FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the cultivation of plants in general. In particular, the invention relates to systems and methods, as well as apparatuses for use in the systems, intended for the cultivation of plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known solutions for the cultivation of plants, such as growing frames arranged on the ground or hung on walls. It is also known to cultivate plants in greenhouses, whereby the ambient conditions are easier to control.

A problem with known solutions is, among other things, the inefficient utilization of the surface area intended for cultivation of plants. If plants are arranged in many layers in the vertical direction, the plants and their growing frames in the upper layers overshadow plants in the lower layers, whereby plants seated in different places are exposed to different cultivation conditions with respect to, for example, the lighting. Moreover, the care of plants, planting, and e.g. gathering the crop, as well as the removal of plants and the growing material for the plants, are labour intensive, because the person growing the plants has to move from one plant to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for cultivating plants as defined in the independent claim 1 , and to a method for cultivating plants as defined in the independent claim 15.

It is an aim of the invention that the apparatus, the systems, and the method at least reduce problems involved in the prior art, for example, improve the utiliza- tion of surface area used for the cultivation of plants and reduce manual labour needed for the cultivation of plants and facilitate controlling and managing of the cultivation conditions of the plants.

The aims of the invention are achieved by the system and the method presented in the independent claims. Some advantageous embodiments of the invention are presented in the dependent claims. According to a first aspect, the invention includes an apparatus for the cultivation of plants. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical body part configured to be rotat- able about its longitudinal axis. The body part comprises at least two cultivation frames arranged in the body part to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part and to be movable or rotatable with respect to the body part. Further- more, the apparatus comprises a pedestal for supporting the body part. The body part is arranged to be rotatable on the pedestal.

In an embodiment, the apparatus may also comprises a conveyor which is arranged or arrangeable in the longitudinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames.

In this context, the longitudinal direction of the body part may refer to an imagi- nary axis or a physical axle.

The body part may comprise locking devices for locking the position of a growing frame with respect to the body part, the locking devices being configured to lock the position of the growing frame so that the material, such as a plant and/or soil, placed in the growing frame, will fall onto the conveyor.

The apparatus may comprise a base arranged within the volume defined by the body part, extending in the longitudinal direction of the body part and being sta- tionary with respect to the pedestal. The base may be advantageously inte- grated in the pedestal, or alternatively mounted on bearings on the body part, whereby it will remain substantially stationary with respect to the pedestal. The base is advantageously configured so that a person can walk along it within the volume defined by the body part.

The apparatus may comprise, at its first point, a basin which is arranged below the body part so that the growing frame extends, in its first position, at least partly into the volume determined by the basin.

The apparatus may comprise, at a second point, liquid spraying devices arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames, being stationary with respect to the pedestal.

The apparatus may comprise, at a third point, pneumatic pollinating devices arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames, being stationary with respect to the pedestal.

The apparatus may comprise, at a fourth point, disinfecting devices arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames, being stationary with respect to the ped- estal.

The apparatus may comprise, at a fifth point, UV light equipment arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames, being stationary with respect to the ped- estal.

The apparatus may comprise, at a sixth point, lighting equipment, such as grow lights or UV lights, arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames, being sta- tionary with respect to the pedestal. The lights may be arranged outside the body part and/or within the volume determined by the body part.

The apparatus may comprise, at a seventh point, steam washing equipment arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames, being stationary with respect to the pedestal.

The apparatus may comprise, at an eighth point, liquid mist cooling equipment arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames, being stationary with respect to the pedestal.

The apparatus may comprise a picking robot arranged to extend in the longitu- dinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames.

The apparatus may comprise an electric motor arranged for rotating the body part, and a control unit for the electric motor, electrically coupled to the electric motor, for controlling the rotation speed of the electric motor.

According to a second aspect, the invention is a system for cultivating plants, the system comprising a greenhouse and at least one apparatus according to the first aspect, arranged in the greenhouse. In an embodiment, at least one or many of the following may be arranged into the greenhouse: a temperature sensor or sensors, a humidity sensor or sensors.

Alternatively or in addition, at least one or many of the following may be arranged into the greenhouse: a heating device or devices, such as hot air blower, infrared heater or heat pipe(s), for example, to the bottom of the greenhouse.

