Plant Enclosure with Deflector for Wind and Frost Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Palms and other broadleaf evergreen ornamentals are vulnerable to winter damage from cold temperatures and wind stress, with mulching providing limited protection against temperature and wind stress, and failing to exclude precipitation from crown cavities, leading to bud/crown rot disease.
Innovation Solution
The use of an enclosure with an open top and bottom, anchored by elongated legs, combined with a precipitation member to deflect water and provide wind protection, effectively increasing the plant's hardiness zone equivalents by 0.5 to 2.0 during adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heavy mulching is used to protect plants from winter cold, then temperature stress to roots and lower parts is reduced, but wind stress blows the protective mulch layer away and tissues above the mulch line remain exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is divided into separate functional components: the enclosure structure provides wind and temperature protection, while the mulch layer provides insulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively without being compromised by wind stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure acts as an intermediary structure between the plant and the harsh winter environment. It mediates the harmful effects of wind and temperature by creating a protective barrier, while allowing the mulch to continue providing thermal insulation to the root zone.
2Temperature
If mulching is used to protect plants from cold, then root temperature stress is reduced, but precipitation can still collect in crown cavities causing bud/crown rot disease
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor (precipitation) is extracted from the crown cavity environment by the enclosure structure. The enclosure prevents precipitation from entering and accumulating in the crown cavity, thereby eliminating the condition that leads to bud/crown rot disease while maintaining the beneficial mulch layer for root protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure converts the potentially harmful accumulation of precipitation into a beneficial exclusion of precipitation. By preventing water from entering the crown cavity, the system transforms what would be a disease-promoting condition into a protective measure that prevents rot.
3Reliability
If an enclosure is placed around the plant to provide wind and temperature protection, then plant hardiness is increased, but the enclosure must be anchored securely to remain effective during adverse conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure provides localized protection directly at the plant site, with anchoring elements positioned at specific locations to maximize stability. The anchoring system is designed with local quality in mind, using appropriate anchoring methods for the specific ground conditions and plant size to ensure reliability without excessive complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces foliar damage, spear loss, and mortality in plants by maintaining a protective environment around the plant, preventing frost deposition and promoting healthier winter survival, as demonstrated by improved performance in experimental settings compared to traditional mulching methods.
Implementation Method 1
The precipitation member is fastened to the at least one elongated leg and disposed such that water is deflected from the interior of the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
Heavy mulching reduces temperature stress to roots and lower parts of the plant shoot tissues
Implementation Method 3
The foliage of palms and other broadleaf evergreen ornamentals can be damaged or killed during winter by a combination of cold temperatures and wind stress
Data Source
AI summary
Plant protection devices, kits, and methods of protecting plants during adverse conditions are provided. The plant protection devices can have a enclosure and/or a precipitation member assembly. The plant protection devices can provide wind protection, mulch retention, and precipitation deflection.