Operational system for transplanting growing plants

• US 6,915,607 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tagawa Greenhouse Enterprises, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tagawa Greenhouses, Inc.
• Inventors: Blackmore, Fred Naylor Jr., Tagawa, George H., Tagawa, Kenneth K., Tagawa, Randall E., Kluth, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Valenti, Andrea M.
• Application Number:
  US10/167,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20030029087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: D11/156, D11/155, D11/143, D 6/405, 47/655, 47/659, 47/661, 47/73, 47/77, 47/87, 47/86, 47/10.1 R, 47/662, 47/665, 47/667, 479/01, 206/423, 206/558, 206/564
• US Class Current: 47/87
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 11/025 Transplanting machines using seedling trays; Devices for removing the seedlings from the trays
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/086 Devices for repotting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 47/901 Plant container with flats, filling, planting, or conveying

Abstract

A transplanting system including both methods and specific types of transplant apparatus such as propagule transplant trays(3, 4, 5, 6) addresses the need for the use of a propagule punch machine (8) on a variety of adolescent tray configurations (9, 11, 12, e.g.) and the increased operational efficiency that such enhanced operational capability affords. The system may involve at least one areally continuous propagule tray (3, 4, 5, 6) that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of adolescent plant trays. Other embodiments of the invention disclose punch pins (59) for use in a plant punch machine transplanter that are user-detachable and differentially designed so that plant punch elements of a certain design may be installed as part of the machine to customize the transplant process for a given species and transplant modality. The invention also provides for a consultable collection (such as printed documents or an electronic database, e.g.) of plant transplant process information usable to increase transplant process efficiency.

Claims

1. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus comprising:

a. a matrix of propagule transplant containers, wherein at least a majority of said propagule transplant containers is each adapted to contain propagule growth medium and at least one propagule, is established by at least one propagule growth medium retention element and has a substantially horizontal upper container opening area which is larger than a plant punch element head area;

b. a yieldable exit element established integral to said at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

c. an areally continuous, substantially planar, arrayed, propagule growth support lattice element interconnecting said matrix of propagule transplant containers;

d. an integral edge definition element which defines a large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations; and

e. a tray movement guide responsive to said integral edge definition element,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is greater than the number of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein each of said at least a majority of said propagule transplant containers is volumetrically smaller than each of the adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein each of the adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is capable of receiving at least one propagule plug from one of said propagule transplant containers,

wherein the number of propagule transplant containers is both;

—

an integer multiple of a first number of containers of at least a first adolescent plant tray configuration, and—

a non-integer multiple of a second number of containers of at least a second adolescent plant tray configuration,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is greater than 300,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is a number that is evenly divisible by all but two of the first eight integer multiples of six, and

wherein said plant transplant apparatus is usable to fill at least thirty-five alternative adolescent plant tray configurations with propagules so that resultant plug placement positions relative to walls of the adolescent plant containers of said at least thirty-five alternative adolescent plant tray configurations are acceptable.

2. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein operationally compatible indicates that said large number of said propagule transplant containers divided by said number of adolescent plant containers is an integer number having as a remainder a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

zero, less than 13, less than 17, less than 33, and less than 19.

3. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a numerically significant number of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations and is a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

greater than 27,

greater than 29,

greater than 33,

greater than 34,

greater than 11,

greater than 13,

greater than that number corresponding to about 39 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 46 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 54 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 58 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations.

greater than that number corresponding to about 66 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations, and

greater than that number corresponding to about 68 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations.

4. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is 432.

5. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers are arranged in a twelve by thirty-six matrix.

20. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 1, 6, 10, or 14 wherein the number of adolescent plant containers of at least one of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a number selected from the group of numbers consisting of:

15, 18, 20, 32, 36, 40, 48, 54, 60 and 72.

23. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 1 or 6 wherein the number of rows of said propagule transplant containers is an integer multiple of 12.

24. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 1, 6, 11, or 16 wherein said at least one propagule growth medium retention element is a frustum propagule growth medium retention wall.

