Multi-piece flower bulb container

Abstract

To provide a multi-piece flower bulb container having interlocking top and bottom pieces for retaining a flower bulb, where the interlocking components allow quick connection to facilitate a releasable, watertight connection.SOLUTION: A top piece defines a central top opening and a second chamber portion, and a bottom piece defines a first chamber portion and a reservoir. When joined to form a unitary container, the first and second chamber portions enclose the flower bulb, the reservoir is configured to allow roots of the bulb to propagate therein, and a resilient member positioned therein forces the bulb upwards allowing the uppermost part of the bulb and the growing flower to extend through the central top opening of the top piece. The multi-piece flower bulb container is capable of holding flower bulbs of various shapes and sizes to create a consistent aesthetic appeal while maintaining a stable environment for a growing flower bulb.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosure of this specification relates to the field of horticulture, and more specifically, to methods and systems for cultivating and presenting flower bulbs. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a hydroponic cultivation method for specific flower bulbs such as amaryllis, as well as an apparatus for improving the visual appeal of flower bulbs without using a soil substrate or wax coating.

Background Art

[0002] Specific flower bulbs, particularly amaryllis, have conventionally been sold individually in vases or containers filled with a predetermined amount of soil. The soil is intended to hold nutrient fluids such as water and to maintain the flower bulb in an upright position, especially during growth, transportation, and display. The purpose of the container is not only to hold the bulb and soil within the cavity of the container, but also to provide a specific aesthetic element to this combination. This method of cultivating and presenting flowers has been practiced for decades. However, in recent years, there has been an increasing interest in hydroponics, mainly due to the reduction of required resources.

[0003] To provide maximum visibility of the flower bulb and all its components (i.e., roots and flowers) to consumers, the soil can be removed and replaced with a non-soil substrate. In some embodiments, rocks, sand, peat moss, clay, and other similar non-soil substrates are generally used to support the flower as it grows. Due to the unique anatomical structure of amaryllis bulbs, they can be immersed in a wax material such that the wax dries to form a shell around the amaryllis. To maintain the bulb upright, the lower portion of the wax-treated bulb includes a base component such as a base or pedestal component. To wax an amaryllis, first, the root system of the amaryllis must be removed so that the lower portion of the amaryllis bulb is substantially flat. Next, a balloon-type sleeve covers the outside of the bulb so that the hot wax does not damage the capsule portion of the flower bulb. Finally, the root system is cut, and using the sleeve on the amaryllis, the amaryllis is then immersed in wax, left to cool, and hardened. This is a time-consuming process that requires a great deal of manual labor due to the irregularity of the size and shape of the amaryllis bulb, ultimately slightly damaging the bulb and affecting its growth. Further, removing the root system is not ideal.

[0004] Finally, in the case of certain flower bulbs such as amaryllis, as the flower bulb grows, the bulb portion often shrinks as the flower bulb consumes the nutrients stored within the bulb portion of the flower bulb. This shrinkage often reduces the aesthetic appeal of the bulb-container combination because the container appears too large and the bulb portion appears blurred. Further, in the case of wax-treated embodiments, it is not possible to effectively supply nutrient fluid to the root portion of the flower bulb, creating a poor growing environment.

[0005] Accordingly, in view of the problems and drawbacks associated with prior art devices, the present disclosure was conceived, and one of its objectives is to provide a flower bulb container that can hold an amaryllis bulb without damaging the bulb.

[0006] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a container for holding an amaryllis that creates an ideal environment for the amaryllis to grow and allows the root portion to receive a nutrient fluid.

[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a flower bulb container that can hold amaryllis bulbs of various shapes and sizes.

[0008] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a container for holding a flower bulb having a watertight lower portion, an upper portion having an upper opening, and an elastic member disposed between the lower piece of the container and the root portion of the flower bulb.

[0009] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a flower bulb container that provides a novel method of delivering a nutrient fluid to the root portion of a flower bulb, thereby promoting growth and promoting more vibrant flower growth.

