WO2013181343A2

WO2013181343A2 - Potted plant systems and methods of making and using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2013181343A2
Application number: PCT/US2013/043272
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul JEMISON; Bradley EGGLESTON; Gerardo SUAZO; QiuXia CHEN; James Gibson
Original assignee: Syngenta Participations Ag
Priority date: 2012-05-30
Filing date: 2013-05-30
Publication date: 2013-12-05
Also published as: WO2013181343A3

Abstract

Potted plant systems are disclosed. Methods of making and using potted plant systems are also disclosed.

Description

POTTED PLANT SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE

SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to potted plant systems, and methods of making and using the same.

BACKGROUND

Many potted plant systems are known. See, for example, potted plant systems disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,094,513 to Wilson et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,852,896 to Flasch, Jr., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0163172 Al to Savich.

Efforts continue to develop new potted plant systems so as to potentially improve the health and growth development of a plant while positioned within a potted plant system, for example, while in a retail environment.

SUMMARY

The present invention continues the effort to develop new potted plant systems. The new potted plant systems provide one or more benefits such as (1) improved plant growth, (2) improved plant health, (3) improved flowering capacity of the plant, (4) increased shelf life of plants while in a retail environment (e.g., while sitting at a retail store waiting to be purchased by the consumer), (5) during transportation from a nursery to a retail environment and/or (6) reduced frequency of irrigating.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to potted plant systems. In one exemplary embodiment, the potted plant system comprises (1) an outer pot member having an outer pot member base and at least one outer pot member side wall extending upward from the outer pot member base; and (2) an inner pot member having an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within the outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of the at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

In another exemplary embodiment, the potted plant system comprises (1) an outer pot member having an outer pot member base and at least one outer pot member side wall extending upward from the outer pot member base; and (2) an inner pot member having an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within the outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of the at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii), wherein the inner pot member further comprises a substrate support member, the substrate support member (i) being configured and sized so as to support the water-permeable substrate, and (ii) comprising one or more water-permeable openings therein.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the potted plant system comprises (1) an outer pot member having an outer pot member base and at least one outer pot member side wall extending upward from the outer pot member base; (2) an inner pot member having an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within the outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of the at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii); and superabsorbent material positioned (i) along the inner side wall surface of the outer pot member, (ii) within the water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of the water-permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii).

The present invention is further directed to inner pot members suitable for use in potted plant systems comprising an outer pot member. In one exemplary embodiment, the inner pot member comprises an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within an outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

In another exemplary embodiment, the inner pot member comprises an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within an outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii), wherein the inner pot member further comprises a substrate support member, the substrate support member (i) being configured and sized so as to support the water-permeable substrate, and (ii) comprising one or more water-permeable openings therein.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the inner pot member comprises an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within an outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii); and superabsorbent material positioned (i) within the water-permeable substrate, (ii) along an outer surface of the water-permeable substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

The present invention is even further directed to methods of making potted plant systems and inner pot members of the present invention, and methods of using potted plant systems and inner pot members of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of making a potted plant system of the present invention comprises thermoforming an outer pot member having an outer pot member base and at least one outer pot member side wall extending upward from the outer pot member base; and forming an inner pot member having an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within the outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of the at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

In one exemplary embodiment, the method of making an inner pot member suitable for use in potted plant systems comprising an outer pot member comprises forming an inner pot member having an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within an outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water- permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

The methods of making potted plant systems or inner pot members of the present invention may further comprise a number of additional steps including, but not limited to, thermoforming a substrate support member, wherein the substrate support member (i) is configured and sized to support a water-permeable substrate, and (ii) comprises one or more water-permeable openings therein; positioning a water-permeable substrate along an inner or outer surface of a substrate support member; incorporating superabsorbent material into the potted plant system; positioning superabsorbent material (i) along an inner side wall surface of the outer pot member, (ii) within the water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of the water-permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii); positioning superabsorbent material between inner and outer fabric layers of the water-permeable substrate, and attaching the inner and outer fabric layers to one another with the superabsorbent material positioned between the inner and outer fabric layers; incorporating a plant-growing media within the inner pot member; incorporating one or more plant inputs within the potted plant system; incorporating one or more plant inputs (i) along the inner side wall surface of the outer pot member, (ii) within the water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of the water-permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii); incorporating one or more plant inputs within the water-permeable substrate; or any combination of one or more of the above steps.

In one exemplary embodiment, the method of using a potted plant system of the present invention comprises a method of growing a plant or plant propagation material, wherein the method comprises positioning the plant or plant propagation material within a potted plant system, the potted plant system comprises (1) an outer pot member having an outer pot member base and at least one outer pot member side wall extending upward from the outer pot member base; and (2) an inner pot member having an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within the outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of the at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). In some embodiments, the method of growing a plant or plant propagation material comprises an inner pot member, wherein the inner pot member further comprises a substrate support member, the substrate support member (i) being configured and sized so as to support the water-permeable substrate, and (ii) comprising one or more water-permeable openings therein.