25. A plug punch transplant machine operating on the mechanized plant transplant apparatus of claim 1, 6, 11, or 16.

26. Plants transplanted from propagules contained in the mechanized plant transplant apparatus of claim 1, 6, 11, or 16.

6. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus comprising:

a. a matrix of propagule transplant containers, wherein at least a majority of said propagule transplant containers is each adapted to contain propagule growth medium and at least one propagule, is established by at least one propagule growth medium retention element and has a substantially horizontal upper container opening area which is larger than a plant punch element head area;

b. a yieldable exit element established integral to said at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

c. an areally continuous, substantially planar, arrayed, propagule growth support lattice element interconnecting said matrix of propagule transplant containers;

d. an integral edge definition element which defines a large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations; and

e. a tray movement guide responsive to said integral edge definition element,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is greater than the number of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein each of said at least a majority of said propagule transplant containers is volumetrically smaller than each of the adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein each of the adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is capable of receiving at least one propagule plug from one of said propagule transplant containers,

wherein the number of propagule transplant containers is both;

—

an integer multiple of a first number of containers of at least a first adolescent plant tray configuration, and—

a non-integer multiple of a second number of containers of at least a second adolescent plant tray configuration,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is greater than 300,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is a number that is evenly divisible by all but two of the first six integer multiples of six, and

wherein said plant transplant apparatus is usable to fill at least thirty-eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations with propagules so that resultant plug placement positions relative to walls of the adolescent plant containers of said at least thirty-eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations are acceptable.

7. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein operationally compatible indicates that said large number of said propagule transplant containers divided by said number of adolescent plant containers is an integer number having as a remainder a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

zero,

less than 5,

less than 10,

less than 25, and

less than 37.

8. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a numerically significant number of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations and is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

greater than 9,

greater than 14,

greater than 15,

greater than 17,

greater than 23,

greater than 24,

greater than 26,

greater than 38,

greater than that number corresponding to about 16 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 26 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 28 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 32 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 44 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 46 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 48 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 52 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations, and

greater than that number corresponding to about 72 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations.

9. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is 324.

10. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said larger number of said propagule transplant containers are arranged in a twelve by twenty-seven matrix.

11. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus comprising:

a. a matrix of propagule transplant containers, wherein at least a majority of said propagule transplant containers is each adapted to contain propagule growth medium and at least one propagule, is established by at least one propagule growth medium retention element and has a substantially horizontal upper container opening area which is larger than a plant punch element head area;

b. a yieldable exit element established integral to said at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

c. an areally continuous, substantially planar, arrayed, propagule growth support lattice element interconnecting said matrix of propagule transplant containers;

d. an integral edge definition element which defines a large number of said propagule transplant containers that is are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations; and

e. a tray movement guide responsive to said integral edge definition element, wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is greater than the number of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein each of said at least a majority of said propagule transplant containers is volumetrically smaller than each of the adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations.

wherein each of the adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is capable of receiving at least one propagule plug from one of said propagule transplant containers,

wherein the number of propagule transplant containers is both;

—

an integer multiple a first number of containers of at least a first adolescent plant tray configuration, and—

a non-integer multiple of a second number of containers of at least a second adolescent plant tray configuration,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is greater than 300,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is a number that is evenly divisible by all of the first six integer multiples of six, and

wherein said plant transplant apparatus is usable to fill at least four alternative adolescent plant tray configurations with propagules so that resultant plug placement positions relative to walls of the adolescent plant containers of said at least four alternative adolescent plant tray configurations are acceptable.

12. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein operationally compatible indicates that said large number of said propagule transplant containers divided by said number of adolescent plant containers is an integer number having as a remainder a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

zero, and less than 25.

13. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a numerically significant number of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations and is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

greater than 2, greater than 3, greater than that number corresponding to about 4 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations, and greater than that number corresponding to about 6 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations.

14. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is 360.

15. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers are arranged in a eighteen by twenty matrix.

16. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus comprising:

a. a matrix of propagule transplant containers, wherein at least a majority of said propagule transplant containers is each adapted to contain propagule growth medium and at least one propagule, is established by at least one propagule growth medium retention element and has a substantially horizontal upper container opening area which is larger than a plant punch element head area;

b. a yieldable exit element established integral to said at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

c. an areally continuous, substantially planar, arrayed, propagule growth support lattice element interconnecting said matrix of propagule transplant containers;

d. an integral edge definition element which defines a large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations; and

e. a tray movement guide responsive to said integral edge definition element,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is greater than the number of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein each of said at least a majority of said propagule transplant containers is volumetrically smaller than each of the adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein each of the adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is capable of receiving at least one propagule plug from one of said propagule transplant containers,

wherein the number of propagule transplant containers is both;

—

an integer multiple of a first number of containers of at least a first adolescent plant tray configuration, and —

a non-integer multiple of a second number of containers of at least a second adolescent plant tray configuration,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations are arranged in a nine by twenty-seven matrix, and

wherein said plant transplant apparatus is usable to fill at least eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations with propagules so that resultant plug placement positions relative to walls of the adolescent plant containers of said at least eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations are acceptable.

17. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein operationally compatible indicates that twice said large number of said propagule transplant containers divided by said number of adolescent plant containers is an integer number having as a remainder a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

zero,

less than 7,

less than 12,

leas than 19,

less than 39, and

less than 45.

18. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a numerically significant number of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

greater than or equal to one,

greater than or equal to three,

greater than or equal to four,

greater than or equal to five,

greater than or equal to six,

greater than or equal to seven,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 14 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 42 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 57 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 71 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 85 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations, and

equal to that number corresponding to about 100 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations.

19. A mechanized plant transplant apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers is 243.

21. A method of mechanized plant transplantation comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a matrix of propagule transplant containers;

b. adapting each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers to contain one propagule growth medium and at least one propagule;

c. establishing said each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers with at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

d. creating said each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers with an upper container opening area that is larger than a plant punch element head area;

e. establishing a yieldable exit element as part of said at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

f. interconnecting said matrix of propagule transplant containers by an areally continuous, substantially planar, arrayed, propagule growth support lattice element;

g. defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations;

h. adapting each of a plurality of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations to receive at least one propagale plug from a one of said plurality of said propagule transplant containers; and

i. establishing a tray movement guide that is responsive to said integral edge definition element,

wherein said step of defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers comprises the step of defining with an integral edge definition element a number of that is larger than the number of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein said step of adapting each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers to contain propagule growth medium and at least one propagule comprises the step of dimensioning each of said plurality of said propagule transplant containers to be volumetrically smaller than each of said adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein the number of propagule transplant containers is both;

—

an integer multiple of a first number of containers of at least a first adolescent plant tray configuration, and—

a non-integer multiple of a second number of containers of at least a second adolescent plant tray configuration,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is greater than 300,

wherein said large number is evenly divisible by all but two of the first eight integer multiples of six, and

wherein said method of plant transplantion is usable to fill at least thirty-five alternative adolescent plant tray configurations with propagules so that resultant plug placement positions relative to walls of the adolescent plant containers of said at least thirty-five alternative adolescent plant tray configurations are acceptable.

22. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 21 wherein said large number of propagule transplant containers are arranged in a twelve by thirty-six matrix.

27. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 21 wherein operationally compatible indicates that said large number of said propagule transplant containers divided by said number of adolescent plant containers is an integer number having as a remainder a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

zero,

less than 13,

less than 17,

less than 33, and

less than 19.

28. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 27 wherein said numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a numerically significant number of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations and is a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

greater than 27,

greater than 29,

greater than 33,

greater than 34,

greater than 11,

greater than 13,

greater than that number corresponding to about 39 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 46 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 54 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 58 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 66 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations, and

greater than that number corresponding to about 68 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations.

29. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 21 wherein said step of defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations comprises the step of defining 432 propagule transplant containers.

42. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 21, 30, 34, or 38, wherein said step of defining with an integral edge definition element a number of said propagule transplant containers comprises the step of defining with an integral edge definition element a number that is larger than a number of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations, at least one of which has a number of a plurality of adolescent plant containers that is selected from the group of numbers consisting of:

15, 18, 20, 32, 36, 40, 48, 54, 60 and 72.

43. A mechanized plant transplantation method as described in claim 21, 30, 34, or 38, wherein the number of adolescent plant containers of at least one of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a number selected from the group of numbers consisting of:

15, 18, 20, 32, 36, 40, 48, 54, 60 and 72.

44. A plug punch transplant machine operated using the method of claim 21, 30, 34, or 38.

45. Plants transplanted using the mechanized plant transplantation method of claim 21, 30, 34, or 38.

30. A method of mechanized plant transplantation comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a matrix of propagule transplant containers;

b. adapting each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers to contain one propagule growth medium and at least one propagule;

c. establishing said each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers with at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

d. creating said each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers with an upper container opening area that is larger than a plant punch element head area;

e. establishing a yieldable exit element as part of said at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

f. interconnecting said matrix of propagule transplant containers by an areally continuous, substantially planar, arrayed, propagule growth support lattice element;

g. defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations;

h. adapting each of a plurality of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations to receive at least one propagule plug from a one of said plurality of said propagule transplant containers; and

i. establishing a tray movement guide that is responsive to said integral edge definition element,

wherein said step of defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers comprises the step of defining with an integral edge definition element a number of that is larger than the number of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein said step of adapting each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers to contain propagule growth medium and at least one propagule comprises the step of dimensioning each of said plurality of said propagule transplant containers to be volumetrically smaller than each of said adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein the number of propagule transplant containers both—

an integer multiple of a first number of containers of at least a first adolescent plant tray configuration, and —

a non-integer multiple of a second number of containers of at least a second adolescent plant tray configuration,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is greater than 300,

wherein said large number is evenly divisible by all but two of the first six integer multiples of six, and

wherein said method of plant transplantion is usable to fill at least thirty-eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations with propagules so that resultant plug placement positions relative to walls of the adolescent plant containers of said at least thirty-eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations are acceptable.

31. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 30 wherein operationally compatible indicates that said large number of said propagule transplant containers divided by said number of adolescent plant containers is an integer number having as a remainder a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

zero,

less than 5,

less than 10,

less than 25, and

less than 37.

32. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 31 wherein said numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a numerically significant number of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations and is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

greater than 9,

greater than 14,

greater than 15,

greater than 17,

greater than 23,

greater than 24,

greater than 26,

greater than 38, greater than that number corresponding to about 16 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 26 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 28 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 32 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 44 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 46 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 48 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than that number corresponding to about 52 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations, and

greater than that number corresponding to about 72 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations.

33. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 30 wherein said step of defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations comprises the step of defining 324 propagule transplant containers.

46. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 30 wherein said large number of propagule transplant containers are arranged in a twelve by twenty-seven matrix.

34. A method of mechanized plant transplantation comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a matrix of propagule transplant containers;

b. adapting each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers to contain one propagule growth medium and at least one propagule;

c. establishing said each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers with at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

d. creating said each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers with an upper container opening area that is larger than a plant punch element head area;

e. establishing a yieldable exit element as part of said at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

f. interconnecting said matrix of propagule transplant containers by an areally continuous, substantially planar, arrayed, propagule growth support lattice element;

g. defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations;

h. adapting each of a plurality of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations to receive at least one propagule plug from a one of said plurality of said propagule transplant containers; and

i. establishing a tray movement guide that is responsive to said integral edge definition element,

wherein said step of defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers comprises the step of defining with an integral edge definition element a number of that is larger than the number of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein said step of adapting each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers to contain propagule growth medium and at least one propagule comprises the step of dimensioning each of said plurality of said propagule transplant containers to be volumetrically smaller than each of said adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein the number of propagule transplant containers is both;