[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a flower bulb container that is easy to manufacture and convenient to use.

[0011] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a flower bulb container that creates a stable environment for a flower bulb and prevents the flower bulb from tipping over when the container is placed on a flat surface.

[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a multi-piece flower bulb container that biases the flower bulb upward within the container to remove the gap between the uppermost peripheral edge of the container and the neck portion of the flower bulb so that the neck of the flower bulb remains snug when emerging from the upper opening.

[0013] Various other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the more detailed description is set forth below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The foregoing and other objects are achieved by providing a container for holding a flower bulb, the container comprising an upper piece and a lower piece. The upper piece and the lower piece are preferably capable of being connected to each other, snapped to each other, or joined to each other to form a single container. In a preferred embodiment, the lower piece comprises a base and a side wall extending from an outer edge of the base and terminating at an upper peripheral edge defining an opening. The side wall defines an inner surface and an outer surface, and the base defines an inner base surface and an outer base surface. Together, the base and the side wall define a first chamber portion and a reservoir within an internal space of the lower piece. The reservoir is defined at a bottom end of the lower piece and is configured to allow the roots of the bulb to propagate therein, hold one or more elastic members that push the bulb upward, and store nutrient components (i.e., sized, shaped, and in other ways possible). One or more inner and / or inner surfaces of the lower piece can comprise a plurality of radially extending protrusions configured to ensure proper positioning (e.g., alignment) of the bulb within the container. The protrusions ensure that the bulb is held above the reservoir, such that only the root portion of the flower bulb spills into the reservoir. The protrusions also create a gap between the inner and / or inner surface of the lower piece and the bulb portion of the flower bulb, effectively promoting air flow around the bulb portion and the root portion.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the upper piece comprises a side wall extending from a central upper opening defining an upper peripheral edge and terminating at a lower peripheral edge defining a lower peripheral opening. The upper piece side wall defines an inner surface and an outer surface. The upper piece defines a second chamber portion therein for receiving the upper portion of the flower bulb, and the central upper opening allows the top of the bulb and the growing flower to extend therethrough. The lower peripheral edge of the upper piece and the upper peripheral edge of the lower piece each comprise interlocking components that facilitate a releasable watertight connection between the lower piece and the upper piece by use of respective interlocking mechanisms such as studs and slots (i.e., bayonet connection) that allow for quick and easy connection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following describes various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The use of the term "exemplary" means an illustration or merely an example, and any reference to "the present disclosure" in this specification is not intended to limit or restrict the present disclosure to any one or more exact features or steps of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. References to "exemplary embodiments", "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "various embodiments", etc. can indicate that the embodiments of the present disclosure so described (which may be plural) can include certain features, structures, or characteristics, but it can be shown that not all embodiments necessarily include the specific features, structures, or characteristics. Further, repeated use of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an exemplary embodiment", or "in an alternative embodiment" may refer to the same embodiment in some cases, but not necessarily.

[0018] Note also that terms such as "preferably", "generally", and "typically" are not used herein to limit the scope of the present disclosure or to imply that a particular feature is important, essential, or even more important to the structure or function of the present disclosure. Rather, these terms are merely intended to emphasize alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Like numbers used herein refer to like elements throughout. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be operable, possible, and complete. Thus, the particular arrangements disclosed are intended only as examples and are not limiting with respect to the scope of the present disclosure and any equivalents thereof. Further, many embodiments such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements are implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] Although certain terms are used in this specification, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise clearly defined in this specification, such terms are intended to have their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning without conflict with what is applicable in the relevant art and without limitation to the specific embodiments described hereinafter. As used in this specification, the article "a" is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the terms "only one", "single", or similar terms are used. When used in this specification to join a list of items, the term "or" indicates at least one of the items in the list but does not exclude multiple items in the list.