Alternatively or in addition, at least one or many of the following may be arranged into the greenhouse: a cooling device or devices, such as a liquid spraying device, a cool air blower.

Aforementioned sensors and/or heating devices and/or cooling devices may preferably be configured to be in connection with a control system for controlling the conditions and the operation of the system.

In various embodiments, the greenhouse may be closed or open.

In a third aspect, the invention is a system for the cultivation of plants, the system comprising a polytunnel, such as a tunnel greenhouse, and at least one apparatus according to the first aspect, or a system according to the second aspect, arranged in the polytunnel, wherein between the polytunnel and the greenhouse is a space, such as an air space.

In various embodiments, the polytunnel may be closed or open. Alternatively or in addition, said space may be closed or open.

In an embodiment either one or both of the following may be closed: said space, the greenhouse.

In an embodiment, said space may have a thickness in the range from 10 centimetres to 5 metres, or preferably in the range from 30 centimetres to 4 metres, or in the range from 50 centimetres to 2 metres, or in the range from 75 centimetres to 1 .5 metres.

In an embodiment, one or several of the following may be arranged into said space: a temperature sensor or sensors, a humidity sensor or sensors.

Alternatively or in addition, at least one or several of the following may be arranged into said space: a heating device or devices, such as hot air blower, infrared heater or heat pipe(s), for example, to the bottom of said space. Alternatively or in addition, at least one or several of the following may be arranged into said space: a cooling device or devices, such as a liquid spraying device, a cool air blower.

Aforementioned sensors and/or heating devices and/or cooling devices may preferably be configured to be in connection with a control system for controlling the conditions, such as conditions of said space, and the operation of the system.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention is a method for the cultivation of plants. The method comprises:

- placing plants in one of at least two growing frames arranged in the cylindrical body part of an apparatus configured for the cultivation of plants, the growing frames being arranged in the body part to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part and to be movable with respect to the body part, wherein the apparatus is arranged inside a greenhouse and wherein the greenhouse is arranged inside a polytunnel, such as inside a tunnel-like polytunnel, wherein between the polytunnel and the greenhouse is a space;

- rotating the body part about its longitudinal axis by a control unit of an electric motor, wherein the control unit is electrically coupled to the electric motor arranged for rotating the body part, the body part being arranged to be rotatable on the pedestal of the apparatus; and

- monitoring the cultivation conditions of the plants by sensors, and

- controlling said cultivations conditions and rotational speed of the motor by a control system.

In an embodiment the method may comprise transferring said plant from said one growing frame to a conveyor arranged to run in the longitudinal direction of the body part and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames.

In an advantageous embodiment, said at least one plant may be transferred, in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, to a point on the conveyor which substantially corresponds to the point of said plant in said growing frame with respect to the longitudinal direction of said growing frame. The invention provides advantages with respect to the prior art. The apparatus according to the invention improves the utilization of the surface area available for the cultivation of plants in such a way that the cultivation conditions of the plants remain substantially equal, irrespective of the seating of the plants in the apparatus. Furthermore, the system facilitates controlling of the cultivation conditions, such as in extreme temperatures which become more frequent due the climate change, due to the space arranged between the polytunnel and the greenhouse and, optionally, by controlling conditions in said space.

Furthermore, the apparatus of the system reduces the amount of work and workers needed for planting and nursing of the plants, and for emptying the contents of the growing frames.

Many other advantages of the invention will become clear to a person skilled in the art on the basis of the following detailed description of some embodiments of the invention.

The terms first, second, third, etc. are used in this context to separate elements from each other, and they do not refer to an order of importance or a quantity, unless otherwise specified.

Some embodiments will be presented below. They should not be interpreted to be limiting, but a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may also be implemented in a way different from the ways presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, some embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended figures.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment.

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment. Figure 4 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment.

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment.

