Abstract:
A soilless rooting system comprising an elongated holder having a first portion and a second portion extending the length of the holder. The first and second portions comprise a material that permits roots from a vegetative cutting to grow there through. The invention further relates to the use of said rooting system. The invention also relates to a method of rooting of vegetative cuttings. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising said rooting system a plant material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/511,212, filed Jul. 25, 2012, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a rooting system and the use of said rooting system. The invention further relates to a method of rooting of vegetative cuttings. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising said rooting system a plant material. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Plant material is commonly reproduced via vegetative cuttings. Such vegetative cuttings are often a cutting of about 5 cm in length of a portion of a mother plant, which may include one or more leaves. The unrooted cutting is typically inserted in a growth media such as a growth cell or “plug” containing growth media and nutrients until roots are formed. The rooted cutting in the growth cell, often termed a liner, is then distributed to a plant grower. The liner is then transplanted into a container and grown until the plant achieves a growth stage suitable for distribution in the marketplace. Such growth cells or plugs often contain soil or a soil replacement. The disadvantage of soil or soil replacement is that these are often prohibited from being imported into countries. Soilless media are desirable for their ability to be imported from one country to another. Further downsides are that soil and soil replacements are heavy, especially if kept wet, and take up a relative large amount of space which are both disadvantageous for transport. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide for an improved growing medium. 
         [0005]    It is further an object of the present invention to provide for a growth medium overcoming the disadvantages of the growth media according to the prior art. 
         [0006]    The present inventor has surprisingly found that the above objects are met by a soilless rooting system comprising: an elongated holder having a first portion and a second portion extending the length of the holder, said first and second portions comprising a material that permits roots from a vegetative cutting to grow therethrough. 
         [0007]    The present invention is directed to a soilless rooting system that includes an elongated holder having a first portion and a second portion that extends to the length of the holder. The first and second portions include a material that permits roots from a vegetative cutting to grow therethrough. The present invention also includes a method of rooting vegetative cuttings by providing the rooting system and placing the vegetative cutting adjacent one of the first and second portions. The first and second portions are adhered together, thereby sandwiching the vegetative cutting therebetween. 
         [0008]    The present invention includes a rooting system for germinating seeds or for producing a callus and/or roots of a vegetative cutting, and may be used to package, store, and transport the same. The present invention further relates to the use of said rooting system in growing plant material. The present invention is described in relation to the production of rooted cuttings from unrooted cuttings, but this is not meant to be limiting. For example, the present invention may also be used with tissue culture, bare root cuttings, or seeds. Thus, reference to rooting is also applicable to germinating. In addition, the present invention is not limited to use with any particular species of plants or crops, any ornamental and/or agricultural species may be used. 
         [0009]    The present invention relates to a soilless rooting system comprising: an elongated holder having a first portion and a second portion extending the length of the holder, said first and second portions comprising a material that permits roots from a vegetative cutting to grow therethrough. 
         [0010]    The present invention further relates to a use of an elongated holder having a first portion and a second portion extending the length of the holder, said first and second portions comprising a material that permits roots from a vegetative cutting to grow therethrough as a soilless rooting system. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment of the present invention said first and second portions are joined by a web. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment of the present invention said web comprises a liner onto which said first and second portions are received. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment of the present invention said first portion comprises hooks and said second portion comprises loops for engagement by said hooks, preferably said first portion further comprises loops and/or said second portion further comprises hooks. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment of the present invention said holder comprises a biodegradable material. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment of the present invention said holder is folded along said web. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment of the present invention said holder is weakened at intervals along the length of said holder for division of said holder into individual holders. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment of the present invention said weakened intervals are spaced apart distances such that a vegetative cutting is positioned between adjacent weakened intervals. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment of the present invention the elongated holder further comprises one or more plant growing agents, nutrients and/or one or more pesticides. 
         [0019]    The present invention further relates to a method of rooting vegetative cuttings comprising the steps of: providing the rooting system according to the present invention; placing a vegetative cutting adjacent at least one of said first and second portions; and adhering the first and second portions together, thereby sandwiching the vegetative cutting there between. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises placing the rooting system with cuttings therein in a moist environment to allow roots to grow. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment of the present invention the roots grow through at least one of the first and second portions. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises folding the rooting system along its length to sandwich the vegetative cuttings between the first and second portions. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises dividing the holder between the vegetative cuttings to create individual rooted cutting holders. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises inserting the rooting system with vegetative cuttings received therein into a protective sleeve. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises providing the individual rooted cutting holders to a pot. 
         [0026]    The present invention further relates to an assembly comprising a system according to the present invention and a plant material such as a vegetative cutting or a seed. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The present invention is illustrated in more detail in the following description and with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is plan view of the rooting system of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the rooting system of the present invention in a partially folded state; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the rooting system of the present invention with one portion separated therefrom and an unrooted cutting lying adjacent a portion thereof; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the rooting system of the present invention including rooted cuttings; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the rooted cuttings shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the rooting system of the present invention with rooted cuttings having roots growing through a lower portion thereof; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the rooting system of the present invention with rooted cuttings having roots extending through side portions thereof; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the rooting system of the present invention separated into an individual holder; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a rooted cutting such as shown in  FIG. 8  after use in a pot with soil; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is a schematic of a dispenser of the rooting system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rooting system includes an elongated holder  2  having a first portion  4  and a second portion  6  that extend the length of the holder  2 . The first and second portions  4 ,  6  are joined together via a liner or web  8 . The web  8  may be sized to receive the entireties of the first and second portions  4 ,  6  thereon as shown. Alternatively, the web  8  may link first and second portions  4 ,  6  by only partially overlapping therewith. In yet another embodiment, first and second portions  4  and  6  are produced as one unitary structure, obviating the need for a web. Other variations of first and second portions  4 ,  6  with or without web  8 , may be provided. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the holder  2  is folded longitudinally along the web  8  between first and second portions  4 ,  6  as shown in  FIG. 2 , such that the first and second portions  4 ,  6  engage each other. The first portion  4  may include hooks  4   a  and the second portion  6  may include loops  6   a  (such as when using the commercial product Velcro®) so the first and second portions  4 ,  6  remain engaged. In a further embodiment portions  4  and  6  may each include hooks and loops. 
