An automated fluid maintenance system comprising a sensor system and a pump configured to deliver fluid from a refillable reservoir to a container holding a Christmas tree, such as a Christmas tree stand. Embodiments of the system include tree attachment hardware capable of controlling the flow, delivery and direction of the fluid being pumped from the of the fluid system's reservoir to a fluid-holding container of the Christmas tree stand and further capable of securing the point of fluid delivery to the tree stand and/or the tree itself. The tree attachment device universally attaches to any available tree stand, even the most complex stand mechanisms, sizes and shapes that obstruct the path to the Christmas tree being maintained by the automated fluid delivery system of the present application.

A system for growing plants, the system may include a substrate having one or more weakened areas or openings: one or more grow portions coupled to the substrate and situated at the one or more weakened areas or openings and having at least one seed or plant; and/or a fluid distribution portion coupled to the substrate and configured to provide fluid to the one or more grow portions. The system may further include a method of operation including one or more acts of: obtaining a weather forecast for a future time period; determining whether rain is expected during the future time period; and preventing, terminating, or restricting an irrigation cycle when it is determined that rain is expected during the fare time period. The restricting may restrict a flow of liquid during the irrigation cycle or shorten the irrigation interval.

A watering assembly is provided. The watering assembly includes a reservoir body, a support assembly, a wicking assembly, and an inlet assembly. The reservoir body defines an enclosed space. The support assembly is structured to support soil. The support assembly is coupled to the reservoir body. The wicking assembly includes a number of wicking elements; the wicking elements are coupled to at least one of the reservoir body or support assembly. The wicking elements extend from the reservoir enclosed space to a location outside the reservoir enclosed space. The inlet assembly is coupled to the reservoir body and structured to provide fluid communication from a location outside the reservoir enclosed space to the reservoir enclosed space. When the reservoir body, the support assembly, the wicking assembly and the inlet assembly are assembled, the reservoir body, the support assembly, the wicking assembly and the inlet assembly form a contained watering assembly.

An apparatus and method to regulate the fluid level in a plant watering device is described. In an embodiment, the plant watering device comprises a fluid reservoir that is supported by an adapter/fluid regulator that sits within a hollow permeable plant stake. The plant stake is designed to be pressed into soil adjacent to a plant growing in the soil. The adapter sits within the plant stake and acts as a valve with multiple settings that control the depth of water in the plant stake. Exposing the permeable plant stake to various levels of water affects the rate of permeation through the stake and thereby regulates the watering rate for the plant.

A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus including a reservoir having a base defining a first portion of the reservoir and a cover defining a second portion of the reservoir. An upper opening is defined in the cover. A planting column with a hollow interior is positioned above the upper opening. At least one planting port is defined in the planting column. A conduit can pass through the hollow interior of the planting column, the conduit fluidly communicated with the reservoir. A fluid distributor is positioned atop the planting column, the fluid distributor in fluid communication with the conduit. Fluid is selectively circulated from the reservoir through the conduit in the planting column to the fluid distributor, where the fluid is redirected down the hollow interior of the planting column and back to the reservoir. A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus including a reservoir positioned on a plurality of rollers.

The specification discloses a hydroponic nutrient aeration and flow control (NAFC) device and system, which both aerates and controls the flow of the hydroponic nutrient solution. The NAFC device has no moving parts. Each NAFC device mixes and aerates the nutrient from the nutrient reservoir with air and/or nutrient from one of the grow tanks. Each NAFC device additionally controls the flow of the aerated nutrient solution to the grow tank and the nutrient reservoir. The vertical position of the end of the nutrient return line in each grow tank may be adjusted to adjust the level of the nutrient solution within the grow tank.

A plant cultivation device includes a first plate portion formed in a plate shape extending in a transfer direction from the fluid passage member and a second plate portion formed in a plate shape extending in a direction opposite to the transfer direction from the fluid passage member. When the distance between the two neighboring fluid passage members becomes large, the second plate portion provided on the preceding fluid passage member and the first plate portion provided on the following fluid passage member are separated from each other with respect to the transfer direction. The plant cultivation device saves space particularly in an early raising stage of the leaves, keeping protection of the cultivated leaves not to be drooped down.

The specification discloses a hydroponic nutrient aeration and flow control (NAFC) device and system, which both aerates and controls the flow of the hydroponic nutrient solution. The NAFC device has no moving parts. Each NAFC device mixes and aerates the nutrient from the nutrient reservoir with air and/or nutrient from one of the grow tanks. Each NAFC device additionally controls the flow of the aerated nutrient solution to the grow tank and the nutrient reservoir. The vertical position of the end of the nutrient return line in each grow tank may be adjusted to adjust the level of the nutrient solution within the grow tank.

An insert assembly converting an otherwise discarded plastic drum or bucket, and other non-corroding and waterproof containers, into a self-regulating, watering container for growing plants. It has a platform to support grow media in which plant roots become established and receive water and/or nutrients. It also has at least one cylinder, which supports the platform and contains additional grow media. Furthermore, the insert assembly preferably uses open or closed cell gasket material around the perimeter edge of the platform, that assists in maintaining separation between the grow media and the water and/or nutrient in the reservoir under the platform in the bottom portion of the bucket, drum, or other container. Grow media in the cylinder provides fluid communication with the water/nutrient in the reservoir and the grow media supported by the platform via small openings, transferring water and/or nutrients from the reservoir to plant roots via a wicking effect.

A hydroponic growth system for plant growth is disclosed. The hydroponic growth system comprises a nutrient reservoir for containing a nutrient solution, and a plurality of growth vessels. The hydroponic growth system further comprises a nutrient delivery system for delivering the nutrient solution from the nutrient reservoir to the growth vessels. The nutrient delivery system comprises at least one water pump, a first liquid tube, and a second liquid tube, and each of the liquid tubes being connected to and in fluid communication with a water growth vessel at a first end, and being connected to and in fluid communication with a respective pump at a second end. The hydroponic growth system further includes an overflow tube extending between a first one of the growth vessels and a second one of the growth vessels.