The methods of growing a plant or plant propagation material may further comprise a number of additional steps including, but not limited to, irrigating the plant or plant propagation material; positioning the potted plant system under a light source; incorporating one or more plant inputs into the potted plant system; removing the plant, along with the inner pot member, from the potted plant system; planting the removed plant in the ground or a permanent plant-growing vessel; or any combination of one or more of the above steps.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is further described with reference to the appended figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1-7 depict prospective views of exemplary potted plant systems of the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of an exemplary potted plant system of the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of an exemplary water-permeable fabric or paper layer containing superabsorbent material in the form of particles;

FIGS. 10A-10B depict prospective and end views of an exemplary inner pot member of the present invention utilizing the exemplary inner pot member shown in FIGS. 10A-10B;

FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view and a top view of another exemplary potted plant systems of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 depicts a cross-sectional view of an exemplary inner pot member shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention, descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow and specific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations, further modifications, and such further applications of the principles of the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normally occur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

The present invention is directed to potted plant systems and inner pot members for use in potted plant systems. FIGS. 1-10 depict prospective views of exemplary potted plant systems and inner pot members of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, exemplary potted plant system 10 comprises an outer pot member 12 having an outer pot member base 13 and at least one outer pot member side wall 14 extending upward from outer pot member base 13; and an inner pot member 11 having an inner pot member base 15 and at least one inner pot member side wall 16 extending upward from inner pot member base 15. As shown in FIG. 1, inner pot member 11 is sized so as to be removably positionable within outer pot member 10 so that an outer side wall surface 17 of at least one inner pot member side wall 16 is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface 18 of at least one outer pot member side wall 14. As further shown in FIG. 1, at least one inner pot member side wall 16 comprises a water-permeable substrate 19. Water-permeable substrate 19 has a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

As shown in FIG. 2, in a given potted plant system of the present invention, such as exemplary potted plant system 10, outer pot member base 13 is typically separate from and below inner pot member base 15 when inner pot member 11 is positioned within outer pot member 12. As further shown in FIG. 2, outer pot member 12 typically comprises at least one drain opening 20 extending though outer pot member base 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in a given potted plant system of the present invention, such as exemplary potted plant system 10, an upper surface 23 of outer pot member base 13 may comprise one or more first positioning members 21 thereon. A lower surface 24 of inner pot member base 15 may also comprise one or more second positioning members 22 thereon, wherein one or more second positioning members 22 are engageable with one or more first positioning members 21 so as to position inner pot member 11 at a specific location within outer pot member 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, in a given potted plant system of the present invention, such as exemplary potted plant system 10, each of outer pot member 12 and inner pot member 11 may have a variety of shapes resulting in one or more (i) outer pot member side walls 14 and (ii) inner pot member side walls 16. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, each of outer pot member 12 and inner pot member 11 has a circular cross-sectional design resulting in (i) a single outer pot member side wall 14 and (ii) a single inner pot member side wall 16 for each exemplary potted plant system 10. In FIG. 7, each of outer pot member 12 and inner pot member 11 has a triangular cross-sectional design resulting in (i) three outer pot member side walls 14 and (ii) three inner pot member side walls 16 for each exemplary potted plant system 10. Consequently, the terms "at least one outer pot member side wall 14" and "at least one inner pot member side wall 16" as used throughout the present specification (and the claims) should be understood to mean one or more (i) outer pot member side walls 14 and (ii) one or more inner pot member side walls 16, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in a given potted plant system of the present invention, such as exemplary potted plant system 10, water-permeable substrate 19 may form at least a portion of a lower surface 24 of inner pot member base 15. In some embodiments, water-permeable substrate 19 may have a truncated cone shape as shown in FIGS. 1-2. In addition, in some embodiments, water-permeable substrate 19 may have a truncated cone shape with fluted side walls 16.

In other embodiments, water-permeable substrate 19 has a tubular sleeve-like configuration as shown in FIGS. lOA-11. As shown in FIG. 10A, inner pot member 11 comprising water-permeable substrate 19 having a tubular sleeve-like configuration with inner side wall surface 27 and outer side wall surface 17 separated by side wall 16; a base 15; and an upper edge 58.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view and a top view of exemplary potted plant system 10 of the present invention, wherein inner pot member 11 comprising water-permeable substrate 19 having a tubular sleeve-like configuration as shown in FIGS. 10A-10B.

In some embodiments, water-permeable substrate 19 may (i) have one or more slits therein (not shown) so that plant roots (not shown) can extend therethrough, (ii) have a construction that enables plant roots (not shown) to penetrate and extend therethrough, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

In some desired embodiments, water-permeable substrate 19 comprises a water-permeable layer formed of a suitable material that permits water and gas exchange therebetween. Examples of suitable material include hydrophilic materials or hydrophobic materials that have been treated to permit exchange of water and gas such as with micro perforations therein. Another example of a suitable material would be a fabric layer, which may be formed as a nonwoven sheet (e.g., a hydroentangled fabric, a spunbonded fabric, a meltblown fabric, etc., or any combination thereof), a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or any combination thereof. Desirably, water-permeable substrate 19 comprises a biodegradable water-permeable fabric layer, such as a biodegradable water-permeable nonwoven fabric layer.

When water-permeable substrate 19 comprises a water-permeable fabric layer, the water-permeable fabric layer may be formed from any fibrous material including, but not limited to, vegetable-origin fibers (e.g., cotton, any form of paper, agave, banana, any other cellulosic fibers, etc.), animal-origin fibers (e.g., wool, alpaca, feathers, etc.), polyester fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyolefin fibers, or any combination thereof. In one desired embodiment, water-permeable fabric or paper layer 19 comprises a water-permeable fabric layer formed from biodegradable fibers such as vegetable-origin fibers (e.g., cotton, any form of paper, agave, banana, any other cellulosic fibers, etc.), and animal-origin fibers (e.g., wool, alpaca, feathers, etc.).

