NL2012923B1

NL2012923B1 - Planting method making use of a substrate plug with a press section.

Info

Publication number: NL2012923B1
Application number: NL2012923A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Van Der Knaap Mark; Matthijs Verhoef Pim
Original assignee: Anthura Bv
Priority date: 2014-05-30
Filing date: 2014-05-30
Publication date: 2016-06-09

Abstract

A method and an assembly of a pre-shaped substrate plug 1 and a container 9 for planting out a plant, of which the plug comprises one or more press sections 5 sideways of an upwardly opening plant insertion recess 3, wherein outer wall dimensions of the press sections 5 are larger than inner wall dimensions of corresponding parts of the container 9, such that during a step of placing the plug 1 in an insertion position into the container 9, a pressing of the plug 1 into the container 9 needs to be performed for the press sections 5 to be able to fit into the corresponding parts of the container 9 while said press sections 5 compress inwardly in a sideways direction and at least partly decrease the plant insertion recess 3 around a lower plant part which had been placed therein preceding the pressing.

Description

P32044NL00/RR

Title: Planting method making use of a substrate plug with a press section.

The present invention relates to a method for planting out plants, in particular seedlings, cuttings or tissue-culture plants, which method makes use of assemblies of containers and pre-shaped substrate plugs, of which the plugs are equipped with plant insertion recess into which the plants can be planted. A variety of such planting methods are known in the field. For example EP 2 327 293 shows a method in which the pre-shaped substrate plug comprises two distinctive semi-frustoconical shaped segments. The symmetrical segments are formed by mixing a fibre mixture, such as coconut fibre or peat with a heated thermoplastic material as adhesive, which is then moulded in a suitable mould. The two segments can be placed inside a basket for keeping them together. With this the segments lie with flat vertical walls against each other. Subsequently the basket can be placed inside a container of a tray. Before the two segments are placed in the basket and holder respectively, firstly roots of a plant are placed between the two segments. A disadvantage of this method is that its user-friendliness leaves to be desired and that it is relative time-consuming. Also roots or leafs of the plants may get damaged or broken off during the planting out. For example this can be caused because the segments form fixed units, which fixed units may squeeze the roots when their flat vertical walls get clamped against them. Furthermore the plant may get damaged because a user is likely to be short-handed when trying to first carefully place the plant’s roots between the two segments, then secondly keep those segments gently positioned relative to each other, and then thirdly have them correctly placed in the basket. As one can imagine this is a difficult operation to perform by merely one person.

Another example is known from GB 1,054,671. Here a square pre-shaped substrate plug is used which is made out of a spongy compressible material and which has a grooveshaped plant insertion recess which extends over the whole height of the plug. The grooveshaped plant insertion recess has one end located in a central portion of the plug and the other end opening out at one sidewall of the plug. After separating the edges of the grooveshaped plant insertion recess, a plant can be placed with its roots at a desired height therein. Subsequently the edges can be pinched together such that the plant is retained in the plug. After that the plug can be placed into a suitable container. A disadvantage here also is that its user-friendliness leaves to be desired, and that the method is relative time-consuming and difficult to perform. Again the plants may get damaged during the planting out because a user is likely to be short-handed when trying to first separate the edges, then carefully place the plant’s roots into the groove-shaped plant insertion recess, and then pinch the edges together and place the plug in the basket.

The present invention aims to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages at least partly or to provide a usable alternative. In particular the invention aims to provide a cost-efficient planting method which helps to positively influence the growing conditions for the plant and which can be largely automated by having it partly or wholly performed by a robot.

