roots. It is known that the growth of potted plants is enhanced if the container is air-permeable. The root system receives more air, and the radial roots do not deflect when they encounter the encircling wall - they simply stop growing at the boundary until the plant is placed in the ground, after which they continue to grow radially. In an air-permeable container, radial roots also develop a network of fibrous hair roots along their surfaces which enhances plant growth.

Hitherto, air-permeable plant containers, which are typically formed as woven fabric containers, have not been utilised to a great extent because of the difficulty of supporting them in a stable shape and maintaining them within a moist environment. Applications involving decorative plants have not hitherto been satisfactory for woven fabric containers because of their appearance.

A further problem which arises in horticultural applications is the efficient utilization of small areas of space for the growth of substantial quantities of plants.

Systems are available for stacking plant growth trays above one another, but they fail to address the problem of shading of lower plants by trays placed above them.

The present invention aims to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide horticultural apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use. Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become apparent.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in a method of growing plants above the ground, including:- providing an enclosure having an air-permeable side wall; placing a quantity of growth medium within said enclosure, and growing a plant within said growth medium. In a further aspect of this invention, horticultural apparatus for growing plants in accordance with the above method is disclosed, said apparatus including an open-topped enclosure comprising a tubular body formed from air-permeable material and having one end closed to form a supporting base.

Preferably, the air-permeable material is a woven textile material, although if desired other forms of air- permeable material such as perforated plastics sheet may be used. The tube may be formed by joining flat material along

a seam, but it is preferred that the tube be formed as a continuously-woven tube for strength and economy.

Preferably, the base seal is formed by sewing across the lower end of the tube, although the base seal may be formed by heat sealing or the like if desired. It is also preferred that the seal end be sewn with re-entrant side panels folded into the seal in the form known as a "block bottom" whereby the enclosure may be packed flat for storage and may be opened and folded to form an enclosure with a substantially flat and rectangular base, whereby the stability of the enclosure may be enhanced.

The enclosure may be formed with a turned-over flange around the upper end of the tube for improved stiffness and to inhibit fraying of the textile material. The flange may be sewn wholly or partially around the periphery of the upper end, and may include pockets within which a drawstring may be at least partially enclosed. An exposed portion of the drawstring may be provided at one or more regions around the periphery, such that the drawstring may form carrying handles whereby a user may conveniently carry the enclosure filled with growth medium. In this configuration, the drawstring tends to close the upper end of the enclosure when lifted, securing the growth medium and any plants therein from dislodgement. In another aspect, this invention resides in a method of forming horticultural apparatus, including:- forming a tube from air-permeable material, and closing one end of said tube to form said supporting base.

In yet another aspect of this invention, horticultural apparatus is disclosed, including an air-permeable tubular container in which a growth medium may be contained and wherein the peripheral wall of said tubular container includes a plurality of openings through which plants may be

inserted into growth medium contained by said container.

Preferably, the tubular container is formed from woven fabric, and the end portions thereof are gathered by closure means such as clips, elastic bands or the like. The openings may include fused annular planting rings such that the central portion of the ring may be cut for insertion of a plant with minimal unravelling of the woven fabric outside of the ring. It is preferred, however that the peripheral wall include a planting portion occupying a minor portion of its periphery, the planting panel being woven with reduced textile thread density whereby the loosely woven threads may be parted to form the openings.

The extents of the planting portion may be delineated by printed matter or the like, but it is preferred that the extents of the planting portion be defined by the inclusion adjacent the circumferential extents thereof of longitudinal threads of colour contrasting with that of the planting portion, such that a user may readily identify the planting panel. In yet another aspect of this invention, horticultural apparatus is disclosed for growing plants according to the method defined above, including:- an air-permeable growth-medium container having a base wall and a peripheral side wall; and support means for supporting said growth-medium container from the upper portion of said peripheral side wall.

The growth-medium container may be formed of woven fabric, such as woven polypropylene fabric such that the growth-medium container may be formed from flat sheet material by sewing by heat-welding or woven tube. Of course, if desired, other materials, such as perforated sheet plastics or metal material may be utilised for the growth- medium container.