[0021] Regarding the exemplary methods or processes of the present disclosure, the order and / or arrangement of the steps described herein are exemplary and not limiting. Thus, while the steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in an order or temporal arrangement, it should be understood that such steps of the processes or methods are not limited to being performed in any particular order or arrangement unless otherwise indicated. In fact, the steps in such processes or methods can generally be performed in various different orders and arrangements while still remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] Furthermore, references to advantages, benefits, unexpected results, or operability of the present disclosure are not intended as an affirmation that the present disclosure has been previously implemented or that any tests have been conducted. Similarly, unless otherwise specified, the use of verbs in the past tense (present perfect or past form) is not intended to indicate or imply that the present disclosure has been previously implemented or that any tests have been conducted.

[0023] The containers described in the present disclosure can be used in combination with flower bulbs such as amaryllis. For the purposes of the present disclosure, a flower bulb at least includes a lower root portion extending downward from a central bulb portion and an upper stem portion extending upward from the central bulb portion. The root portion extends downward from a root plate defined at the lower part of the central bulb portion. The stem portion extends upward from a neck defined at the upper part of the central bulb portion.

[0024] To better understand the present disclosure and its operation, reference is now made to the drawings, wherein FIGS. 1-11 show various orientations of a preferred embodiment of a multi-piece flower bulb container 10. The multi-piece flower bulb container 10 disclosed herein includes a lower piece 20 and an uppermost piece 60 that together form the multi-piece flower bulb container 10. The lower piece 20 is waterproof and can hold the roots of the bulb when the bulb propagates therein during growth, one or more elastic members 50 that push the bulb upward, and one or more nutrient components. The lower piece 20 includes a base 22 configured to allow the container 10 to remain upright when placed on a flat surface. The base 22 defines an inner base surface 24 and an outer base surface 26. The lower piece 20 includes a side wall 28 that extends upward from an outer edge portion 30 of the base 22 and terminates at an upper peripheral portion 32 that defines an upper peripheral opening 34. In a preferred embodiment, the upper peripheral opening 34 defines a diameter in the range of about 22 centimeters (22 cm) to 42 centimeters (42 cm). The upper peripheral portion 32 of the lower piece 20 is preferably formed with an internal groove and includes a series of interlocking mechanisms 46 therearound. The side wall 28 defines an inner surface 36 and an outer surface 38. The inner base surface 24 and the inner surface 36 of the lower piece 20 define a first chamber portion 40 and a reservoir 42. The first chamber portion 40 is located above the reservoir 42 and is in fluid communication with the reservoir 42. The first chamber portion 40 is configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and in other possible ways) to receive, hold, and support a substantial portion of a flower bulb, such as flower bulb 12, above the reservoir 42 and within the first chamber portion 40, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 11. The first chamber portion 40 preferably holds at least half of the bulb portion 16 of the flower bulb 12. In other words, when the flower bulb 12 is placed within the lower piece 20, the first chamber portion 40 is preferably substantially occupied by the bulb portion 16 of the flower bulb 12.As further described herein, the reservoir 42 can be configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise) to receive the root portion 16 of the flower bulb 12 when the roots grow and propagate, any nutrient components that can be placed therein to provide nutrients to the root portion 16 of the flower bulb 12, and / or one or more elastic members 50 for biasing the flower bulb 12 upwardly within the top piece 60.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the lower piece 20 of the multi-piece flower bulb container 10 can comprise one or more protrusions 44 disposed on the inner surface 36 of the sidewall 28, the inner base surface 24 of the base 22, or both the inner surface 36 and the inner base surface 24. The one or more protrusions 44 are preferably disposed annularly around one or more of the inner surface 36 and the inner base surface 24 of the lower piece 20 to branch the inner space of the lower piece 20 into a first chamber portion 40 and the reservoir 42. The protrusions 44 can be configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise) to support the bulb portion 16 of the flower bulb 12 such that the bulb portion 16 is substantially centered within the lower piece 20. In some embodiments, the inner surface 36 of the sidewall 28 defines the one or more protrusions 44. In some embodiments, the inner base surface 24 of the base 22 defines the one or more protrusions 44. In yet another embodiment, the one or more protrusions 44 are disposed on the inner base surface 24 of the base 22 and the inner surface 36 of the sidewall 28. The one or more protrusions 44 enhance the air flow around the bulb portion and prevent the bulb portion 16 from rotting due to excessive moisture by supporting the bulb portion 16 above the reservoir 42, promoting an ideal growth environment for the flower bulb 12 and ensuring that the flower bulb 12 remains stable for aesthetic purposes. Since the root portion of the bulb propagates downwardly by gravity, the root portion can easily access the nutrient components present within the reservoir 42.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the radius of the outer edge portion 30 of the base 22 is smaller than the upper peripheral portion 32 of the lower piece 20. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the side wall 28 first extends substantially vertically from the outer edge portion 30 over a predetermined distance D to form a pedestal. Then, at a specific point (i.e., approximating the predetermined distance D), the side wall 28 extends substantially convexly upward to the upper peripheral portion 32 to form a bowl-shaped portion or a first chamber portion 40, curving outwardly. The pedestal portion or reservoir 42 raises the first chamber portion 40 and has a volume smaller than the volume of the first chamber portion 40. In a preferred embodiment, the radius of the uppermost peripheral portion 68 is smaller than the lower peripheral portion 62 of the uppermost piece 60. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the side wall 66 first extends substantially convexly downward from the uppermost peripheral portion 68 to the lower peripheral portion 62 to form a bowl-shaped portion or a second chamber portion 76, curving outwardly. The second chamber portion 76 of the uppermost piece 60 fits with the first chamber portion 40 of the lower piece 20 to form a container 10 having a valve-shaped chamber for receiving and holding a flower bulb such as the bulb 12 therein.

