Wicking and Hydration Systems for Potted Plants and Flowers

Abstract

A self-watering system for a potted plant or potted flower is disclosed that includes an outer pot, comprising an inside surface, and outer surface, and a riser, platform or raised surface having a tailored height and coupled with the inside surface of the outer pot; a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is bounded by the inside surface of the outer pot and the riser, platform or raised surface; and a wick having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is designed to be inserted into the bottom of an inner pot and the second end is designed to rest in the reservoir. A method of using a self-watering system is also disclosed. Wicking and hydration system for organic or conventionally grown plants and flowers has been developed and is described herein that is: a) adjustable to the particular plant or flower, b) reusable, and in some instances may be recyclable or biodegradable, thus reducing waste, c) relatively simple to use and clean.

Claims

1. A self-watering system for a potted plant or potted flower, the system comprising: an outer pot, comprising an inside surface, and outer surface, and a riser, platform or raised surface having a tailored height and coupled with the inside surface of the outer pot; a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is bounded by the inside surface of the outer pot and the riser, platform or raised surface; and a wick having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is designed to be inserted into the bottom of an inner pot and the second end is designed to rest in the reservoir.

2. The self-watering system of claim 1, wherein the inner pot contains a live plant, a flowering plant, a root system, soil, fertilizer or a combination thereof.

3. The self-watering system of claim 1, wherein the inner pot consists essentially of a live plant, a root system, soil and fertilizer.

4. The self-watering system of claim 1, wherein the inner pot consists essentially of a flowering plant, a root system, soil and fertilizer.

5. The self-watering system of claim 1, wherein the tailored height is specific to the type of potted plant or potted flower.

6. The self-watering system of claim 1, wherein the riser, platform or raised surface comprises a top that is substantially flat.

7. The self-watering system of claim 1, wherein the potted plant or potted flower sits on the riser, the platform or the raised surface.

8. A method of using a self-watering system for a potted plant or potted flower, the method comprising: providing an outer pot, comprising an inside surface, and outer surface, and a riser, platform or raised surface having a tailored height and coupled with the inside surface of the outer pot; providing a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is bounded by the inside surface of the outer pot and the riser, platform or raised surface; providing a wick having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is designed to be inserted into the bottom of an inner pot and the second end is designed to rest in the reservoir; providing an inner pot, wherein the inner pot holds a potted plant, a potted flower or a combination thereof; inserting the first end of the wick into the bottom of the inner pot, adding water to the reservoir, placing the inner pot on the riser, platform or raised surface; and resting the second end of the wick into the water-filled reservoir.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the inner pot contains a live plant, a flowering plant, a root system, soil, fertilizer or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the inner pot consists essentially of a live plant, a root system, soil and fertilizer.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the inner pot consists essentially of a flowering plant, a root system, soil and fertilizer.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the tailored height is specific to the type of potted plant or potted flower.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the riser, platform or raised surface comprises a top that is substantially flat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a contemplated embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2A shows a portion of a contemplated method.

[0011] FIG. 2B shows a portion of a contemplated method.

[0012] FIG. 2C shows a portion of a contemplated method.

[0013] FIG. 2D shows a portion of a contemplated method.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a contemplated method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] A wicking and hydration system for organic or conventionally grown plants and flowers has been developed and is described herein that is: a) adjustable to the particular plant or flower, b) reusable, and in some instances may be recyclable or biodegradable, thus reducing waste, c) relatively simple to use and clean.

[0016] A self-watering system 100 for a potted plant or potted flower is disclosed and is shown in FIG. 1 that includes an outer pot 110, comprising an inside surface 103, and outer surface 106, and a riser, platform or raised surface 120 having a tailored height 123 and coupled with the inside surface of the outer pot; a reservoir 130, wherein the reservoir is bounded by the inside surface of the outer pot and the riser, platform or raised surface; and a wick 140 having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is designed to be inserted into the bottom of an inner pot 150 and the second end is designed to rest in the reservoir. As will be described herein, the wick 140 is designed to draw 145 water and/or liquid from the reservoir 130 into the soil 160 in the inner pot 150, so that the water and/or liquid and hydrate a seedling, seed or plant 170.

