An agricultural stake to support plant includes a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) elongated member comprising a top end and a bottom end, and an exterior coating impregnated with an aggregate covering an exterior surface of the elongated member. The exterior coating is configured to provide purchase to a line attached to the elongated member. A cap may be secured over the top end of the elongated member and is configured to withstand a force used to drive the elongated member into a ground surface.

Described herein is a method of making a fertilizer granule. The method includes supplying a fertilizer component, an liquid component, a binder and a filler to a zoned extruder comprising a die head, a screw, and at least three zones; mixing the fertilizer component, liquid component, binder and filler to yield a thixotropic mixture; and passing the thixotropic mixture through the die head.

A novel collapsible plant support includes a collapsible coil adapted to rest on a flat surface. In a particular embodiment, the collapsible plant support includes a plurality of vertical support structures coupled to the collapsible coil so as to provide additional support. In another particular embodiment, a collapsible plant support includes plant receptacle receiving element that supports both a collapsible coil and also a plant receptacle. In a more particular embodiment, the plant receptacle receiving element includes fluid ducts for connecting multiple plant receptacle receiving elements into a fluid network. In another embodiment, the coil is disposed within a helical sleeve coupled to a flexible, cylindrical mesh.

This invention relates to a basket (1) for cultivating an orchid plant (2) having aerial roots (3) and slots (4) for passing the plant's roots and/or leaves (2a). The basket is constituted by separate basket parts (5, 6), arranged to be interconnected at an interconnection interface (7), thus enabling to insert the plant's roots etc. in the basket parts' separated state, and to hold the plant's roots etc. in their joined state. The first basket part (5) comprises a bottom part (10) and three sides parts (11, 12, 13). The second basket part (6) comprises one side part (14) and is arranged to be connected to the first basket part in order to form the fourth basket side in the basket parts' interconnected state. The bottom part (10) and the two side parts (11, 13) extending towards the interconnection interface (7) comprise slots (4) which are open towards the interconnection interface (7).

Various systems, methods and apparatus for locating emitters embedded in tubing are disclosed herein, as well as forming outlets in said tubing and confirming the placement accuracy of such outlets. In one form, an emitter locator is disclosed having: a housing defining a generally enclosed space and having an inlet located in a first side of the housing and an outlet located in a second side of the housing positioned opposite the inlet; a cutter positioned within the generally enclosed space between the inlet and outlet; a first optical instrument located proximate the inlet; a second optical instrument located proximate the outlet; and a controller connected to the cutter and first and second optical instruments, the controller configured to detect a tubing target area desired for placement of an outlet opening in tubing that passes through the inlet and cut the tubing target area to form the outlet opening therein.

A plurality of trough extruders are supported upon a lift truck traveling in a circular travel path. The plurality of trough extruders continuously form one piece troughs as the lift truck travels its circular path. A lift mechanism progressively raises the extruders as the lift truck travels its circular path two form continuous one-piece helical water troughs for use in an agricultural growing structure.

A molded pot is provided with imperfections manufactured by manufacturing mold tooling with imperfections by obtaining a handmade pot. The handmade pot is scanned to obtain geometric data. The geometric data is converted to mold tooling geometric data. Mold tooling is manufactured from the mold tooling geometric data. The handmade pot is obtained with imperfections. The handmade pot is scanned to obtain the geometric data of the handmade pot with the imperfections. The geometric data is converted to mold tooling geometric data with the imperfections. The mold tooling is manufactured with imperfections. A pot is molded with imperfections from the mold tooling.

A novel collapsible plant support includes a collapsible coil adapted to rest on a flat surface. In a particular embodiment, the collapsible plant support includes a plurality of vertical support structures coupled to the collapsible coil so as to provide additional support. In another particular embodiment, a collapsible plant support includes plant receptacle receiving element that supports both a collapsible coil and also a plant receptacle. In a more particular embodiment, the plant receptacle receiving element includes fluid ducts for connecting multiple plant receptacle receiving elements into a fluid network. In another embodiment, the coil is disposed within a helical sleeve coupled to a flexible, cylindrical mesh.

A fluid conveying apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a circular tubing. The circular tubing further comprises an internal surface and an external surface. The internal surface encloses a circular passage for conveying a fluid and the external surface is disposed concentric to the internal surface, and distal to the circular passage. Further, the circular tubing comprises a plurality of channels disposed along a periphery of the circular tubing sandwiched between the internal surface and the external surface.

The present invention relates to pellets comprising a polyethylene composition, a pipe or pipe system comprising the pellets as well as a process for the preparation of such a pipe or pipe system.