Plant pot for orchid cultivation

Abstract

Plant pot (1) made of thin-walled plastic, • for the cultivation of plants, especially orchids, • with a profiled pot base (3) with at least one bottom hole (14, 15) for irrigation and / or drainage as well as ventilation, and • with a surrounding pot wall (2) widening from the pot base (3) to a pot rim (4), • wherein the pot wall (2) has a profiling (6) consisting of several vertical indentations and / or protrusions (7) distributed over the circumference, characterized in that • that a lower wall section (8) adjacent to the pot base (3) has no profiling, • that the transition from the pot base (3) to the pot wall (2) is rounded with a radius greater than or equal to 3 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm, and • that the at least one bottom hole (14, 15) is surrounded by an edge web (17) which is hollow on the underside.

Description

The present invention relates to a plant pot for the cultivation of plants, in particular orchids, according to the preamble of claim 1.Phalaenopsis orchids are epiphytic shadows that supply via their aerial roots nutrients and water from a moist environment. They are usually cultivated in coarse substrates of bark and mulch constituents, which allows aeration of the roots and, after watering, rapid outflow of excess water from the root region. Plant pots have proven to be well rooted which have a profiled side wall with a plurality of vertical indentations and / or indentations distributed over the circumference. The profiling creates free spaces for better ventilation and at the same time prevents the air roots from growing round.NL 2018372 B1 discloses a plant pot which has indentations in the pot wall running vertically through to the ground, on which indentations a substrate plug can be supported, as a result of which a space is formed between the side wall and the plug, in which the roots grow and can absorb water and nutrients from moist air.The indentations running through to the ground make it difficult to convey the plant pots by machine, in particular to perform their exact clocking and / or positioning, when plant pots strike with their pot walls against barriers, it being possible for the barriers to enter the indentations and for the respective transfer position then not to be reached exactly. Another known problem is that the roots, which grow guided through the profiling as far as the bottom of the pot, strike the pot bottom and push the root ball upwards out of the plant pot during further growth.It is an object of the invention to provide a plant pot for orchid cultivation which can be produced by means of mass-produced industrial products and used in highly mechanically modified horticultural processes.The object is achieved by a plant pot according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be taken from the dependent claims referenced back to this claim and from the following description of advantages and figures.According to the invention, it is provided that a lower wall section adjoining the pot base has no profile, and that the transition from the pot base to the pot wall is rounded with a radius greater than or equal to 3 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm.The profiling above the lower wall section, consisting of vertical indentations and / or bulges, prevents a round growth of the air roots. The air roots are directed vertically downwards on their general path in the direction of light and moisture, wherein a permanently slightly moist medium is present above all in the lower part of the plant pot. The profiling itself ensures sufficiently good ventilation of the root ball. The root growth is not further directed or limited in the lower, profile-free wall section, so that the roots can continue to grow unimpeded and in particular in any direction. The clearly pronounced curvature in the transition from the pot wall to the pot base smoothly guides the roots to the center of the pot. The roots do not perpendicularly strike the pot base and the root ball is not pushed out of the plant pot.The invention is based on the finding that in orchid cultivation, a round growth of the roots of air must be impeded at least in the upper pot region, while in the lower pot region, a better rooting can be promoted by fewer barriers in the circumferential direction and smoothly rounded transitions to the pot bottom. The invention uses this finding to design the plant pot with a view to cost-effective mass production of the plant pot and its use in highly mechanics horticultural processes.Thus, the lower wall section, which does not have any profiling, can be printed or labelled more easily in order to mark the plant in the plant pot. The plant pot is also better suited for transport on conveyor belts, in particular on so-called clicker tracks, on which plant pots conveyed one behind the other are held at a certain distance from one another by locks that can be pivoted in laterally and abut on the lower wall section, so that a plurality of plant pots can be transferred simultaneously to grid tables by grippers. The plant pots rounded in the transition from the pot base to the pot wall can also be more easily moved onto grid tables on which the plant tables stand during the cultivation.The plant pot can be round, square, rectangular or generally polygonal in cross section, or can also have a cross-sectional profile which changes continuously from round to polygonal or vice versa from the base to the edge. A round plant pot is generally frustoconical in shape. A rectangular shape is generally truncated pyramid shape, wherein for optimum root growth the transitions between the respective sides of the wall are correspondingly strongly rounded.The plant pot can be produced from plastic with a generally thin wall thickness by injection molding, preferably by thermoforming. The plastic is selected from the group of thermoplastics which have a rigid material behavior, such as polypropylene, for example, so that the plant pot remains dimensionally stable and dimensionally stable and in particular ensures satisfactory aeration of the plants, above all at the end of the cultivation phase in which a high internal pressure acts on the plant pot as a result of the root growth.In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the indentations and / or bulges have a rounded and / or chamfer at the lower end facing the pot base. The indentations and / or bulges do not end with a sharp shoulder on which the downwardly growing roots would otherwise abut. The rounding and / or chamfering gently deflects the roots into the interior of the pot. The plant pot can also be produced more easily by thermoforming or injection molding, especially if demolding is concerned.Preferably, the chamfer runs out in the profile-free wall section.In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the chamfer extends substantially over the entire height of the indentations and / or bulges, such that, for example, the inclination of the indentations is less than the general inclination of the side wall. The profiling is thus particularly pronounced in the upper region, where it is particularly important to guide the roots in order to prevent them from growing round. The depth of the profiling in the upper wall region is at least 3 mm, preferably at least 4 mm.In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the chamfer provided at the indentations at the lower end is formed without any undercuts in the longitudinal direction of the pot. The plant pot can be produced very well by the thermoforming process. There is no forced deformation in the area of the profiling, which can lead to undesired shape deviations if the plant pots are still warm due to the production process.In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the indentations and / or bulges have an insertion bevel at the upper end facing the pot edge. Thanks to the insertion bevel, the plant pots can be inserted perfectly into one another and stacked in a space-saving manner for transport and storage. Plant pots stacked or underfloded automatically correct their rotational position relative to the other plant pot, so that the indentations and / or bulges of the plant pots engage in alignment with one another. The tapering profile forms funnel-shaped inlets for roots which possibly grow at the top at the edge, through which the roots are guided along the indentations and bulges into the slightly moist medium in the pot base and grow round, not resting on the end shoulder of the indentations and / or bulges. The round growth is also minimized in that