In other embodiments, water-permeable substrate 19 may comprise a water- permeable porous structure other than a fabric or paper substrate. For example, water-permeable substrate 19 may comprises a water-permeable porous structure formed from one or more materials that enable formation of interstitial space between the one or more materials. The one or more materials may comprise a variety of materials including, but not limited to, natural materials (e.g., natural sponges), synthetic materials (e.g., fillers and/or resins), minerals (e.g., rocks or rock-like objects), inorganic materials (e.g., ceramic particles), organic materials (e.g., polymeric particles), fibers, binder materials, sponge materials, loofah sponge, foam, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, water-permeable substrate 19 comprises a foam, a sponge, or a preformed, shaped porous structure (e.g., a preformed, shaped porous structure formed from mineral material (e.g., rocks or pebbles) bonded to one another via a polymeric resin).

Regardless of composition, water-permeable substrate 19, when used alone to form inner pot member 11, desirably has enough structural integrity to stand upright on one end (e.g., to stand upright on base 15 and/or upper edge 58 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11).

As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, inner pot member 11 further comprises a substrate support member 25, wherein substrate support member 25 (i) is configured and sized so as to support water-permeable substrate 19, and (ii) comprises one or more water-permeable openings therein 26. When substrate support member 25 is present, water-permeable substrate 19 may be positioned along an inner or outer surface of substrate support member 25.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, substrate support member 25 extends along an inner surface 27 of water-permeable substrate 19, and comprises a substrate support member base 28 and at least one substrate support member side wall 29 extending upward from substrate support member base 28. One or more water- permeable openings 26 typically (i) extend through at least one substrate support member side wall 29 and (ii) are sized so that plant roots (not shown) can extend therethrough. As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, substrate support member 25 forms at least a portion of a lower surface 24 of inner pot member base 15.

As shown in FIG. 4, substrate support member 25 may further comprises a substrate support member rim 30 that extends (i) along, (ii) beyond or (iii) both (i) and (ii) of an upper edge of at least one outer pot member side wall 14. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 4, substrate support member rim 30 extends beyond upper edge of at least one outer pot member side wall 14. In other embodiments, substrate support member rim 30 extends along upper edge of at least one outer pot member side wall 14 (see, for example, FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, substrate support member rim 30 may further comprise one or more positioning components 32 thereon. Each of one or more positioning components 32 may be engageable with upper edge of at least one outer pot member side wall 14 or a corresponding positioning feature along an upper portion of at least one outer pot member side wall 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, positioning components 32 of substrate support member rim 30 are engageable with corresponding holes 33 within at least one outer pot member side wall 14.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, in some embodiments, substrate support member rim 30 may further comprise one or more rim openings 34 therein, wherein each rim opening 34 provides access to a volume bound by (i) outer side wall surface 17 of at least one inner pot member side wall 16, (ii) inner side wall surface 18 of at least one outer pot member side wall 14, and (iii) a lower surface 35 of substrate support member rim 30. As further shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, in embodiments wherein substrate support member rim 30 comprises one or more rim openings 34 therein, each rim opening 34 may have a removable rim opening cover 36 to provide open access to a given each rim opening 34. As shown in FIG. 6, a given rim opening cover 36 may also act as a clipping device, securing substrate support member 25 to at least one outer pot member side wall 14 of outer pot member 12. In other embodiments (not shown), a different clipping device (i.e., one that does not also cover a given rim opening 34) may be used to secure substrate support member 25 to at least one outer pot member side wall 14 of outer pot member 12.

It should be noted that outer pot member side wall openings and outer pot member side wall opening covers (see, the outer pot member side wall openings 44 and outer pot member side wall opening covers 46 shown in FIG. 7) may be utilized, similar to rim openings 34 and rim opening covers 36) to provide access to a volume bound by (i) outer side wall surface 17 of at least one inner pot member side wall 16, and (ii) inner side wall surface 18 of at least one outer pot member side wall 14.

Outer pot member 12, substrate support member 25, rim opening covers 36, and outer pot member side wall opening covers 46 may each independently comprise any known material. Typically, each of outer pot member 12, substrate support member 25, rim opening covers 36, and outer pot member side wall opening covers 46 independently comprises a polymeric material such as polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, or any combination thereof. Desirably, each of outer pot member 12, substrate support member 25, rim opening covers 36, and outer pot member side wall opening covers 46 independently comprises a water-impermeable material such as one of the above- mentioned polymeric materials.

More desirably, each of outer pot member 12, substrate support member 25, rim opening covers 36, and outer pot member side wall opening covers 46 independently comprises a biodegradable water-impermeable material. Suitable biodegradable materials include, but are not limited to, any kind of organic fiber from vegetable or animal origin such as wood, coco, kenaf, cow manure, switch grass, and rice hulls; organic polymers from vegetable (e.g., corn, potato, etc.) or animal origin (e.g., seafood shells, other animal proteins, etc.). In desired embodiments, potted plant system of the present invention, such as exemplary potted plant system 10, further comprises superabsorbent material 37. Typically, superabsorbent material 37 is positioned (i) along inner side wall surface 18 of outer pot member 12, (ii) within water-permeable substrate 19, (iii) along an outer surface 17 of water-permeable substrate 19, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii). For example, as shown in FIG. 12, superabsorbent material 37 is positioned along inner side wall surface 18 of outer pot member 12.

As shown in FIG. 8, superabsorbent material 37 may also be positioned within water-permeable substrate 19. Although not shown in FIG. 8, superabsorbent material 37 may also be positioned along an outer surface 17 of water-permeable substrate 19.

