WO2009109761A1

WO2009109761A1 - Self-watering flowerpot

Info

Publication number: WO2009109761A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/000612
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Edward Maddison
Original assignee: David Edward Maddison
Priority date: 2008-03-06
Filing date: 2009-03-06
Publication date: 2009-09-11
Also published as: GB0804155D0

Abstract

A self -watering plant propagating apparatus comprises a plant pot, a reservoir (2) for water, a wick providing a flow path between water in the reservoir (2) and soil in the plant pot, and an opening (5) into the reservoir (2) to allow filling of the reservoir, wherein water poured into the opening flows first over and/or through the wick adjacent the plant pot, and then into the reservoir (2) thereby wetting the wick (7).

Description

Self-watering Flowerpot

Field

The present invention relates to pots and containers for propagating plants, in particular such pots and containers which are self-watering, and in particular a self-watering flowerpot.

Background

Containers for plants, also referred to as pots, are well known and come in many different sizes, types and materials, suitable for cuttings, flowers, plants, bushes, trees and the like.

Problem

A known problem with plant containers is that they have a limited reservoir for water and if not watered regularly will dry out. Hence, there is a risk of plants dying if left in containers for extended periods of time without regular addition of water.

Watering plants is arduous and time consuming and if watering is overlooked, the plant can wither or die. It is, however, often necessary for plant containers to be left for periods of time without being rewatered and it would be desirable for the container to be able to hold sufficient water that the plant has not dried out and died between watering.

As a solution to this problem, so-called self-watering plant pots are known. These generally include a pot to hold soil and the plant and a water reservoir underneath the pot; One known self-watering pot holds about 1 litre of soil and sits on a 1 litre reservoir of water. There is a side entry into the reservoir, below the pot, to fill it up with water. A wick in the form of a nylon string supplies water from the reservoir to the pot; it is embedded in the soil at the bottom of the pot, comes out of the pot through a hole in the bottom and then hangs down into the reservoir.

A problem with this type of pot, however, is that after a period without watering, the reservoir dries out. If the wick has dried out too then it is often the case that the wick does not rewet and cannot start the capillary action needed to draw water into the pot. Hence, even after the reservoir is refilled the water does not travel up the wick to the pot, and the soil remains dry. The self watering system thus only works if the wick never dries out.

A further problem is that watering can greatly increase the weight of a plant pot, if it has a lower reservoir, thereby making it difficult to move. An object of the invention is thus to provide an alternative self-watering system, and in preferred embodiments of the invention an improved self-watering system.

A related problem with known plant containers is that large pots tend to be heavy and, hence, require some strength to move them around once full and especially once recently watered. If plants are potted at one location and then moved to another it is necessary to carry a large amount, and thus a large weight, of soil. It is, separately, problematic to partially re-plant a large pot.

Another object of the invention is thus to ameliorate one or more of the difficulties identified, and an object of specific embodiments of the invention is to provide an alternative planting system, preferably an improved planting system, enabling easy re-potting and easy partial re-potting.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the inverttion_provides a self-watering plant propagating apparatus, comprising:

A support for a plant holder, the plant holder having openings to allow ingress of water;

A water reservoir; and

A wick having a first part adjacent said openings and a second part extending into said reservoir; the apparatus further comprising:

A conduit for topping up the reservoir directly so that water does not pass through the plant holder, the conduit having an externally accessible inlet to enable said reservoir to be topped up without the need to remove or otherwise adjust said plant holder relative to said support and/or said reservoir;

Wherein the conduit is configured to provide a flow path for water from said inlet into said reservoir via said first part of said wick such that said first part of said wick is wetted.

In a second aspect, the invention also provides a self-watering plant propagating apparatus, comprising a container, a water reservoir, a wick, and a plurality of plant holders, wherein the container houses the reservoir, the wick and the plurality of plant holders, and the wick provides a flow path between the reservoir and soil in each of the plant holders.

