4 stage 11 component hydroponics plant collar insert system

Abstract

This invention relates to agriculture, hydroponics, the art of growing plants indoors. True hydroponics requires living plants to grow directly in water and water only. This system allows for vegetation to be hung over water and is comprised of a system of collars that wrap around the stem or stalk of living plants to secure them within a system of support cuffs.

Claims

1. A 4-stage, multi-component, hydroponic plant system comprising: a) a plant seed germination collar, made of polyether polyurethane foam with a cell count of 50 ppi, a density of 1.4 lbs./cu. ft., a 25% compression deflection force of 0.55 lbs./sq. in., a minimum tensile strength of 22 lbs./sq. in., a minimum elongation of 200%, a minimum tear strength of 4.5 lbs./in., a maximum compression set @ 50% deflection of 20% loss, and a maximum 25% CLD autoclave loss of 20%; and wherein the plant seed germination collar has dimensions of 1 diameter1 thick and is cut from the center to the outside perimeter; b) a plant root guide tool, made of an extruded polypropylene tubing with an outer diameter of , a length of 1 and with a wall thickness of 4/1000; c) a plant seedling collar made of polyurethane foam having a density of 0.80 lbs./cu. ft., an IDF deflection of 24-34, a minimum resilience of 45%, a minimum tensile strength of 15 psi, a minimum elongation of 150%, a minimum tear strength of 1.4 lb./in., a maximum compression set of 10%, and a volumetric air flow rate of 13 cu. ft./min; said plant seeding collar having dimensions of 1 diameter1 thick and which is cut from the center to the outside perimeter; d) a round seed and seedling collar support cuff made of injection molded polypropylene, said seed and seedling support collar is open at both ends and has an upper opening with an inside diameter of 2, a bottom opening with an inside diameter of 1 11/16 and a depth of 1, said seed and seedling support collar further comprising two rows of cutouts; e) a vegetation collar made of polyether polyurethane foam with a cell count of 50 ppi, a density of 1.4 lbs./cu. ft., a 25% compression deflection force of 0.55 lbs./sq. in., a minimum tensile strength of 22 lbs./sq. in., a minimum elongation of 200%, a minimum tear strength of 4.5 lbs./in., a maximum compression set @50% deflection of 20% loss, and a maximum 25% CLD autoclave loss of 20%; said vegetation collar having an outside diameter of 6, a thickness of 1, a center hole, and a cut from the center hole to the outside perimeter; f) a vegetation collar made of polyurethane foam having a density of 0.80 lbs./cu ft., an IDF deflection of 24-34, a minimum resilience of 45%, a minimum tensile strength of 15 psi, a minimum elongation of 150%, a minimum tear strength of 1.4 lb./in., a maximum compression set of 10%, and a volumetric air flow rate of 13 cu. ft./min; said vegetation collar having an outside diameter of 6, a 1 thickness, a center hole, and a cut from said center hole to the outside perimeter; g) a flower/fruiting collar made of polyether polyurethane foam with a cell count of 50 ppi, a density of 1.4 lbs./cu. ft., a 25% compression deflection force of 0.55 lbs./sq. in., a minimum tensile strength of 22 lbs./sq. in., a minimum elongation of 200%, a minimum tear strength of 4.5 lbs/in., a maximum compression set @50% deflection of 20% loss, and a maximum 25% CLD autoclave loss of 20%; said flower/fruiting collar having an outside diameter of 6, a 3 thickness, a center hole, and a cut from said from said center hole to the outside perimeter; h) a flower/fruiting collar made of polyurethane foam having a density of 0.80 lbs./cu. ft., an IDF deflection of 24-34, a minimum resilience of 45%, a minimum tensile strength of 15 psi, a minimum elongation of 150%, a minimum tear strength of 1.4 lb./in., a maximum compression set of 10%, and a volumetric air flow rate of 13 cu. ft./min; said flower/fruiting collar having dimensions of 6 diameter3 thickness, a center hole, and a cut from said center hole to the outside perimeter; i) an upper collar consisting of two pieces of cedar wood held together with two 3 toggle bolts, wherein said two pieces of the upper collar each have a total length of 12 comprising an 8 bridge bar and two 2 feet each comprising a screw pass through hole; the two pieces of upper collar further comprising a width of , a height of 2, and wherein the center of the bridge bar further comprises a centrally located stability groove section wherein the total length of stability groove section is 3, and wherein the stability grooves are 3/16 deep, wide, and separated by ; j) a lower collar consisting of two pieces of cedar wood held together with two 3 toggle bolts wherein said two pieces of the lower collar each have a length of 12, a width of , a height of 1, and wherein each of said two pieces of the lower collar has a screw pass through hole at each of the two ends; each of said two pieces of the lower collar further comprising a centrally located stability grooves section with a total length of 3, and wherein the stability grooves are 3/16 deep, wide, and separated by ; k) a light and heat reflecting shield made of polypropylene having an outside diameter of 12, a thickness of 6 mm, a center hole and a cut from said center hole to the outside perimeter; and l) a round and tapered flower/fruiting collar support cuff made of polypropylene which is open at both ends, wherein one end has an inside diameter of 5, the other end has an inside diameter of 5, and wherein said flower/fruiting collar support cuff further has a depth of 3 and two rows of rectangular cutouts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 A top view of type T50 seed germination collar