[0027] After the flower bulb 12 is placed within the lower piece 20 of the container 10, the uppermost piece 60 joins the lower piece 20 to form a single container 10 having a smooth outer surface for aesthetic appeal. In other embodiments, the outer surface can include aesthetic features that do not create a smooth outer surface (i.e., depressions or grooves). The uppermost piece 60 includes a lower peripheral portion 62 that defines a lower peripheral opening 64, and a sidewall 66 that extends upwardly from the lower peripheral portion 62 to an uppermost peripheral portion 68 that defines an upper central opening 70. The lower peripheral portion 62 of the uppermost piece 60 is preferably formed with an internal ridge having a series of interlocking mechanisms 78 therearound for mating with the interlocking mechanism 46 on the upper peripheral portion 32 of the lower piece 20. The upper central opening 70 is configured (sized, shaped, or otherwise) to allow the stem 18 of the flower bulb 12 to extend therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the upper central opening 70 defines a diameter in the range of about 2 centimeters (2 cm) to 6 centimeters (6 cm). The sidewall 66 of the uppermost piece 60 defines an inner surface 72 and an outer surface 74, and the internal space of the uppermost piece 60 defines a second chamber portion 76. The first chamber portion 40 and the second chamber portion 76 are configured (sized, shaped, or otherwise) such that when the flower bulb 12 is placed within the container 10, unwanted movement of the flower bulb 12 within the container 10 is prevented and is substantially occupied by the bulb portion 16. The uppermost piece 60 may be configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise) to releasably join with the lower piece 20 to form the container 10. In a preferred embodiment, the lower peripheral portion 62 of the uppermost piece 60 and the upper peripheral portion 32 of the lower piece 20 are complementary, such that the uppermost piece 60 and the lower piece 20 can form a substantially watertight seal. In a preferred embodiment, the upper peripheral portion 32 of the lower piece 20 includes an interlocking mechanism 46 such as a slot that mates with and releasably joins with an interlocking mechanism 78 such as a stud provided on the lower peripheral portion 62 of the uppermost piece 60. With the uppermost piece 60 releasably joined to the lower piece 20, the flower bulb 12 is essentially captured and remains in an upright orientation throughout growth, transport, and display.The flower bulb 12 is held in a stable position and is prevented from falling from the container 10 when the top piece 60 joins the bottom piece 20.

