Plant collars which define slots extending from their peripheries toward the centers are provided. Their bodies define (smooth) surfaces which are substantially free of stress risers. Moreover, the opposing slot surfaces are spaced apart from one another and/or the slot termini are semi-circular.

This invention relates to a system for releasing beneficial mites and the use of such a system. Mite species that can be used beneficially for human purposes may for example be employed in the control of pests, such as in field of agriculture, including agricultural production systems for plant products, agricultural production systems for animal products, and animal husbandry, or in the field of storage of food products. The system of the invention may find use in any of these fields.

This invention relates to a system for releasing beneficial mites and the use of such a system. Mite species that can be used beneficially for human purposes may for example be employed in the control of pests, such as in field of agriculture, including agricultural production systems for plant products, agricultural production systems for animal products, and animal husbandry, or in the field of storage of food products. The system of the invention may find use in any of these fields.

A method for increasing availability of light at a target area, comprising: selecting, at a time of manufacture of a convex reflective surface or optical equivalent thereof, maximum and minimum inclinations and curvature determined by an orientation and latitude and range of azimuths available for insolation at a location where the convex reflective surface or optical equivalent thereof is to be mounted, such that the convex reflective surface or optical equivalent thereof will, when mounted, deflect insolation to the target area without adjustment of a position, inclinations, or curvature of the convex reflective surface; statically mounting the convex reflective surface in a fixed orientation at the position above the target area, and deflecting sunlight received at the convex reflective surface vertically or obliquely downwards onto the target area without adjustment of the position, inclinations, or curvature of the convex reflective surface or optical equivalent thereof throughout the day.

A method for increasing availability of light at a target area, comprising: selecting, at a time of manufacture of a convex reflective surface or optical equivalent thereof, maximum and minimum inclinations and curvature determined by an orientation and latitude and range of azimuths available for insolation at a location where the convex reflective surface or optical equivalent thereof is to be mounted, such that the convex reflective surface or optical equivalent thereof will, when mounted, deflect insolation to the target area without adjustment of a position, inclinations, or curvature of the convex reflective surface; statically mounting the convex reflective surface in a fixed orientation at the position above the target area, and deflecting sunlight received at the convex reflective surface vertically or obliquely downwards onto the target area without adjustment of the position, inclinations, or curvature of the convex reflective surface or optical equivalent thereof throughout the day.

A consumer product for supplementing CO.sub.2 is provided with delayed activation control and multiple chambers formed by folding and clamping or with multiple clamps. A bag, having a top and a bottom seal and a filter, contains organisms and food substrate, each prepared under sterile laboratory conditions using aseptic techniques. The bag may be selectively clamped at various locations on its exterior. The mycelial mass having mycelia and food, or mycelia separate from the food may be sealed or partially sealed away from the air exchange portal by clamps or folds. With selective chamber isolation, the organisms are manipulated to delay optimized carbon dioxide generation. Utilizing the present invention will extend the product shelf-life, delaying the expiration of the product for storage and shipping. The fungi are utilized on-demand by removal of the clamp and carbon dioxide flows from the product. Consumers will place the product near indoor plants.

A consumer product for supplementing CO.sub.2 is provided with delayed activation control and multiple chambers formed by folding and clamping or with multiple clamps. A bag, having a top and a bottom seal and a filter, contains organisms and food substrate, each prepared under sterile laboratory conditions using aseptic techniques. The bag may be selectively clamped at various locations on its exterior. The mycelial mass having mycelia and food, or mycelia separate from the food may be sealed or partially sealed away from the air exchange portal by clamps or folds. With selective chamber isolation, the organisms are manipulated to delay optimized carbon dioxide generation. Utilizing the present invention will extend the product shelf-life, delaying the expiration of the product for storage and shipping. The fungi are utilized on-demand by removal of the clamp and carbon dioxide flows from the product. Consumers will place the product near indoor plants.

A state prediction control apparatus acquires first sensor information obtained by observing a state of an observation object at a first-clock-time by an observation sensor, reads a state series from a state series dictionary that defines a series of plural state changes accompanying a lapse of time corresponding to the kind of the observation object, obtains a route according to an objective matching the observation object and a target parameter for achieving the objective, predicts a state at a prediction-clock-time that is beyond the first-clock-time, compares second sensor information obtained at a second-clock-time after the first-clock-time and the prediction state, and outputs a control parameter defined based on the comparison result in order that a state at the prediction-clock-time comes close to the objective and the target parameter to a control unit that affects state change of the observation object.

Provided is an expandable, modular tower planter having an internal vertical composting capability, and a method of assembling and using the same. Provided in various example embodiments is a modular composting garden container system comprising a base and a plurality of stackable rings forming a tower upon the base, including an optional base ring specially sized, shaped, and positioned to connect the tower to the base. A plurality of perforated, stackable tube sections are provided that are removably assembled into a compost tube assembly of selectable height and mounted within the interior of the tower and above the base. A plurality of holding struts are sized, shaped, and positioned to removably connect the compost tube assembly with the tower and to securely locate the compost tube assembly relative to the tower. Means are provided for recovering nutrient-rich drainage and selective recovery of compost material for reintroduction into the system.

Provided is an expandable, modular tower planter having an internal vertical composting capability, and a method of assembling and using the same. Provided in various example embodiments is a modular composting garden container system comprising a base and a plurality of stackable rings forming a tower upon the base, including an optional base ring specially sized, shaped, and positioned to connect the tower to the base. A plurality of perforated, stackable tube sections are provided that are removably assembled into a compost tube assembly of selectable height and mounted within the interior of the tower and above the base. A plurality of holding struts are sized, shaped, and positioned to removably connect the compost tube assembly with the tower and to securely locate the compost tube assembly relative to the tower. Means are provided for recovering nutrient-rich drainage and selective recovery of compost material for reintroduction into the system.