APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRAINING PLANTS

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling apical growth of plants without cutting or pinching so as to increase productivity and efficiently utilize growth resources. A spring-shaped frame is provided having the form of mirror image/opposed Fibonacci or Golden Spirals that expand from a first starting point and then contract back to a second starting point by an approximately similar number of quarter-turns, the spring suitably being formed of a single length of wire. The apical growth tip of the plant is bent to meet the frame at selected locations and attached progressively as growth proceeds, using ties or other connectors. A stake inserted through the starting points of the spiral attaches the frame to the medium in which the plant is rooted. The stake is preferably angled so that the plant maximizes utilization of available light, for example, approximately 80° to the surface of the medium.

Description

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to frames and similar structures that support growing plants, and, more particularly, to a spring-shaped frame that trains the plant in a manner that allows control of apical dominance to be achieved in an efficient, cost-effective and low stress manner.

b. Related Art

Farmers and gardeners look for ways of increasing conditions and improving quality in their plants. Providing a plant with optimum environmental (e.g., water, light, soil/medium, CO₂) and nutritional support can go a long way towards achieving these goals. Beyond meeting a plant's environmental and nutritional needs, gardeners also often explore and employ methods of training to take a plant's yield and quality to a higher level. Certain fast growing plants, such as tomatoes for example, can benefit from increased branching. Also it can be advantageous to have evenly proportioned branches, as compared to apical dominance. Apical dominance refers to the process wherein the axillary buds (side or lateral shoots) remain dormant and are reserved by the auxin (plant hormone) that is produced by the apical shoot. When a plant's apical shoot is left intact and unbent the plant tends to take on a conical shape much like a Christmas tree, which is unsatisfactory for production of many vegetables and other crops.

Removing apical dominance is achieved by either cutting (also referred to as pinching, pruning, topping and heading off) or bending of the plant's apical shoot. Cutting or bending the apical shoot removes the auxin's inhibitory effect on the axillary shoots so that growth of the latter is enhanced. Depending on the desired size of plant, and in order to distribute hormones and resources as evenly as possible among the branches/shoots, further pinching or bending may be necessary. This results in an increased number of equally proportioned branches and aids in training the plant for improved quality and increased yield. The shape of a plant trained in this manner is often that of an inverted cone.

Removing growing shoots by cutting and pinching is perhaps the least time consuming method of training plants commonly employed by growers. Gardeners often use a form of shears to remove a growing tip (some may use only their hands and/or finger nails for smaller shoots). However, there are significant drawbacks to cutting a stem or stalk of a plant. First, an open wound left behind where cutting took place, leaving a plant exposed to infection or disease until the wound is healed. Second, growth vigor is lost while the plant repairs the injury and redirects growth hormone to other shoots/branches. In combination this results in lost time and growth opportunity during healing and redistribution of growth/hormone, which in turn may reduce yield and quality (if dealing with natural growing seasons), or may increase the time to harvest (if climate and environmental controls are in effect). As an additional drawback, auxins are transported down the stem to the roots; loss of auxin, due to removing an apical shoot, may result in less stimulated root growth and root branching.

An alternative to pinching/cutting is bending. This can take various forms, from simply folding a growth shoot over, to attaching it to stakes trellis, netting or wires (e.g., an espalier), wrapping and bending with wire (e.g. bonsai), pulling it down and applying hanging weights, tying it down with cordage and stakes, and so on. After a growth shoot is bent it will immediately begin turning itself vertical again due to the effect of gravitropism (plant shoots display negative gravitropism; when placed on its side, a plant shoot will grow up against gravity) and will soon require further bending. Bending is advantageous relative to cutting in that it does not create an open wound and no auxin is lost. The main drawback of bending is that when using conventional techniques it is often much more time-consuming than cutting. This is a particular problem in commercial operations dealing with large numbers of relatively fast-growing plants, where the labor intensive aspects of conventional bending approaches become greatly compounded.