The support means may be in the form of a support frame formed from wire or bent sheet metal such that the growth-

medium container may be suspended from the upper edge with the base wall clear of a supporting surface upon which the support frame is supported. It is preferred, however, that the support means be in the form of a support enclosure having a peripheral wall of restricted permeability from the upper portion of which the growth-medium container may be suspended, whereby the latter may be protected from rapid loss of moisture.

Suitably, the peripheral wall is formed from an impervious material such as sheet plastics material, and apertures are formed therein for providing limited permeability for air circulation, although, if desired, the peripheral wall may be formed of a material of controlled permeability, such as wire mesh or perforated metal. Alternatively, the apertures may be formed as notched apertures formed along the lower edge of the peripheral wall.

The peripheral wall may be formed of a heat-fusible plastics material such as polypropylene, and may be formed with a container mounting portion thereon such that a growth- medium container may be attached thereto by a hot-melt process. If desired, the peripheral wall may be formed integral with the growth-medium container by a process such as injection moulding from a plastics material, the peripheral wall being moulded as a solid wall, apertured where desired for restricted air circulation, and the growth- medium container being moulded as a perforated membrane or the like.

In another aspect of this invention, a horticultural enclosure is disclosed including:- a housing having opposed side walls and a base wall; and a growth mat extending between said opposed side walls remote said base wall.

Preferably, the growth mat is formed from a fibrous material such as rockwool, although of course, if desired,

other materials such as adhesively-bonded granular materials may be used. The growth mat may be formed with an air- permeable support surface layer facing one or both exposed surfaces, and the growth mat may be supported by attaching the support surface layers to the opposed walls. Suitably, the support surface layers are formed from a woven textile fabric, using a heat-fusible plastics material such as polypropylene, although other materials, such as wire mesh or perforated sheet material may be used if desired. The support surface layer may include heat-fused annular rings such that openings may be formed therein, or may include a planting portion occupying a minor portion of the layer surface, the planting portion being woven with reduced textile thread density such that the threads may be spread for planting plants therebetween.

The housing may be formed having complementarily engageable projections formed on the outer faces of the side walls such that an assembly of housings in edgewise abutment may be formed. A planting pad or annulus may be formed in the heat- fusible plastics material by fusing together the woven fibres in a selected planting portion of the support surface layer remote from the base wall such that unravelling of the fabric may be minimised during formation of an aperture therethrough for placing the roots of a plant within the growth mat. A plurality of planting pads may be provided in spaced relationship across the support surface layer such that a selected number of plants may be planted within the growth mat by forming apertures through selected planting pads by cutting or piercing.

Liquid supply means may be provided for irrigating the growth mat, and may take the form of a spray assembly including a supply manifold, attached to or formed with the housing, and metering apertures placed therealong for the distribution of liquid to or in proximity to the growth mat.

If desired, a plurality of manifolds may be provided such that separate liquid streams, such as water and nutrient solution may be selectively supplied.

The housing may be formed for complementary engagement with similar housings such that a housing array may be formed. Suitably, the supply manifold is formed with complementarily engageable connections associated with the side walls such that a manifold assembly may be formed during formation of a housing array for operatively connecting the spray assemblies of adjacent enclosures.

In another aspect, this invention resides in a method of forming an open-topped enclosure for supporting a quantity of growth medium and within which a plant may be grown, said including:- forming a tube from air-permeable material, and forming a base seal by closure of one end of said tube.

In a further aspect of this invention, a hanging planter tube is disclosed, said planter tube including:- a suspender portion adapted for hanging from a tensile member; a sealed base portion, and a planting portion extending between said suspender portion and said base portion and adapted for enclosing growth medium for supporting plants therein.

The planter tube may be formed from a perforated plastics sheet material, but it is preferred that it be formed from a woven textile material, preferably in the form of a continuously-woven tube.

The planting portion may be provided with one or more planting regions defined by annular rings formed by heat sealing or adhering the material such that apertures may be formed therein with minimal risk of uncontrolled unravelling of the textile. It is preferred, however, that the planting

portion be formed with a longitudinal planting panel occupying a minor portion of its periphery, and that the planting portion be woven with reduced textile thread density, preferably by increasing the pitch of the longitudinal threads within the planting portion such that the circumferential threads may be more easily dislodged for insertion of a plant therebetween. If desired, the textile material may be sealed by a process such as heat sealing to minimise the risk of unravelling the remaining portion of the planting portion.

