A gastropod repellent film of the present invention includes at least an inorganic filler layer containing an inorganic filler and a thermoplastic resin. The inorganic filler layer is an outermost layer. The inorganic filler includes calcium carbonate particles. The inorganic filler has a percentage content of greater than 50.0% by mass in the gastropod repellent film. The gastropod repellent film has a density of at least 1.05 g/cm.sup.3 and no greater than 1.25 g/cm.sup.3. A plant cultivation method of the present invention uses the gastropod repellent film.

An anti-pest device for fruit trees and the like that prevents trees from being affected by crawling insect pests includes a rectangular sheet of electrical insulating material, which can adopt the shape of an inverted truncated cone or a cylindrical configuration around the trunk of the tree; a band of low-density foam under the sheet that adapts to the physiognomy of the bark, and deforms with the growth of the trunk, whereas the sheet includes a sector that is superimposed thereon and slides on it to adapt to said growth; a pair of parallel conducting wires, separated a distance according to the size of the body of the insect to be exterminated, subjected to a high difference in electrical potential by means of a power supply circuit, such that when an insect tries to get past them, it is automatically electrocuted.

A barrier assembly including a bracket member (10) with a base (14) and an inclined upper part (16). An alignment adaptor (36) may be provided which mounts the bracket (10) at an inclination to a mounting surface for instance for use in corners. The bracket member 10 may be mounted on an extension member (68) which enables the bracket member to extend higher than would otherwise be the case.

An insect barrier base system includes a base, at least one column defining a top column end and a bottom column end, the column further defining a periphery, wherein the bottom column end communicates with the base, insect-trapping material positioned around the periphery of the at least one column between the top column end and the bottom column end, and a tray communicating with the top column end, the tray configured to hold an item.

A system for lighting a plant comprising a dome/cage defining a volume that receives, surrounds and covers the plant. A plurality of light sources are supported by the dome/cage and distributed vertically from a bottom to a top and around the dome/cage to illuminate the plant evenly. The system is adapted to control the light sources to project light in the dark, extend ambient light hours, increase an intensity of an existing light; and modify a spectrum of the existing light in accordance with growth requirements specific to a given plant growing in a specific environment. A solar panel may be connected to the lights directly or through a battery for operating the system as a standalone unit. A control unit may be provided to receive a user input setting a lighting program, to allow the system to control operation of the lights using the set program.

A device for growing plants above a selected surface includes a bottom member disposed upon a selected surface; a top member disposed upon and secured to said bottom member via two longitudinal securing seams, whereby, said top member includes two outer longitudinal flap portions and a longitudinal center portion, which ultimately receives a growing material in which plants and/or seeds are disposed. The longitudinal flap portions are ultimately folded above the growing material whereby longitudinal edge portions of the flap portions are separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material. Pipe members are removably secured to longitudinal edge portions of each longitudinal side of the bottom member, thereby enabling the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon a selected surface.

Potted plant riser assemblies are provided for preventing small, crawling insects from accessing cultivated plants. Embodiments of the potted plant riser assembly can include an outer wall structure that defines an outer ground boundary. The outer wall structure surrounds a capture trough, which surrounds a riser structure. The capture trough has insect capture material disposed therein. The riser structure includes an elevated platform on which to place (or integrate) a planter for cultivating a plant. The potted plant riser assembly also includes an eaves structure designed to permit entry of small, crawling insects into the capture trough, while also shielding the capture trough from entry of debris and from run-off of water, soil, and the like from the plant and planter.

Methods and platforms are provided for maintaining a population of natural enemies on plants, prior and/or parallel to an occurrence of respective prey pests, by associating with the plants platform(s) comprising mechanical support(s) with attached feeding elements for the natural enemies. The platform may be configured to keep the feeding elements close to but not on the plants, protecting them and enhancing the distribution efficiency and life time, while maintaining good availability of the feeding elements to the natural enemies. Various features may enhance supporting the natural enemies' population prior and/or parallel to the occurrence of the pest prey such as olfactory and/or visual cues to the feeding elements as well as sheltering elements such as artificial domatia on the surface of the mechanical support—to enhance biological pest control. Moreover, methods for preparing decapsulated Artemia cysts as feed for predatory arthropods are provided.

A plant cover apparatus includes a bag having an interior encompassed by a wall that extends from a top end of the bag and tapers inwardly to a bottom end of the bag. The bottom end includes a rim that laterally circumscribes a plant-receiving opening formed through the bag. The bag has a slot that extends vertically from the opening through the wall. The slot includes opposed margins having cooperatively interlocking parts that can temporarily be joined and separated to increase the size of the opening. The bag may be vertically suspended from a support member positioned next to the plant. An exterior perimeter of the bag may be rigid enough to help the bag maintain its shape when suspended.

Waterproof and UV (ultraviolet) radiation blocking protective cover (1) for hanging fruit, CHARACTERIZED by a sheet (10) made of an expanded polyethylene material that blocks ultraviolet radiation (EPE-UV), whose shape is a flat geometric figure, with a main straight cut (11) running from the midpoint to the edge of the sheet and an arrangement of cuts and grooves that make up the attachment system when the cover is fitted on the fruit.