TWI900449B - Air Pruning High Pressure Propagation Device - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention proposes an air pruning high-pressure propagation device for inserting a plant branch. The air pruning high-pressure propagation device comprises an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell is capable of surrounding and enclosing the plant branch and has a plurality of holes extending through the surface of the inner shell. The outer shell is capable of surrounding and enclosing the inner shell, with a gap between the outer shell and the outer surface of the inner shell. This design achieves the function of air pruning by first setting up an inner shell layer with multiple holes to fix the plant branches and guide the growth direction of the root system during its initial growth. This prevents the branches from getting entangled within the inner shell layer. After passing through the inner shell, the gap between the inner and outer shell layers is filled with air, which slows the growth rate. The adventitious roots are also promoted to grow radially outward when transplanted into new soil.

Description

Air Pruning High Pressure Propagation Device

This work is about a plant pruning device, in particular an air pruning high-pressure propagation device.

For plants that have difficulty in rooting, the stripping method can be used for propagation. For some plants that grow upright and are easily broken when bent, the aerial stripping method is used because it is difficult to bend the plant into the soil.

The air striping method involves first selecting a healthy branch and circularly peeling the bark and cambium layer. A rooting hormone is then applied to the peeled area to increase rooting. After applying the hormone, the peeled area is then covered with moist sphagnum moss and then plastic paper. Once the moss is filled with the branch's lateral roots, the branch is cut off at its base to create a new plant.

However, when the plant's roots extend outward from the peeled area, the plastic sheet is the only barrier. The sphagnum moss within the plastic sheet is where the plant's adventitious roots grow. These roots often grow in the moss until they hit the plastic sheet, then turn and grow, eventually becoming entangled. When the plant is transplanted to new soil, these entangled roots become more difficult to root outward or downward, resulting in insufficient nutrients and water.

In view of this, proposing a better improvement solution is an urgent problem to be solved in this industry.

The main purpose of this invention is to propose an air pruning high-pressure propagation device, which is used to solve the problem that when plants are propagated using the air pruning method, the roots growing in the sphagnum moss will become entangled with each other due to excessive growth in the sphagnum moss, making it difficult for the roots to take root outward or downward after transplantation due to the entanglement.

To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides an air pruning and high-pressure propagation device, which is used for a plant branch to be inserted therein; the air pruning and high-pressure propagation device has: an inner shell layer, which can surround and cover the plant branch and has: a plurality of holes, which penetrate the surface of the inner shell layer and are used for the roots of the plant branch to pass through; an outer shell layer, which can surround and cover the inner shell layer, and a gap is formed between the outer shell layer and the outer surface of the inner shell layer.

As described above, the air pruning high-pressure propagation device, wherein the inner shell layer has: a plurality of growth guide grooves, which are recessed in the inner wall surface of the inner shell layer, and each of the holes is respectively arranged at the bottom of one of the growth guide grooves.

As described above, the air-pruning high-pressure propagation device, wherein the cross-sectional area of each growth guide groove gradually decreases from the inner wall surface of the inner shell layer to the bottom of the growth guide groove.

As described above, in the air-pruning high-pressure propagation device, the inner shell layer has a plurality of protrusions protruding from the outer wall surface of the inner shell layer, and the positions of the protrusions respectively correspond to the positions of the growth guide grooves.

As described above, the air pruning high-pressure propagation device, wherein the inner shell layer has: two inner covering parts, which are detachably connected to each other and can together surround and cover the plant branches.

As described above, in the air pruning high-pressure propagation device, each of the inner covering members has at least one side plate that can be pressed against and engaged in the outer shell layer.

As described above, the air-pruning high-pressure propagation device, wherein the outer shell layer has: a first outer covering member and a second outer covering member, which can together surround and cover the inner shell layer.

As described above, the air pruning high-pressure propagation device, wherein the first outer covering has: at least one protrusion, which is arranged on the side edge of the first outer covering close to the second outer covering and protrudes outward; the second outer covering has: at least one card slot, which is arranged on the side edge of the second outer covering close to the first outer covering, the number of the at least one card slot corresponds to the number of the at least one protrusion, and each of the at least one protrusion can be engaged with one of the at least one card slots.

As mentioned above, in the air-pruning high-pressure propagation device, the inner shell layer and the outer shell layer are spherical in shape.

In the aforementioned air pruning high-pressure propagation device, the maximum width of the inner shell layer parallel to the cross-section of the plant branch is between 4 cm and 10 cm.