(2) FIG. 1 B side view of type T50 seed germination collar of FIG. 1 A

(3) FIG. 1C oblique view of T50 seed germination collar of FIG. 1 A

(4) FIG. 1 D cross section view of T50 seed germination collar with root guide and seed

(5) FIG. 2A top view of type 1034 seedling collar

(6) FIG. 2B side view of type 1034 seedling collar of FIG. 2A

(7) FIG. 2C oblique view of 1034 seedling collar of FIG. 2A

(8) FIG. 2D cross section view of 1034

(9) FIG. 3A top view of root guide tool

(10) FIG. 3B oblique view of root guide tool of FIG. 3A

(11) FIG. 3C side view of root guide tool of FIG. 3A

(12) FIG. 4A top view of 2 device support cuff

(13) FIG. 4B side view of 2 device support cuff of FIG. 4A

(14) FIG. 4C oblique view of 2 device support cuff of FIG. 4A

(15) FIG. 4D front view of 2 device support cuff of FIG. 4A

(16) FIG. 5 exploded view of FIG. 1 B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 4D

(17) FIG. 6A top view of 1034 vegetation collar

(18) FIG. 6B side view of 1034 vegetation collar of FIG. 6A

(19) FIG. 6C oblique view of 1034 vegetation collar of FIG. 6A

(20) FIG. 6D cross section view of 1034 vegetation collar of FIG. 6A

(21) FIG. 7A top view of T50 vegetation collar

(22) FIG. 7B side view of T50 vegetation collar of FIG. 7A

(23) FIG. 7C oblique view of T50 vegetation collar of FIG. 7A

(24) FIG. 7D cross section view of T50 vegetation collar of FIG. 7A

(25) FIG. 8A top view of 1034 flowering collar

(26) FIG. 8B side view of 1034 flowering collar of FIG. 8A

(27) FIG. 8C oblique view of 1034 flowering collar of FIG. 8A

(28) FIG. 8D cross section view of 1034 flowering collar of FIG. 8A

(29) FIG. 9A top view of T50 flowering collar

(30) FIG. 9B side view of T50 flowering collar of FIG. 9A

(31) FIG. 9C oblique view of T50 flowering collar of FIG. 9A

(32) FIG. 9D cross section view of T50 flowering collar of FIG. 9A

(33) FIG. 10A top view of 6 device support cuff

(34) FIG. 10B side view of 6 device support cuff of FIG. 10A

(35) FIG. 11 A top view of device heat shield

(36) FIG. 11 B side view of device heat shield of FIG. 11 A

(37) FIG. 12 Exploded view of FIG. 11A, FIG. 6C, FIG. 7C, FIG. 8C, FIG. 9C, FIG. 10B