In one exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, superabsorbent material 37 may be positioned within water-permeable substrate 19, wherein water-permeable substrate 19 comprising inner and outer fabric layers 19a and 19b with superabsorbent material 37 positioned between inner and outer fabric layers 19a and 19b. In this embodiment, typically, inner and outer fabric layers 19a and 19b are attached to one another, for example, via (i) a stitching material (e.g., thread) 38, (ii) entanglement of fibers within each of inner and outer fabric layers 19a and 19b (e.g., via a hydroentanglement procedure; not shown), (iii) the superabsorbent material 37 itself (i.e., due to tackiness of superabsorbent material 37 when dampened with water), (iv) some other adhesive-like material (e.g., a polymeric binder; not shown), or (v) any combination of (i) to (iv).

Superabsorbent material 37 may comprise any known superabsorbent material. Suitable superabsorbent materials for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, polyacrylamide, starch/acrylonitrile inoculated copolymers, neutralized cross-linked starch/acrylic acid copolymers, cross-linked polyacrylamide copolymers of polyacrylamide, neutralized sodium and potassium acrylic acid cross- linked copolymers, and any combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, superabsorbent material 37 comprises polyacrylamide material. Commercially available superabsorbent materials suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, STOCKOSORB^® XL (Evonik Stockhausen, Krefeld, Germany), which is a crosslinked acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymer, potassium salt, having an average particle size of from about 2 to about 4 millimeters (mm) when dry, and an average particle size of from about 18 to about 26 mm when fully hydrated in distilled water. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that other materials may be used instead of superabsorbent materials, such as lignins, alkylpolyglucose (APGs) and their esters, and guar gum.

In some desired embodiments, superabsorbent material 37 comprises superabsorbent particles (e.g., polyacrylamide particles or STOCKOSORB^® XL particles), wherein the superabsorbent particles have an average particle size, when dry, of from about 2.0 mm to about 35.0 mm (or any multiple of 0.1 mm therebetween, e.g., about 2.1 mm or about 2.2 mm ), and even more typically, from about 2.0 mm to about 5.0 mm.

The potted plant systems of the present invention may further comprise plant- growing media 60 within inner pot member 11 as shown in FIG. 12. Suitable plant- growing media may include, but is not limited to, soil, plastic beads, synthetic sponge material, expanded perlite, expanded vermiculite, peat moss, aged or composted bark coir, wood substrate compost, plastic, foams, clays or any combination thereof.

Further, the potted plant systems of the present invention may also comprise one or more plant inputs 37, 59 as shown in FIG. 12. When present, the one or more plant inputs may be positioned (i) along inner side wall surface 18 of outer pot member 12, (ii) within water-permeable substrate 19 (as shown in FIG. 12), (iii) along outer surface 17 of water-permeable substrate 19, (iv) disposed or otherwise injected into interior space between the outer pot member 12 and inner pot member 11, (v) any combination of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv). In some desired embodiments, when present, one or more plant inputs 37, 59 are positioned within water-permeable substrate layer 19 (as shown in FIG. 12). Alternatively, plant growing inputs 37 and 59 may be freely.

Suitable plant growing inputs for use in the potted plant systems of the present invention include, but are not limited to, one or more of: fertilizers, controlled release fertilizers, plant growth regulators, plant protection materials, fungicides, insecticides, and any combination thereof. Suitable fertilizers include, but are not limited to, inorganic fertilizers such as controlled release fertilizers, slow release fertilizers, and water-soluble fertilizers; and organic fertilizers such as guano, bone and fish meal, worm castings, compost and vegetable extracts, humic acids, etc.

Suitable plant growth regulators, plant protection materials include, but are not limited to, plant growth regulators in the form of any chemical compound that alters the growth and development of plants such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, etc.; compounds that induce plant resistance mechanisms (e.g. salycilic acid and jasmonates); pesticides including compounds that have a direct effect on insects causing death, or affect their metabolism (e.g. growth regulators); biological control agents including any species of fungi, bacteria or insect that is able to control pests and/or organisms that cause a disease of a plant.

It should be noted that any of the above-mentioned exemplary materials (e.g., plant inputs; fertilizers; controlled release fertilizers; plant growth regulators; plant protection materials; fungicides; insecticides; compounds that induce plant resistance mechanisms; pesticides; and biological control agents) alone or in combination may be incorporated into the potted plant systems of the present invention. Typically, one or more of these materials are incorporated into the potted plant systems of the present invention between inner pot member 11 and outer pot member 12 and/or within water-permeable substrate 19 (as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9), or blended within the plant growing media 60.

The present invention is further directed to methods of making potted plant systems and inner pot members of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of making a potted plant system of the present invention comprises thermoforming an outer pot member (e.g., outer pot member 12) having an outer pot member base 13 and at least one outer pot member side wall 14 extending upward from outer pot member base 13; and forming an inner pot member (e.g., inner pot member 11) having an inner pot member base 15 and at least one inner pot member side wall 16 extending upward from inner pot member base 15, inner pot member 11 is sized so as to be removably positionable within outer pot member 10 so that an outer side wall surface 17 of at least one inner pot member side wall 16 is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface 18 of at least one outer pot member side wall 14, at least one inner pot member side wall 16 comprises a water- permeable substrate 19, wherein water-permeable substrate 19 has a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

The methods of making potted plant systems and/or inner pot members of the present invention may further comprise a number of additional steps including, but not limited to, thermoforming a substrate support member, wherein the substrate support member (i) is configured and sized to support a water-permeable substrate, and (ii) comprises one or more water-permeable openings therein; positioning a water-permeable substrate along an inner or outer surface of a substrate support member; incorporating superabsorbent material into the potted plant system; positioning superabsorbent material (i) along an inner side wall surface of the outer pot member, (ii) within the water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of the water-permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii); positioning superabsorbent material between inner and outer fabric layers of the water-permeable substrate, and attaching the inner and outer fabric layers to one another with the superabsorbent material positioned between the inner and outer fabric layers; incorporating a plant-growing media within the inner pot member; incorporating one or more plant inputs within the potted plant system; incorporating one or more plant inputs (i) along the inner side wall surface of the outer pot member, (ii) within the water-permeable substrate (e.g., similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-9), (iii) along an outer surface of the water-permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii); incorporating one or more plant inputs within the water-permeable substrate (e.g., similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-9); or any combination of one or more of the above steps.