When used, this creation can cover plant branches that are about to root, and the medium used for plant growth is placed in the inner shell. When the plant branches root, the roots will grow outward and pass through the holes in the inner shell. Because there is a gap between the inner and outer shell layers, the gap is not filled with a medium, but only with air. When the adventitious roots growing from the plant branches pass through the holes into the gap, they come into contact with the air, which slows down their growth rate and achieves the function of air pruning. Therefore, after the roots of the plant branches pass through the holes on the surface of the inner shell, the air humidity is low and rich in oxygen, which causes the root tips of the adventitious roots of the plant branches to stop growing and promote the growth of other roots, without causing the roots to turn their growth direction and become entangled with each other. Finally, when transplanted to new soil, the adventitious roots growing from the plant branches can grow radially outward, successfully establishing their roots and increasing the plant's access to nutrients and water. By first creating an inner shell with multiple holes, this design stabilizes the plant branches and directs the initial growth of the adventitious roots, achieving a function of air pruning. This prevents them from becoming entangled within the inner shell, and once they pass through the inner shell, the air slows their growth, preventing them from becoming entangled between the inner and outer shells. This radial outward growth also promotes root growth when transplanted to new soil.

Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. This invention proposes an air pruning high-pressure propagation device for inserting a plant branch therein. The air pruning high-pressure propagation device comprises an inner shell 10 and an outer shell 20. In this embodiment, the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 20 are both spherical, but the shapes of the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 20 are not limited to this and may also be cylindrical or elongated.

Please refer to Figures 2, 5, and 6. The inner shell layer 10 can surround and enclose the plant branches and accommodate a medium. Specifically, the medium can be sphagnum moss, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, compost, ordinary soil, or volcanic rock, but is not limited to these materials, as long as the medium can provide rooting support for the plant branches. In this embodiment, the inner shell layer 10 has a plurality of holes 11, a plurality of growth-guiding grooves 12, and a plurality of protrusions 13. In other embodiments, the inner shell layer 10 may not have the growth-guiding grooves 12 and protrusions 13.

Holes 11 penetrate the surface of the inner shell 10, allowing roots growing from plant branches to pass through the holes 11 and out of the inner shell 10. Growth guide grooves 12 are recessed into the inner wall of the inner shell 10, with each hole 11 located at the bottom of one of the growth guide grooves 12. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of each growth guide groove 12 tapers from the inner wall of the inner shell 10 to the bottom of the growth guide groove 12. Preferably, the growth guide groove 12 is tapered, particularly in a polygonal shape, but may also be a circular cone or a hemispherical shape. In this way, when the roots of plant branches encounter the inner wall of the growth guide groove 12, they are guided along the gradually decreasing cross-sectional area of the growth guide groove 12 to the hole 11 at the bottom of the growth guide groove 12 and exit. The protrusions 13 protrude from the outer wall of the inner shell 10, and the positions of the protrusions 13 correspond to the positions of the growth guide groove 12. In other words, the recessed positions of the growth guide groove 12 correspond to the protruding positions of the protrusions 13. This ensures that the thickness of the inner shell 10 remains consistent, eliminating the problem of regional temperature and humidity differences within the inner shell 10 caused by varying thickness.

Please refer to Figures 1, 2 and 6. In this embodiment, the maximum width L1 of the inner shell layer 10 parallel to the cross-section of the plant branch is between 4 cm and 10 cm (inclusive), and is preferably 6.5 cm. When the inner shell layer 10 is spherical or cylindrical, the maximum width L1 refers to the diameter of the sphere or cylinder. In this way, the roots growing from the plant branches can be reliably guided to pass through the holes 11, and will not be entangled with each other in the inner shell layer 10 due to the lack of restrictions due to the excessive growth range. However, the aforementioned maximum width L1 can also be other sizes without being limited to this, and can be adjusted according to the type and coarseness of the plant being covered.

In this embodiment, the inner shell 10 is divided into two inner covering members 14. The two inner covering members 14 are detachably connected to each other and can together wrap around plant branches. In this embodiment, the inner covering members 14 are hemispherical, but other shapes are also possible. In other embodiments, the inner shell 10 may not be divided into two inner covering members 14, but may be formed as a single piece. Each inner covering member 14 has at least one side panel 141 that can be abutted and engaged with the outer shell 20. In this embodiment, the inner covering member 14 has two side panels 141, one located on either side of the hemispherical plane. In other embodiments, the number and shape of the side panels 141 are not limited to this.

Please refer to Figures 3, 4, and 6. The outer shell 20 can surround and wrap around the inner shell 10, with a gap between the outer shell 20 and the outer surface of the inner shell 10. The outer shell 20 has a first outer covering member 21 and a second outer covering member 22. The first outer covering member 21 and the second outer covering member 22 can together surround and wrap around the inner shell 10.