(38) FIG. 13A front view of upper EXO support collar

(39) FIG. 13B side view of upper EXO support collar of FIG. 13A

(40) FIG. 13C oblique view of upper EXO support collar of FIG. 13A

(41) FIG. 13D cross section view of upper EXO support collar of FIG. 13A

(42) FIG. 14A front view of lower EXO support collar of FIG. 14A

(43) FIG. 14B side view of lower EXO support collar of FIG. 14A

(44) FIG. 14C oblique view of lower EXO support collar of FIG. 14A

(45) FIG. 14D cross section view of lower EXO support collar of FIG. 14A

(46) FIG. 15 exploded view of FIG. 13A, FIG. 14A and FIG. 10B

(47) FIG. 16 assembled view of FIG. 13A, FIG. 14A and FIG. 10B

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(48) This invention is a process for growing plants directly in water without substrates or mediums using a combination of 2 different foam rubbers, 1) 1034 is used for 3 devices. 2) T50 is used for 3 devices, for a total 6 collars and a cedar wood 4 part combination for the seventh collar. Collars work by being wrapped around the plants stem or stalk and in conjunction with a support cuff that the collars, with plant, fit into and expand into for stability. The root guide tool works with the seed germination collar to protect and guide the primary root tip out of the seed germinating foam collar. Each device works within the 4 stages of plant life to support said plant for just that period of growth.

(49) Seed Germination Collar Polyurethane Foam, T 50 FIG. 1.

(50) Polyether polyurethane foam T 50, wet, see specification sheet. This collar is die cut round, collar dimensions are 1 OD 1001 thick, a round cut of foam, cut from T 50 polyurethane foam. A cut is from the center out to the perimeter the full depth of the collar, for seed placement, and root guide placement.

(51) Polyether polyurethane foam T 50 is breathable and water attracting and retaining. Thus providing maximum moisture for seed germination and primary growth without the use of a surfactant or wetting agent. The seed germination collar is a washable, re-useable, environmentally safe and a recyclable component.

(52) Spec. Sheet

(53) T 50 foam Polyether Polyurethane foam Property Value Cell count 50 ppi Density 1.4 lbs./cu. ft. 25% compression force 0.55 lbs./sq. in. deflection (CDF)r Tensile Strength 22 lbs./sq. in. minimum Elongation 200% minimum Tear Strength 4.5 lbs./in. minimum Compression set @ 50% 20% loss maximum deflection 25% CLD autoclave loss 20% maximum
Seedling Collar Polyurethane Foam 1034, FIG. 2

(54) Polyurethane foam 1034, dry, see spec. sheet. FIG. 2, This collar is die cut round, collar dimensions are 1 OD, 1 thick, a round cut of foam. A cut from the center out to the perimeter the full depth of the collar, this is for seedling placement, for collar to fit around stem.

(55) Polyurethane foam 1034 is breathable and water repelling thus providing perfect conditions for plant growth. A seedling's stem want's a dry environment to grow and thrive in. 1034 is a dry foam, repelling water keeps the stem able to transpire. A dry collar dis-allows adventitious root growth, encourages secondary woody growth. The seedling collar is a washable, re-useable, environmentally safe and a recyclable component.
Spec. Sheet 1034 foam Polyurethane foam Property value Density 0.80 lbs./cu. ft. IDF deflection 24-34 Resilience 45% minimum Tensile strength 15 psi (lbs./in) squared, minimum Elongation 150% minimum Tear strength 1.4 lb./in. minimum compression set 10% maximum Compression set @ 50% 10% maximum Volumetric air flow rate 13 cu. ft./min.
Root Guide Tool, Polypropylene, FIG. 3

(56) The root guide tool is made of polypropylene resin, made with an extrusion machine. FIG. 3 dimensions are, OD , length, 1, wall thickness of 4/1000. Extruded polypropylene tube, the inside walls are very smooth providing ease of glide as the root pushes the root tip out. The root guide is washable, re-useable, and environmentally safe and a recyclable component.

(57) Seed and Seedling Collar Support Cuff, Polypropylene, FIG. 4

(58) A cuff, open at both ends, FIG. 4, top ID 2, bottom ID 1 11/16, 1, with two rows of reaches, cuff reaches are square cut-outs. The cuff is the standard 2 size that will fit in existing hydroponics systems as a replacement for standard 2 net pots. The seed germination nor the seedling collars are not tapered as is the collar support. The tapering at the bottom allows for the foam to push into the reaches. The reach captures the foam when it relaxes into the holes. Thus providing support by squeezing the foam to add pressure assuring a tight hold on the seed, root guide and or seedling. The support cuff is washable, re-useable, environmentally safe and a recyclable component.

