Above-ground plant growth and root pruning system

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and device for above-ground plant growth, and air root pruning which provides significant advantages over known methods of conducting above-ground plant growth and air root pruning.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An above-ground plant growth and root pruning system comprising: 
 a non-woven fabric means for plant and plant-growth medium containment, said non-woven fabric means: 
 being made of a needle-punched, polymer fabric that 
 (i) comprises a plurality of microscopic to macroscopic pores such that said fabric comprises an air-flow of about 60 CFM or higher and permits root growth into the ground when said non-woven fabric means is placed above ground, and  
 (ii) is heat treated so that said fabric comprises sufficient rigidity to increase ease of use in containment of said plant-growth medium and said plant when said non-woven fabric means is placed above ground; and  
 
 wherein said non-woven fabric means is UV resistant.  
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said non-woven fabric means is comprised of a continuous piece of said needle-punched, polymer fabric, wherein said non-woven fabric means is folded and sewn to produce the collapsible configuration shown in FIG. 1.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said polymer fabric comprises at least one UV stabilizer.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said non-woven fabric means comprises a bottom layer affixed to side walls such that, upon filling of said non-woven fabric means with plant-growth medium and said plant, said side walls affixed to said bottom layer form a substantially cylindrical, self-supporting containment means comprising an open top.