Plant training screen and apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a plant training screen 10 for controlling the growth of one or more plants, the plant training screen comprising a first surface 10a, a second surface 10b opposed to

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a plant training screen for controlling the growth of one or more plants, to a plant training apparatus comprising a plant training screen, and to a method of training at least one plant. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many plants, if left untrained, tend to grow upwardly and / or towards the best available light source. When plants are allowed to grow in this manner, the upper portions of the plant tend to block light from reaching the lower portions of the plant, thereby hampering development of the lower portions of the plant. The lower portions of untrained plants may also be more constrained and suffer from a lack of airflow, which can further hamper development. In order to mitigate these problems, it is known to arrange plant training screens comprising a mesh of wires or strings above growing plants. A screen of this type can be used to train a plant to grow outwardly beneath the screen instead of growing upwardly, which can improve access to light and free-flowing air for portions of the plant that would otherwise be shaded and constrained, thereby increasing the rate of development for those portions of the plant. A plant that is grown beneath a screen of this type can also be manipulated such that a single stem or bud grows through each aperture in the screen. Manipulating a plant to grow in this manner can lead to more uniform spacing of the stems or buds, and therefore more uniform growth and development. However, manipulating the stems or buds of a plant to grow through a screen in this manner can be laborious and time consuming, and puts additional stress on the plant. It may also be necessary to use additional restraints such as ties or clips in order to keep each stem or bud centred within its respective aperture in order to keep the spacing uniform. The present invention aims to address disadvantages of known plant training screens. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant training screen for controlling the growth of one or more plants; the plant training screen comprising a first surface, a second surface opposed to the first surface, and a plurality of apertures that extend through the screen from the first surface to the second surface thereof. Each of the apertures may be configured to receive and retain a stem or bud of a plant during use of the plant training screen. The second surface of the plant training screen may have a profiled shape including a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of channels formed between adjacent protrusions. The protrusions and channels may be configured to guide stems or buds of one or more plants towards and into the apertures and / or to encourage stems or buds of one or more plants to grow centrally within the apertures during use of the plant training screen. The first surface is preferably an upper surface and the second surface is preferably a lower surface when the plant training screen is in its normal orientation for use. The plant training screen of the present invention, when arranged above one or more plants, advantageously encourages the plant(s) to grow outwardly with a single stem or bud growing through each of the apertures, thereby promoting uniform spacing of the stems or buds within a plane. Since the protrusions and channels of the profiled second surface act to guide the stems or buds towards and into the apertures, the need for manual manipulation of the stems or buds is reduced. The protrusions and channels also encourage the stems or buds to grow centrally within their respective apertures, thereby further promoting uniform spacing and reducing or eliminating the need to use additional restraints in order to keep the stems or buds centred within their respective apertures. The plant training screen of the present invention may, for example, be used for training angiosperms which display positive phototropism, including Capsicums such as Capsicum Annuum, Salvias such as Salvia caradonna, and Coleuses. However, it will be appreciated that these are provided as non-limiting examples only, and that the plant training screen may also be used to train many other types of plants. Each of the apertures may be surrounded by a plurality of the protrusions and a plurality of the channels in alternation. In one example each of the apertures may be surrounded by six protrusions and six channels, although other numbers of protrusions and channels are also possible. Each of the apertures may have a circular shape in plan view. However, other shapes are also possible, including square, hexagonal and octagonal shapes. The apertures may be arranged in an offset grid formation (in a series of rows with each row being longitudinally offset from the rows on either side of it). However, other layouts are also possible, including a regular grid formation. The protrusions may be provided at nodes between three or more apertures. The channels may be provided at edges between adjacent apertures. The protrusions may taper inwardly in a direction towards their distal ends. The protrusions may have rounded or pointed distal ends. The channels may have curved or arcuate shapes when viewed from the side. The channels may, for example, be substantially U-shaped. The interfaces between the second surface of the plant training screen and the sidewalls of the apertures, for example along the sides of the channels, may be rounded or chamfered in order to avoid sharp edges being present on the underside of the plant training screen. The plant training screen may have an at least substantially circular shape or a polygonal shape with at least five sides in plan view. The plant training screen may, for example, have a hexagonal or octagonal shape. Forming the plant training screen with a circular shape or a polygonal