(59) Dry, Vegetation Growth Collar, Polyurethane Foam 1034 FIG. 5

(60) One vegetation collar is made of polyurethane foam 1034, dry, OD is 6, thick. A cut made from the center out to the perimeter the full depth of the collar for plant placement. There is a center hole cut from top to bottom at the center. This hole is cut to allow plant stem space within vegetation collar. When utilizing the vegetation collar the horticulturalist is moving from a 2 cuff to a larger support cuff 63 for the vegetation collar and a separate grow container.

(61) Wet, Vegetation Growth Collar, Polyether Polyurethane Foam T 50 FIG. 5

(62) One vegetation collar is made of Polyether polyurethane foam T 50, wet, OD is 6, 1 thick. A cut made from the center out to the perimeter the full depth of the collar for plant placement. There is a center hole cut from top to bottom at the center. This hole is cut to allow plant stem space within vegetation collar. T 50 wet stiff foam, plant example; early tomatoes, stocky plant, heavy stem, fast growth. Experience will teach which one to use for conditions and plant species. The collar is washable, re-useable, environmentally safe and a recyclable component.

(63) Dry, Fruiting/Flowering Growth Collar, Polyurethane Foam 1034 FIG. 6

(64) One fruiting/flowering collar is made of polyether polyurethane foam 1034, dry, OD is 6, 3 thick. A cut made from the center out to the perimeter the full depth of the collar for plant placement. There is a center hole cut from top to bottom at the center. This hole is cut to allow plant stem space within vegetation collar. The collar is washable, re-useable, environmentally safe and a recyclable component.

(65) Wet, Fruiting/Flowering Growth Collar, Polyether Polyurethane Foam T 50 FIG. 6

(66) One fruiting/flowering collar is made of polyether polyurethane foam T 50, wet, OD is 6, 3 thick. A cut made from the center out to the perimeter the full depth of the collar for plant placement. There is a center hole cut from top to bottom at the center. This hole is cut to allow plant stem space within vegetation collar. The collar is washable, re-useable, environmentally safe and a recyclable component.

(67) Experience will teach which collar to use within differing conditions. Vegetation or flowering collars to which there are 2 each, work well in differing conditions, one size does not fit all.

(68) 6 Vegetation and Flowering Collar Support Cuff, FIG. 7

(69) A plastic injected polypropylene molded lid with a support cuff incorporated, open at both ends, with lid OD of 12, a center collar support cuff, the top opening ID of 5, a bottom opening ID of 5, collar support depth of 3, two rows of reaches for collar support, dimensions are . Washable, re-useable and recyclable.

(70) Light Reflecting Shield, FIG. 8

(71) A flat, round disk of white plastic sheeting OD 12 in, 6 ml thick, with a hole in the center, with a cut from center to outside perimeter. Washable, re-useable and recyclable.

(72) EXOTop Cedar Wood Collar, a 2 Piece Stem Exterior Mount Collar, FIG. 9

(73) Made of Cedar Wood, but not Limited to Cedar Wood.

(74) Top Cedar wood collar consists of two pieces of cedar wood held together with 2, 3 toggle bolts, collar length is 12, width , height 2, bridge bar 8, foot 2, screw pass through hole. The center of the top EXO collar has stability grooves cut into the wood on both facing halves. Total length of stability section is 3, the stability grooves are 3/16 deep, wide, and separated by . The EXO collar is washable, re-useable, environmentally safe and recyclable.

(75) EXOBottom Cedar Wood Collar, a 2 Piece Stem Exterior Mount Collar, FIG. 10

(76) Made of Cedar Wood but not Limited to Cedar Wood,

(77) The bottom unit consists of two pieces of cedar wood held together with 2, 3 toggle bolts, length 12, width , height 1, pass through hole. The center of the bottom EXO collar has stability grooves cut into the wood on both facing halves. Total length of stability section is 3, the stability grooves are 3/16 deep, wide, and separated by .

(78) The EXO collar is washable, re-useable, environmentally safe and recyclable.

(79) Uses,

(80) As a replacement for all existing mediums utilized in the aqua-ponics, aero-ponics, hydroponics/deep water culture systems wherever they are in use, plant collars can replace inert single use mediums within these existing systems.

(81) To hand make a set of collars requires that you have foam, not any foam works. Industrial foam such as foam cushioning for furniture can be used, but it will leach base chemicals such as ether and damage the plant stem and roots. This will happen with most industrial foams except medical grade, and specialty foams. If a person has foam and an understanding of the objective that is to be achieved and given instruction anyone can make the collars, find a plastic tube for a root guide, a bucket of water with fertilizers.