Figures 6A and 6B show schematic views from two different perspectives of a system according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 100 for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment. The apparatus 100 comprises a cylindrical body part 10 which is configured to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis 1 1 . The body part 10 comprises at least two growing frames 12 which are arranged in the body part 10 to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10 and to be movable or rotatable with respect to the body part 10, which may mean, for example, that the ends of the frames 12 are fastened to the body part 10 so that by means of gravity, the frames are maintained in substantially the same position while the body part 10 rotates around its axis 1 1 . The axis 1 1 may refer to a physical axle or an imaginary axis, as shown in Fig. 1 . The rotatable body part 10 enables uniform cultivation conditions irrespective of the seating of the plant in the apparatus 100, as well as the nursing of plants, such as picking of berries, for example strawberries, simultaneously from different height levels and from different points in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus 100, wherein the utilization of the surface area intended for cultivation of plants becomes more efficient. Furthermore, the apparatus 100 comprises a pedestal 14 for supporting the body part 10, the body part 10 being arranged to be rotat- able, for example mounted on bearings 40, on the pedestal 14. The body part 10 may be rotated by an electric motor whose rotation speed may be adjusted by, for example, a frequency converter.

The movement of the body part 10 of the apparatus 100, and thereby the plants, provides equal suitable cultivation conditions, for example moisture and temperature variation and illuminance, for all the plants to be grown or cultivated; that is, the crop will mature evenly and faster than in conventional cultivation, whereby time is saved and results are obtained faster, and the timing of the crop can be determined more easily to one or more specific desired seasons, for example to meet the demand. According to some advantageous embodiments, the apparatus 100 may corn- prise a conveyor 16 which is or may be arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10, and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames 12. The conveyor 16, such as a belt conveyor, may be a sepa- rate conveyor 16 to be placed against the ground or a floor, or, in addition or alternatively, a conveyor 16 to be mounted on the pedestal 14. By arranging the conveyor 16 substantially over the whole length of the growing frames 12, the growing frames 12 can be easily filled with or emptied from material by transfer- ring the material directly from or to the conveyor 16 substantially at the same point with respect to the longitudinal direction of the apparatus 10. By means of the apparatus 100, it is possible to reduce labour costs and, with the same input of work, to obtain, from a smaller surface area, a crop that corresponds to a crop from a larger area in conventional open-ground cultivation.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 100 for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an apparatus 100 substantially corresponding to that shown in Fig. 1 . It can be seen in Fig. 2 that several body parts 100 may be placed in a row to provide a cultivation system of a desired length. The body parts 10 may be connected to each other, in which case the whole system may be rotated by a single electric motor. Different body parts may also be equipped with respective electric motors which may be controlled by a single control unit, such as an inverter or a frequency converter, common to the electric motors, to make sure that the different body parts 10 rotate at the same speed. The different electric motors may also be provided with respective control units. Figure 2 also shows a double-headed arrow indicating the longitudinal direction 13 of the apparatus 100 and the body part 10.

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 100 for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment. For the sake of clarity, the pedestal 14 is not shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the body part 10 comprises locking devices 30, such as a locking pin or a fork bolt or a corresponding mechanical locking device, or an electromagnetic locking device, for locking the position of the growing frame 12 with respect to the body part 10. The locking devices 30 are configured to lock the position of the growing frame 12 in such a way that the material 35 placed in the growing frame 12 will drop onto the conveyor 16. In Fig. 3, the rotation direction 32 of the body part 10 is configured to be clockwise, but as an alternative, it could be counter-clockwise. When the position of the growing frame 12 is locked by the locking device 30 and the body part is rotated, the growing frame 12 will remain substantially in place with respect to the body part 10 but will change its position with respect to the pedestal 14. Thus, at a given point, the growing frame 12 will turn to a position in which the material, such as a plant and/or soil, placed in the growing frame 12 will drop from the frame 12. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking devices 30 are configured so that the material 35 will drop onto the conveyor 16, whereby it can be easily conveyed by the conveyor 16 to another place. The locking devices 30 and the conveyor 16 enable the growing frames 12 to be emptied by a smaller amount of work than in solutions of prior art.

Figure 4 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment. The apparatus 100 comprises a base 25 arranged within the volume defined by the body part 10, extending in the longitudinal direction of the body part 10, and being stationary with respect to the pedestal 14. The base 25, such as a base 25 made of steel, aluminium, wood, plastic, or composite, is preferably configured to be such that a person, such as a grower of plants, can walk along it within the volume defined by the body part 10. The frame 25 may be integrated in the pedestal 14, or alternatively mounted on bearings on the body part 10, whereby it remains substantially stationary with respect to the pedestal 14. The base 25 makes it possible to nurse plants and, for example, to pick berries, such as strawberries, inside the body part 10 as well.