Commercial growers also often use artificial lighting, in whole or in part, to expedite growth as compared with the natural growing season, and the cost of electricity creates the need to use the artificial light efficiently. Reducing the amount of time and electricity to produce crops requires that plants not be subjected to cutting for controlling apical dominance, in order to retain auxin and shorten the time from seed to harvest. Being able to adjust the orientation/angle of the plants may also help maximize utilization of light sources. Furthermore, for a variety of reasons pots or other containers are conventionally used to grow plants in commercial environments, and in order for a training technique/device to be most useful it is desirable that the containers remain individually mobile, rather being attached to trellises or other structures that interconnect plants such that they and their containers are not easily moved about.

Thus, while prior methods of pruning and training are effective in increasing the number of evenly proportioned branches and therefore productivity, the drawbacks/limitations that are inherent to such methods leave a significant void when it comes to overcoming apical dominance in a rapid and efficient manner.

Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus that overcomes apical dominance while reducing the amount of stress placed on the plant from training. Furthermore, there exists a need for such a method and apparatus that is easy to learn and that can be implemented in a rapid and efficient manner, especially when working with multiple plants. Still further, there exists a need for such a method and apparatus that facilitates efficient and economical use of lighting and other growing resources. Still further, there exists a need for such a method and apparatus that may be implemented using structural components that are economical to manufacture and transport, and that are adequately durable and long-lasting to permit reuse if desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the needs noted above, and concerns the growing and training of climbing, vining, branching, flowering, and fruiting plants, such as tomatoes or other vegetables or fruits, for example.

The invention controls apical dominance and achieves a number of relatively evenly proportioned branches/growing shoots, without the drawbacks of cutting/pinching and without the labor-intensive and time-consuming aspects of conventional bending practices. The structure employed is mobile and if desired can be set up in an individual pot or other container so plants may be moved about as needed or desired. Apical shoots are not cut off, so auxin is not lost and growth vigor is maintained, resulting in shortened time frames from seed to harvest and minimization of resource consumption and days/hours of labor. In a preferred embodiment the invention is self-guiding/instructing in design and is therefore easily learned and implemented in small- or large-scale applications.

In a first aspect the invention provides a spring-shaped frame, suitably formed of wire, referred to from time to time herein as simply a “spring.” The spring may take the shape of a Fibonacci or Golden Spiral that expands from a first center/starting point for a determined number of quarter turns, from which point the spring may contract by a similar number of quarter turns to a second center point so as to create two substantially symmetrical mirrored/opposed Golden Spirals. Preferably, the entire spring, including both Golden Spirals, may be formed of a single length of wire. A pitch may be applied to the spirals, for example by elevating one of the center points while the other remains fixed. Both the pitch and number of quarter turns the spirals make may be increased or decreased to accommodate various applications, uses and types of plants.

Depending dimensions and use of the spring, attachment portions may be applied to the center point of each spiral that permit the spring to be attached to a stake or pole member that is inserted through both center points and into the soil or medium below. The attachment points may be continuations of the wire spring, and may be angled out from both the bottom and top spiral center points. The stake may be oriented at a selected angle to the soil line, for example, by an angle of approximately 80° off the soil line in a preferred embodiment. The proximity of the spring to the soil line may be adjusted by sliding the spring up or down the angled stake; once the desired position is reached, the attachment points may be secured to the angled stake, using cable ties or other connectors, for example. The angled stake may be supported by a second stake by positioning a second slake to meet with the top of the angled stake so that the arrangement results in a triangle, with the stakes making up two sides and the soil line the third.