(82) Future Uses

(83) Any and all indoor cultivation, all rooftop and hothouses, city center food production, all aqua-ponics, all aero-ponics, Desert island food production, research bubbles in under-ocean living with artificial light and reverse osmoses water, ponds, lakes and streams using solar pumps through reverse osmoses units with auto-feed fertilizing technology. We must anticipate the needs of our future and be ready to meet the basic need of food production with a system that can be adapted to all environments, whether they are here on earth or even potentially on Mars and beyond.

(84) 4 Stage 11 Component Hydroponic Plant Collar Insert System

(85) Example of Use; Complete Growth Cycle Seed to Flower

(86) Starting with any seed, one must first understand the plant you want to grow. Then using the hydroponics component system, seed orientation is critical, the seed must be loaded into the germination collar in the correct orientation. Understanding the characteristics of the seeds you are loading leads to the success in plant propagation. That is to say that all seeds push root out of a seed husk or perianth. How that happens you must know and understand, the plant's root cap survival and hence plant survival depends on your knowledge of seed characteristics.

(87) Seeds have a front, back, top and bottom. A seed's root tip exits the husk via a crack along the top seam on the upper side of the seed. The lower side of the seed is the bottom or foot, which the seed uses to push the dirt out of the way when unfurling or growing out of soil. After exit from soil the seed with husk or perianth, continues to split with the cotyledons opening first and then the opening up of its primary leaves.

(88) Seed into Seed Germinating Collar

(89) The seed germinating collar is a water attracting foam, seed germination requires moisture, T 50 foam is water absorbing, to allow for seed germination, a stiffer foam, allowing root guide grip and external grip into collar support reaches.

(90) To load the seed into the seed germinating collar you must first understand the orientation of the seed you are to grow, place it below lip of collar, orient seed with top (the seam where the root will exit the husk) in line with split in the foam, seed front pointing down, back of the seed or where the seed attached to the flower, facing up, and the bottom or foot to the back of the split in the foam. Add root guide tool and close, place collar in support cuff and then into hydroponics system.
Placing the Root Guide Tool into Seed Germinating Collar

(91) The root guide tool is a plastic tube, 1. Guide should be placed 1/16 to below the front of the seed. As seed husk splits open, the root cap protrudes, and root cap should be looking right into the guide. Hence, the root tip grows into root guide tool and down through it. Looking at the foam with the seed resting in the cut, add the root guide by sliding the guide into the cut and down to it's base. Visual inspection is simple, adjustment is simple and placement of the combined instrument into the collar support cuff and completed assembly into the hydroponics system.

(92) The support cuff has two rows of reaches at it's base, these are to capture the foam. The foam is compressed in the collar support and the reaches allow for expansion into the openings, this supports the collar. When placing combination of collar and guide into support cuff you squeeze the foam together reducing size and push into the support watching to see that reaches fill with foam and that the collar fits top and bottom flush with collar support.