[0028] One or more protrusions 44 can facilitate the air flow within the first chamber portion 40 and the reservoir 42. When the flower bulb 12 is placed within the bottom piece 20, the bulb portion 16 of the flower bulb 12 abuts against the protrusions 44, which eases the slight gap between the inner surface 36 and the bulb portion 16 of the flower bulb 12 and enables the air flow around the bulb portion 16 to the root portion 14 of the flower bulb 12 within the reservoir 42. The air flow to the reservoir 42 increases the amount of air circulation to the root portion 14 and the nutrient components placed within the reservoir 42, effectively promoting the healthy growth of the flower bulb 12. The protrusions 44 are configured to pass through the flower bulb 12 such that the stem 18 of the flower bulb 12 can grow centrally through the upper central opening 70. In a preferred embodiment, the laterally extending protrusions 44 preferably have a surface 48 that funnels the bulb within the bottom piece 20 to the center and holds the bulb 12 above the reservoir 42. The surface(s) 48, which function as a support area for the bulb portion 16, can be located on a flat surface or a parabolic surface to ensure a uniform weight distribution, improve bulb stability, and contribute to the safety of the bulb within the container 10. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the preferred bottom piece 20 includes five equally spaced protrusions 44, each defining a support surface 48, and the five support surfaces 48 are defined on a parabolic surface.

[0029] As shown in the figure, the container 10 can include one or more elastic members 50 disposed within the reservoir 42 of the lower piece 20. The elastic members 50 can include, but are not limited to, any component that can bias the flower bulb 12 upward, such as springs, sponges, foams, and water-absorbing materials, and can lift the bulb portion 16 above the reservoir 42 so that the reservoir 42 is not occupied by the bulb portion 16 of the flower bulb 12. The elastic member 50 is disposed within the reservoir 42 and configured to engage the bottom end of the bulb portion 16 to bias the flower bulb 12 upward (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise) so as to bias the flower bulb 12 upward. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more elastic members 50 comprise spring components made of a material suitable for positioning in a fluid solution (i.e., water). In other embodiments, the elastic member 50 may be a foam or sponge component made of a material that can bias the flower bulb upward while holding and storing a predetermined amount of nutrient fluid.

[0030] The bulbs of certain flowers, such as amaryllis, shrink during growth as a result of consuming the nutrients stored within the bulb, and as a result, the container often appears too large, detracting from the aesthetic appeal of the flower bulb 12. Biasing the flower bulb 12 upward within the container 10 enhances the aesthetic appeal of the flower bulb 12 by essentially eliminating any gap between the uppermost peripheral portion 68 of the flower bulb 12 and the bulb portion 16. Stated another way, the elastic member 50 pushes the flower bulb 12 upward within the container 10 such that the bulb portion remains in close contact with the inner surface 72 of the uppermost piece 60. The elastic member 50 enables the neck of the bulb portion 1 to always be maintained in a predetermined position relative to the inner surface of the uppermost piece 60 even when the bulb portion 16 shrinks over time. If the elastic member 50 is not disposed within the reservoir 42, a gap may form between the bulb portion 16 and the inner surface 72 of the uppermost piece 60 as the bulb shrinks during growth. In a preferred embodiment, the container 10 includes an elastic member 50 to assist in holding the bulb 12 upward during growth, such that the upper portion of the bulb 12 is visible within the upper central opening 70, preferably relative to the uppermost peripheral portion 68 of the uppermost piece 60. Although shown herein as a conventional spring, the elastic member 50 can take the shape of any helical compression form, such as conical, hourglass, barrel, variable or constant pitch, and is preferably formed from a material that includes a protective coating to prevent rusting or to prevent rust in a humid environment.

