Patent ID: 7685765

Claim:
A plant support system for use with a plant container including a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the support system comprising: a supporting post including a first end and a second end, wherein the post is capable of supporting plants of various heights; and a base plate configured to insert into the container and to rest above the bottom wall, the base plate comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one drain aperture, extending through the base plate from the top surface to the bottom surface, operable to permit the flow of fluid therethrough, a plurality of upstanding receptacles extending above said top surface, each upstanding receptacle having an open upper end spaced from and above said top surface and a closed lower end at said top surface, each upstanding receptacle being adapted to removably receive and support said first end of the supporting post at the upstanding receptacle closed lower end to secure the post in a generally upright position, a second plurality of recessed receptacles extending below said bottom surface, each recessed receptacle having an open upper end at said top surface and a closed lower end spaced from and below said bottom surface, each recessed receptacle being adapted to removably receive and support said first end of the supporting post at the recessed receptacle closed lower end to secure the post in a generally upright position; a plurality of angularly spaced slots extending radially inward from the periphery of the plate; and wherein the plurality of slots is configured to engage a plurality of angularly spaced ribs extending inwardly from the side wall of the plant container, prohibiting the rotation of the base plate about its axis.