The extents of the planting portion may be defined by the inclusion adjacent the circumferential extents thereof of longitudinal marks. The latter may be formed on the tube by printing, but it is preferred that the mark be formed by including longitudinal threads of colour contrasting with that of the planting portion such that a user may be guided to the planting portion, which may otherwise not be easily distinguished.

The planter tube may be further provided with watering means, which may be in the form of drip or spray irrigation apparatus disposed above or within the planter tube, and a drip tray may be provided beneath for catching excess moisture falling from the planter tube, the drip tray being supported independently beneath the planter tube or suspended therefrom.

The drip irrigation apparatus may include a storage container having a small aperture formed in its base wall and suspended above the planter tube. Alternatively, the storage container may be formed for supporting the planter tube, and may include tube suspension means, such as clips, hooks or the like.

In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:-

FIG. 1 shows a planting bag according to the invention in its folded attitude;

FIG. 2 shows the planting bag of FIG. 1 in its operational attitude; FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a multiple-plant enclosure according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the enclosure of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show details of a further multiple- plant enclosure according to the invention; FIG. 8 illustrates a hanging planter bag;

FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-section of a planting pot according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-section of an alternative embodiment of a planting pot; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a horticultural enclosure according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the horticultural enclosure of FIG. 11, and

FIG. 13 is a front view of an assembly of horticultural enclosures.

The planter bag 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed from a woven tube 11 of textile material folded flat with re¬ entrant side panels 12, and with its base 13 sewn across a transverse seam 14 which includes the lower ends 15 of the re-entrant side panels 12. The upper edge 16 of the tube 11 is folded back and sewn to form an annular pocket 20 with cutouts 21 through which a carry cord 22 enters and leaves the pocket 20.

The planter bag 10 is prepared for use by spreading the tube 11 into a rectangular cross-section and filling it with potting mix or the like. The base 13 is folded down into a rectangular base upon which the bag 10 may rest with stability. If it is desired to lift the filled bag 10, the carry cord 22 may be grasped to draw the pocket 20 together and support the bag 10.

The horticultural apparatus 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a seamless woven tubular bag 31 filled with potting mix or the like and closed at the ends 32. Within a circumferential portion 33 of the bag 31 defined by longitudinal threads 34 of colour contrasting with the colour of the bag 31, the pitch of the longitudinal threads 35 is increased, allowing the circumferential threads 36 to be spread apart to place plants 37 into the potting mix. The hoop stress generated within the circumferential threads 36 by the internal pressure of the potting mix then tends to draw them into their original positions, securing the plants 37 therein.

Planting guide lines 38 are printed on the bag 31 at standard planting intervals to guide a user in placing the plants 37 at the correct spacing.

FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate a horticultural apparatus 40 including a sheet of air-permeable material 41 formed or woven into a tube container and wherein the ends 42 are tied by clips 43. A suitable growth medium 44, such as potting mix, is wrapped within the air-permeable material 41. Plants 45 are inserted into the growth medium 44 via apertures 46 formed in the material 41. The apertures 46 may be formed within limit rings 47 formed by heat-welding, adhesive bonding or the like such that cutting of the air-permeable material 41 does not result in uncontrolled unravelling thereof.

Once the plants 45 have grown to a desired degree of maturity, the tubular container may be cut into sections 48 as illustrated in FIG. 7. , wherein each section 48 contains a mature plant 45. The plant 45 and the surrounding air- permeable material 41 may then be inserted in a suitable location in the ground.

The hanging planter bag 50 illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a tubular woven bag 51 sealed across the base 52 and hung from a hanger assembly 53. The tubular woven bag 51 is woven with a longitudinal planting panel 54 woven with

reduced textile thread density by increasing the pitch of the longitudinal threads 55 within the planting panel such that the circumferential threads 56 may be more easily dislodged for insertion of a plant 57 therebetween. The extents of the planting panel are defined by the inclusion adjacent the circumferential extents thereof of longitudinal marking threads 60 of contrasting colour to the planting panel.