shape with at least five sides may facilitate rotation of the screen (or a plant training apparatus incorporating the screen) in a densely packed growing environment. The first surface of the plant training screen may be at least substantially planar. The first surface of the plant training screen may be provided with a plurality of formations that are configured to receive and retain one or more guiding members. The formations provided on the first surface of the plant training screen may comprise a plurality of holes that are configured to receive the ends of guide wires, and may be aligned with the protrusions provided on the opposed second surface of the plant training screen. The guide wires or other guiding members, when mounted to the plant training screen, may extend outwardly (and preferably upwardly) from the first surface of the plant training screen in order to provide additional support to stems or buds of a plant during use of the plant training screen. The plant training screen may be formed of a reflective material or provided with a reflective coating. Where the plant training screen is provided with a reflective coating the reflective coating is preferably provided at least around the sidewalls of the apertures, and optionally over the entire external surface of the plant training screen. Forming the plant training screen of a reflective material or providing it with a reflective coating may promote the reflection of light within the apertures, which may encourage stems or buds of a plant to grow into and through the apertures during use of the plant training screen. The plant training screen may be formed of a transparent material. Forming the plant training screen of a transparent material may minimise the amount of light that is absorbed or reflected by the screen, thereby maximising the amount of light that is able to reach one or more plants located below the plant training screen in use. It will be appreciated that the plant training screen may in some cases be both transparent and reflective, for example where the plant training screen is formed of a transparent material and has a reflective or glossy finish. The plant training screen may be formed of a plastics material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and may be formed by a moulding process, for example injection moulding. The plant training screen preferably has a thickness of at least 3mm and / or a thickness of less than 50mm at the locations of the mid-points of the channels. In one example the plant training screen has a thickness of approximately 5mm at the locations of the mid-points of the channels. The protrusions preferably extend outwardly from the mid-points of the channels by a distance of at least 5mm and / or a distance of less than 50mm. In one example the protrusions extend outwardly from the mid-points of the channels by a distance of approximately 10mm. The thickness of the plant training screen from the first surface to the second surface thereof may be at least 10%, at least 50% or at least 100% greater at the locations of the tips of the protrusions than at the locations of the mid-points of the channels. In one example the thickness of the plant training screen is 200% greater at the locations of the tips of the protrusions than at the locations of the mid-points of the channels. Each aperture preferably has a width or diameter of at least 20mm and / or a width or diameter of less than 90mm. In one example each aperture has a width or diameter of approximately 45mm. The apertures are preferably arranged with a spacing of at least 25mm and / or a spacing of less than 100mm between the centre-points of adjacent apertures. In one example the apertures are arranged with a spacing of approximately 50mm between the centre-points of adjacent apertures. The plant training screen preferably has a width or diameter of at least 250mm and / or a width or diameter of less than 1000mm. In one example the plant training screen has a width or diameter of approximately 600mm at its widest point. The plant training screen may be provided as a discrete, pre-formed article having a pre-determined size and shape. However, in other embodiments the plant training screen may be provided in the form of a sheet or roll from which one or more discrete screens may be cut but a user. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant training apparatus comprising a plant training screen according to the first aspect of the present invention and at least one support that is configured to support the plant training screen within a growing environment. The at least one support may comprise a plurality of elongate support poles, and may be configured to support the plant training screen in a substantially horizontal configuration with the first surface of the plant training screen facing upwardly and the profiled second surface of the plant training screen facing downwardly. The plant training apparatus may further comprise a tray that is configured to support one or more plants. The tray may be coupled to the at least one support at a location below the plant training screen. The plant training apparatus may further comprise a connection member comprising at least one attachment point to which one or more ties or clips may be connected. The attachment point(s) may, for example, comprise holes that extend through a body of the connection member. Ties or clips may then be connected to the attachment point(s) of the connection member and to one or more plants growing underneath the plant training screen in order to provide support to and / or to train the plant(s). The connection member may be coupled to the at least one support at a location below the plant training screen, and above the tray (if present). The plant training apparatus may further comprise a plurality of wheels that are configured to allow the plant training apparatus to be moved during use. The wheels may be connected to the at least one support and / or to the tray, and may facilitate movement of the plant training apparatus, including rotation of the plant training apparatus, within a growing environment. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for forming a plant training apparatus, the kit comprising a plant training screen according to the first aspect of the present invention and at least one support that is configured to support the plant training screen within a growing environment. The kit may further comprise a tray that is configured to support one or more plants below the plant training screen, a connection member comprising at least one attachment point to which one or more ties or clips may be connected and / or a plurality of wheels that are configured to allow the plant training apparatus to be moved during use. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a growing environment comprising at least one plant training screen according to the first aspect of the present invention and at least one plant growing underneath or through the plant training screen. The plant training screen may form part of a plant training apparatus as described above. However, it is also possible for the plant training screen to be secured in the growing environment by another mechanism, or even to be placed directly on top of a growth medium or growing receptacle in which the at least one plant is growing. The at least one plant may comprise a plurality of stems or buds, each of which is received and retained with a respective one of the apertures of the plant training screen. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of training at least one plant, the method comprising arranging a plant training screen according to the first aspect of the present invention above the plant and allowing the plant to grow towards and through the plant training screen. The method may optionally comprise manually manipulating stems or buds of the plant in order to ensure that a single stem or bud grows through each of the apertures of the plant training screen. However, manual manipulation may not be required in all cases as the plant training screen is specifically designed to encourage plants to grow with a single stem or bud extending through each of the apertures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a plant training apparatus in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 schematically illustrate a plant training screen of the plant training apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 schematically illustrates an underside plan view of the plant training screen of Figures 2 and 3; Figures 5a to 5c schematically illustrate a portion of the plant training screen of Figures 2 to 4 in isolation, and Figures 6a to 6d schematically illustrate the plant training apparatus of Figure 1 in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 schematically illustrates a plant training apparatus 1 in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the plant training apparatus 1 comprises a plant training screen 10 that is mounted to a plurality of supports 20, a tray 30 that is mounted to the supports 20 at a location below the plant training screen 10 towards the lower ends of the supports 20, and a connection member 40 that is mounted to the supports 20 at an intermediate location between the plant training screen 10 and the tray 30. The plant training screen 10 is illustrated in a simplified form in Figure 1. However, the shape and configuration of the plant training screen 10 is shown clearly in Figures 2 to 5. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the plant training screen 10 is a generally planar component, has a hexagonal shape in plan view, and comprises a first or upper surface 10a on a first side thereof and a second or lower surface 10b on an opposed second side thereof. As also shown in Figures 2 to 4, the plant training screen 10 comprises a plurality of circular apertures 11 that extend through the plant training screen 10 from the first side to the second side thereof, each of which is configured to receive and retain a stem or bud of a plant during use of the plant training screen 10, as described in more detail below. As shown most clearly in Figure 4, the apertures 11 are arranged in an offset grid formation. In particular, the apertures 11 are arranged in a series of straight rows, with each row being longitudinally offset from the adjacent rows by a distance equal to half of the distance between the centres of adjacent apertures 11 within each row. The apertures 11 are therefore arranged in a honeycomb like arrangement, with each aperture 11 (except for the apertures 11 around the edge of the plant training screen 10) being surrounded by six other apertures 11 and six nodes where three apertures 11 meet. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10 is generally planar. However, the second surface 10b of the plant training screen 10 has a profiled shape including a plurality of protrusions 12 and a plurality of channels 13 formed between adjacent protrusions 12 that are configured to guide stems or buds of one or more plants towards and into the apertures 11 during use of the plant training screen 10. In particular, a protrusion 12 that extends outwardly from the underside of the plant training screen 10 in a direction away from the first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10 is provided at each node where three of the apertures 11 meet, and a channel 13 that extends inwardly in a direction towards the first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10 is provided at each edge between a pair of adjacent apertures 11. In this way, each aperture 11 is surrounded by six protrusions 12 and six channels 13 in alternation. As shown most clearly in the enlarged views of Figures 5a to 5c (of which Figure 5a illustrates a portion of the plant training screen 10 in isolation and Figures 5b and 5c illustrate cross-sections of the portion of the screen shown in Figure 5a), each of the protrusions 12 tapers inwardly in a direction from the first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10 towards its distal end, and terminates in a