         [0040]    As the elongated holder  2  is folded, an unrooted cutting UC is inserted therebetween, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The elongated holder  2  may be of varying lengths. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the holder  2  may be of a sufficient length to include a plurality of =rooted cuttings UC, each spaced apart a sufficient distance in order to allow the unrooted cutting UC to develop roots. In one embodiment, the elongated holder  2  includes weakened portions  10 , such as a plurality of perforations provided transverse to the longitudinal axis of the holder  2 , at intervals which may be regular intervals. See  FIG. 3 . An unrooted cutting UC is inserted into the elongated holder  2  between a pair of the weakened portions  10 , with the first and second portions  4 ,  6  engaging one another. The holder  2 , retaining at least one unrooted cutting UC, is placed in an environment suitable for rooting, such as with proper levels of moisture and/or light until roots form in a rooted cutting RC. 
         [0041]    For some unrooted cuttings, it may be beneficial to support the holder  2  such that any leaves of the unrooted cuttings UC are free, with the roots able to grow in an opposite direction. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the elongated holder  2  containing rooted cuttings RC can be supported by a variety of means, including, in one non-limiting embodiment, a plug tray  12  which has been turned upside down such that the elongated holder  2  seats and is supported by the backside of the tray  12 . After sufficient rooting has been completed, the elongated holder  2  with rooted cuttings RC is ready for transport, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Roots R of the rooted cutting RC extend through the material of the elongated holder  2 . The elongated holder  2  may be divided along the weakened portions  10  to yield in a single rooted cutting RC supported by an individual holder  14 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The rooted cutting RC in an individual holder  14  is placed into a pot (not shown) containing soil and allowed to grow. The individual holder  14  does not interfere with growth of the plant and the roots R engage soil  16  as the rooted cutting RC grows into a plant P, as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0042]    The process of sticking the unrooted cuttings UC into the rooting system may be automated using a dispensing system  20 , as shown schematically in  FIG. 10 . In one embodiment, the dispensing system  20  includes a roll dispenser  22  from which a length of the elongated holder  2  is removed in a flat state, such as shown in  FIG. 1 . The elongated holder  2  travels past a pair of opposing rollers  24 , which urge the elongated holder  2  to fold upon itself along web  8 . As the folded elongated holder  2  travels away from the dispenser  22 , an unrooted cutting UC may be stuck into the locations between the weakened portions  10  in a relatively rapid fashion, as at arrow A. 
         [0043]    The embodiment disclosed above considers the use of a one-piece elongated holder  2  having a first portion  4  and a second portion  6 , and a web or liner  8  that supports the first and second portions  4 ,  6 . However, the first and second portions may be separate components that are adhered together after the unrooted cuttings are inserted therebetween. In addition, the first and second portions may be held together by any mechanism, such as organic or inorganic glue, adhesive, heat fusion, staples, zippers, zip locks, or the like. Alternatively, one portion may be positioned on top of the other portion with the plant material placed in between for rooting. In this embodiment, an unrooted cutting may be placed onto one portion, allowed to root, and the second portion is laid thereover after rooting occurs. Alternatively, the elongated holder  2  may be a unitary structure with openings provided therein for insertion of the unrooted cuttings UC. Upon rooting, the roots grow out through both portions, such that the rooted cutting binds the two portions together. 
         [0044]    The elongated holder  2  may be produced from inorganic or synthetic materials so that the rooted cuttings RC may be transported between countries that do not permit importation of organic rooting material, such as soil and bark. For example, the elongated holder  2  may be a synthetic material, such as polyester, nylon, or polyethylene terephthalate (e.g., fleece), and may be woven or non-woven. In one embodiment, the elongated holder  2  may be biodegradable, such as paper or other cellulosic material. In addition, the elongated holder  2  may be provided of any length, width, thickness, color, texture, scent, or shape that allows the plant material to develop roots and sustain the roots until transplanted into a growth media or soil. The elongated holder  2  should have a porosity that allows the unrooted cutting UC to grow roots R therethrough and be sufficiently permeable to water so that the cuttings UC or RC may be watered. In one embodiment, the cuttings UC or RC are treated with water containing optionally 50 ppm nitrogen, such as in the form of calcium nitrate. The soilless rooting system containing cuttings UC or RC may also be misted to maintain moisture in the rooting system. 
         [0045]    After rooting has been accomplished, the rooted cuttings are suitable for transplanting. The rooted cuttings may be inserted into a transport device, such as an elongated plastic sleeve (not shown), which may be perforated to allow air flow. Sleeves containing holders with the rooted cuttings can then be packed into containers, such as cardboard boxes, with ice packs. 
         [0046]    In an embodiment the elongated holder  2  is provided with information, preferably in the form of a bar code, quick response (QR) code or an information carrier such as an Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. 
         [0047]    It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail herein are illustrative only and are not limiting to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. The appended claims also form part of the description.