[0017] As disclosed herein, a contemplated outer pot 210, shown in FIG. 2A, is designed to be the first part of the two-part wicking and hydration system. Contemplated outer pots comprise an inside surface that is essentially the inside of the outer pot, and outer pots also comprise an outer surface, which is the outside of the pot. Inside the outer pot, a riser, platform or raised surface is coupled to the inside surface. The inside surface of the outer pot and the riser, platform or raised surface work together to form and bound a reservoir.

[0018] A contemplated reservoir is designed to hold a prescribed or tailored amount of water to keep a particular plant hydrated for a fixed period of time. These contemplated reservoirs are improvements over conventional water reservoirs, in that they are bounded, enclosed such that they don't allow water to slosh out or spill when the pot system is moved, and simply-designed.

[0019] A contemplated riser, platform or raised surface is relatively or substantially flat, such that an inner pot that holds a live plant, a flowering plant, a root system, soil, fertilizer or a combination thereof can rest on the riser, platform or raised surface without the need to be secured. It should be understood that a contemplated riser, platform or raised surface has a sufficient enough surface area, so that the inner pot can rest securely on the riser, platform or raised surface without tipping over to one side.

[0020] One advantage to contemplated systems is that the riser, platform or raised surface can be at a tailored height in order to provide a larger or smaller reservoir. For some plants, a significant amount of water isn't necessary to keep the plant hydrated and healthy during storage or transport, while other plants or flowers need a significant amount of water during a week or two. Therefore, outer pots and riser, platform or raised surface systems can be tailored to allow for 1-2 cups of water in the reservoir or only a quarter or half cup of water.

[0021] Contemplated wicks may comprise any suitable material that allows a fluid, such as water or a suitable liquid or liquids, to travel or be drawn from the reservoir and into the materials located inside the inner pot. Contemplated wicks may be biodegradable, in that they are designed to break down or decompose naturally over time into materials that are considered safe for the environment.

[0022] Contemplated outer pots, contemplated inner pots or a combination thereof may also be recyclable and/or biodegradable, in that they are designed to break down or decompose naturally over time into materials that are considered safe for the environment. In the instances where the outer pots are recyclable, they may be made out of any type of material that would allow for recycling, including plastic.

[0023] In some embodiments, a wicking and hydration system may be designed such that the outer pot, the inner pot and the wick are biodegradable. This would allow a plant to be transported from a distance or stored for a period of time, while remaining hydrated, and then would further allow the wicking and hydration system to be planted in the ground with the plant or flowering plant, such that the user has no waste or trash.

[0024] Methods 310, as shown in FIG. 3, of using a self-watering system for a potted plant or potted flower 240, as shown in FIG. 2D, include: providing 320 an outer pot, comprising an inside surface, and outer surface, and a riser, platform or raised surface having a tailored height and coupled with the inside surface of the outer pot; providing 330 a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is bounded by the inside surface of the outer pot and the riser, platform or raised surface; providing a wick 340 having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is designed to be inserted into the bottom of an inner pot and the second end is designed to rest in the reservoir; providing 350 an inner pot, wherein the inner pot holds a potted plant, a potted flower or a combination thereof; inserting 220 and 360 the first end of the wick into the bottom of the inner pot, as shown in FIG. 2B, adding water 370 to the reservoir, placing 230 and 380 the inner pot on the riser, platform or raised surface, as shown in FIG. 2C; and resting 390 the second end of the wick into the water-filled reservoir.

[0025] Thus, specific embodiments, methods of wicking and hydration systems for organic and/or conventionally grown plants and flowers have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure herein. Moreover, in interpreting the specification and claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.