As used herein, the term "thermoforming" refers to any step in which a material is shaped via heat and/or pressure. Typically, the thermoforming step comprises a molding step, such as an injection molding step.

When forming the water-permeable substrate, in some embodiments, the forming step comprises shaping a water-permeable substrate material so as to form a non-planar water-permeable substrate having a substrate base and at least one substrate side wall extending upward from the substrate base. In some embodiments, the forming step comprises: shaping a water-permeable substrate material so as to form a non-planar water-permeable substrate having a substrate base and at least one substrate side wall extending upward from the substrate base; and thermoforming a substrate support member, the substrate support member (i) being configured and sized so as to support a water-permeable substrate, and (ii) comprising one or more water-permeable openings therein. Once formed, the water-permeable substrate may be positioned along an inner or outer surface of the substrate support member.

In desired embodiments of the present invention, the methods of making a potted plant system or an inner pot member comprises incorporating superabsorbent material into the potted plant system or the inner pot member. As discussed above, the incorporating step may comprise positioning superabsorbent material (i) along an inner side wall surface of the outer pot member, (ii) within the water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of the water-permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii). In some embodiments, the incorporating step comprises coating superabsorbent material onto an inner side wall surface of the outer pot member. In some embodiments, the incorporating step comprises incorporating superabsorbent material within the water-permeable substrate (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 8-9).

In one embodiment, the step of forming the water-permeable substrate comprises positioning superabsorbent material between inner and outer fabric layers of the water-permeable substrate; and attaching the inner and outer fabric layers to one another with the superabsorbent material positioned between the inner and outer fabric layers.

The methods of making a potted plant system or an inner pot member of the present invention may further comprise one or more of the following steps: incorporating a plant-growing media (such as those discussed above) within the inner pot member; incorporating one or more plant inputs (such as those discussed above) within the potted plant system; incorporating one or more plant inputs (such as those discussed above) (i) along the inner side wall surface of the outer pot member, (ii) within the water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of the water- permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii); and incorporating one or more plant inputs (such as those discussed above) within the water-permeable substrate.

The present invention is even further directed to methods of using potted plant systems and inner pot members of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of using a potted plant system of the present invention comprises a method of growing a plant or plant propagation material, wherein the method comprises positioning the plant or plant propagation material within a potted plant system, the potted plant system comprises (1) an outer pot member having an outer pot member base and at least one outer pot member side wall extending upward from the outer pot member base; and (2) an inner pot member having an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from the inner pot member base, the inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within the outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of the at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of the at least one outer pot member side wall, the at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

In some embodiments, the method of using a potted plant system of the present invention comprises a method of growing a plant or plant propagation material, wherein the method comprises utilizing an inner pot member that further comprises a substrate support member, the substrate support member (i) being configured and sized so as to support the water-permeable substrate, and (ii) comprising one or more water-permeable openings therein.

The disclosed methods of growing a plant or plant propagation material may comprise an irrigating step comprising irrigating the plant or plant propagation material at a irrigating frequency of less than about one time per day. In some embodiments, the irrigating step comprises irrigating the plant or plant propagation material at an irrigating frequency of less than about one time per week (or less than about one time per every two weeks). Irrigating methods include manual irrigating methods, but also irrigating by overhead drip emitters, echo systems, booms, hoses or sub-irrigated ebb and flood floors.

The potted plant growing solutions systems (e.g., potted plant systems and inner pot members thereof) of the present invention provide a number of advantages over known potting systems. The potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention provide one or more of the following advantages over known potting systems:

(1) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention is placed in the greenhouse at the time of transplant providing nutrients, plant protection chemistries, and increased water holding capacity via superabsorbent material during the production phase;

(2) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention is a consumer-friendly product in which the product can be utilized by a home owner post-retail (i.e., after purchasing from a retail vendor); the system offers versatility, allowing the customer to place the entire potted plant within a selected decorative pot if desired;

(3) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention provides an outer rigid container (e.g., outer pot member 12), which can be used to hold all other system components;

(4) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention utilize an internal water-permeable container (e.g., inner pot member 11) made from, for example, water-permeable membranes such as cotton fabric, non-woven polyester fabric, or other fabrics formed from synthetic fibers;

(5) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention can utilize an inner container (e.g., inner pot member 11), which can be filled with any kind of substrate, amendments, and any kind of plant growing inputs either alone or mixed (by the manufacturer, grower, a retail vendor, the consumer, etc.);

(6) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention can utilize the gap between the outer and inner container (i.e., between inner pot member 11 and outer pot member 12) as a deposit location for the system's growing inputs (e.g., superabsorbent polymer, fertilizer, pesticides, beneficial organisms, etc.);

(7) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention can be tailored for species-specific applications (e.g., change nutrient dose, water holding capacity, specific pesticides, etc.);

