| 摘要 |
<p>A plant growth container which is transformable between operational and non-operational conditions in which it can and cannot respectively retain a body of growing medium. The container (1) includes a base (2) and a side wall structure (3) which upstands from the base (2) and has a tube-like configuration when the container (1) is in the operational condition. The side wall structure (3) is composed of a plurality of side wall sections (4) which cooperate to form the tube-like configuration and which are movable relative to one another and to the base (2) to transform the container (1) from one condition to the other. For that purpose the lower end of each wall section (4) can be pivotably or otherwise connected to the base (2). Each of the side wall sections (4) and the base (2) of the container may be provided with a plurality of openings (7, 8) so as to promote air pruning of the root structure of a plant growing within the container (1). The container (1) can be combined with a support tray (13) having locating means (16) which cooperates with the lower end of the container (1) to position the container (1) at a predetermined location on the tray (13). A cover (32) of the support tray (13) has an opening (33) which receives the container (1), and the part of the cover (32) surrounding that opening (33) functions as a retaining ring which holds the container wall sections (4) against movement away from one another. The container (1) can be used in an automated plant propagation system in which the container is transformed from the non-operational condition to the operational condition, a growing medium is deposited into the container, and a seed or seedling is deposited into the growing medium. Subsequent opening of the container and removal of a growing plant may be also automated.</p> |
