A graft system configured to graft plant material, including a first holder configured to engage a stem of a first plant below a cutline to hold a severed stem and connected roots of the first plant, and a second holder configured to engage a stem of a second plant above a cut line to hold a severed stem and connected leaves of the second plant. The second holder is stackable on the first holder to abut and align the severed stems. A strip embodying a graft system as well as an assembly of a strip or graft system with a tray.

The present invention relates to a graft element (1) for joining together plant stem sections. The graft element is made of a resilient material and takes the form of a tubular structure having a hollow center that extends in a longitudinal direction so as to form a cylinder (2). The graft element further comprises a side opening (3) along its length and two elongated members. The side opening is connected to the hollow center over the entire length of the graft element. The two elongated members are located at opposite sides of the side opening and oriented substantially parallel thereto. The elongated members are provided with cutouts for receiving a gripping unit. The invention further relates to systems and methods for joining plant stem sections using the graft element. Finally, the invention relates to a system and a method for preparing the graft element.

An electro-mechanical device cuts plant stems at a desired angle after a stem is inserted into a stem shaft and a sensor triggers activation of a blade along a blade path at a desired angle. A portable device powered by batteries can be used with plantings where they are growing or a powered device can be used for line production or high volume work.

A seedling nursery member for grafting according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one seedling nursery unit. At least one seedling nursery unit includes a stem storage section configured to store a stem of a plant and a stem holder configured to hold the stem of the plant. At least a portion of the stem storage section of the at least one seedling nursery unit is configured to be openable so as to allow communication between an inside of the stem storage section and an outside of the at least one seedling nursery unit in a direction different from a growth direction of the plant.

A seedling nursery member for grafting according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one seedling nursery unit. At least one seedling nursery unit includes a stem storage section configured to store a stem of a plant and a stem holder configured to hold the stem of the plant. At least a portion of the stem storage section of the at least one seedling nursery unit is configured to be openable so as to allow communication between an inside of the stem storage section and an outside of the at least one seedling nursery unit in a direction different from a growth direction of the plant.

A grafting member including: a scion part including a first contact portion configured to contact a stem of a plant at a first position; a rootstock part detachable from the scion part, the rootstock part including a second contact portion configured to contact the stem at a second position located close to roots of the plant as compared with the first position; a first holder securable to the scion part, the first holder including a first press portion configured to press the stem of the plant against the first contact portion; and a second holder securable to the rootstock part, the second holder including a second press portion configured to press the stem of the plant against the second contact portion. A space is provided between the first holder secured to the scion part and the second holder secured to the rootstock part to expose the stem.

An electro-mechanical device cuts plant stems at a desired angle after a stem is inserted into a stem shaft and a sensor triggers activation of a blade along a blade path at a desired angle. A portable device powered by batteries can be used with plantings where they are growing or a powered device can be used for line production or high volume work.

A seedling nursery member for grafting according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one seedling nursery unit. At least one seedling nursery unit includes a seed storage section configured to store a seed of a plant and have a space for the plant to germinate, a stem storage section configured to store a stem of the plant that has germinated and elongated, and a stem holder configured to hold the elongated stem of the plant. At least a portion of the seed storage section of at least one seedling nursery unit is configured to be openable to the outside of at least one seedling nursery unit. At least a portion of the stem storage section of at least one seedling nursery unit is configured to be openable to the outside of at least one seedling nursery unit.

A plant propagation apparatus and associated methods are disclosed for automating and optimizing the process of cutting, scraping and applying rooting hormone to plant stems. In at least one embodiment, a housing provides an at least one substantially tubular-shaped receiver sized and configured for removably receiving a plant stem therewithin. An at least one blade is positioned within the housing and configured for cutting the plant stem at a desired angle. An at least one pump outlet is positioned within the at least one receiver and configured for selectively administering a volume of rooting hormone to the plant stem. An at least one abrasive surface is positioned within the at least one receiver and configured for scraping an outer surface of the plant stem, as the plant stem is removed from the receiver.

A seedling-cutting apparatus includes a pair of arms that is to nip a portion of a stem of a seedling for grafting and that can be opened and closed and a blade that is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating relative to the portion of the stem. At least one of the pair of arms includes a through hole or a cutout that penetrates a portion of the arms along a direction in which the blade reciprocates. At least a portion of the through hole or the cutout faces the portion of the stem and at least a portion of the blade moves through the through hole or the cutout.