This aim is achieved by a method for planting out a plant according to claim 1. The method comprises the step of providing a pre-shaped substrate plug which is equipped with a substantially vertically extending plant insertion recess that opens out towards an upper surface of the plug. A container is provided for the plug to fit into. A plant is positioned with a lower part inside the plant insertion recess, after which the plug is placed in an aimed insertion position into the container. According to the inventive thought the provided plug comprises one or more so-called press sections sideways of the plant insertion recess. Those press sections are delimited by outer walls which have dimensions that are larger than dimensions of corresponding parts of inner walls of the container. In other words the press sections are overdesigned relative to the corresponding container parts. During the step of placing the plug in the aimed insertion position into the container, a pressing of the plug into the container needs to be performed, since otherwise the overdesigned press sections would not fit into the corresponding container parts. Because of this pressing, the overdesigned press sections automatically get (com)pressed inwardly in a sideways direction and owing to this automatically start to decrease the plant insertion recess around the lower plant part. This decreasing of the recess may be such that the recess substantially fully has closed around the lower plant part and thus has the substrate material substantially lie all around against the lower plant part. The decreasing of the recess however may also be such that the recess has become smaller but that a limited amount of play remains around at least a part of the lower plant part. Furthermore the decreasing of the recess may be such that the lower plant part at least partly has gotten clamped by the plug’s substrate material, without the recess having gotten fully closed all around the lower plant part.

This advantageously makes it possible to quickly and easily place the plant with its lower part into the plug and have it retained in the aimed insertion position therein. Thus an important cost saving can be obtained. The plant insertion recess can remain open as long as the plug has not been fully pressed into the container. No additional measures need to be taken for this. Subsequently the plant insertion recess can automatically start to decrease, substantially in the sideways direction, by pressing the plug into the container. This pressing can still be performed manually if desired with for example merely one hand. One can pick up the plant, place it into the plant insertion recess and then, if desired with the same hand, press the plug fully into the container. It is also possible to have this done by a robot arm or the like. The easy manual or robotized operation helps to keep the vulnerable plant undamaged during the planting out. It is now obtained that the plant insertion recess gets to automatically and substantially come to lie against the lower plant part as soon as the plug is fully pressed into the container. This causes the lower plant part to get gently contacted by the substrate material, which helps for the plant to quickly start to grow inside the substrate material, and take up water and nutrients. In particular for seedlings, cuttings or tissue-culture plants, this may help them to quickly grow into strong and healthy plants.

It is possible to first perform the step of positioning of the plant with its lower plant part inside the plant insertion recess, and not before then take up the substrate plug and place it into the container including a pressing of its press sections into this container. In a preferred embodiment it is however also possible to perform those steps in one go, preferably in one continuous downwards movement. The plant can be moved downwards with its lower plant part into the plant insertion recess, until the lower plant part has obtained its foreseen depth therein. Immediately thereafter it is possible to start to exert a downwards pressing force onto the upper surface of the plug such that it gets pressed into the container while at the same time its plant insertion recess starts to decrease.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plug can be pre-placed partly with a lower plug part into an upper part of the container, before the plant gets positioned with its lower plant part inside the plant insertion recess. This can easily be done since the overdesigned press sections automatically may prevent the plug from starting to sink down towards the aimed insertion position inside the container. Instead the plug shall automatically remain to hang in an intermediate position inside the container in which the plug is still interspaced from a bottom of the container.

The press sections can be given all kinds of shapes and dimensions. Preferably they are formed as ribs which project locally outwardly bulging out of the outer plug wall and which extend substantially in a substantially vertical/axial direction alongside the outer wall of the plug. More preferably such locally outwardly bulging ribs are provided at opposing positions relative to the plant insertion recess. It is however also possible for merely one press section to be provided which extends around substantially the entire circumference of the plug at a larger dimension than the corresponding container part where it needs to be pressed into. Instead of the plug being provided with one or more outwardly projecting thickened press sections, or in addition thereto, it is also possible to equip the container with inwardly projecting press wall segments which cause the press sections to be compressed when the plug is pressed into the container.

The plug and the container can be given all kinds of shapes and dimensions. Preferably they are designed such that the plug is able to remain hanging, with its press sections still in a substantially uncompressed state, in the abovementioned intermediate position inside the container. For example the plug with the exception of its overdesigned press sections and the entire container can be made frusto-conical with circumferential outer plug wall and inner container wall which taper under same angles relative to the vertical/axial direction.