The present invention also provides a method for enhanced production from plants using controlled apical growth. In one aspect, a young plant may be positioned in the soil/medium near the center point of the spring closest to the soil/medium line and the plant allowed to grow vertically until its apical growth tip is above where it is to be attached to the spring frame as described above. Since bending the very tip of a growth shoot could result in snapping or splitting of the stem, it is preferable to bend further down the stem where tissues are more durable and hardened. At the point where the stem is sufficiently durable and in the proper position, a movement it may be made to bend the plant and the tip is then attached to the spring, using clips, twist ties or other connectors, for example. After the bend is made the plant may be left alone for a period of time so as to allow the plant to reorient to the new position and harden before bending again. As the growth rate of the plant increases, the wait time between bends may be reduced. The original apical shoot may be tied back down to the spring again and again while the axillary shoots are exposed to the light and their growth is thereby enhanced. Training to the spring may be continued until the plant has the desired number of shoots and the original apical shoot may then be allowed to grow vertically for the remainder of the plant's life cycle.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated form a reading of the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example Fibonacci spiral, namely, an approximation of the Golden Spiral created by drawing circular arcs connecting the opposite corners of squares in the Fibonacci tiling, the example in FIG. 1 using squares of sizes 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21 and 34;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of two example Fibonacci spirals arranged in mirrored positions with points placed along the arcs of the spirals lettered from A-I, the lettered points being used for reference in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the two example Fibonacci spirals without tiling squares, and with lettered points for reference, the spirals being continuous and having arrows to show the direction of spiral expansion and spiral contraction, the arrows also being used for reference with respect to FIG. 4 where a pitch is applied to the spirals;

FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of expanding and contracting Fibonacci spirals having an example 30° pitch, with lettered points and arrows corresponding to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a spring-shaped frame in accordance with the present invention, having a pitched Fibonacci spiral configuration that correlates to that of FIGS. 2-4, with the lettered points and arrows having been removed and with stakes connected to attachment points at each end of the spring-shaped frame;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the spring-shaped frame of FIG. 5, attached to an angled stake, supported by an additional stake and set in a pot with soil and no plant;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the spring-shaped frame of FIG. 5, attached to an angled stake, supported by an additional stake and set in a pot with soil and no plant;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the spring-shaped frame of FIG. 5, attached to an angled stake and set in a pot with soil and no plant;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the spring-shaped frame of FIG. 5, showing the lower attachment point in greater detail;

FIG. 10 is a second enlarged perspective view of the spring-shaped frame of FIG. 5, showing in greater detail the upper attachment point and the joint formed by the angled stake and support stake;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the spring-shaped frame of FIG. 5 attached to an angled stake and supported by an additional stake, and set in a pot with soil together with a plant;

FIGS. 12-15 are perspective views of the spring-shaped frame of FIG. 5, attached to an angled stake and supported by an additional stake, and set in a pot with soil and a plant attached thereto and growing up the frame;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the spring shaped frame of FIG. 5 attached to an angled stake, showing in greater detail the first attachment of the plant to the spring shaped frame; and.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a plant attached to and growing up the spring-shaped frame of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In nature growth frequently occurs in geometrically proportionate ways or patterns. These growth patterns have been linked to a mathematical expression referred to as Fibonacci Sequence or Golden Ratio. As shown in FIG. 1 Fibonacci Sequence10 (1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34) squares 14 and Spiral 12 grow at a rate similar to that of PHI 1.618 for each quarter turn from the center point 20. The Fibonacci Spiral and the Golden Spiral are very close approximations of one another and are considered equivalents for purposes of the present invention.

These natural growth patterns are often expressed in the spiral shape, for example, as seen in the nautilus shell, snail shell, fern, arrangement of sunflower seeds on a sunflower, and so on, a spiral being a curve on a plane that winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing distance from the center point. In natural growth of plants there is no simpler law than this, namely that it shall widen and lengthen in the same unvarying proportions.