The invention also provides a wick for apparatus according to the present invention, said wick being of planar disc shaped construction with a central aperture for location on a spigot within said reservoir, and having legs arranged to depend into the reservoir, when in use. Still further, the invention provides a kit for a self-watering propagating apparatus, the kit comprising a plant holder having openings to allow ingress of water, support for a plant holder, a reservoir, a conduit for introducing water into the reservoir, and a wick having a first part for location adjacent said openings and a second part arranged to extend into said reservoir, when in use, said conduit being externally accessible when the apparatus is assembled and configured such that, in use, liquid can be introduced directly into said reservoir, without passing through the plant holder, and without the need to remove or adjust said plant holder relative to said support or said reservoir, and to provide a flow path for water being introduced into said reservoir such that first part of said wick is wetted.

Detailed description of the Invention

A self watering propagating apparatus of the present invention comprises a plant holder, support for the plant holder, a water reservoir, a conduit for topping up the reservoir and a wick in contact with the plant holder and extending from the reservoir to the openings in the plant holder.

There are typically several openings in the base of each plant holder so that soil in the pots can contact the wick, and water can flow from the reservoir via the wick to the soil in the pots. Holes of diameter 12mm or more are likely to be too big to constrain the soil inside the plant holder. Holes of lmm diameter or less are likely to be too small to allow effective transfer of water from the wick to the soil. In embodiments of the invention, the diameter of the holes is from 1 to 12 mm, preferably in the range 2 to 8mm, more preferably about 3 to 4mm.

Typically, the plant holders also contain drainage holes so that water can drain out of the pot and into the reservoir, without coming into contact with the wick.

Preferably, said plant holder is separable from said support without removing the wick therefrom.

Benefically, the apparatus comprises a support configured to receive a plurality of plant holders, each plant holder having openings to allow ingress of water, in which case said conduit and said reservoir beneficially provide a common supply for said plurality of plant holders.

In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a generally central conduit and a single wick having a first part adjacent the openings of each of said plurality of plant holders. In this case, said plurality of plant holders may be configured such that, when they are arranged in said support, a generally central conduit is defined therebetween. The conduit is beneficially configured to provide a flow path for water from said inlet into said reservoir such that said first part of said wick is substantially completely wetted,

Means may be provided, in said conduit, said support or said reservoir configured to cause excess water in said reservoir to drain away in the event that it is overfilled. In one exemplary embodiment, a spigot may be provided within said reservoir, said spigot supporting said conduit and having one or more apertures therein at a predetermined height, said apertures providing a flow path for excess water to drain out of said reservoir via an opening at the bottom of said spigot, such that water in the reservoir cannot exceed said predetermined height. Because the spigot houses the overflow outlets so that water overflowing the reservoir exits through and over an internal wall. This has the advantage that any water staining caused by the overflow does not affect the exterior of the apparatus which is visible during normal use.

The spigot may removably locate the conduit and platform, and the wick is of planar disc shaped construction with a central aperture for location on the spigot, the wick then also having legs depending into the reservoir. Such an arrangement is easily assembled for use, or dismantled for storage and transport. The reservoir is preferably separate from the plant holder or holders. In contrast, known self-watering pots often provide the reservoir as a part of a single container in which the plant pot cannot be separated from the reservoir.

The openings are preferably in the base of the or each plant holder, the conduit including a platform over which the wick extends and on which the base of the or each plant holder stands, the plant holder thereby maintaining contact between the wick and said openings.

The wick is preferably made of resilient material which can enter the openings in the or each plant holder in order to contact plant growing material in the respective plant holder.

The conduit may comprise water outlets and said first part of said wick is beneficially adjacent to or below said plant holder openings. Further, the reservoir may include a spigot, which removably locates the conduit and platform.

The wick is beneficially of planar disc shaped construction with a central aperture for location on the spigot, the wick also having legs depending into the reservoir and said plant holder is preferably separable from said support without removing the wick therefrom.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, openings in the base of each plant holder allow ingress of water, the wick extends over a platform on which the base of each plant holder stands, each plant holder thereby maintaining contact between the wick and said openings.

Once again, the plant holders are preferably separable from said container.