[0031] The preferred embodiment includes a nutrient component 80 that is placed within the reservoir 42 and provides a source of nutrients for the flower bulb 12. In other embodiments (not shown), the reservoir does not include the nutrient component(s) 80. The nutrient component 80 can include water, plant growth regulators, peat pellets, and any other components that provide nutrients to the root portion. As roots propagate within the reservoir 42, the roots grow around and soak in the reservoir, absorbing the nutrients necessary for healthy growth. When the nutrient component(s) 80 is completely consumed by the root portion, the flower bulb 12 is pressed downward, compressing the elastic member 50 until the root plate of the bulb portion contacts the support surface 48 of one or more protrusions 44, thereby creating a gap between the bulb portion 16 and the inner surface 72 of the uppermost piece 60 that allows fluid to pass around the bulb portion 16 and spill into the reservoir 42.

[0032] When the flower bulb reaches the end of its lifespan, the top piece 60 of the container 10 is easily releasable, such that the flower bulb 12 can be removed and replaced with another new flower bulb 12. The container 10 is environmentally friendly due to its unlimited reusability. The components of the container 10 can be manufactured using various processes such as, but not limited to, vacuum forming, additive manufacturing, or injection molding. The simplicity of the design of each component allows for various manufacturing methods and reduces the overall cost of manufacturing such containers 10. Some parts of the container 10 may include defects or artifacts such as blisters or dimples to assist in the removal of specific components from the injection molding tool. In a preferred embodiment, these defects or artifacts are provided on the outer surface 26 of the base 22, such that they are hidden from view. The selection of appropriate materials is within the ability of the personality to understand that certain qualities of tensile strength or compressibility may be desirable, especially when an interlocking configuration (i.e., bayonet) is intended. The sidewalls of the container may be opaque, transparent, or translucent, depending on whether it is desirable to view the flower bulb 12 within the container 10. The transparent or translucent properties of the container 10 further allow ambient light to reach the roots, ensuring the healthy growth of strong stems and beautiful flowers, thereby enhancing their aesthetic appeal to the purchaser. The lower piece 20 is waterproof and has continuous sidewalls. In some embodiments, the top piece 60 may not be waterproof and may have discontinuous sidewalls.

[0033] The examples and illustrations provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-piece container (10) for holding flower bulbs (12), the container (10) comprising: A lower piece (20) and a top piece (60), the bottom piece (20) comprising a base (22) and a sidewall (28) extending from an outer edge (30) of the base (22) and terminating at an upper peripheral edge (32) defining an upper peripheral opening (34), the base (22) defining an inner base surface (24) and an outer base surface (26), the sidewall (28) defining an inner surface (36) and an outer surface (38), the inner base surface (24) and the inner surface (36) defining a first chamber portion (40) and a reservoir (42) below and in fluid communication with the first chamber portion (40); the top piece (60) having a lower periphery (62) defining a lower peripheral opening (64) and a sidewall (66) extending from the lower periphery (62) to a top periphery (68), the sidewall defining an upper central opening (70); the upper rim (32) and the lower rim (62) are configured to be complementary to facilitate a secure, substantially watertight connection between the bottom piece (20) and the top piece (60); A flower bulb (12) is placed within said container (10) such that a bulb portion (16) is supported above said reservoir (42).

2. The container (10) of claim 1, further comprising a resilient member (50) disposed within the reservoir (42).

3. 3. The container (10) of claim 2, wherein the resilient member (50) is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a sponge, a foam, and an absorbent material.

4. The container (10) of claim 1, further comprising one or more protrusions (44) located on an inner surface (36) of the bottom piece (20).

5. The container (10) of claim 4, wherein each of the one or more protrusions (44) defines a support surface (48), each of the support surfaces (48) being defined on a paraboloid.

6. The container (10) of claim 1, further comprising one or more protrusions (44) located on the interior base surface (24) of the bottom piece (20).

7. The container (10) of claim 1, wherein the reservoir (42) defines a reservoir volume and the first chamber portion (40) defines a chamber volume, the reservoir volume being smaller than the chamber volume.

