GROW PLUG PROVIDED WITH A SEED GRAIN, AS WELL AS METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE GROW PLUG

Abstract

A grow plug 1 has a dimensionally stabilized dried body 3 of glued organic material as well as at least a single seed grain 5. The seed grain is present on the body and the body has a density that is such that it absorbs liquid from below up to the top side and retains an amount of water that is sufficient for having the seed grain germinate and grow into a plant.

When a plant is cultivated by means of this grow plug 1 the grow plug is put in the soil 25 or in a cultivation system and subsequently moistened by pouring water from above onto the grow plug, where the redundant water is drained by the grow plug or the grow plug is inserted into water 21 with its bottom side, and the grow plug sucks up water and some time after the germination of the seed grain the grow plug is put in the soil 25 or in the cultivation system.

Claims

1. A grow plug comprising a dimensionally stabilized dry body of organic material and at least a single seed grain present on a top side of the body and connected to the body, said body consisting of chips of organic material shaped into a body and directly glued together by a non-water-soluble glue.

2. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said organic material is subject to drying, prior to or during formation of said chips.

3. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said organic material is not subject to drying, prior to or during formation of said chips.

4. A grow plug as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said body is subject to drying.

5. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said grow plug is dimensionally stabilized exclusively via said non-water-soluble glue.

6. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the body has a density that is such that this body absorbs liquid from below up to the top side and moistens the seed grain there and allows it to germinate.

7. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the seed grain is glued to the top side.

8. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the seed grain is present on the top side, and a film covers the seed grain and is connected to the top side around the seed grain.

9. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a recess is provided in the top side, which recess accommodates the seed grain.

10. A grow plug as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the recess is smaller than or equal to the seed grain, where the seed grain is pushed into the recess and is fixedly clamped in the body.

11. A grow plug as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that container mulch is present around the seed grain.

12. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the grow plug further includes nutrients which are present in the body among the organic material.

13. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the grow plug comprises at least a single further seed grain.

14. A method of manufacturing a grow plug comprising making a body of organic material consisting of the following steps: (a) cutting organic material into chips; (b) shaping these organic chips into a body; (c) directly gluing together the organic chips with a non-water-soluble glue; and (d) drying the body.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that at least a single seed grain is glued to a top side of the body.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that at least a single further seed grain is glued to the top side.

17. A method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that at least a single seed grain present on a top side of the body, and a film is deposited over the seed grain and glued to the top side.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that at least a single further seed grain is present on the top side.

19. A method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that prior to the gluing operation, nutrients are added to the organic material.

20. A grow plug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a recess is provided in the top side, which recess accommodates at least a single seed grain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will be described in more detail based on examples of embodiment of the grow plug according to the invention while reference is made to the appended drawing figures, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the grow plug according to the invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the grow plug according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows steps in the cultivation process utilizing the grow plug according to the invention; and

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the grow plug according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the grow plug according to the invention. The grow plug 1 comprises a dimensionally stabilized dried body 3 formed by organic material components glued together by means of a glue. A seed grain 5 is glued to the top side of the body. Further the body contains nutrients and acidity increasing or acidity reducing means among the organic material.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the grow plug according to the invention. This grow plug 11 too has a dimensionally stable, dried body 13 of organic material components glued together. In the top side of the body is provided a recess 14 in which two seed grains 15 are accommodated. The recess containing the seed grains is covered with a film 17 which is detachably glued to the body around the recess.

[0031] The body 3 or 13 respectively of the grow plugs 1 and 11 described above has a density that is such that the body absorbs liquid from below up to the top side and retains an amount of water that is sufficient for having the seed grain(s) 5 or 15 respectively germinate and grow into a plant.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the grow plug according to the invention. The same reference numerals have been used to indicate corresponding features of the second embodiment described above. This embodiment of the grow plug 31 differs from the second embodiment in that in the recess 14 is present container mulch, for example coconut grit 33 on the seed grains 15. During use the coconut becomes moist so that the seed grains are covered with a moist layer which promotes the germination process and growing process. In addition, the seed grains are enclosed in the recess 14 for use and during transport, so that they suffer less from the disturbing effects of being shaken to and fro.

[0033] The cultivation process of the grow plug according to the invention is the following. First of all the grow plug 1 is moistened by pouring water from above onto the grow plug, while the surplus of water is drained by the grow plug, or by placing the bottom side of the grow plug in water 21, see FIG. 4, left image, so that the grow plug sucks in water. During the germination of the seed grain and the growing of the plant, the whole should be watered at regular intervals in the way described above. Once a seedling 23 has grown (FIG. 4, right image), the grow plug 1 can be put into the soil 25 or into a cultivation system, after which the seedling can be cultivated further in customary fashion.

[0034] Albeit the invention has been described in the foregoing with reference to the drawings, it should be observed that the invention is not by any manner or means restricted to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiment shown in the drawings within the scope defined by the claims.