(93) Mounting the seed,

(94) An Explanation of Primary Seed Growth

(95) As the seed grows or pushes it's root down and out of the root guide, the head of the seed is not growing out of the foam. This action is handled by the horticulturalist, a human assist. This action is normally handled by the plant when it un-furls pushing up out of the soil and in so doing pulls off the seed husks, both halves, revealing the cotyledons and primary leaves. Using collars over water the root does not grow into a material that give's it a foundation in order to push up and out. The foam captures the head, this is intentional, and must be moved out by hand. With the head captured, the seed puts more emphases on pushing the root out and this means that the stem is extending out pushing before it the root crown and root tip with gel cap. Practice and inspection will teach when to move the seed head out of the foam, my experience tells me the root needs to protrude out the bottom of the root guide tool . To pull the seed head out of the foam and mount it above collar's foam surface you will use the root guide tool to move the plant. Remove the collar support cuff from the hydroponics system, remove the collar with seedling and root guide tool, from the collar support cuff. After removing the collar from within the support cuff, hold collar in one hand and split the foam revealing root guide tool with seedling's root passing through it. If root guide tool placement was correct the seedling will be balanced within the root guide tool with equal weight from the seed head to protruding root. Grasp the root guide tool with the index finger and thumb and pick up the seedling, move the head back, up and out of the foam, placement of seedling head is to the back of the foam split. Then slide the root guide tool back down the root leaving the seed head and of stem exposed. Now place the root guide tool with primary root back in it's original location within the seed germinating collar. Close the collar and squeeze the collar back into the collar support cuff and the support back into the hydroponics system. The seedling can now shed the seed husk, the husk is saturated with water and can be pulled off by hand easily. With the shedding of the husk the cotyledons are exposed and within these are the primary leaves. As the cotyledons spread, primary leaves open up and start to grow. The seedling is stabilized by the foam that squeezes around the stem just above the root guide tool, this support is given by proper placement of the root guide tool. This is enough foam bulk to support the seedling at this stage of growth and what we are wanting at this stage is for the root, root crown and stem to grow long enough to allow seedling to be moved from the germinating collar and placed in a seedling collar and the root guide tool removed. Thus allowing the seedling to be on it's own to grow into the water. This is accomplished by inspecting the seedling as it grows over the next two or three days. This is so simple, remove the support, remove the collar with seedling and split the collar and take a look. The seedling will need to be kept wet, a spray bottle of Reverse Osmoses, low ppm water works best. Once root crown can be exposed it is time to move seedling into a seedling collar.

(96) Seedling into Seedling Collar,

(97) The seedling is now large enough to be move into the seedling collar which is a dry, soft collar, a little deeper and warmer. The seedling will stay in this collar until it grows large enough to be moved into a permanent container. As before, remove the collar support cuff from hydroponic system, then remove the seed germinating collar with seedling, open up the foam collar and inspect the seedling. At this time and during this move, it is best to clean any debris, collected root scaling. A soft artist's paint brush and spray bottle of water is best. Before you work on plants wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap. Now pick up the seedling in the root guide tool and remove it from the germination collar and place it into the seedling collar. Note the root crown, position the root crown just under the collar, exposed to the elements, root crowns love fresh air circulation and a mist of water. They do not like to be wet and with zero air circulation, this is suffocating to any plant grown in hydroponics. This should put the stem and leaves well above the seedling collar surface with root crown in a perfect place just below the seedling collar. Remove the root guide tool by sliding the root guide over the roots while inspecting this hidden area. Spray with water and check for cleanliness. Seedling collar with plant can now be placed back into collar support cuff and then back into the hydroponics system. Seedling should be healthy and growing fast. All the handling, if done gently and with clean hands, doesn't bother the plant if you keep it wet. This type of handling has never been experienced before now. The ability to remove, inspect, clean and not harm the plant development, that is a hydroponic performance component system at work.

(98) Seedling into Vegetation Collar

(99) Placing plant into the vegetation collar, 61 These are the same two foams used but larger collars, T 50, wet but stiffer, and 1034 dry but softer. If you are growing a tall plant that grows quickly, use 1034 collar, the T50 is dry and large but soft and is used for smaller stemmed or stalked plants, like Kale. Experience will teach which one will work under which hydroponic conditions, stiff or soft collars. The time duration or photo period of vegetation collar use is dependent on type of plant, light intensity, fertilizer schedule, ambient temperature of room, temperature of water and grower's attitude, these determine growth speed and plant bulk, about two weeks for the vegetation growth cycle.

(100) Placing the seedling into a vegetation collar is to move the seedling from it's communal bucket (See illustration page 5/14) with the 2 seedling collar and support cuff to a 6 collar and support cuff. With a 6 collar the seedling is placed it a container of its own. The vegetation collar is larger, thicker and heavier to support future growth of a larger, heavier, maturing plant.

(101) Placing the plant in the collar is just like moving seedling from seed germination collar to seedling collar. This is just a larger collar, but the plant is larger now and can be handled easily. You are moving it again, so you are also inspecting and cleaning, removing dead root and debris. This again, is a function we have not been able to do, inspecting root and root crown so intimately.

(102) Light Shield Protection

(103) The light shield (FIG. 8 on Drawing 11/14) is used for young vegetating plants until more mature branching and leafing occurs. The light shield protects against excessive heat created by indoor lighting systems that can lead to bacterial growth within the nutrient solution.