the pot wall above the profiling is preferably designed without steps, except for an upper stacking edge.In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one bottom hole is surrounded by a hollow edge web on the underside. The edge web prevents the roots from growing too easily out of the plant pot through the at least one bottom hole and possibly becoming entangled on the lattice tables. The hollow edge web on the underside can be produced by the thermal method and not only stabilizes the pot base, but also has rounded transitions, which less impair the root growth. In the bottom of the plant pot, a water reservoir of at least minimal height is formed by the edge web surrounded by the bottom hole. After an irrigation and dehydration cycle, a small amount of water remains in the plant pot to maintain the moist environment in the lower pot area.In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the pot base comprises a central dome which is connected to at least one channel leading out on the edge side. The frustoconical elevation supports the relatively small starting root ball and provides space for rooting in the lower pot region, wherein the at least one channel leading out on the edge side forms a barrier in the circumferential direction, which deflects the roots and brings about an overall greater rooting. The at least one bottom hole is arranged on the dome, preferably in an inclined wall of the dome, so that its lowermost edge section runs close to the lower installation plane and enables dewatering to be as deep as possible. Preferably, a plurality of bottom holes are provided distributed over the circumference of the dome and, in addition, a central bottom hole is provided in the cover of the dome.In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that at least one receptacle for a support rod is formed in a bottom region that is elevated relative to the lower installation plane. The riser of an orchids pulled up in the plant pot can be supported by a rod which is to be inserted into the plant pot. However, in the loose substrate used in the cultivation of orchids, the rod cannot be stably fixed. By receiving it in the pot base, better fixing of the rod can be achieved. The base region preferably has a guide surface, which is preferably of funnel-shaped design, for locating the receptacle. During insertion, the rod end is guided via the guide surface to the respective receptacle. This considerably facilitates the locating.Further preferably, the rod receptacle has at least one slot in a strut open on the top side. The slot-shaped receptacle widens on the inserted rod, so that the rod is held clamped in the pot base with a corresponding holding force. The strut open on the top side represents an additional guide compared to the clamping points, which can additionally fix the rod and hold it in an upright position. In order to be able to insert the rod quickly and easily, a plurality of base regions can be provided with in each case a plurality of slots spaced apart parallel to one another.Further preferably, the base region with the rod receptacle is bounded at least in sections by an edge web which is hollow on the underside, so that the air roots do not grow out of the plant pot as easily through a rod receptacle which is designed, for example, as a base hole.Further advantages and details of the invention can be seen from the following description of the figures. Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiments described below can also be combined in combination with exemplary embodiments described above and the features of the independent claims and any further claims to form articles according to the invention. If appropriate, functionally equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals. They show FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a plant pot according to the invention in a perspective side view; FIG. 2 shows a further view of the plant pot from FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 shows a perspective view into the interior of the pot of a second embodiment of a plant pot according to the invention; FIG. 4 shows an external view of the pot base of the plant pot from FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view into the interior of the pot of a third embodiment of a plant pot according to the invention; FIG. 6 shows an external view of the pot base of the plant pot from FIG. 5.The plant pot 1 shown in FIG. 1 is thermoformed and stamped from a thin plastic film. Due to the production process, it has the shape of a cup with a simple, continuous, unbranched pot wall 2 in generally frustoconical form and a pot base 3 with profiling and holes 14, 15 for stiffening, treating and dewatering and venting. The upwardly widening shape makes it possible to nest identical plant pots into one another and thus stack them in a space-saving manner, a stacking stand being defined by a stacking edge 5 integrated in the pot edge 4.The plant pot 1 is designed for the cultivation of orchids. Formed in its pot wall 2 is a profiling 6 comprising a plurality of vertical indentations 7 distributed over the circumference, which form ribs in the interior of the pot and grooves between them, in which the air roots of the orchids are guided in their growth to the pot base, where a moist medium is present, from which the air roots can absorb nutrients and water. In particular, the indentations 7 prevent the roots of air from growing round.The indentations 7 do not extend over the entire height of the pot wall 2, but instead allow upper and lower wall sections 8, 9 to be profile-free or smooth. The upper end of the indentations 7 facing the pot edge 4 is provided with an insertion bevel 10 in the form of a tapering profile. Thanks to the insertion slope 10, identical plant pots can be inserted more easily into one another and stacked in a space-saving manner for transport and storage. Plant pots stacked or underfloded automatically correct their rotational position relative to the other plant pot, so that the indentations 7 engage in alignment with one another.The indentations 7 about 6 mm wide on average are also formed in such a way that they have the greatest depth of about 4 mm at the upper end and are formed to be continuously shallower towards the lower end facing the pot base 3 and finally terminate in the profile-free lower wall section 8. The indentations 7 thus have a lower inclination compared to the inclined pot wall 2 or they are beveled over their entire height and are also formed without undercuts, which benefits production by the thermoforming process.The lower wall section 8 which is about 20 mm high and is profile-free is provided with a rounded portion of about 5 mm in the transition to the pot base 3. In the wall of a frustoconical dome 12 of about 25 mm height, which is arranged centrally in the pot base 3, a plurality of base holes 14 are provided distributed over the circumference, and additionally a central base hole 15 in the cover of the dome 12. The edge webs 16 also retain a small amount of water in the lowermost floor regions after watering, so that a moist medium can be maintained for a longer time.The dome 12 is connected to two channels 13 leading out on the edge for treating and removing water and also ventilating. The channels 13 form barriers on the inside of the pot base 3 for roots growing round in the circumferential direction of the plant pot 1, which are deflected thereby and thereby root more strongly with each other.In the second embodiment of the plant pot shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of floor regions elevated relative to the installation plane are provided in the pot floor 3, in which floor regions rod receptacles 17 for support rods to be inserted are perforated. The bottom areas are designed as funnel-shaped guide surfaces 18 and are provided with edge webs 19 which facilitate finding the rod receptacles 17.In the third embodiment of the plant pot shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the respective base regions are provided with a plurality of elongated rod receptacles 20 spaced apart parallel to one another, which are slotted in upwardly open struts.List of reference characters1 Plant pot 2 Pot wall 3 Pot base 4 Pot edge 5 Stack edge 6 Profiling 7 Indentations 8 Profile-free lower wall section 9 Profile-free upper wall section 10 Insertion bevel 11 Rounding 12 Dome 13 Channel 14 Base hole 15 Base hole 16 Edge web 17 Perforated rod receptacle 18 Guide surface 19 Edge web 20 Slotted rod receptacleReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedNL 2018372 B1

