the plant aeration device 400 on the soil 310 (or other support surface) around the base 330 of the plant 300. [39] The tubular aeration ring 410 includes a plurality of air holes 440 spaced substantially equidistantly relative to each other along a top of the ring 410. As indicated above, the air holes 440 may be directed in one or more different directions for directing air in one or more different directions for improving air circulation in and/or around the canopy of the plant 300. As shown in Figure 6, the air holes 440 communicate with air passage(s) 450 in the aeration ring 410. As indicated above, the air passage(s) 450 in the aeration ring 410 may have a configuration that causes all of the air holes 440 to have a substantially equal flow rate there through (e.g., the air passage(s) 450 and/or air holes 440 in the aeration ring 410 may have a gradually increasing cross section progressing from the fan/motor housing 430 to opposite ends 455 of the ring 410. Similar to the plant aeration device 100 described above, a recess 460 is formed between the opposite ends of the ring 410 and the aeration ring 410 includes a central opening 470. The aeration ring 410 includes a flexible construction and/or bendable/shapeable construction so that the aeration ring 410 can be flexed and/or bent to a desired confirmation for optimal air flow and/or for optimally fitting different-sized plants/pots (e.g., on the inside of the upper rim of the pot 320, on the outside of the upper rim of the pot 320). Where the plant aeration device 400 is used with a potted plant 300, one or more fasteners (e.g., clips) may be used to attach the plant aeration device 400 to the pot 320 and/or plant 300. In an additional potted plant embodiment, the aeration ring 410 is spring-loaded so that the aeration ring 410 is compressed to fit the plant aeration device 400 inside the upper rim of the pot 320 (or expanded to fit the plant aeration device 400 outside the upper rim of the pot 320) and then released, allowing the plant aeration device 400 to take the shape of the upper rim of the pot 320.

[40] Although the fan motor housing 430 has a different configuration then that shown with fan motor housing 130 of Figures 1 -4, the general construction is the same. The fan motor housing 430 includes an air inlet with an inlet filter or grate with holes therein for allowing ambient air to be drawn into the plant aeration device 400. The fan motor housing 430 houses a motor that drives a fan for drawing ambient air into the plant aeration device 400 and transmitting the air flow through and out of the plant aeration device 400 (through air holes 440). The fan motor housing 430 may have any of the switches and/or modes described above with respect to Figures 1 -4 for plant aeration device 100. The fan motor housing 430 may include at least one or batteries/battery (e.g., rechargeable, alkaline, zinc- carbon), an AC adapter, and solar panel(s) to power the motor. [41] The plant aeration device 400 is used in a manner similar to plant aeration device 100. The plant aeration device 400 is positioned adjacent the base 330 of a plant 300 so that the aeration ring 410 circumferentially surrounds a base 330 of the plant 300. The recess 460 in the aeration ring 410 allows the plant aeration device 400 to be slipped over the base 330 of the plant 300 and positioned so that the base 330 is centrally disposed in the central opening 470 of the plant aeration device 400. The plant aeration device 400 is positioned so that the air holes of the ring 410 face substantially upward, directed towards and/or around the canopy of the plant 300. In a potted plant embodiment of the plant aeration device 400 where one or more fasteners are provided, the plant aeration device 400 is clipped onto a rim of pot 320 and/or the base 330 of the plant 300. If an AC adapter with plug is provided, the plug is plugged into an AC outlet to power the motor. The switch of the fan motor housing 430 is moved to a desired setting (e.g., an "ON" setting, an "intermittent" setting, a "variable-mode" setting). Ambient air is drawn into the fan/motor housing 430 by the fan/motor in the housing 430. The air is transmitted to the passage(s) 450 of the aeration ring 410. The air is expelled upwards in separate air streams from the aeration ring 410 through the respective air holes 440. The air holes 440 direct the air substantially upward toward and/or around the canopy of the plant 300. The air flow directed toward the canopy may deflect off the branches 340/leaves 350 to other nearby branches 340/leaves 350, up along the plant 300. Some air flow may circulate across the leaves 350 of the plant 300. The plant aeration device 400 and method of use improves the circulation of air in and around the canopy of the plant 300, which helps ventilate waste gases, remove excess heat, and prevent diseases in the plant 300.