The apparatus preferably comprises a wick having a first part adjacent said openings and a second part extending into said reservoir; the apparatus further comprising a conduit for topping up the reservoir directly so that water does not pass through the plant holder, the conduit having an externally accessible inlet and an outlet to enable said reservoir to be topped up without the need to remove or otherwise adjust said plant holder relative to said support and/or said reservoir; wherein the conduit is configured to provide a flow path for water from said inlet into said reservoir via said first part of said wick such that said, first part of said wick is wetted.

The wick is beneficially made of a resilient or spongy compressible material, typically capillary matting, but in any event generally a synthetic material, which can enter the openings in the plant holders in order to contact plant growing material. Alternatively, an expandible material, such as material which expands on wetting, may be suitable. The invention has successfully been used using capillary matting which is 3-4mm thick, with holes in the bottom of the plant pots which are 3-4mm in diameter. A range of sizes will work. A first end of the wick is beneficially adjacent to or below the plant holder openings, and in a preferred embodiment, the conduit and reservoir provide a common supply for the plant holders. Typically a single wick is provided with each container and can supply all of the plant holders fitting inside the container. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention more than one wick can be used. The reservoir beneficially includes a spigot, which removably locates said conduit and platform. However, in an alternative embodiment, the plant holders may be configured to form the conduit when in situ, negating the need for a supporting spigot.

The wick is preferably of planar disc shaped construction with a central aperture for location on the spigot, the wick also having legs depending into the reservoir and, in a preferred embodiment, the container includes a wall that is integral with the reservoir, the wall defining a recess for locating each plant holder.

As set out above, the present invention extends to a kit for a self-watering propagating apparatus, the kit comprising a plant holder having openings to allow ingress of water, support for a plant holder, a reservoir, a conduit for introducing water into the reservoir, and a wick having a first part for location adjacent said openings and a second part arranged to extend into said reservoir, when in use, said conduit being externally accessible when the apparatus is assembled and configured such that, in use, liquid can be introduced directly into said reservoir, without passing through the plant holder, and without the need to remove or adjust said plant holder relative to said support or said reservoir, and to provide a flow path for water being introduced into said reservoir such that first part of said wick is wetted. The kit may comprise a plurality of plant holders and/or soil for cultivating plants and/or seeds, plants, bulbs or cuttings.

Supplements for improving plant growth may also be included.

The present invention extends to a plant holder configured to be received within the support of apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

The invention extends further to a method for cultivating plants, comprising planting a seed, plant, bulb or cutting inside a plant holder of self-watering plant propagating apparatus according to claims 1 to 24, placing said plant holder onto the support, filling the reservoir with water via said conduit, thereby wetting the wick between the reservoir and the plant holder. The method may include the step of filling the reservoir every 7 to 21 days.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described herein.

It will be seen that, in a preferred embodiment, the support includes a wall that is integral with the reservoir, the wall defining a recess for locating each plant holder. Advantageously, the conduit and reservoir provide a common supply for the plant holders and the plant holders share a common wick.

The wick is preferably not part of or attached to the plant holder; and advantage is that the plant holders, which are generally separable from the container leaving the wick behind, preferably being movable between a first position sitting in or on the container and a second position detached from the container. The apparatus of the invention typically comprises one container or support and two or more plant holders, wherein the two or more plant holders sit in or on the container and are removable from the container. For aesthetics, the apparatus may have an odd number of plant holders within the outer container.

It will be appreciated that, due to the configuration of the various elements of the self-watering propagation apparatus described herein that the wick of the apparatus is self-starting due to becoming wet along its length from the part adjacent the openings to the part in the reservoir as a result of watering. The wick thus re-wets reliably and the system is self-watering in a reliable way.

Optionally, when filling the reservoir, plant feed or supplements can be added via the water hole. When filling the reservoir, there is no need for any water to flow down through the soil or plant holder, thus fewer nutrients are washed out of the soil. Preferably, the capacity of the reservoir is large enough to ensure a sufficient water supply to plants in the pots or plant holders for at least several days without requiring the reservoir level to be topped up. More preferably, the reservoir holds sufficient water to supply plants in the pots for at least two weeks without requiring the reservoir level to be topped up. In some embodiments the reservoir may hold sufficient water to supply the plants for three weeks or more.