It has been found, through the use of the present invention, that by applying the Fibonacci Spiral to a wire, which is then pitched to a desired degree to form a double-spiral spring-shaped support as shown in FIG. 4, an effective means of overcoming apical dominance without removal of the apical shoot is provided. Furthermore, the arc 15 of the spring 38 opens up the plant in accordance with natural growth patterns and increases exposure to axillary shoots 58 and leaves. As the plant grows larger the Fibonacci Spiral continues to open up, increasing space for more and larger leaves, stems and shoots. The pitch applied to the arc 15 of the spring 38 provides control in overcoming apical dominance. Thus the desired pitch of the spring 38 relates to independent growth behaviors/patterns of various plant type (e.g. slow growing plants may prefer a lower pitch and fast growing plants a higher pitch). When the appropriate pitch is applied to the Fibonacci. Spiral for the plant being grown upon it, a harmonizing of growth is found. That is, the apical growth tip 54 and the axillary shoots 58 find an even pace of vertical growth 64 that continues to increase the number of evenly proportioned shoots/branches as long as the apical growth tip 54 is continually attached back to the spring 38. This technique can for purposes of the present invention be referred to as “Apical Tuning” or “Tuning the Apex”. Once the desired plant size is achieved, bending may be discontinued and the apical growth tip 54 is allowed to continue vertically.

FIG. 2 shows two Fibonacci Spirals in a mirrored position 13 with tiling squares. This arrangement of the Fibonacci Spirals provides the mathematical basis for the dimensions for the spring-shaped frame 38 whether scaled up or down in size. Points A-I 16 are points of reference to be used in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 shows the Fibonacci Spirals with the tiling squares removed. The arrows 18 show the direction of the spirals' expansion and contraction and that they are continuous from center point 20 to center point 22.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the Fibonacci Spirals with a pitch applied. The arrows 18 show the direction of spiral expansion and contraction. Beginning with the lower center point 20 the Fibonacci Spiral 26 expands until it crosses the center line 24 at point E 16a. The Fibonacci Spiral 28 then contracts the same or approximately the same number of turns before ending at the upper center point 22. The pitch applied in the example in FIG. 4 is 30° or 33%, though other pitches may be applied, depending for example on the type of plant. It should be noted that FIG. 4 is 2-dimensional and therefore does not describe the depth of the spirals' arcs 15, shortening the distance between points A-I 16, having the effect of increasing the appearance of the applied pitch.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 shows a spring-shaped frame 38. As shown, the spring-shaped frame 38 includes upper and lower Fibonacci Spiral portions 26 and 28 that correspond to the configuration of the Fibonacci segments shown back in FIG. 4. The frame 38 is suitably constructed of bent wire, though other materials may be used, such as extruded plastic, composites, wood, bamboo, or tubing, for example. Furthermore, while the frame may be in the form of a self-supporting coil as shown, it will be understood that some embodiments may include spokes, struts, webs, and other forms of internal and/or external structure as well.

In FIG. 5 The spring-shaped frame 38 is shown attached to an angled support stake or rod 30 that parallels/passes alongside the attachment points 32, 34 at each end. The stake 30 is preferably angled between 1-89° with respect to vertical as indicated by the vertical axis 24, with an angle of about 80° being preferred to maximize utilization of light resources in many applications. The second stake 36 extends from the soil 52 generally vertically and meets at 40 the apex of the angled stake 30. Using a cable tie 44 or other connector a joint is formed at the point 40 where the second stake 36 and the angled stake 30 meet, thus forming a triangular shaped configuration 42 that provides stability and ease of use.

