Provided are: a gas barrier resin composition having sufficient long-run workability and superior gas barrier properties which compare favorably to those of fossil fuel-derived resins, while containing a biomass-derived raw material; a multilayer structure in which the gas barrier resin is used; and a method for producing such a gas barrier resin composition. The gas barrier resin composition contains at least one type of saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer, wherein of ethylene and a vinyl ester, which are raw materials of the at least one type of saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer, a part is derived from biomass, and a remainder is derived from a fossil fuel.

The present invention relates to a growing device for growing plants from seeds, comprising a water container, a seed pad support structure for receiving one or more seed pads in a predetermined growing position above the water container and a wicking structure for each seed pad configured to contact, when the corresponding seed pad is in the growing position, the bottom surface of the seed pad at a predetermined wicking interface area and configured to transport water from the water container into the seed pad through the wicking interface area via capillary action and wherein the seed pad support structure comprises a protrusion for each seed pad, the protrusion having a predetermined shape and orientation and being configured to interact with a correspondingly shaped perforation in the corresponding seed pad thereby defining the predetermined growing position.

The present invention also relates to a corresponding seed pad and a growing system comprising a growing device and one or more seed pads.

A wick inserting device for better automated handling, and an automated handling system, as well as an assembly of a pot and a wick inserting device and an assembly of a plurality of interconnected wick inserting devices. The wick inserting device includes an elongate body dimensioned to pass through a hole in a bottom or a sidewall of a plant pot, a wick clamp or jaw at one end of the elongate body configured to engage a length of a wick, and a stop head at an opposing end of the elongate body.

A wick inserting device for better automated handling, and an automated handling system, as well as an assembly of a pot and a wick inserting device and an assembly of a plurality of interconnected wick inserting devices. The wick inserting device includes an elongate body dimensioned to pass through a hole in a bottom or a sidewall of a plant pot, a wick clamp or jaw at one end of the elongate body configured to engage a length of a wick, and a stop head at an opposing end of the elongate body.

A self-watering planter, and a method for watering a plant, are described. A self-watering planter may include a container defining a cavity, a platform in the container that separates the cavity into two environments, and a fill tube and a down tube extending through the platform.

An outer pot configured to accommodate an inner plant pot. The outer pot includes a bottom and at least one side wall extending from the bottom to an opening configured to enable inserting the inner plant pot through the opening. The outer pot is configured for use in an ebb-and-flood grow system, in that: the bottom and the side wall define there between a fluid reservoir. A dome extending from the bottom and the side wall includes at least one through hole for fluid supply to or fluid discharge from the outer pot, where the through hole is arranged at a distance from the bottom to define a volume of the reservoir. Assemblies, ebb-and-flood based watering systems, methods of assembling and growing plants, associated with the outer pot.

An outer pot configured to accommodate an inner plant pot. The outer pot includes a bottom and at least one side wall extending from the bottom to an opening configured to enable inserting the inner plant pot through the opening. The outer pot is configured for use in an ebb-and-flood grow system, in that: the bottom and the side wall define there between a fluid reservoir. A dome extending from the bottom and the side wall includes at least one through hole for fluid supply to or fluid discharge from the outer pot, where the through hole is arranged at a distance from the bottom to define a volume of the reservoir. Assemblies, ebb-and-flood based watering systems, methods of assembling and growing plants, associated with the outer pot.

The present invention provides culture apparatus for a plant whole body and a method for culture of such a plant whole body, which allow liquid-phase roots and vapor-phase roots to separately appear in the root system without using soil. More specifically, a plant whole body is cultured by using culture apparatus for a plant whole body, which comprises a container constructed with a structure showing capillary force; and a basin holding liquid.

A self-wicking plant growth receptacle is provided. The device includes a housing having a base opposite and upper side and a plurality of sidewalls extending therebetween. An upper opening is disposed through the upper side providing access to an interior volume dimensioned to removably receive a grow bag therein. A wick port is disposed through the base in fluid communication with the interior volume. A reservoir housing is securable to the base to define an assembled configuration. The reservoir housing includes a lower side and a perimeter sidewall defining a reservoir volume. A lip is disposed about a perimeter of the upper side, wherein the lip includes a plurality of apertures therethrough. A channel extends through the housing between an inlet on the upper side and an outlet on the base, wherein the channel is in fluid communication with the reservoir volume. A filter is removably secured within the channel.

A self-wicking plant growth receptacle is provided. The device includes a housing having a base opposite and upper side and a plurality of sidewalls extending therebetween. An upper opening is disposed through the upper side providing access to an interior volume dimensioned to removably receive a grow bag therein. A wick port is disposed through the base in fluid communication with the interior volume. A reservoir housing is securable to the base to define an assembled configuration. The reservoir housing includes a lower side and a perimeter sidewall defining a reservoir volume. A lip is disposed about a perimeter of the upper side, wherein the lip includes a plurality of apertures therethrough. A channel extends through the housing between an inlet on the upper side and an outlet on the base, wherein the channel is in fluid communication with the reservoir volume. A filter is removably secured within the channel.