There is no particular size limit on the size of the self-watering plant propagating apparatus of the invention. Smaller embodiments of the invention are suitable for smaller plants and typically have a smaller reservoir capacity. Larger reservoirs hold a larger volume of water and may thus require less frequent filling of the reservoir, although this will depend on the water demand placed by the plants and may be influenced by other factors such as ambient temperature.

Preferably at least a portion of the wick is in contact with a portion of the plant holder, providing a flow path between the water in the reservoir and soil in the plant holder. The wick is generally in contact with a portion of the underside of the plant holder, but may alternatively or additionally be in contact with a portion of the side of the plant holder.

The plant holders typically are made of a plastic material and have a base thickness of about lmm. Thicker bases can be used, especially if the thickness towards the holes is reduced, to increase or facilitate contact of soil in the pot with the wick. Generally the plant holders have a flat base but sloped or contoured bases may also be suitable.

Preferably all of the plant holders are shaped to fit inside each other and can easily be stacked. The outer containers (supports for the plant holders) also fit inside each other and can be stacked, so do all the other components. Hence, multiple units can easily be transported and stored as they stack together and occupy only a small space.

The plant holders and the container or support are typically made of polypropylene using a UV stabiliser. However, other materials such as ceramic are also suitable. There is no limit on the colour of the self-watering propagating apparatus of the invention. Particular embodiments may comprise multiple colours. To summarise, the self-watering plant apparatus of the invention may comprise a single plant holder but may typically comprise two or more plant holders or three or more plant holders, In preferred embodiments of the invention, the plant holders are interchangeable and in particular preferred embodiments the plant holders can be swapped from one container to another. Preferably, the plant holders plug in and plug out of the container. The plant holders typically plug in, thereby putting the soil into contact with the wick in the cohtainer and will self-water from the reservoir without any further adjustment. Generally, the pots can be removed from the container or support without removing the wick. The individual pots or plant holders can be potted up on the shelf and/or in the greenhouse and then transferred to the planter. The plant holders are easy to move around because they do not include the reservoir full of water or the wick and are typically smaller than the whole planter or apparatus. The wick is generally part of the container and is separate from the plant holders. The wick is preferably in contact with the pot or plant holder via a sandwich of the capillary matting between the plant holder and a surface in the container. The weight of each holder helps to compress the wick material, thereby ensuring contact between the wick and the soil in the container. Plant holders removed from the container do not have a wick sticking out of the bottom. One embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4, other preferred shapes include a hanging basket embodiment (example shown in Figure 5) and a trough embodiment, for example suitable for window boxes, where many plant holders are placed side-by-side. Optionally, the apparatus of the invention may include additional features such as a water level indicator. This feature is especially useful in embodiments of the invention that are placed at elevation during normal use, for example, in hanging baskets, where checking the reservoir level would otherwise be difficult.

The self-watering plant propagating apparatus of the invention is not limited to a specific shape.

Embodiments of the present invention, will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, from the front and slightly above, comprising five plant holders;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of Figure 1, from the front and above, with a single plant holder in position and in which the water inlet and the self-wetting wick are visible; Figure 3 is a partially exploded representation of a container and a platform of the embodiment of Figure 1, with no plant holders in position;

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the embodiment of Fjgurel;

Figure 5 is a schematic side-view of the embodiment of Figure 1 and a cross-section on A-A viewed in the direction of the arrow, illustrating the water flow pathways from the water inlet to the reservoir and from the reservoir through the overflow to the outside; and

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

One embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The container or support 1 comprises a reservoir 2 for holding water, and plant holders 3 which fit into an upper portion of the container 1 and are arranged around the water inlet 5 of the platform 4, the top of which is visible in Figure 1 and more detail of which is seen, for example, in Figure 2. The container is 330mm in diameter and 330mm in height. The reservoir has a volume of 3.5L and the plant holders each have a volume of IL. All of the container, plant holders and platform are manufactured from polypropylene incorporating a UV stabiliser; however, other materials are also suitable.