(8) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention cover the entire value chain, namely, reduces the frequency of irrigation during greenhouse production, transport, retail, and the benefits extend to the final consumer (i.e., the same applies with nutrients and plant protection chemistries);

(9) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention allows roots to grow around and into superabsorbent polymer granules allowing the root absorption of water, nutrients, chemicals, or interact with biological agents;

(10) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention can utilize superabsorbent polymer having a large polymer granule size (e.g., from about 2 to about 3 centimeters (cm)), which allows enhanced gas exchange for the roots;

(11) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention, during retail storage, enable a plant to stay alive at least 25% longer than those grown in conventional containers;

(12) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention enable a consumer to pull out the whole plant and root ball from the outer container (e.g., outer pot member 12) without disrupting the root system;

(13) as the plant is pulled out of the outer container (e.g., outer pot member 12), the design of the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention allows the root ball to hold onto the fabric, which can contain all of the plant inputs (e.g., polymer, fertilizer, etc.) so that the plant inputs are transferred into the ground when the plant is transplanted; and

(14) the potted plant growing solutions systems of the present invention enable a greenhouse grower to obtain healthy plants having a plant size at least as great as plants grown without the system. It should be understood that although the above-described potted plant systems, and methods are described as "comprising" one or more components or steps, the above-described potted plant systems, and methods may "comprise," "consists of," or "consist essentially of" the above-described components or steps of the potted plant systems, and methods. Consequently, where the present invention, or a portion thereof, has been described with an open-ended term such as "comprising," it should be readily understood that (unless otherwise stated) the description of the present invention, or the portion thereof, should also be interpreted to describe the present invention, or a portion thereof, using the terms "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of or variations thereof as discussed below.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," "contains", "containing," "characterized by" or any other variation thereof, are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion, subject to any limitation explicitly indicated otherwise, of the recited components. For example, a potted plant system or method that "comprises" a list of elements (e.g., components or steps) is not necessarily limited to only those elements (or components or steps), but may include other elements (or components or steps) not expressly listed or inherent to the potted plant system or method.

As used herein, the transitional phrases "consists of and "consisting of exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified. For example, "consists of" or "consisting of used in a claim would limit the claim to the components, materials or steps specifically recited in the claim except for impurities ordinarily associated therewith (i.e., impurities within a given component). When the phrase "consists of or "consisting of appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, the phrase "consists of or "consisting of" limits only the elements (or components or steps) set forth in that clause; other elements (or components) are not excluded from the claim as a whole.

As used herein, the transitional phrases "consists essentially of" and "consisting essentially of" are used to define a potted plant system or method that includes materials, steps, features, components, or elements, in addition to those literally disclosed, provided that these additional materials, steps, features, components, or elements do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. The term "consisting essentially of" occupies a middle ground between "comprising" and "consisting of. Further, it should be understood that the herein-described potted plant systems, components thereof, or methods may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of any of the herein-described components and features, as shown in the figures with or without any feature(s) not shown in the figures. In other words, in some embodiments, the potted plant system or component thereof of the present invention does not have any additional features other than those shown in the figures, and such additional features, not shown in the figures, are specifically excluded from the potted plant system or component thereof. In other embodiments, the potted plant system or component thereof of the present invention does have one or more additional features that are not shown in the figures.

The present invention is described above and further illustrated below by way of examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope of the invention. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 :

Exemplary potted plant systems of the present invention, such as those detailed in FIGS. 1-12 and described above, were prepared and utilized to grow a variety of plants.

Example 2:

The plant performance of selected exemplary potted plant systems of the present invention was tested and compared to conventional planting systems in a nursery setting. As will be discussed in more detail below, the plants potted within the planting systems of the present invention resulted in 2 to 3 fewer days to market. For perspective, over the span of a year, crops planted in nurseries having fewer days to market translates into additional crop rotations through the nursery throughout a one year period of time. In the summer of 2012, a trial was conducted to demonstrate the differences between plants grown in the plant systems of the present invention and those grown according to conventional planting methods currently used in nurseries. Two ornamental plant species were selected for the trial, namely, petunias and impatiens and grown in greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted as a complete randomized block design with four experimental units per treatment. The results of each species were treated as an individual experiment.

At the outset, four-week old liner plugs of each species were planted in several different growing variations within conventional containers and the plant system disclosed and described above with respect to Fig. 12. The growing variations for both species are described as follows:

Plants grown in Conventional Containers

CLF -plugs were transplanted into containers and grown in Fafard® Growing Mix F-15 (Fafard, Agawam, Ma) and irrigated with constant liquid feed-CLF (14-4- 14) at 150 ppm N as per customary and standard procedure currently employed in nurseries.

CRF-Media - plugs were transplanted into containers and grown in Fafard® Growing Mix F-15 (Fafard, Agawam, Ma) amended with controlled release fertilizers and irrigated with clear water.

Plants grown in the Potted Plant System of the present invention

CLF - plugs were transplanted into containers and grown in Fafard® Growing Mix F-15 (Fafard, Agawam, Ma), irrigated with constant liquid feed (14-4-14) at 150 ppm N as per customary and standard procedure currently employed in nurseries. Superabsorbent material was positioned in the space between the inner and outer pot members.

CRF- Media - plugs were transplanted into containers and grown in Fafard® Growing Mix F-15 (Fafard, Agawam, Ma) amended with controlled release fertilizers and irrigated with clear water. Superabsorbent material was positioned in the space between the inner and outer pot members.