[42] In alternative embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 8-9B, the plant aeration device 100/400 and/or the air tube(s) 140/air hole(s) 440 described above with respect to FIGS. 1 , 2, and 5 is/are replaced with one or more small fans 500/610. For example, as described above with respect to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the plant aeration device 600 includes a ring 620 and a plurality of spaced fans 500/610 disposed on or in the ring 620. In the plant aeration device 600, the one or more small fans 500/610 direct air flow substantially upward from the base 330 towards the canopy 340 in a manner similar to that described above. The one or more small fans 500/610 have a fan motor housing 510 with a motor 520 that rotatably drives a fan blade 530 via a shaft 535, an air inlet 540, and an air outlet 550. The one or more small fans 500/610 are powered by one or more power sources 560 including, but not by way of limitation, one or more batteries (e.g., one or more disposable batteries, one or more rechargeable batteries), one or more fuel cells, one or more solar cells, and/or a cord/plug to plug into an AC outlet. [43] The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention, especially in the following claims, should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[44] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term "including" should be read as mean "including, without limitation" or the like; the term "example" is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as "conventional," "traditional," "standard," "known" and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction "and" should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction "or" should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "but not limited to" or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.

Claims

We claim:

1. A plant aeration device, comprising: one or more fans; one or more air inlets for drawing in air; one or more air outlets for expelling air; and one or more power sources for supplying power to the one or more fans, wherein the plant aeration device is configured be positioned adjacent to a base of a plant having a canopy and direct air substantially upward from adjacent to the base of the plant to the plant canopy to improve air circulation in and around the canopy of the plant.

2. The plant aeration device of claim 1 , wherein the plant aeration device includes an aeration member, one or more air communication passages, and a fan housing, wherein the fan housing houses the one or more fan and includes the one or more air inlets for drawing in air, the one or more air communication passages communicate the fan housing with the aeration member and the one or more air outlets for expelling air from the plant aeration device.

3. The plant aeration device of claim 2, wherein at least one of the air outlets and the one or more air communication passages include dimensions that vary with distance from the one or more fans.

4. The plant aeration device of claim 2, wherein the aeration member is penannular with a central opening and a gap, the gap allowing the aeration ring to slip over the base of the plant so that the penannular aeration member circumferentially surrounds the base of the plant with the central opening receiving the base of the plant.

5. The plant aeration device of claim 2, wherein the aeration member is shapeable to a desired configuration.

6. The plant aeration device of claim 2, wherein the fan housing is integral with and forms part of the aeration member.

7. The plant aeration device of claim 2, wherein the fan housing is connected with and is separate from the aeration member, and the fan housing is configured to reside outside of a plant container and the aeration member is configured to reside inside a plant container adjacent to the base of the plant.

8. The plant aeration device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more power sources include at least one of one or more batteries, one or more rechargeable batteries, one or more fuel cells, one or more solar cells, and one or more power cords/plugs.

9. The plant aeration device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more air outlets include one or more air tubes that direct air substantially upward.

10. The plant aeration device of claim 9, wherein the one or more air tubes are adjustable for providing at least one of flow rate control and direction control.

11. The plant aeration device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more air outlets include one or more air holes that direct air substantially upward.

12. The plant aeration device of claim 1 , wherein the plant aeration device includes a spring mechanism that biases the plant aeration device against at least one of the base of the plant and a plant container to secure the plant aeration device into position relative to the plant.

13. The plant aeration device of claim 1 , further including one or more fasteners to secure the plant aeration device to at least one of the base of the plant and a plant container to secure the plant aeration device into position relative to the plant.

14. The plant aeration device of claim 1 , wherein the plant aeration device includes at least one of an intermittent mode that automatically turns actuates air flow from the plant aeration device at one or more different times and a variable rate mode that actuates variable air flow rates from the plant aeration device.

15. A method of improving air circulation in and around a canopy of a plant using the plant aeration device of claim 1 adjacent to a base of the plant, comprising: receiving power via the power source to power the fan; drawing air into the plant aeration device through the one or more air inlets; imparting positive pressure on the air via the fan; expelling the air out of the one or more air outlets from the plant aeration device adjacent to the base of the plant substantially upward towards the plant canopy to improve air circulation in and around the canopy of the plant.