—

an integer multiple of a first number of containers of at least a first adolescent plant tray configuration, and —

a non-integer muliple of a second number of containers of at least a second adolescent plant tray configuration,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is greater than 300,

wherein said large number is evenly divisible by all of the first six integer multiples of six, and

wherein said method of plant transplantion is usable to fill at least four alternative adolescent plant tray configurations with propagules so that resultant plug placement positions relative to walls of the adolescent plant containers of said at least four alternative adolescent plant tray configurations are acceptable.

35. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 34 wherein operationally compatible indicates that said large number of said propagule transplant containers divided by said number of adolescent plant containers is an integer number having as a remainder a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

zero, and

less than 25.

36. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 35 wherein said numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a numerically significant number of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations and is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

greater than 2,

greater than 3,

greater than that number corresponding to about 4 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations, and

greater than that number corresponding to about 6 percent of alternative, non-square adolescent plant tray configurations.

37. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 34 wherein said step of defining with an integral edge definition element a configured, large number of said propagule transplant containers that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations comprises the step of defining 360 propagule transplant containers.

47. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 34 wherein said large number of propagule transplant containers are arranged in an eighteen by twenty matrix.

38. A method of mechanized plant transplantation comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a matrix of propagule transplant containers;

b. adapting each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers to contain one propagule growth medium and at least one propagule;

c. establishing said each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers with at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

d. creating said each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers with an upper container opening area that is larger than a plant punch element head area;

e. establishing a yieldable exit element as part of said at least one propagule growth medium retention element;

f. interconnecting said matrix of propagule transplant containers by an areally continuous, substantially planar, arrayed, propagule growth support lattice element;

g. defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers that are operationally compatible with at least eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations;

h. adapting each of a plurality of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations to receive at least one propagule plug from a one of said plurality of said propagule transplant containers; and

establishing a tray movement guide that is responsive to said integral edge definition element,

wherein said step of defining with an integral edge definition element a large number of said propagule transplant containers comprises the step of defining with an integral edge definition element a number of that is larger than the number of adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein the number of propagule transplant containers is both;

—

an integer multiple of a first number of containers of at least a first adolescent plant tray configuration, and—

a non-integer multiple of a second number of containers of at least a second adolescent plant tray configuration,

wherein said step of adapting each of a plurality of said propagule transplant containers to contain propagule growth medium and at least one propagule comprises the step of dimensioning each of said plurality of said propagule transplant containers to be volumetrically smaller than each of said adolescent plant containers of each of said alternative adolescent plant tray configurations,

wherein said large number of said propagule transplant containers that is operationally compatible with at least eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is 243, and

wherein said method of plant transplantion is usable to fill at least eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations with propagules so that resultant plug placement positions relative to walls of the adolescent plant containers of said at least eight alternative adolescent plant tray configurations are acceptable.

39. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 38 wherein operationally compatible indicates that twice said large number of said propagule transplant containers divided by said number of adolescent plant containers is an integer number having as a remainder a number that is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

zero, less than 7. less than 12, less than 19, less than 39, and less than 45.

40. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 39 wherein said numerically significant number of alternative adolescent plant tray configurations is a numerically significant number of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations is a member of at least one number set selected from the group of number sets consisting of:

greater than or equal to one,

greater than or equal to three,

greater than or equal to four,

greater than or equal to five,

greater than or equal to six,

greater than or equal to seven,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 14 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 42 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 57 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 71 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations,

greater than or equal to that number corresponding to about 85 percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations, and

equal to that number corresponding to about 100percent of alternative, square adolescent plant tray configurations.

41. A method of mechanized plant transplantation as described in claim 38 wherein said 243 propagule transplant containers are arranged in a nine by twenty-seven matrix.