A system and method for supporting vertical members is disclosed. The invention is comprised of an adjustable jack post with angled flanges on each end that allow it to support leaning vertical members, such as but not limited to bent trees and swollen retaining walls etc. The adjustable jack post can be expanded or retracted under load manually by means of a hand crank that engages a bevel and worm gear system located proximally on the post. An object of the invention is to support and/or correct the angle of vertical members. For example, a user wishing to correct a leaning tree after a storm can anchor one end of the post in the ground, brace the other end against the tree and expand the post slowly over time using the hand crank allowing it to grow upright once again.

A system and related method for monitoring plant growth conditions is provided, comprising a plurality of detectors (7) and central detector data processing means (1103); each detector (7) being arranged to measure properties indicative of a temperature, a water content, and a nutrient content, of a plant growth substrate; each detector (7) being further arranged to transmit the measured property or properties over a communications link to the central detector data processing means (1103); the central detector data processing means (1103) being arranged to store predefined irrigation data, defining a relationship between plural values for temperature, water content, pH level and/or nutrient content of the plant growth substrate; and plural desired irrigation output values; process the measured properties from each detector (7) to determine calculated properties of the substrate; and provide an output indicative of a desired irrigation input for the growth substrate, based upon measured properties received from the detectors (7) and the predefined irrigation data. A portable detector communications device (1105) for communicating configuration data relating to the detectors (7) may be included in the system.

A three-dimensional structure is obtained from a tubular preform, which is obtained from a net of the Chebyshev type having a flared shape maintained by hoops, spacers, or cables. A method for installing such a structure, in which method the tubular preform is brought to the installation point, then deformations are applied to the preform that allow the final desired flared shape to be achieved.

A growing system and/or plant support structure may include one or more feet supporting at least one or more uprights, on which a plurality of plants and/or grow boards for growing plants may be positioned. A nutrient delivery system may be positioned between opposing uprights to provide nutrient supply to a root zone of plants, which nutrient delivery system may be positioned adjacent each opposing upright in an interior chamber of the plant support structure. A light system may be positioned between two adjacent plant support structures such that it simultaneously provides light to the exterior surface of the two plant support structures. A collapsible light may be positioned adjacent plants and plant support structures for improved access to the plants or plant support structures while allowing variable and controllable light distribution beneficial to control of adjacent plants and plant structures.

A trellis post comprises a moulded plastic tubular element defining a central post, the central post providing an interior and defining two flanges extending from opposed sides of the central post. The flanges extend along the length of the tubular element and define a series of spaced apart slots for receiving wires. The trellis post defines a ground engaging spike at one end. The moulded plastic tubular element is reinforced with an internal stake extending through the interior of the post and a supporting/filling material is located between the stake and the interior of the central post. The filling material may be a foamed plastics material, mortar, concrete, and Portland cement.

A support clip for a potting container for plants and seedlings that is attachable to the side of the potting container. The support clip has attached thereto a receptacle for the placement therein of support stakes for a plant or seedling in the container. The receptacle remains on the outside of the potting container, thereby preserving space inside of the potting container for soil and amendments for the plant or seedling. The support clip and receptacle are connected by an angle adjustment knob that allows for the angle at which support stakes placed in the receptacle can be placed relative to the plant or seedling planted therein such that the support stakes are appropriate for the growth stage of the plant or seedling.

A system may include a support structure for providing a vegetated canopy including a soil container support and a plurality of ribs disposed along the support structure, where the plurality of ribs are structurally configured to support a vegetated canopy disposed thereon. The system may also include a modular canopy structurally configured to attach to the support structure, the modular canopy including a soil container structurally configured to engage with the soil container support, a plurality of substantially rigid external members structurally configured to engage with a rib of the support structure, and a connecting member disposed along a length of the substantially rigid external members and attaching at a substantially rigid external member to another substantially rigid external member. The plurality of substantially rigid external members and the connecting members may form a trellis structurally configured to support vegetation.

A system may include a support structure for providing a vegetated canopy including a soil container support and a plurality of ribs disposed along the support structure, where the plurality of ribs are structurally configured to support a vegetated canopy disposed thereon. The system may also include a modular canopy structurally configured to attach to the support structure, the modular canopy including a soil container structurally configured to engage with the soil container support, a plurality of substantially rigid external members structurally configured to engage with a rib of the support structure, and a connecting member disposed along a length of the substantially rigid external members and attaching at a substantially rigid external member to another substantially rigid external member. The plurality of substantially rigid external members and the connecting members may form a trellis structurally configured to support vegetation.

A method for the production of fruit trees including the steps of: grafting of an offshoot or propagation material of the variety to be propagated on a grafting point of a rootstock, to form a tree, planting of the rootstock in a nursery, pot or greenhouse ground and subsequent transplanting of the developed tree in a production ground; wherein the planting takes place arranging the rootstock tilted to one side to form with the ground an angle of pre-set amplitude, smaller than 90° and preferably of 45° and with the offshoot in a substantially vertical position; in the transplanting step the rootstock is arranged in the production ground in a substantially vertical position, so that the trunk of the tree, which is angled in respect to the rootstock, forms a main side branch from which vine-like branches or side branches orientated upwards sprout.

The invention provides a planter arrangement for hydroponics. The planter arrangement includes a plurality of plant containers arranged side by side, circumferentially about a central axis to define a circular configuration of plant containers. The Invention further provides a vertical planter which includes at least two planter arrangements which are stacked in a vertical series such that outlets of plant containers in an upper planter arrangement direct liquid into inlets of plant containers in a lower planter arrangement.