8. The container (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the upper peripheral opening (34) defines a diameter in the range of approximately twenty-two centimeters (22 cm) to forty-two centimeters (42 cm).

9. The container (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the lower peripheral opening (62) defines a diameter in the range of approximately twenty-two centimeters (22 cm) to forty-two centimeters (42 cm).

10. The container (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the top central opening (70) defines a diameter in the range of approximately two centimeters (2 cm) to six centimeters (6 cm).

11. 2. The container (10) of claim 1, wherein the upper periphery (32) of the bottom piece (20) includes one or more interlocking components (46) and the lower periphery (62) of the top piece (60) includes one or more interlocking components (78) complementary to the interlocking components (46) of the upper periphery (32).

12. The container (10) of claim 11, wherein the one or more interlocking features (46) on the upper periphery (32) of the bottom piece (20) comprise slots.

13. The container (10) of claim 1, wherein the one or more interlocking components (78) on the lower periphery (62) of the top piece (60) comprise studs.

14. A container (10) for capturing flower bulbs (12), the container (10) comprising: A lower piece (20) and a top piece (60), the bottom piece (20) comprises a base (22) and a continuous sidewall (28) extending from an edge (30) of the base (22) and terminating in an opening (34) defining a continuous upper periphery (32), the base (22) defining an inner base surface (24) and an outer base surface (26), the continuous sidewall (28) defining an inner surface (36) and an outer surface (38), the inner base surface (24) and the inner surface (36) defining a first chamber portion (40) and a reservoir (42) below the first chamber portion (40); the top piece (60) defines a lower peripheral opening (64) that defines a lower periphery (62), the lower periphery (62) and the upper periphery (32) being concentrically configured to facilitate connection between the bottom piece (20) and the top piece (60); The one or more protrusions (44) support a substantial portion of the flower bulb (12) above the reservoir (42) and within the first chamber portion (40), thereby bifurcating the first chamber portion (40) and the reservoir (42).

15. The container (10) of claim 14, further comprising a resilient member (50) disposed within the reservoir (42).

16. 15. The container (10) of claim 14, wherein the reservoir (42) defines a reservoir volume and the first chamber portion (40) defines a chamber volume, the reservoir volume being smaller than the chamber volume.

17. A container (10) for capturing flower bulbs (12), the container (10) comprising: A lower piece (20) and a top piece (60), the bottom piece (20) comprises a base (22) and a continuous sidewall (28) extending from an edge (30) of the base (22) and terminating in an opening (34) defining a continuous upper periphery (32), the base (22) defining an inner base surface (24) and an outer base surface (26), the continuous sidewall (28) defining an inner surface (36) and an outer surface (38), the inner base surface (24) and the inner surface (36) defining a first chamber portion (40) and the reservoir (42) below the first chamber portion (40); the top piece (60) defines a lower peripheral opening (64) that defines a lower periphery (62), the lower periphery (62) and the upper periphery (32) being concentrically configured to facilitate connection between the bottom piece (20) and the top piece (60); said one or more protrusions (44) supporting a substantial portion of said flower bulb (12) above said reservoir (42) and within said first chamber portion (40), thereby diverging said first chamber portion (40) and said reservoir (42); A resilient member (50) is disposed within the reservoir (42) so as to be capable of urging the flower bulb (12) upward.

18. 18. The container (10) of claim 17, wherein the upper rim (32) includes one or more interlocking components (46) and the lower rim (62) includes one or more interlocking components (78) that are complementary to the interlocking components (46) of the upper rim (32).

19. 20. The container (10) of claim 17, wherein the reservoir contains at least one nutrient component (80) selected from the group consisting of water, plant growth regulators, peat pellets, and combinations thereof.

20. 18. The container (10) of claim 17, wherein the reservoir (42) defines a reservoir volume and the first chamber portion (40) defines a chamber volume, the reservoir volume being smaller than the chamber volume.

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