CRF-Prot - plugs were transplanted into containers and grown in Fafard® Growing Mix F-15 (Fafard, Agawam, Ma) and irrigated with clear water. Fertilizer was not blended within the media, but rather placed in combination with the superabsorbent material in the space between the inner and outer pot members. The results of the trials are shown Graph 1 below and statistical analysis of the same was performed with JMP 9.0 (SAS Corporation, Cary, NC).

Graph 1

As compared to the plants grown in the conventional containers, there is a profound difference in the number of Days to Market for both species wherein the plants were potted in the plant system claimed herein and wherein the growing media is blended with controlled release fertilizer (CRF-Media). Indeed, both species showed a reduction of approximately four (4) Days to Market. The impatiens trial, in particular, demonstrated consistent reduction of Days to Market in each plant system environment.

While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A potted plant system comprising:

an outer pot member having an outer pot member base and at least one outer pot member side wall extending upward from said outer pot member base; and

an inner pot member having an inner pot member base and at least one inner pot member side wall extending upward from said inner pot member base, said inner pot member being sized so as to be removably positionable within said outer pot member so that an outer side wall surface of said at least one inner pot member side wall is spaced from or in contact with an inner side wall surface of said at least one outer pot member side wall, said at least one inner pot member side wall comprising a water-permeable substrate having a substrate structure that enables plant roots to (i) extend through the substrate, (ii) extend into the substrate, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

2. The potted plant system of claim 1, wherein said outer pot member base is separate from and below said inner pot member base when said inner pot member is positioned within said outer pot member.

3. The potted plant system of claim 1 or 2, wherein said outer pot member comprises a water-impermeable material.

4. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said outer pot member comprises at least one drain opening extending though said outer pot member base.

5. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an upper surface of said outer pot member base comprises one or more first positioning members thereon, and a lower surface of said inner pot member base comprises one or more second positioning members thereon, and said one or more second positioning members are engageable with said one or more first positioning members so as to position said inner pot member at a specific location within said outer pot member.

6. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said water- permeable substrate forms at least a portion of a lower surface of said inner pot member base.

7. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said water- permeable substrate has a tubular sleeve-like configuration.

8. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said water- permeable substrate has a truncated cone shape.

9. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said water- permeable substrate has a truncated cone shape with fluted side walls.

10. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said water- permeable substrate has enough structural integrity to stand upright on one end.

11. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said water- permeable substrate has a porous structure.

12. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said water- permeable substrate (i) has one or more slits therein so that plant roots can extend therethrough, (ii) has a construction that enables plant roots to penetrate and extend therethrough, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

13. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said water- permeable substrate comprises a fabric or paper layer.

14. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said water- permeable substrate comprises a water-permeable fabric layer.

15. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said water- permeable substrate comprises a biodegradable water-permeable fabric layer.

16. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said water- permeable substrate comprises a water-permeable porous structure.

17. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 13 or 16, wherein said water-permeable substrate comprises a water-permeable porous structure formed from one or more materials that enable formation of interstitial space between the one or more materials.

18. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 13 or 16 to 17, wherein said water-permeable substrate comprises a water-permeable porous structure formed from one or more materials that enable formation of interstitial space between the one or more materials, said one or more materials comprising natural materials, synthetic materials, minerals, fibers, binder material, sponge material, loofah, foam, or any combination thereof.

19. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 13 or 16 to 18, wherein said water-permeable substrate comprises a foam, a sponge, or a preformed, shaped porous structure.

20. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein said inner pot member further comprises a substrate support member, said substrate support member (i) being configured and sized so as to support said water-permeable substrate, and (ii) comprising one or more water-permeable openings therein.

21. The potted plant system of claim 20, wherein said substrate support member extends along an inner surface of said water-permeable substrate, and comprises a substrate support member base and at least one substrate support member side wall extending upward from said substrate support member base, said one or more water- permeable openings (i) extending through said at least one substrate support member side wall and (ii) being sized so that plant roots can extend therethrough.

22. The potted plant system of claim 20 or 21, wherein said substrate support member forms at least a portion of a lower surface of said inner pot member base.

23. The potted plant system of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein said substrate support member comprises a water-impermeable material having said one or more water-permeable openings extending therethrough.

24. The potted plant system of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said substrate support member further comprises a substrate support member rim that extends (i) along, (ii) beyond or (iii) both (i) and (ii) of an upper edge of said at least one outer pot member side wall.

25. The potted plant system of any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein said substrate support member further comprises a substrate support member rim that extends beyond an upper edge of said at least one outer pot member side wall.

26. The potted plant system of claim 24 or 25, wherein said substrate support member rim comprises a positioning component thereon, said positioning component being engageable with said upper edge of said at least one outer pot member side wall.

27. The potted plant system of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein said substrate support member rim comprises one or more rim opening therein, wherein each rim opening provides access to a volume bound by (i) said outer side wall surface of said at least one inner pot member side wall, (ii) said inner side wall surface of said at least one outer pot member side wall, and (iii) a lower surface of said substrate support member rim.

28. The potted plant system of any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein said substrate support member comprises a biodegradable material.

29. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 28, further comprising superabsorbent material positioned (i) along said inner side wall surface of said outer pot member, (ii) within said water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of said water-permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii).

30. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 29, further comprising superabsorbent material positioned along said inner side wall surface of said outer pot member.

31. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 30, further comprising superabsorbent material positioned within said water-permeable substrate.

32. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 31, further comprising superabsorbent material positioned within said water-permeable substrate, said water- permeable substrate comprising inner and outer fabric layers with said superabsorbent material positioned between said inner and outer fabric layers.