The platform 4 sits securely on top of a raised central portion or spigot 10 of the reservoir which acts to form a water-tight base to the interior of the platform 4. The wick 7 made of capillary matting sits on the platform and extends into the reservoir. A portion of the base of each plant holder 3 sits on the wick 7 so that circular holes 8 of approximately 3mm diameter in the base of the plant holder 3 are positioned directly over the wick 7 and there is contact between the underside of the plant holders 3 and the wick (or capillary matting). Contact may alternatively be via holes (not shown) positioned on the sides of the plant holders provided that water can pass from the wick into the soil of the pot.

The wick or capillary mat 7 is a commercially available synthetic non-woven material of approximately 4mm thickness and is of planar construction, extending via tapers into the reservoir 2. There are two tapers on the wick illustrated through there is no limit on alternative numbers of tapers extending into the reservoir. The thickness is generally maintained along the length of the taper but tapers of any thickness may be used. Drainage holes 9 in the base of the plant holder 3 are positioned directly above the reservoir 2. As seen in Figure 2, the drainage holes 9 are tear-drop shaped and have a cross-sectional area of approximately 25mm². In use, water is poured through the water inlet 5 into the conduit of the platform 4; it travels down the conduit of the platform 4 and exits through outlet holes 6 in the exterior of the base of the platform 4. He position of the exit holes, above or adjacent to the wick 7, means that water cannot flow directly into the reservoir perforce flows over or through the wick adjacent to the plant holders en route to the reservoir 2, ensuring that the wick is thoroughly wetted during watering, i.e. that the wick if dry is re-wetted. This flow of water is illustrated by the arrow labelled "Watering" in Figure 5. Water from the reservoir 2 is drawn up the wick 7 and the wet matting makes contact with soil inside the plant holders 3 via the holes 8 in the base of the plant holders 3. Water is thus drawn from the reservoir into the soil of the inner pots 3, providing a water supply for growing plants. The apparatus is thus self-watering and rewets efficiently after the wick has dried out.

In the event that water is applied directly to the soil surface of the plant holders 3 it can pass into the reservoir 2 via the drainage holes 9 in the base of the plant holders 3; the same happens if the soil is overwatered - the water can drain directly into the reservoir.

Overflow holes 11 are present in the raised central portion of the reservoir 2 and are positioned below the level of the wick 7 that is in contact with the base of the plant holders 3. The position of the overflow outlets may vary and they may be situated, for example, in an external wall of the reservoir. The overflow outlets 11 ensure that the reservoir cannot be filled above a set level; this is below the level of the wick 7 that is in contact with the base of the plant holders 3 and this prevents the soil in the plant holders 3 from becoming waterlogged following overwatering. Overfilling of the reservoir 2 results in outflow of water through the overflow holes 11 in the raised central portion of the reservoir, illustrated by the arrow labelled "Overflow" in Figure 5. During filling of the reservoir, overflow of water from these outlets indicates that the reservoir is full.

Rewetting Test

An apparatus as described in example 1 was used to test its re-wetting ability. Each of the five plant holders were filled with standard potting compost. These were individually dried in a microwave until thoroughly dry, judged on the basis of weight loss and visual inspection.

The apparatus was assembled, ensuring no water was present in the reservoir and ensuring that the wick was completely dry. The five plant holders were replaced into the outer container and water was then poured into the reservoir via the central opening, taking care to ensure no water was applied directly to the soil in any pot, until water spilled out of the overflow, indicating the reservoir was full.

The container was left and re-inspected after three days. At that time it was found that the soil in all five pots had become damp and, after removal of the plant holders from the container, it was seen that the wick was damp throughout its entire surface and that soil in each of the five pots had absorbed water from the reservoir, the reservoir level having reduced.

The invention thus provides a self-watering flowerpot.

Claims

CUIMS:

1. A self-watering plant propagating apparatus, comprising:

A water reservoir; and

Wherein the conduit is configured to provide a flow path for water from said inlet into sa|d reservoir via said first part of said wick such that said first part of said wick is wetted.