slightly rounded tip 12a. As also shown in Figures 5a to 5c, each of the channels 13 blends into the protrusions 12 between which it is located, and has a curved or arcuate shape when viewed from the side (from a direction that is perpendicular to a plane that passes through the protrusions 12 between which the channel 13 is located). In particular, each of the channels 13 has a U-shape (which is inverted when the plant training screen 10 is in its normal orientation for use), and includes an apex 13a located closest to the first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10 at a mid-point between the protrusions 12 between which it is located. The interfaces between the second surface 10b of the plant training screen 10 and the sidewalls of the apertures 11, for example along the sides of the channels 13, may be rounded or chamfered in order to avoid sharp edges being present on the underside of the plant training screen 10. In the present embodiment, each aperture 11 of the plant training screen 10 has a width or diameter of 45mm, and the apertures 11 are arranged with a spacing of 50mm between the centre-points of adjacent apertures 11. The plant training screen 10 includes twelve apertures 11 in its longest row, and therefore has a width of approximately 600mm at its widest point. The plant training screen 10 is thinnest at the locations of the mid-points of the channels 13, with a thickness of 5mm at these locations, and thickest at the locations of the tips of the protrusions 12, which extend outwardly from the mid-points of the channels by a distance of 10mm to provide a total thickness of 15mm at these locations. The plant training screen 10 is therefore 200% thicker (or three times as thick) at the locations of the tips of the protrusions 12 than at the locations of the mid-points of the channels 13. However, it will be appreciated that other dimensions may be used in other embodiments. The first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10 is provided with a plurality of small diameter holes 14 that extend inwardly into the plant training screen 10 at the locations of the protrusions 12 (but on the opposite side of the plant training screen 10). These holes 14 are configured to receive and retain the ends of guide wires 15 that, when installed, extend outwardly from the first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The plant training screen 10 is formed of a plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) using a moulding process such as injection moulding, and is provided with a reflective coating. As shown in Figure 1, the supports 20 comprise four elongate, cylindrical metal bars, each of which is provided with external threading and extends in an approximately vertical direction when the plant training apparatus 1 is fully assembled and in its normal orientation for use. The supports 20 extend through four of the apertures 11 provided in the plant training screen 10, and the plant training screen 10 is coupled to the supports 20 by nuts and washers (not shown) such that the plant training screen is held in a substantially horizontal configuration with the first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10 facing upwardly and the profiled second surface 10b of the plant training screen 10 facing downwardly. In particular, each of the supports 20 is provided with a nut that is engaged with its external threading at a location below the plant training screen 10, each of which supports a washer thereon, which in turn engages the underside of the plant training screen 10 in order to hold the plant training screen 10 up. The supports 20 may additionally be provided with further washers and nuts located above the plant training screen 10 in order to prevent the plant training screen 10 from moving upwardly relative to the supports 20. As also shown in Figure 1, the tray 30 comprises a generally planar base 31 and a sidewall 32 that extends upwardly from the base 31 around its perimeter. The base 31 of the tray 30 includes four holes 33 through which the supports 20 extend, and the tray 30 is secured with respect to the supports 20 by nuts and washers located above and below the base 31 of the tray 30. The plant training apparatus 1 is further provided with wheels or castors 34, each of which may be connected to the lower end of one of the supports 20 or directly to the base 31 of the tray 30 by one or more bolts. As also shown in Figure 1, the connection member 40 comprises a generally planar annular body 41 including four holes 42 through which the supports 20 extend. As with the tray 30, the connection member 40 is secured with respect to the supports 20 by nuts and washers located above and below the annular body 41 of the connection member 40. The connection member 40 is further provided with a series of attachment points 43 in the form of additional holes that extend through the annular body 41 of the connection member 40 adjacent to the inner edge of the annular body 41. In use, a growing receptacle such as a plant pot 35 containing a growth medium such as soil and at least one plant 100 may be arranged on the tray 30 of the plant training apparatus 1, as shown in Figure 6a. The plant(s) 100 may then be allowed to grow upwardly from the growth medium towards a light source located above the plant(s) 100. Ties or clips 45 may be connected to the attachment points 43 of the connection member 40 and to limbs of the plant(s) 100 in order to provide support to and / or to train the plant(s) 100 as they grow, as shown in Figure 6b. The ties or clips may, for example, be used to provide support to limbs of the plant(s), to inhibit upward growth of the plant(s), to encourage lateral growth of the plant(s) and / or to encourage limbs of the plant(s) to grow apart from each other. As the plant(s) 100 reach the underside of the plant training screen 10, the profiled shape of the second surface 10b of the plant training screen 10 encourages the plant(s) to grow outwardly instead of upwardly, with a single stem or bud 101 growing into and through each of