33. The potted plant system of claim 32, wherein said inner and outer fabric layers are attached to one another.

34. The potted plant system of claim 32 or 33, wherein said inner and outer fabric layers are attached to one another via a stitching material, entanglement of fibers within each of said inner and outer fabric layers, said superabsorbent material, an adhesive-type material, or any combination thereof.

35. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 34, further comprising superabsorbent material positioned along an outer surface of said water-permeable substrate.

36. The potted plant system of any one of claims 29 to 35, wherein said superabsorbent material comprises polyacrylamide, crosslinked acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymer, or a salt thereof.

37. The potted plant system of any one of claims 29 to 36, wherein said superabsorbent material comprises superabsorbent particles.

38. The potted plant system of any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein said superabsorbent material comprises superabsorbent particles having an average particle size, when dry, of from about 1.0 millimeters (mm) to about 35 mm.

39. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 38, further comprising a plant-growing media within said inner pot member.

40. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 39, further comprising a plant-growing media within said inner pot member, said plant-growing media comprising soil, plastic beads, synthetic sponge material, expanded perlite, expanded vermiculite, peat moss, composted bark, coir, wood substrate, and compost plastics, foams, and clay or any combination thereof.

41. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 40, further comprising one or more plant inputs positioned (i) along said inner side wall surface of said outer pot member, (ii) within said water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of said water-permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii).

42. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 41, further comprising one or more plant inputs positioned within said water-permeable substrate.

43. The potted plant system of claim 41 or 42, wherein said one or more plant inputs comprise one or more of: fertilizers, controlled release fertilizers, plant growth regulators, fungicides, insecticides, and any combination thereof.

44. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein each of said outer pot member and said inner pot member independently comprises a single outer pot member side wall and a single inner pot member side wall, respectively.

45. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein each of said outer pot member and said inner pot member independently comprises two or more outer pot member side walls and two or more inner pot member side walls, respectively.

46. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 45, wherein at least one inner pot member side wall comprises one or more outer pot member side wall openings therein so as to provide access to a volume bound by (i) an outer side wall surface of said at least one inner pot member side wall, and (ii) an inner side wall surface of said at least one outer pot member side wall.

47. The potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 46, further comprising (i) one or more rim opening covers, (ii) one or more outer pot member side wall opening covers, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

48. The inner pot member described in any one of claims 1 to 47.

49. The inner pot member of claim 48, wherein said inner pot member comprises said water-permeable substrate in combination with said superabsorbent material and one or more of said plant-growing media and said one or more plant inputs.

50. A method of making the potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 46, said method comprising:

thermoforming the outer pot member; and

forming the inner pot member.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein said thermoforming step comprises a molding step.

52. The method of claim 50 or 51, wherein said forming step comprises shaping a water-permeable substrate so as to form a non-planar water-permeable substrate having a substrate base and at least one substrate side wall extending upward from said substrate base.

53. The method of any one of claims 50 to 52, wherein said forming step comprises:

shaping a water-permeable substrate so as to form a non-planar water- permeable substrate having a substrate base and at least one substrate side wall extending upward from said substrate base; and

thermoforming a substrate support member, the substrate support member (i) being configured and sized so as to support a water-permeable substrate, and (ii) comprising one or more water-permeable openings therein.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising positioning the water-permeable substrate along an inner or outer surface of the substrate support member.

55. The method of any one of claims 50 to 54, further comprising incorporating superabsorbent material into the potted plant system.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein said incorporating step comprises positioning superabsorbent material (i) along an inner side wall surface of the outer pot member, (ii) within the water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of the water-permeable substrate, (iv) disposed or otherwise injected into interior space between said outer pot member and inner pot member, (v) any combination of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv).

57. The method of claim 55 or 56, wherein said incorporating step comprises coating superabsorbent material onto an inner side wall surface of the outer pot member.

58. The method of any one of claims 55 to 57, wherein said incorporating step comprises incorporating superabsorbent material within the water-permeable substrate.

59. The method of any one of claims 55 to 58, wherein said forming step comprises:

positioning superabsorbent material between inner and outer layers of the water-permeable substrate, the water-permeable substrate comprising inner and outer fabric layers; and

attaching the inner and outer fabric layers to one another with the superabsorbent material positioned between the inner and outer fabric layers.

60. The method of any one of claims 50 to 59, further comprising incorporating a plant-growing media within the inner pot member.

61. The method of any one of claims 50 to 60, further comprising incorporating one or more plant inputs within the potted plant system.

62. The method of any one of claims 50 to 61, further comprising incorporating one or more plant inputs (i) along the inner side wall surface of the outer pot member, (ii) within the water-permeable substrate, (iii) along an outer surface of the water- permeable substrate, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii).

63. The method of any one of claims 50 to 62, further comprising incorporating one or more plant inputs within the water-permeable substrate.

64. A method of growing a plant or plant propagation material, said method comprising:

positioning the plant or plant propagation material within the inner pot member of the potted plant system of any one of claims 1 to 47 or the inner pot member of claims 48 or 49; and

irrigating the plant or plant propagation material.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said irrigating step comprises irrigating the plant or plant propagation material at a irrigating frequency of less than about one time per day.

66. The method of claim 64 or 65, wherein said irrigating step comprises irrigating the plant or plant propagation material at a irrigating frequency of less than about one time per week.

67. The method of any one of claims 64 to 66, wherein said irrigating step comprises irrigating the plant or plant propagation material at a irrigating frequency of less than about one time per every two weeks.