In accordance with a method of the present invention a plant 46 may be trained to spring 38 as follows. As can be seen in FIG. 11 a young plant is first planted in the soil or other medium. Before any training is applied a period of time is allowed to pass so that the plant 46 may become established and begin to expand its roots into the newly available soil/medium 52, in its new location/pot 48. However, setup of the spring 38 may be done at this point rather than later, which will reduce the possibility of driving a stake through the newly formed roots. The angled stake 30 is set into the soil 52 so the spring 38 will be positioned in a manner that the spring 38 and plant 46 will intersect as the plant 46 grows vertical. It is preferable to have this intersection between plant 46 and spring 38 take place as close to the soil line 50 as possible, and also as close to the center point 20 of the base of the spring 38 as possible. In so doing, care should be exercised that the stake 30 is not inserted into the root ball in order to avoid injuring the young plant 46. The spring 38 may be slid down the angled stake 30 by guiding the stake 30 through the bottom and top center points 20 and 22 of the spring 38 until the preferred distance between the soil line 50 and the bottom center point 20 of the spring 38 is reached. The spring 38 is rotated around the stake 30 until the pitch of the spring 38 is in proper relationship to the soil line 50. For example; if the pitch of the spring 38 is set at 30° then it is attached to the stake 30 so that the 30° pitch is maintained in relation to the soil line 50.

The spring 38 is then attached, using cable ties or other connectors 44, to the angled stake 30 by way of the attachment portions 32 and 34 located at the top and bottom center points 20 and 22. In the illustrated embodiment the attachment portions 32 and 34 are a continuation of the spring 38 using the same material, although separate pieces may be employed in some instances. The attachment portions 32 and 34 are angled out the top and bottom center points 20 and 22 and aligned with the angled stake 30 for accessibility, attachment and removal. The second stake 36 is positioned in the soil 52 at or near vertical and so the uppermost portion of the stake 36 intersects 40 with the uppermost portion of the angled stake 30. The second stake 36 stabilizes the position of the angled stake 30 and the spring 38. Before attaching the second stake 36 to the angled stake 30, check for proper positioning of the pitch of the spring in relation to the soil line 50.

After the plant 46 has begun to establish new roots and shoots an assessment of the plant's 46 readiness for bending is conducted. First the apical growth tip 54 is ascertained to be above the position on the spring 38 where attachment 56 and training/tuning is to begin. Bending may be carried out at a location spaced down from the tender growing tip where the stem has begun to harden but is still receptive to bending without breaking. It is when this hardened yet supple part of the stem is directly across from the selected position on the spring that the movement of bending the stem is to be carried out. As can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 16, the stem 60 is bent so that the arc of the bend is as open as possible. Sharp bends are preferably avoided as these could cause unnecessary damage to the plant 46. The arc of the bend may be from the soil line 50 to the position on the spring 38 where training/‘apical tuning’ is to begin. Using a form of wire, clip, string 56 or other connector the hardened/supple portion of the plant 46 is tied down/attached 56 to the spring 38. Again it is preferable to leave the fragile growing tip 54 alone and that it not be tied down to the spring 38.

The plant 46 is then observed as it reorients to its new position so that the apical growing tip 54 begins to grow vertical 64 again due to the effects phototropism and gravitropism. This new position overcomes the apical dominance of the apical growing tip 54 and the effect of auxin on the axillary shoots 58 is diminished while the increased exposure to light enhances axillary shoot 58 growth, and thus the axillary shoots 58 turn vertical 64 as well. Axillary shoots 58 may be thinned out 62 as shown in FIG. 16, or left alone as determined/decided by the grower. Subsequently as shown in FIG. 13, the apical growth tip 54 (what was the original apical shoot) is attached further up the arc of spring 38. Readiness for bending is again assessed in the manner described above, and another bend is then applied to appropriate spot in the stem. The second bend, training the plant 46 up the arc and pitch of the spring 38, continues to overcome apical dominance and exposes new axillary shoots 58 to light, thus enhancing their growth as can be seen in FIGS. 14-15. A sequence of additional bends are applied to the original apical shoot 54, in the same manner up the arc of the spring 38, continually overcoming apical dominance and exposing more axillary shoots 58 to light. Finally the original apical shoot 54 may be allowed to continue its vertical growth when the desired number of evenly proportioned branches and shoots has been obtained and apical dominance is sufficiently overcome.

The above steps for training the apical tip can be applied to any desired stage in the life cycle of the plant (e.g. flowering and fruiting) and to any growing tip on the plant that may benefit from training to overcome apical dominance. Springs 38 of varying scale/dimension/pitch, while maintaining the Fibonacci/Golden Spiral pattern, can be applied to a wide range of growing situations where apical dominance is of concern.