the apertures 11 in the plant training screen 10, as shown in Figures 6c and 6d. The reflective coating that is applied to the plant training screen 10 also promotes the reflection of light within the apertures 11, which further encourage the stems or buds 101 to grow into and through the apertures 11. In this way the plant(s) 100 are encouraged to grow with the stems or buds 101 distributed evenly within a plane, thereby maximising the amount of light and free-flowing air that is available to each stem or bud 101. In some cases it may still be necessary for a grower to manipulate the plant(s) 100 manually in order to ensure that a single stem or bud 101 grows through each of the apertures 11 in the plant training screen 10. However, since the profiled shape of the second surface 10b of the plant training screen 10 encourages the plant(s) 100 to grow in the desired manner the need manual manipulation is reduced, and may be eliminated entirely. In addition, the profiled shape of the second surface 10b of the plant training screen 10 also encourage the stems or buds 101 to grow centrally within their respective apertures 11, thereby further promoting even spacing and reducing or eliminating the need to use additional restraints in order to keep the stems or buds 101 centred within their respective apertures 11. As the stems or buds 101 of the plant(s) 100 continue to grow upwardly through the apertures 11 of the plant training screen 10, guide wires 15 may be pushed into the holes 14 provided in the first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, in order to provide additional support to stems or buds 101 above the first surface 10a of the plant training screen 10. It may be desirable to move the plant training apparatus 1 during use, for example to move the plant training apparatus 1 to a different location within a growing environment or to rotate the plant(s) 100 contained in the plant training apparatus 1 to ensure consistent growth and development. In this case the wheels or castors 34 facilitate movement, including rotation, of the plant training apparatus 1. The hexagonal shape of the plant training screen 10 also facilitates rotation of the plant training apparatus 1 in a densely packed growing environment (compared to a plant training apparatus having a square plant training screen). It may also be desirable to change the height of the plant training screen 10 and / or the connection member 40 as the plant(s) 100 grow. This can be readily achieved by moving the nuts that are used to couple to the plant training screen 10 and the connection member 40 to the supports 20 along the external threading on the supports 20. It will be appreciated that many modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment the apertures in the plant training screen are circular in shape and are arranged in an offset grid formation, and the plant training screen is hexagonal in plan view. However, in other embodiments the apertures could be square, hexagonal or octagonal in shape; the apertures could be arranged in a regular grid formation (in a series of rows with no longitudinal offset between adjacent rows); and the plant training screen could be circular or octagonal in plan view. In the above-described embodiment, each of the apertures in the plant training screen is surrounded by six protrusions and six channels in alternation. However, in other embodiments each aperture could be surrounded by a different number of protrusions and channels, for example four protrusions and four channels. In the above-described embodiment the plant training screen is provided with a reflective coating. However, in other embodiments the plant training screen could be formed of a reflective material. In other embodiments the plant training screen could be formed of a transparent material in order to minimise the amount of light that is absorbed or reflected by the screen. In the above-described embodiment the protrusions on the underside of the plant training screen taper inwardly towards slightly rounded tips, and the channels are curved or arcuate when viewed from the side. However, in other embodiments the protrusions could have straight sides and pointed or flat tips, and the channels could have angular shapes when viewed from the side. The channels could, for example, by V-shaped instead of being U-shaped. In the above-described embodiment a growing receptacle such as a plant pot containing a growth medium such as soil is supported by the tray of the plant training apparatus. However, in other embodiments the tray could be used as a growing receptacle, with the growth medium being placed directly into the tray. In the above-described embodiment the supports of the plant training apparatus take the form of threaded bars, and the plant training screen, the tray and the connection member are each connected to the supports by bolts that are engaged with external threading on the supports. However, in other embodiments the supports need not have external threading, and the plant training screen, the tray and / or the connection member could be connected to the supports by another attachment mechanism, for example by being clipped onto the supports. In the above-described embodiment the plant training screen forms part of a plant training apparatus that further comprises a plurality of vertical supports, a tray and a connection member. However, in other embodiments the tray and / or the connection member could be omitted, or the plant training screen could be secured in a growing environment by another mechanism, or even placed directly on top of a growth medium or growing receptacle in which the at least one plant is growing. In the above-described embodiment the plant training screen is provided as a discrete, pre-formed article having a pre-determined size and shape. However, in other embodiments the plant training screen could be provided in the form of a sheet or roll from which one or more discrete screens may be cut but a user. Other modifications and variations will be apparent to the skilled person.