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Claims

Plant pot (1) made of thin-walled plastic, • for the cultivation of plants, in particular orchids, • having a profiled pot base (3) with at least one base hole (14, 15) for treating and / or dewatering and also ventilating, and • having a circumferential pot wall (2) widening from the pot base (3) to a pot edge (4), • wherein the pot wall (2) has a profile (6) made of a plurality of vertical indentations and / or bulges (7) distributed over the circumference, characterized • in that a lower wall section (8) adjoining the pot base (3) has no profile, • in that the transition from the pot base (3) to the pot wall (2) is rounded with a radius greater than or equal to 3 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm, and • in that the at least one base hole (14, 15) is surrounded by a hollow edge web (17) on the underside.Plant pot according to claim 1, characterised in that the indentations and / or bulges (7) have a rounded and / or chamfer at the lower end facing the pot base (3).Plant pot according to claim 2, characterised in that the bevel runs out in the profile-free wall section (8).Plant pot according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the bevel extends substantially over the entire height of the indentations and / or bulges (7).Plant pot according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the chamfer provided at indentations (7) at the lower end is formed without any undercuts in the pot longitudinal direction.Plant pot according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the indentations and / or bulges (7) have an insertion bevel (10) at the upper end facing the pot edge (4).Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the pot base (3) comprises a central dome (12) which is connected to at least one channel (13) leading out on the edge side.Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least one receptacle (17, 20) for a support rod is formed in a base region which is elevated relative to the lower installation plane.Plant pot according to claim 8, characterised in that the base region has a preferably funnel-shaped guide surface (18) for locating the receptacle.Plant pot according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the receptacle has at least one slot (20) in a strut open on the upper side.Plant pot according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the base region with the receptacle is bounded at least in sections by an edge web (19) which is hollow on the underside.

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