The method steps described above can be carried out rapidly with minimal labor, and require very little training to understand and perform. The system is therefore well suited to use by a large-scale commercial growing facility having multiple employees. The training of the plant can maximize utilization of artificial light and other resources supporting growth of the plants and consequently reduce costs as compared with traditional growing techniques. Furthermore, the spring-shaped support of the invention is exceptionally economical to fabricate and when compressed can be transported/stored compactly in large numbers, contributing to low cost, and can be made sufficiently durable for reuse in applications where this may be desired.

It will be understood that the scope of the appended claims should not be limited by particular embodiments set forth herein, but should be construed in a manner consistent with the specification as a whole.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling apical dominance in growing plants, said apparatus comprising: a spring-shaped frame having the general shape of a double-opposed Fibonacci spiral;said spring-shaped frame extending from a first center point for a predetermined number of approximate quarter-turns and then contracting for a substantially equal number of approximate quarter-turns to a second center point so as to create substantially symmetrical and opposed spirals; anda plurality of connection points located along said opposed spirals for progressive attachment of at least one apical shoot of said plant thereto.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said spring-shaped frame is formed of a length of bent wire.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said spring-shaped frame further comprises: an attachment portion formed on at least one of said center points of said opposed spirals that attaches to a stake member that is inserted through said center point and into medium in which said plant is rooted.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said attachment portion comprises: at least one said attachment portion formed at each of said first and second center points of said opposed spirals.

5. The spring-shaped frame of claim 4, wherein said attachment portions each comprise: an end portion of said frame that is angled to engage said stake extending through said center points.

6. The spring-shaped frame of claim 3, wherein said first and second center points comprise: first and second center points that arc offset such that said stake member will be orientated at a selected angle relative to a surface of said medium when inserted therethrough.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a second stake member that supports said first stake member at said selected angle relative to said surface of said medium in a triangular relationship.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of connectors that attach the at least one spiral shoot to the spring-shaped frame at said selected locations thereon.

9. A method for controlling apical dominance in growing plants, said method comprising: providing a growing plant rooted in a medium and having an apical growth tip;positioning proximate said plant a spring-shaped frame having the general shape of a double-opposed Fibonacci spiral;said spring-shaped frame extending from a first center point for a predetermined number of approximate quarter-turns and then contracting for a substantially equal number of approximate quarter-turns to a second center point so as to create substantially symmetrical and opposed spirals, and comprising a plurality of connection points located along said opposed spirals for progressive attachment of said apical growth tip of said plant thereto;bending said apical growth tip of said plant to a first connection point on said spring-shaped frame and attaching said apical growth tip thereto using a connector;allowing said plant to continue growing so that said apical growth tip advances from said first connection point on said spring-shaped frame; andbending said advanced apical growth tip to second connection point on said spring-shaped frame and attaching said apical growth tip thereto using a connector.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: progressively bending and attaching said apical growth tip along said first and second opposed spirals of said spring-shaped frame over an extended growth cycle of said plant.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the steps of attaching said apical growth tip of said plant to said selected connection points on said spring-shaped frame comprise: bending said apical growth tip to meet said selected connection points on said spring-shaped frame at selected locations on said apical growth tip where stem tissues are sufficiently hardened to avoid damage when bent

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: orienting said spring-shaped frame to said medium so that an axis of said frame between said first and second starting points of said opposed spirals extends at a predetermined angle to a surface of said medium.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of orienting said spring-shaped frame so that said axis between said first and second starting points of said spirals extends at a predetermined angle to said surface of said medium comprises: inserting a stake member through said first and second starting points of said opposed spirals and into said medium so that said stake member extends at said predetermined angle to said surface of said medium.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said selected angle is approximately 80° to said surface of said medium.