Figure 4 also shows a way according to an embodiment of the invention to arrange an electric motor 51 for rotating the body part 10. The electric motor 51 may be provided for rotating the body part 10, for example by means of a cogwheel or cogwheels. Furthermore, gears may be used for transmission. In many embodiments of the invention, the electric motor 51 is controlled by a frequency converter (not shown in the figure). The motor 51 may also be directly connected by its shaft to the body part 10.

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 100 for the cultivation of plants according to an embodiment. Figure 5 shows several alternative features which may be provided in the apparatus 100.

In an advantageous embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises, at its first point, a basin 49, such as a water basin or a basin for liquid fertilizer, the basin 49 being arranged below the body part 10 in such a way that the growing frame(s) 12 extend(s), in the first position, at least partly to the inside of the volume 52 defined by the basin 49. The growing frames 12 according to these embodiments are arranged in such a way that when they move through the volume 52 defined by the basin 49, that is, when they are substantially in their first position, the liquid provided in the basin 49 can enter the growing frame 12, whereby the plant and/or soil or other material 35 placed therein will absorb liquid, such as liquid fertilizer. Thus, the basin 49 enables irrigation based on the capillary movement during the rotation of the body part 10 as the growing frames 12 at least pass through the volume 52 defined by the basin 49 which is filled with a sufficient amount of the liquid.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 comprises, at its second point, liquid spraying devices 45 arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10 and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames 12, being stationary with respect to the pedestal 14. The liquid spraying devices 45 may include, for example, a water hose or pipe arranged to extend over the length of the growing frames 12 and equipped with nozzles or holes. The quantity of water sprayed by the liquid spraying devices 45, and the time of spraying, may be adjusted by valves and control systems provided in or in connection with the devices 45.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 comprises, at its third point, pneumatic pollinating devices 43 arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10 and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames 12, being stationary with respect to the pedestal 14, for pollinating the plants, such as flowers or strawberry plants. The pneumatic pollinating devices 43 may include, for example, a pneumatic pipe arranged over the length of the growing frames 12 and equipped with nozzles or holes. The amount and timing of pollinating by the pneumatic pollinating devices 43 may be adjusted by valves and control systems provided in or in connection with the devices 43.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 comprises, at its fourth point, disinfecting devices 44 arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10 and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames 12, being stationary with respect to the pedestal 14. The disinfecting devices 44 may include, for example, a hose or a pipe arranged to extend over the length of the growing frames 12 and equipped with nozzles or holes. The amount of disinfectant sprayed by the disinfecting devices 44, and the timing of disinfecting, may be adjusted by valves and control systems arranged in or in connection with the devices 44.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 comprises, at its sixth point, lighting equipment 46, 47, such as UV lights 46 or grow lamps 47, arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10 and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames 12, being stationary with respect to the pedestal 14. The lighting equipment 46, 47 may be arranged outside the body part 10 and/or within the volume defined by the body part 10. The lighting equipment 46, 47 may be configured to produce uniform lighting, i.e. focused on several points with respect to the body part 10, or alternatively on only one point, such as the sixth point.

