One variation of method for monitoring growth of plants within a facility includes: aggregating global ambient data recorded by a suite of fixed sensors, arranged proximal a grow area within the facility, at a first frequency during a grow period; extracting interim outcomes of a set of plants, occupying a module in the grow area, from module-level images recorded by a mover at a second frequency less than the first frequency while interfacing with the module during the period of time; dispatching the mover to autonomously deliver the module to a transfer station; extracting interim outcomes of the set of plants from plant-level images recorded by the transfer station while sequentially transferring plants out of the module at the conclusion of the grow period; and deriving relationships between ambient conditions, interim outcomes, and final outcomes from a corpus of plant records associated with plants grown in the facility.

One variation of method for monitoring growth of plants within a facility includes: aggregating global ambient data recorded by a suite of fixed sensors, arranged proximal a grow area within the facility, at a first frequency during a grow period; extracting interim outcomes of a set of plants, occupying a module in the grow area, from module-level images recorded by a mover at a second frequency less than the first frequency while interfacing with the module during the period of time; dispatching the mover to autonomously deliver the module to a transfer station; extracting interim outcomes of the set of plants from plant-level images recorded by the transfer station while sequentially transferring plants out of the module at the conclusion of the grow period; and deriving relationships between ambient conditions, interim outcomes, and final outcomes from a corpus of plant records associated with plants grown in the facility.

An invention is disclosed for processes, apparatuses, articles, structures, and supports in relation to floral arrangements. Embodiments of such a process, apparatus, article, structure and support would provide, among other benefits and advantages, a more cost-effective and versatile support for placing or supporting one or more floral pieces in a container. For instance, one embodiment comprises the following: a first section, wherein the first section comprises one or more sides and one or more widths, the one or more widths fit within a neck of the container by having the one or more sides in contact with one or more sections of an inner surface of the neck, the container comprises a mouth leading to the one or more sections of the inner surface of the neck; a second section, wherein the second section comprises one or more floral pieces, and at least one floral piece from among the one or more floral pieces extends above the opening of the mouth when the one or more sides associated with the first section are in contact with the one or more sections of the inner surface; and a third section, wherein the third section comprises one or more stem pieces, and at least one stem piece from among the one or more stem pieces extends below the neck when the one or more sides associated with the first section are in contact with the one or more sections of the inner surface.

An invention is disclosed for processes, apparatuses, articles, structures, and supports in relation to floral arrangements. Embodiments of such a process, apparatus, article, structure and support would provide, among other benefits and advantages, a more cost-effective and versatile support for placing or supporting one or more floral pieces in a container. For instance, one embodiment comprises the following: a first section, wherein the first section comprises one or more sides and one or more widths, the one or more widths fit within a neck of the container by having the one or more sides in contact with one or more sections of an inner surface of the neck, the container comprises a mouth leading to the one or more sections of the inner surface of the neck; a second section, wherein the second section comprises one or more floral pieces, and at least one floral piece from among the one or more floral pieces extends above the opening of the mouth when the one or more sides associated with the first section are in contact with the one or more sections of the inner surface; and a third section, wherein the third section comprises one or more stem pieces, and at least one stem piece from among the one or more stem pieces extends below the neck when the one or more sides associated with the first section are in contact with the one or more sections of the inner surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises: (1) a box with specifically designed blades for cutting; (2) a motor for rotating the blades over each other; (3) a sweeper mechanism to gently move the flowers around the enclosure blade; and, (4) a brush mechanism to gently tumble flowers over the blade surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises: (1) a box with specifically designed blades for cutting; (2) a motor for rotating the blades over each other; (3) a sweeper mechanism to gently move the flowers around the enclosure blade; and, (4) a brush mechanism to gently tumble flowers over the blade surface.

Disclosed is a container suitable for holding objects such as flowers and which may include a body having at least one wall defining a cavity. The at least one wall may include openings separated apart from each other. A tensioner may pass through the openings. A platform may be situated within the cavity and coupled to the tensioner so as to receive a force from the tensioner when a tension is applied to the tensioner. This force may be operative to lift the platform and the flower coupled thereto so that the flower partially or fully extends from the cavity while at least a portion of the platform remains in the cavity.

The automated trimming of an untrimmed plant stem comprises a device for transporting an untrimmed plant stem to an imaging stage, using a camera to capture at least one image of the plant stem, sending the at least one image to a central processor which creates a trim map which constructs a pattern for moving a cutting armature along the plant stem, and trimming the plant stem by cutting structure of the cutting armature to change the untrimmed plant stem to a trimmed plant stem.

The automated trimming of an untrimmed plant stem comprises a device for transporting an untrimmed plant stem to an imaging stage, using a camera to capture at least one image of the plant stem, sending the at least one image to a central processor which creates a trim map which constructs a pattern for moving a cutting armature along the plant stem, and trimming the plant stem by cutting structure of the cutting armature to change the untrimmed plant stem to a trimmed plant stem.

A system and method of inkjet printing on organic material such as a rose petal is disclosed. The stand has an anchor member which secures the rose stem, a support beam which can be repositioned to adjust the force exerted by the beam on the rose stem, and a printing window to align the rose petals for inkjet printing.