Please refer to Figures 1, 3, 4, and 6. The first outer covering 21 has at least one protrusion 211, which is located on the side of the first outer covering 21 near the second outer covering 22 and protrudes outward. The second outer covering 22 has at least one slot 221, which is located on the side of the second outer covering 22 near the first outer covering 21. The number of slots 221 corresponds to the number of protrusions 211, and each protrusion 211 can be engaged with one of the slots 221. In this embodiment, the two inner coverings 14 are respectively abutted and engaged with the first outer covering 21 and the second outer covering 22. By engaging the slots 221 and the protrusions 211 , one of the inner covering members 14 in the first outer covering member 21 and the other inner covering member 14 in the second outer covering member 22 can be fixed in the outer shell 20 .

When in use, this device encases plant branches waiting to root, with a growth medium placed within the inner shell 10. As the plant branches root, the roots grow outward and pass through the holes 11 of the inner shell 10. Because there is a gap between the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 20, which is not filled with a medium but only with air, when adventitious roots from the plant branches pass through the holes 11 and into the gap, they come into contact with air, slowing their growth and achieving a function of air pruning. Therefore, after the roots of the plant branches finally pass through the holes 11 on the surface of the inner shell 10, the lower humidity and richer oxygen in the air stop the growth of the adventitious root tips, promoting the growth of other roots without the roots turning and becoming entangled. Finally, when the plant branches are transplanted to new soil, the adventitious roots can grow radially outward, successfully establishing their roots and increasing the nutrients and water available to the plant.

This invention first provides an inner shell layer 10 with multiple holes 11 to secure plant branches and guide the growth direction of the roots during their initial growth, preventing them from becoming entangled within the inner shell layer 10. After passing through the inner shell layer 10, the air slows down the growth rate, achieving the function of air pruning, thereby preventing entanglement between the inner shell layer 10 and the outer shell layer 20. When transplanted to new soil, the roots can also grow radially outward, which promotes their growth.

10: Inner shell 11: Hole 12: Growth guide groove 13: Protrusion 14: Inner cover 141: Side panel 20: Outer shell 21: First outer cover 211: Protrusion 22: Second outer cover 221: Slot L1: Maximum width

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the present invention; Figure 3 is a three-dimensional diagram of a first outer covering member of the present invention; Figure 4 is a three-dimensional diagram of a second outer covering member of the present invention; Figure 5 is a three-dimensional diagram of an inner covering member of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

10: Inner shell layer

11: Holes

20: Outer shell

21: First outer covering

211: Protrusion

22: Second outer covering

221: Card slot

Claims (10)

An air pruning high-pressure propagation device is used to allow a plant branch to pass through it; the air pruning high-pressure propagation device has: an inner shell layer that can surround and cover the plant branch and has: a plurality of holes that penetrate the surface of the inner shell layer and are used for the roots of the plant branch to pass through; an outer shell layer that can surround and cover the inner shell layer, and a gap is formed between the outer shell layer and the outer surface of the inner shell layer. As described in claim 1, the air pruning high-pressure propagation device, wherein the inner shell layer has: a plurality of growth guide grooves, which are recessed in the inner wall surface of the inner shell layer, and each of the holes is respectively arranged at the bottom of one of the growth guide grooves. The air-pruning high-pressure propagation device as described in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional area of each growth guide groove gradually decreases from the inner wall surface of the inner shell layer to the bottom of the growth guide groove. As described in claim 2, the air-pruning high-pressure propagation device, wherein the inner shell layer has: a plurality of protrusions protruding from the outer wall surface of the inner shell layer, and the positions of the protrusions respectively correspond to the positions of the growth guide grooves. An air pruning high-pressure propagation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner shell layer has: two inner covering parts, which are detachably connected to each other and can together surround and cover the plant branches. As described in claim 5, the air pruning high-pressure propagation device, wherein each of the inner covering parts has: at least one side panel that can be pressed against and engaged in the outer shell layer. An air-pruning high-pressure propagation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer shell layer has: a first outer covering member and a second outer covering member, which can together surround and cover the inner shell layer. An air pruning high-pressure propagation device as described in claim 7, wherein the first outer covering has: at least one protrusion, which is arranged on the side edge of the first outer covering close to the second outer covering and protrudes outward; the second outer covering has: at least one card slot, which is arranged on the side edge of the second outer covering close to the first outer covering, the number of the at least one card slot corresponds to the number of the at least one protrusion, and each of the at least one protrusion can be engaged with one of the at least one card slots. An air-pruning high-pressure propagation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner shell layer and the outer shell layer are spherical in shape. An air pruning high-pressure propagation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the maximum width of the inner shell layer parallel to the cross-section of the plant branch is between 4 cm and 10 cm.