In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 comprises, at its seventh point, steam washing equipment 41 arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10 and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames 12, being stationary with respect to the pedestal 14. The quantity of steam produced by the steam washing equipment 41 , and the timing of the spraying, may be adjusted by valves and control systems provided in or in connection with the equipment 41 . The steam washing equipment 41 may be advantageously used for cleaning the growing frames after they have been emp- tied of the material 35.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 comprises, at its eighth point, liquid mist cooling equipment 42 arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10 and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames 12, being stationary with respect to the pedestal 14. The liquid mist cooling equipment 42 may comprise, for example, a water hose or pipe arranged to extend over the length of the growing frames 12 and equipped with nozzles or holes. The amount of mist or water sprayed by the liquid mist cooling equipment 42, and the timing of the spraying, may be adjusted by valves and control systems provided in or in connection with the equipment 42. The equipment 42 are advantageously configured to spray mist in the vicinity of the body part 10, wherein the temperature of the air around the apparatus 100 can be adjusted. This is particularly advantageous in embodiments in which the apparatus 100 is arranged in a greenhouse and/or a polytunnel. According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 comprises a picking robot 48 arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the body part 10 and substantially at least over the length of said growing frames 12. The picking robot 48 may advantageously move along guide tracks and/or by means of an articulated suspension arm. The picking robot 48 may be equipped with an optical sensor which detects the position of, for example, a berry, such as a strawberry, and optionally the stage of ripeness of the strawberry. The picking robot 48 may comprise a conveyor, onto which a berry picked up by the picking robot 48 will fall, whereby it can be conveyed to another place. The picking robot 48 may advantageously be a picking robot 48 according to the prior art. Advan- tageously, the picking robot 48 may be of light weight, for example made of alu- minium, plastic, and/or carbon fibre, whereby it can be easily moved from one apparatus 100 to another and/or from one greenhouse 200 or polytunnel 300 to another.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the picking robot 48 is configured to move or to be moved along a path of its own, such as a guide track, by means of a stepping motor or the like, at least in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus 100 and by the side of the apparatus. If the plants are, for example, plants which produce berries as the crop, the robot 48 may be configured to move along a short path and to pick up berries into a trough-like belt conveyor which is advantageously provided in connection with the robot 48, whereby the belt conveyor may convey the picked berries to another place. The trough of the trough-like conveyor may be provided with a ramp for guiding the berries to the conveyor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the trough-like conveyor may be configured to transfer the picked products on the conveyor to e.g. a cold storage room, in which the berries may be transferred directly to sales cartons, for example at the end of the conveyor.

In an embodiment of the invention, after the sales carton has become full, for example after it has achieved a given mass which can be detected by scales or a pressure sensor, the carton is automatically moved to e.g. a roller conveyor and further to a storage. The system may be configured to be such that a new carton automatically replaces the preceding one, for example by means of a conveyor. According to several embodiments of the invention, an operator may monitor the situation in real time, for example, on a display of a portable device, such as a smart phone, which may also be configured to receive alarms on the operation of the apparatus 100. Switches, such as optical or micro switches, may be provided at the end or ends of the apparatus 100. The switch may be configured to operate in such a way that when the robot reaches the end of the apparatus 100 and the switch is on, the robot 48 will wait until the next growing frame comes to the correct point before the robot 48 starts to move towards the opposite end of the apparatus 100. At the same time, it is possible to load the robot 48, for example the batteries of the robot 48 supplying the energy for mov- ing the robot 48. When the growing frame is in the correct position, the robot 48 starts to move towards the opposite end of the apparatus 100.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth points are different points with respect to the body part 10.

In several embodiments of the invention, the apparatus 100 comprises a control system configured to control the operation of the electric motor 51 and the operation of the devices 43, 44 and/or equipment 41 , 42, 45 to 47, or the picking robot 48 according to some embodiments of the invention, if these are included in the apparatus 100. The control system may comprise, for example, a computing unit, such as a processor, and a memory and the necessary electronic and communication connections, such as connections to the control devices for the valves. In an embodiment of the invention, the control system comprises remote communication devices, such as a wireless connection, by which the operation of the system can be monitored and/or controlled by means of a remote device, such as a mobile device, for example a smart phone. The operation of the different devices 43, 44 and/or equipment 41 , 42, 45 to 47 may be timed so that the desired cultivation conditions are achieved.

Figures 6A and 6B show schematic views, from two different perspectives, of a system according to an embodiment. The system may comprise a greenhouse 200 and at least one apparatus 100 arranged in the greenhouse. Alternatively, the system may comprise a polytunnel 300, such as a tunnel-shaped greenhouse, and at least one apparatus 100 and/or greenhouse 200 arranged in the polytunnel 300. The polytunnel 300 and/or greenhouse 200 advantageously comprises wall material, such as transparent plastic or glass (not shown in the figure). By arranging the apparatus 100 within the greenhouse 200 and/or polytunnel 300, the cultivation conditions of the plants can be adjusted better than by the apparatus 100 without said or corresponding structures. The greenhouse 200 and/or polytunnel 300 may comprise sensors, such as optical, temperature or moisture sensors, for monitoring the conditions. Said sensors are advantageously configured to be connected to a control system, enabling better monitoring and control of all the conditions of the system.

The polytunnel 300 and/or the greenhouse 200 may also differ by its/their structure with respect to ones shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, such as be rectangular.

