Patent ID: 8997397
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
1. A method of determining standardized and optimal hydration requirements of succulent plants and of hydrating succulent plants to optimize health, vitality and longevity of the plants, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a succulent plant contained in a pot, said pot having a bottom of a certain diameter and cylindrical sides defining a space therein where the plant is contained; said pot containing a substrate selected from the group consisting of bark, sphagnum moss and peat moss; (b) measuring the diameter of the pot; (c) multiplying the diameter of the pot by a percentage ranging from about 40% to about 60% to obtain a first number, said first number equal to a first volume of water; (d) multiplying the diameter of the pot by a percentage ranging from about 10% to about 60% to obtain a second number, said second number equal to a second volume of water, and adding the second volume of water to the first volume of water calculated in step (c) when the substrate contained in the pot is substantially bark, or subtracting the second volume of water from the first volume of water calculated in step (c) when the substrate is substantially sphagnum moss or peat moss; (e) multiplying the diameter of the pot by a percentage ranging from about 5% to about 50% to obtain a third number, said third number equal to a third volume of water, and adding the third volume of water to the first volume of water calculated in step (c) if the environmental relative humidity is about 40% or lower, or subtracting the third volume of water from the first volume of water calculated in step (c) if the environmental relative humidity is about 80% or higher; (f) multiplying the diameter of the pot by a percentage ranging from about 10% to about 70% to obtain a fourth number, said fourth number equal to a fourth volume of water, and adding the fourth volume of water to the first volume of water calculated in step (c) if the environmental temperature is about 80° F. or higher, or subtracting the fourth volume of water from the first volume of water calculated in step (c) if the environmental temperature is about 50° F. or lower; (g) providing a container, said container having a bottom and cylindrical sides which define a space therein, said cylindrical sides having gradations thereon which delineate volume of water in ounces, wherein the container accompanies the succulent plant upon sale or other disposition of ownership of the plant; (h) filling the space of the container with a final volume of water equal to the volume of water obtained in steps (c) through (f), wherein said first, said second, said third, said fourth and said final volumes are measured in ounces; (i) adding the final volume of water to the pot; and (j) repeating step (i) at a frequency from between about every 3 days to about every 7 days if the substrate is comprised substantially of bark, and from between about every 8 days to about every 14 days if the substrate is comprised substantially of sphagnum moss or peat moss.