(104) 6-Inch Collar Support Cuff

(105) This is a 12 bucket lid (FIG. 7 on Drawing 11/14) with integrated 6 round cuff at the center that extends down 3. The collar support cuff is open at both ends and has two rows of reaches to allow the large 6 by 3 collar's foam (FIG. 6 on Drawing 11/14) to push into the reaches, giving the collar support. Placing plants into the flower collar, 63 deep.

(106) Again here are the same two types of foam collars, 1034, wet but stiffer, and 50p dry but softer, they are the same diameter, twice the thickness of the vegetation collar allowing for greater support.

(107) If you are growing a tall plant that grows quickly, experience will teach which one works best under which hydroponic conditions demanding stiff or soft collars. The flower collar is in place as long as fruiting time period lasts, for some plants, fruiting is also a time of growth to allow room on stems for fruit.

(108) These plants will grow so tall that the use of the EXO cedar collar comes into use.

(109) For placement of plant into flower collar, remove vegetation collar out from collar support cuff and remove collar from around plant stem. Replace with flower collar that conditions require, stiff or soft. Place plant with collar back into collar support.

(110) With collar change the plant moves again, so you have the opportunity to inspect and clean and remove dead root and such. This again, is a function we have not been able to do, inspecting root and root crown so intimately.

(111) Placement of Plant into the EXO-Cedar Plant Collar

(112) This collar is a two section, 4-piece collar. (Drawing 13/14) A top and bottom section with both sections held together with toggle bolts. The top fits over the bottom at right angles or perpendicular securing the stem with stability grooves to prevent movement back and forth as the plant becomes top heavy with fruit or flowers.

(113) These collars fit around the stem and are sized to allow plant stem to push and warp the wood as stem girth grows in diameter. This in turn allows the plant to grow into the stability grooves, securing the collar to the stem. Stability grooves enable the plant to grow and fill out into the grooves as the plant pushes outward growing in girth. The use of stability grooves is new to plant growth, a fresh idea utilizing the plants willingness to grow to fit its environment. The use of cedar is important because cedar is a natural insect repellent, a mold and fungi inhibitor, will not irritate the supported plant stem or cambric layer. Cedar is resistant to water damage, if harvested correctly, can be sustainable, flexes easily, returns to original form with soaking in water and drying, is reusable on the next plant, compostable if finished, won't rust if left out side in the rain. These are made by hand in our own work shop.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMBERS INDEX

(114) 1/14 seed germination collar

(115) FIG. 1 100 shows seed germination collar outside diameter 1 inch 101 shows center access cut from center to outer perimeter 102 shows seed placement in cut 103 shows root guide tool placement in cut 104 shows seed germination collar thickness, 1 inch, top to bottom 2/14 seedling collar

(116) FIG. 2 100 shows seedling collar outside diameter 1 inch 101 shows center access cut from center to outer perimeter 105 shows seedling collar thickness 1 inch 3/14 root guide tool

(117) FIG. 3 106 shows root guide outside diameter inch 107 shows root guide wall thickness 4/1000 inch 108 shows root guide length 1 inch 4/14 2-inch collar support cuff

(118) FIG. 4 109 shows support cuff's top outside diameter 2 inches 110 shows support cuff's bottom outside diameter 1 11/16 inch 111 shows support cuff reaches inch squares 112 shows support cuff depth 1 inch 5/14 expanded view of 2 collar, guide, cuff assembly 6/14 vegetation collars

(119) FIG. 5 113 shows vegetation collar outside diameter 6 inches 114 shows vegetation collar thickness 1 inches 115 shows center access cut from center to outside perimeter 116 shows a center hole inch 7/14 flower, fruiting collar

(120) FIG. 6 113 shows flower collar outside diameter 6 inches 115 shows center access cut from center to outside perimeter 116 shows a center hole inch 118 shows flower collar thickness 3 inches 8/14 flower, fruiting collar support cuff with cover

(121) FIG. 7 119 shows collar support cover outside diameter 12 inches 120 shows dimension top of collar support cuff inside diameter 5 inches 121 shows dimension bottom of collar support cuff inside diameter 5 122 shows dimension collar support cuff depth 3 inches 123 shows two rows of inch rectangular reaches 124 shows dimension for lip from support ring to edge of cover 3 inches 9/14 light/heat reflecting shield