In Figs. 6A and 6B, it can be noticed that the system may comprise a space, such as an air space, arranged between the polytunnel 300 and the greenhouse 200. Sensors, such as temperature or humidity sensors, may have been arranged into said space. In addition, heating and/or cooling devices, such as a blower, infrared radiator or cooling pipes, may have been arranged into said space. In one embodiment, the temperature of the space and/or the greenhouse 200 may be controlled by a heat pump.

In an embodiment, said space may have a thickness in the range from 10 centimetres to 5 metres, or preferably in the range from 30 centimetres to 4 metres, or in the range from 50 centimetres to 2 metres, or in the range from 75 centimetres to 1 .5 metres. In a particular embodiment, the thickness of the space is at least 0.5 metres higher at the top of the greenhouse 200 relative to the sides of the greenhouse 200.

Said space provides an air space around the greenhouse. This air space functions as thermal insulator with respect to the surrounding, outside cold air. On the other hand, warm air inside the greenhouse may conduct into said space, in which case the space functions as an energy regenerator. In an embodiment, the temperature of said space may be controlled, for example, based on the surrounding, outside temperature and/or based on the temperature inside the greenhouse.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, either the greenhouse 200 or the polytunnel 300, or both, may comprise light-protecting devices which may be mounted on the wall of the greenhouse 200 and/or the polytunnel 300, for controlling the quantity of light. The light-protecting devices may be substantially blackout curtains/louvers, or curtains/louvers which are partly permeable to light. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 comprises body parts mounted on the pedestal 14 and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the apparatus 100, to which the frame parts of the walls of the greenhouse 200 and/or polytunnel 300 may be fastened, as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. This makes it possible that the weight of the apparatus 100 prevents the greenhouse 200 and/or polytunnel 300 from being moved, for example by the force of wind.

In an embodiment of the invention, the systems may comprise several greenhouses 200 and/or polytunnels 300, wherein apparatuses 100 may be arranged in several greenhouses 200 and/or polytunnels. Thus, a single automatic feature, such as a computer program or software run by a processor, can be used for controlling several apparatuses 100 simultaneously. Features or functions according to several embodiments of the invention may be transferred from one greenhouse 200 and/or polytunnel 300 to another, to achieve savings in costs.

According to an embodiment, the invention may be a method for the cultivation of plants. In the method, plants are placed in one of at least two growing frames 12 provided in a cylindrical body part 10 of an apparatus 100 configured for cultivating plants, the growing frames 12 being arranged in the body part 10 to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10 and to be movable or rotatable with respect to the body part 10, wherein the growing frames 12 remain substantially in the same position while the body part 10 is rotating.

Furthermore, in the method, the body part 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis 1 1 , which may be an imaginary axis or a physical axle. The body part 10 is mounted on the pedestal 14 of the apparatus 100 in a rotatable way.

Furthermore, the method comprises transferring said plants from said one grow- ing frame 12 to a conveyor 16 arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction 13 of the body part 10 and substantially over the length of at least said growing frames 12.

Transferring to the conveyor 16 may refer to applying locking devices 30, whereby the contents of the growing frames 12 will be automatically emptied onto the conveyor. Some embodiments have been presented above, but a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be implemented in other corresponding ways as well. The parts of the apparatus 100 and the systems according to the embodiments of the invention, such as the cylindrical body part 10 or the frame parts of a polytunnel 300, may be advantageously made of a metal, such as aluminium or steel. The electric motor 51 may be a squirrel-cage induction motor or a permanent magnet motor. The growing frames may be made substantially in the shape of a trough, and their material may be aluminium or plastic.

According to several embodiments, the apparatus 100 can be made in different sizes. The apparatus 100 and the systems may include only some or several or all of the above-mentioned features. The apparatus 100 and the systems may be largely modifiable. The number and the type of the features and functions of the apparatus 100 or the system are advantageously determined according to the plant to be grown or cultivated. The apparatus 100 and the systems are suitable for nursing of plants and for home gardens, among other things. It can be easily made on, for example, a movable platform which is delivered as a ready-to-use module to a suitable place. Furthermore, the system may comprise solar photovoltaic cells, whereby the apparatus 100 and/or the system can be made an at least partly self-supporting unit with all its functions. Growing plants on a balcony is possible as well.