The hanger assembly 53 includes a water container 62 which in turn is suspended from a hanger 63. At positions around the water container 62 are formed multi-spike clips 64 having integral closure flaps 65, the spikes 66 being forced through the textile weave of the planter bag 50 to suspend it from the hanger assembly 61, and the flaps 65 are snapped over the enlarged clip heads 67 to secure the planter bag 50 in place. None of the threads in the textile are cut by this process, giving the joints so formed greater strength than conventional eyelet joints.

A small orifice 70 is formed in the base of the water container 62 through which water or nutrient solution may fall into the planter bag 50, excess water falling into a drip tray 71 hung from the planter bag 50.

The plant pot 80 shown in FIG. 9 has an enclosure 81 formed of plastics material and including an impervious support assembly 82 comprising an external peripheral wall 83, a solid upper annular face 84 and an inner skirt 85, and a perforated basket 86 which is moulded integrally with the inner skirt 85, the perforations in the perforated basket 86 being produced by suitable shaping of the mould for forming the support assembly 82. The lower edge of the peripheral wall 83 has scallops 87 formed therealong for ventilating the air space 90 between the support assembly 82 and the perforated basket 86, and is supported on a drainage tray 91 which holds excessive moisture draining from the perforated basket 86. The peripheral wall 83 may be formed cylindrical, or with a taper for ease of moulding.

The plant pot 100 shown in FIG. 10 has an enclosure 101 formed of solid polypropylene and having a cylindrical wall portion 102 and an internal mounting flange 103 along the upper edge of the cylindrical wall portion 102. A planting bag 104 formed of a length of woven polypropylene fabric tube has its lower end gathered and clamped with a clip 105, while its upper periphery is heat-welded to the lower face of the mounting flange 103, allowing the planting bag 104 to hang within the enclosure 101. The lower edge of the wall portion 102 has scallops 106 formed therealong for ventilating the air space 107 between the enclosure 101 and the planting bag 104. The plant pot 100 is supported on a drainage tray 20 which holds excessive moisture draining from the planting bag 104. In use, a quantity of potting mixture 111 is placed within the planting bag 104 and a plant 112 is planted therein. The potting mixture 111 is watered, and excess water drains through the planting bag 104 into the drainage tray 110, minimising waterlogging of the potting mixture. Air circulating through the scallops 106 maintains the humidity in the air space 107 at a level which inhibits root growth beyond the planting bag 104.

The horticultural enclosure 120 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 has a housing 121 comprising a base wall 122 and opposed side walls 123. Internal flanges 124 formed on the side walls 123 are welded to front and rear woven polypropylene facing sheets 125 and 126 which enclose a growth mat 127 formed from a fibrous material such as rockwool. The front facing sheet 125 has a pattern of planting sites 130 formed thereon by heat-fusion of the woven fabric. The planting sites 130 may be apertured to embed the roots 131 of a plant 132 in the growth mat 127.

A supply manifold 133 is formed in the air space 134 between the growth mat 127 and the base wall 122. The upper end fitting 135 and the lower end fitting 136 of the supply manifold 133 are formed as complementarily engageable members

such that the manifolds 133 of abutting housings 11 may connect operatively. Back nozzles 137 which irrigate the rear face of the growth mat 127 and a front nozzle 140 which sprays the leaves 141 of the plant 132 are connected to the supply manifold 133. A lip 142 along the lower front edge of the housing 121 to retain excess moisture.

As shown in FIG. 13, a planting assembly 60 may be formed by joining together a plurality of horticultural enclosures 120. Seal caps 61 close off the upper end fittings 135 of the upper manifolds 62, while the lower end fittings 136 are connected to a supply tube 63.

The horticultural apparatus 120 is prepared for use by piercing apertures 142 through selected ones of the planting sites 130 and passing the roots 131 of plants 132 through the apertures 142 into the growth mat 127. The plants 132 are retained in position independently of gravity, enabling the housing 121 to be propped into a desired orientation which may be any angle between horizontal and vertical. Nutrient solution is pumped through the manifold 133 and sprayed onto the growth mat 127, supplying nutrient and water to the plants 132.

It will of course be realised that while the above has Been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is defined in the appended claims.