(122) FIG. 8 115 shows center access cut from center to outside perimeter 116 shows a center hole inch 119 shows outside diameter of light reflector 12 inches 125 shows light reflector thickness 6 mil 10/14 assembly of light reflecting shield, flower collar and collar support cuff 11/14 EXO collar upper unit

(123) FIG. 9 126 shows the upper EXO collar's over length 12 inches 127 shows the upper EXO collar's width inch 128 shows the upper EXO collar's height 2 inches 129 shows the upper EXO collar's cross bar 8 inches 130 shows the upper EXO collar's assembly hole inch 131 shows the upper EXO collar's foot 22 inches 132 shows the upper EXO collar's plant stability grooves 133 shows the upper EXO collar's measurement between grooves inch 134 shows the upper EXO collar's measurement of grooves inch 135 shows the upper EXO collar's groove depth 3/16 inch 12/14 EXO collar bottom unit

(124) FIG. 10 126 shows the bottom EXO collar's over length 12 inches 130 shows the bottom EXO collar's assembly hole inch 132 shows the bottom EXO collar's plant stability grooves 133 shows the bottom EXO collar's measurement between grooves inch 134 shows the bottom EXO collar's measurement of grooves inch 135 shows the bottom EXO collar's groove depth 3/16 inch 136 shows the bottom EXO collar's height 1 inches 137 shows the bottom EXO collar's width inch 13/14 EXO expanded view 138 EXO collars in expanded view 14/14 EXO assembly view 139 EXO collars in assembled view

INDEX OF FIGURE REFERENCES SYSTEM COMPONENT DEVICE FIGURES

(125) 100 T50 Seed Germination Collar 101 1034 Seedling Collar 102 Root Guide Tool 103 2 Cuff

(126) Exploded View 100, 102, 103 104 1034, Vegetation Cycle Collar 105 T50, Vegetation Cycle Collar 106 1034, Flower Cycle Collar 107 T50, Flower Cycle Collar 108 6 Cuff 109 6 Cuff Heat Shield 110 Upper EXO Collar 111 Lower EXO Collar

(127) Elements of T50 Seed Germination Collar 120 Collar Diameter 121 Die Cut to Center of Collar 122 Collar Width 123 Root Guide Location Within Collar 124 Seed Location Within Collar

(128) Elements of 1034 Seedling Collar 125 Collar Diameter 126 Die Cut to Center of Collar 127 Collar Width

(129) Elements of Root Guide Tool 128 Tool Wall Thickness 129 Tool Outside Diameter 130 Tool Overall Length

(130) Elements of the 2 Inch Cuff 131 Cuff's top Diameter 132 Cuff Depth 133 Cuff Bottom Diameter 134 Cuff Reaches/Cutouts

(131) Elements of 1034 Vegetation Cycle Collar 135 Collar Diameter 136 Die Cut to Center of Collar 137 Collar Width 138 Collar Center Hole

(132) Elements of T50 Vegetation Collar 139 Collar Diameter 140 Die Cut to Center of Collar 141 Collar Width

(133) Elements of 1034 Flower Cycle Collar 143 Collar Diameter 144 Die Cut to Center of Collar 145 Collar Width 146 Collar Center Hole

(134) Elements of T50 Flower Cycle Collar 148 Collar Diameter 149 Die Cut to Center of Collar 150 Collar Width 151 Collar Center Hole

(135) Elements of the 6 Inch Cuff 152 Cuff overall Diameter 153 Cuff's Top Diameter 154 Cuff Depth 155 Cuff Reaches/Cutouts 156 Cuffs Bottom Diameter

(136) Elements of 6 Inch Cuff Heat Shield 158 Heal Shield Diameter 159 Die Cut to Center of Heat Shield 160 Heat Shield Center Hole 157 Heat Shield Thickness

(137) Elements of the Upper EXO Collar 161 Collar length 162 Collar Height 163 Collar Plant Stability Groves 164 Collar Foot Length 165 Collar Width 166 Collar attachment hole 167 Collar Groove width 168 Collar Groove Depth 169 Collar Groove Count

(138) Element of the Lower EXO Collar 170 Collar Length 171 Collar Height 172 Collar Attachment Hole 173 Collar Plant Stability Groves 174 Collar Width 177 Collar Groove Width 178 Collar Groove Depth 179 Collar Groove Count