2. Apparatus according to claim l,wherein said plant holder is separable from said support without removing the wick therefrom.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a support configured to receive a plurality of plant holders, each plqnt holder having openings to allow ingress of water.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said conduit and said reservoir provide a common supply for said plurality of plant holders.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a generally central conduit and a single wick having a first part adjacent the openings of each of said plurality of plant holders.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of plant holders are configured such that, when they are arranged in said support, a generally central conduit is defined therebetween.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherejn said conduit is configured to provide a flow path for water from said inlet into said reservoir such that said first part of said wick is substantially completely wetted.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means, in said conduit, said support or said reservoir configured to cause excess water in said reservoir to drain away in the event that it is overfilled.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, comprising a spigot within said reservoir, said spigot supporting said conduit and having one or more apertures therein at a predetermined height, said apertures providing a flow path for excess water to drain out of said reservoir via an opening at the bottom of said spigot, such that water in the reservoir cannot exceed said predetermined height. 10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the openings are in the base of the or each plant holder, the conduit including a platform over which the wick extends and on which the base of the or each plant holder stands, the plant holder thereby maintaining contact between the wick and said openings. H. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the wick is made of resilient material which can enter the openings in the or each plant holder in order to contact plant growing material in the respective plant holder.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit comprises water outlets and said first part of said wick is adjacent to or below said water outlets.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the reservoir includes a spigot, which removably locates the conduit and platform.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the wick is of planar disc shaped construction with a central aperture for location on the spigot, the wick also having legs depending into the reservoir.

15. A self-watering plant propagating apparatus, comprising a container, a water reservoir, a wick, and a plurality of plant holders, wherein the container houses the reservoir, the wick and the plurality of plant holders, and the wick provides a flow path between the reservoir and soil in each of the plant holders.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein openings in the base of each plant holder allow ingress of water, the wick extends over a platform on whiph the base of each plant holder stands, each plant holder thereby maintaining contact between the wick and said openings.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein said plant holders are separable from said container.

18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17, comprising a wick having a first part adjacent said openings and a second part extending into said reservoir; the apparatus further comprising a conduit for topping up the reservoir directly so that water does not pass through the plant holder, the conduit having an externally accessible inlet and an outlet to enable said reservoir to be topped up without the need to remove or otherwise adjust said plant holder relative to said support and/or said reservoir; wherein the conduit is configured to provide a flow path for water from said inlet into said reservoir via said first part of said wick such that said first part of said wick is wetted.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the wick is made of a resilient material which can enter the openings in the plant holders in order to contact plant growing material.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a first end of the wick is adjacent to or below the water outlets.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the conduit and reservoir provide a common supply for the plant holders.

22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the reservoir includes a spigot, which removably locates said conduit and platform.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the wick is of planar disc shaped construction with a central aperture for location on the spigot, the wick also having legs depending into the reservoir.

24. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the container includes a wall that is integral with the reservoir, the wall defining a recess for locating each plant holder.

25. A wick for apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, said wick being of planar disc shaped construction with a central aperture for location on a spigot within said reservoir, and having legs arranged to depend into the reservoir, when in use.

26. A kit for a self-watering propagating apparatus, the kit comprising a plant holder having openings to allow ingress of water, support for a plant holder, a reservoir, a conduit for introducing water into the reservoir, and a wick having a first part for location adjacent said openings and a second part arranged to extend into said reservoir, when in use, said conduit being externally accessible when the apparatus is assembled and configured such that, in use, liquid can be introduced directly into said reservoir, without passing through the plant holder, and without the need to remove or adjust said plant holder relative to said support or said reservoir, and to provide a flow path for water being introduced into said reservoir such that first part of said wick is wetted.

27. A kit according to claim 26, comprising a plurality of plant holders.

28. A kit according to claim 26 or claim 27, further comprising soil for cultivating plants.

29. A kit according to any one of claims 26 to 28, further comprising seeds, plants, bulbs or cuttings.

30. A kit according to any one of claims 26 to 29, further comprising supplements for improving plant growth.

31. A plant holder configured to be received within the support of apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

32. A method for cultivating plants, comprising planting a seed, plant, bulb or cutting inside a plant holder of self-watering plant propagating apparatus according tq claims 1 to 24, placing said plant holder onto the support, filling the reservoir with water via said conduit, thereby wetting the wick between the reservoir and the plant holder.

33. A method according to claim 32, comprising filling the reservoir every 7 to 21 days.