Patent ID: 6536160
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: A01G,A47G

Abstract:
A method of providing delivery of liquid nutrients to the growing medium of a houseplant, said method capable of adjusting the liquid nutrient delivery rate, and comprising the steps of:providing at least one wick element comprised of wicking material and casing around a central portion which holds said wicking material movably in place, wherein said casing is impervious to moisture, with said wicking material exposed at either end of said casing; providing a reservoir of liquid nutrients with said reservoir having both a liquid surface level and an average liquid surface level over a fill and distribution cycle; providing a planting container with a bottom drainage hole; providing a holder which secures said wick elements in position with respect to said liquid surface level with members which hold said casing, and allows slidable movement of said wick elements to new secure positions with respect to the liquid surface level, said holder having means to anchor its position beneath the planting container with a member which communicates through said drainage hole, in order to prevent dislodging said holder by movement of said wick elements either upward or downward; positioning said wick elements in said holder; placing the wick elements, within the holder, along with a plant in growing medium inside said planting container, such that a portion of the holder and the wick elements, including both casing and wicking material, protrude from the bottom of said planting container; anchoring the wick holder in place by clamping the protruding portion beneath the planting container; positioning said planting container with said protruding casing and wicking material above said reservoir of liquid nutrients such that the wick elements are immersed into the liquid to a position such that the bottom of said wick element casing is either above or below said liquid surface level; wherein the average liquid nutrient delivery rate is set by positioning the wick elements within the holder, with respect to a given reservoir and average liquid surface level over a fill and delivery cycle, to the desired rate of nutrient delivery depending on the specific plant, its current growth stage, environment, and within the maintenance schedule of its caregiver.