Claims

1. A plant training screen for controlling the growth of one or more plants; the plant training screen comprising a first surface, a second surface opposed to the first surface, and a plurality of apertures that extend through the screen from the first surface to the second surface thereof; wherein each of the apertures is configured to receive and retain a stem or bud of a plant during use of the plant training screen; wherein the second surface of the plant training screen has a profiled shape including a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of channels formed between adjacent protrusions that are configured to guide stems or buds of one or more plants towards and into the apertures and / or to encourage stems or buds of one or more plants to grow centrally within the apertures during use of the plant training screen.

2. A plant training screen according to Claim 1, wherein each of the apertures is surrounded by a plurality of the protrusions and a plurality of the channels in alternation.

3. A plant training screen according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each of the apertures has a circular shape in plan view.

4. A plant training screen according to any preceding claim, wherein the apertures are arranged in an offset grid formation.

5. A plant training screen according to any preceding claim, wherein the protrusions are provided at nodes between three or more apertures.

6. A plant training screen according to any preceding claim, wherein the channels are provided at edges between adjacent apertures.

7. A plant training screen according to any preceding claim, wherein the protrusions taper inwardly in a direction towards their distal ends.

8. A plant training screen according to any preceding claim, wherein the channels have curved or arcuate shapes when viewed from the side.

9. A plant training screen according to any preceding claim, wherein the plant training screen has an at least substantially circular shape or a polygonal shape with at least five sides in plan view.

10. A plant training screen according to any preceding claim, wherein the first surface of the plant training screen is provided with a plurality of formations that are configured to receive and retain one or more guiding members.

11. A plant training screen according to any preceding claim, wherein the plant training screen is formed of a reflective material or provided with a reflective coating.

12. A plant training apparatus comprising a plant training screen according to any preceding claim and at least one support that is configured to support the plant training screen within a growing environment.

13. A plant training apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one support is configured to support the plant training screen in a substantially horizontal configuration with the first surface of the plant training screen facing upwardly and the profiled second surface of the plant training screen facing downwardly.

14. A plant training apparatus according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the plant training apparatus further comprises a tray that is configured to support one or more plants below the plant training screen.

15. A plant training apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 14, wherein the plant training apparatus further comprises a connection member comprising at least one attachment point to which one or more ties or clips may be connected.

16. A plant training apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 15, wherein the plant training apparatus further comprises a plurality of wheels that are configured to allow the plant training apparatus to be moved during use.

17. A kit of parts for forming a plant training apparatus, the kit comprising a plant training screen according to any of Claims 1 to 11 and at least one support that is configured to support the plant training screen within a growing environment.

18. A growing environment comprising at least one plant training screen according to any of Claims 1 to 11 and at least one plant growing underneath or through the plant training screen.

19. A growing environment according to Claim 18, wherein the at least one plant comprises a plurality of stems or buds, each of which is received and retained with a respective one of the apertures of the plant training screen.

20. A method of training at least one plant, the method comprising arranging a plant training screen according to any of Claims 1 to 11 above the plant and allowing the plant to grow towards and through the plant training screen.

Images