Daniel R Rupnow

US Patent:

56111720, Mar 18, 1997

Filed:

Jan 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/369306

Inventors:

Thomas F. Dugan - Perry OH
Daniel R. Rupnow - Wickliffe OH
Brian J. Sroub - Shaker Heights OH

Assignee:

Agripak, Inc. - Pepper Pike OH

International Classification:

A01G 3100

US Classification:

47 101

Abstract:

An apparatus for the efficient treatment of a live plant is provided. In particular, the apparatus can be used to treat a live plant before being packaged in a sealed container in which the plant can live without any of the care or maintenance that live plants normally require. The apparatus comprises a substantially sealed pressure vessel, a vacuum system, and a root treatment system. The substantially sealed pressure vessel receives the container having the rooting medium and the roots of the live plant maintained therein. The container also has a runoff opening therein. The vacuum system, which is connected to the pressure vessel, draws air through the pressure vessel and live plant and thereby removes a predetermined amount of fluid from the rooting medium via the runoff opening. The root treatment system then adds a predetermined amount of a root treatment solution to the rooting medium.