IES930305A2 - Method of propagating plantlets - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of propagating plantlets and to a container (12) which accommodates a plurality of the plantlets (10) with the roots of the plantlets in a moist airspace which encourages new growth of the root hairs (15) in an outward direction from the original root structure.

Description

METHOD OF ΡΚΟΡΑΟΑΤΐΝβ P&ftSB*LETS jiS! This invention relates to a method of propagating vegetable and flower plantlets hereinafter referred to collectively as plantlets to a stage where they are suitable for transplanting into the soil and to the provision of a multi-plantlet container in which the said plantlets may develop in a suitable environment for new root growth.

The present invention provides a method of propagating plantlets to a stage where the plantlets are suitable for transplanting into the soil said method including the steps of (a) propagating the plantlets from seed or cuttings hereinafter referred to collectively as seed in a conventional multi-cell germination seed tray in which each plantlet as propagated is accommodated in its own individual cell; (b) transferring the said plantlets in a predetermined number from the multi-cell seed tray into a multi-plantlet container; and (c) allowing the transferred plantlets in the multi-plantlet container develop new root hairs in an outward direction from the original root structure .

The present invention also provides a container having a base and sidewalls and adapted to accommodate a plurality of propagated plantlets in an abutting relationship wherein the roots of the plantlets are in a 930305 moist airspace which encourages new growth of the root hairs in an outward direction from the original root structure .

The invention will be understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig 1. is a perspective view of a cabbage plantlet on transfer from a conventional multi-cell seed tray to a multi-plantlet container; Fig 2. is a perspective view of the plantlet of Fig. 1 on subsequent transfer from the multi-plantlet container to the soil; and Fig 3. is a perspective view of a multi-plantlet container with a plurality of plantlets in the container .

Referring to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a cabbage plantlet 10 with its root structure embedded in a balanced peat compost 11. The plantlets are grown by the most modern propagation methods to very exacting standards. Using high quality seed of the best available varieties in individual cells in a multi-cell seed tray - there are usually in excess of three hundred individual cells in the seed tray 30 each seed being embedded in a balanced peat compost and germinated and grown under hygienic conditions and then gradually hardened off. All these procedures combine to give a plantlet of a quality to satisfy the most meticulous and demanding grower. The peat compost 11 on the root structure of the plantlet 10 preferably includes nitrogen and trace elements together with a herbicide to protect the plantlet against cabbage root fly. A herbicide which is sold under the Trade Mark DURSBIN is very suitable.

IE 930305 In this condition the plantlet 10 of Fig. 1 is transferred to a multi-plantlet container 12 as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings. The container 12 has a base 13 and side walls 14 and is moulded in a suitable transparent plastics material. It will be understood that the container 12 may be moulded or formed in any suitable material but preferably in a translucent plastics material. Twenty five cabbage plantlets are placed into the container 12 in five rows of five plantlets tightly arranged to enable abutting plantlets 10 to support each other. The root structure of the plantlets 10 are located in a moist airspace in the container which gives the root structure of each plantlet 10 freedom to grow. In a short-time; numbered in days, the plantlets develop and exhibit new healthy root hairs 15 growing in an outward fashion as shown in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings. The new growth of root hairs 15 has not previously been achievable by retaining the plantlets 10 in individual cells in a conventional multi-cell seed tray. By transferring the plantlets 10 from the individual cells of a seed tray to a multi-plantlet container 12 a moist airspace is created around the root ball of each plantlet 10 and this provides the growth environment in the multi-plantlet container to encourage immediate growth of new root hairs 15 in an outward direction.

The plantlet 10 when transplanted from the container 12 into the soil will exhibit continued growth soon after it is transplanted into the soil. This of course accelerates the availability of the grown cabbage. On the other hand the roots of the plantlet propagated solely in a single cell of a multi-cell seed tray are bound tightly together against the wall of the said individual cell. The plantlet transplanted in this condition from the individual cell of the multi-cell seed tray into the soil will not exhibit continuous IE 930305 growth, rather it will take a week approximately in which to establish itself in the soil and for growth to recommence .

It will be readily appreciated that the use of the multi-plantlet container while primarily enhancing growth of the root structure of each plantlet also provides a container in which the plantlets may be readi ly transported to retail outlets then stored and marketed to the public. The use of a transparent plastics container is deemed appropriate since it allows the purchasing customer to view the healthy root structure of the plantlets in the container.

The container - provided the plantlets have their root structure in a moist airspace - provides a packaging means for the continuously growing plantlets and ensures that the said plantlets have in marketing terms a good shelf life.

In the embodiment described the plantlet is a cabbage plantlet. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to cabbage plantlets but relates to plantlets in general for vegetables and flowers.

Further, in the embodiment described the growing medium is a peat compost. It will be understood that any suitable growing medium may be used. The growing medium on the root structure of a plantlet should preferably include sufficient major and minor elements and should receive any reguired treatment against pests and diseases, to sustain the growth of the plantlet.

IE 930305 IE 930305

Claims (5)

CLAIMS :
1. A method of propagating plantlets to a stage where the plantlets are suitable for transplanting into the soil said method including the steps of: (a) propagating the plantlets from seed or cuttings in a conventional multi-cell germination seed tray in which each plantlet as propagated is accommodated in its own individual cell; (b) transferring the said plantlets in a predetermined number from the multi-cell seed tray into a multi-plantlet container; and (c) allowing the transferred plantlets in the multi-plantlet container develop new root hairs in an outward direction from the original root structure.
2. 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the root 25 structure of each of the transferred plantlets is located in the multi-plantlet container in a moist airspace to facilitate growth of new root hairs in an outward direction from the original root structure .
3. 3. A container having a base and sidewalls and adapted to accommodate a plurality of propagated plantlets in an abutting relationship wherein the roots of the plantlets are in a moist airspace 35 which encourages new growth of the root hairs in an outward direction from the original root structure .
4. 4. A container as claimed in Claim 3 in which the container is moulded or formed from a plastics material.
5. 5. 5. A container as claimed in Claims 3 and 4 in which the container is mould or formed from a translucent plastics material.