In a variant the provided container may delimit a shape such that the plug fits with its press sections in a non-compressed state therein in a first rotational position and that the plug fits with its press sections only in a compressed state therein in a second rotational position which corresponds to the aimed insertion position. This advantageously makes it possible to firstly pre-shape the substrate plug inside the container, for example by moulding it therein. Subsequently the thus pre-shaped plug can be moved at least partly out of the container and rotated from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. Then the further method steps according to the invention can be followed, that is to say, position the lower part of the plant inside the plant insertion recess, and press the plug, which still is in its second rotational insertion position, into its aimed insertion position inside the container while the press sections automatically get compressed inwardly in the sideways direction and force the plant insertion recess to decrease around the lower plant part. Thus the plug can be manufactured inside the same container where it subsequently gets pressed into. Only a partial rotation around its central axis is needed.

Further advantageous embodiments of the method are stated in the dependent subclaims.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a pre-shaped substrate plug and a container for use in the above inventive method.

In a preferred embodiment of this assembly, a difference between the outer wall dimensions of the press sections of the plug and the inner wall dimensions of the corresponding parts of the container can be made equal to or larger than thicknesses of the plant insertion recess to be decreased. Thus it can be tuned that the plant insertion recess gets to decrease over an aimed amount, in particular at least 3 mm, and for example starts to substantially close itself around the lower plant part and/or starts to clamp around it. The larger the plant insertion recess is made, the more overdesigned the press sections can be made. The dimensions of the still open plant insertion recess are such that it is well able to take up the lower plant part. The dimensions of the overdesigned press sections can be made complementary thereto. This may differ per type of plant which needs to be planted out. In this way an optimal cooperation between the numbers, dimensions and shapes of the press sections and the shape and dimension of the plant insertion recess can be made.

In a further embodiment the plant insertion recess may even be given a varying thickness over its height and/or width inside the plug. For example its thickness can decrease gradually and/or stepped towards the sides and/or towards the bottom of the plant insertion recess, since less lower plant part volume may have to come to lie therein during the planting out. Again the dimensions of the overdesigned press sections can easily be made complementary thereto.

The press sections preferably may be delimited by downwards, that is to say substantially in the axial direction of the plug, tapering outer walls. This provides a sideways inwardly directed wedge action onto the press sections when they are pressed downwards into the container, which makes it lighter to suitably press the plug into the container after the lower plant part has been placed therein.

The plug may comprise an upper and lower plug part, wherein the press sections extend merely along the upper plug part, and wherein the lower plug part has outer wall dimensions which are equal to or smaller than inner wall dimensions of a corresponding lower part of the container. The lower plug part then can easily be pre-placed, preferably with a circumferential play, into an upper part of the container, whereas the upper plug part with its overdesigned press sections automatically gets to hang above this upper container part. It is possible to have the entire upper plug part form the press section. A transition between the outer walls of the upper and lower plug parts then can be made discontinuous. For example the plug then can be given a stepped outer wall. It is then also possible to make this transition more gradual, and for example have the outer walls of the lower plug part taper at a smaller angle a relative to the axial/vertical direction than an angle β at which the outer walls of the upper plug part taper relative to the axial/vertical direction. It is however also possible to have the upper and lower plug parts, including or excluding the press sections, taper at same angles, and equip the container with such a slender upper part that the plug still gets compressed at the location of its upper part when pressed into the container.

As follows from the above, the plant insertion recess into which the lower plant part needs to be inserted, may have all kinds of shapes and dimensions. For example it can be a cylindrical or (frusto)conical recess, or a cross-shaped or star-shaped recess. It may however also be groove-shaped and extend over the entire width of the upper plug part and thus divide this upper plug part into two segments. In this last variant, the two segments of the upper plug part which lie on opposite sides of the plant insertion recess, then can remain hingedly connected with each other by means of the lower plug part. This makes it possible for the upper plug part segments to hinge towards a decreased position when the plug is pressed into the container.

The pre-shaped substrate plug advantageously is not made as a rigid object but gets to be made compressible and be plastically or elastically deformable. This makes it possible to have its overdesigned press sections deform such during its pressing into the container that the substrate material of the plug that delimits the plant insertion recess gets forced to substantially plastically or elastically decrease around the lower plant part. When made out of plastically deformable material, the substrate advantageously is able to remain its compressed state after it has been pressed into the container. For example the plug can be made out of compressible flexible substrate material which has been glued together by means of a suitable adhesive.

Further advantageous embodiments of the assembly are stated in the dependent subclaims.

The invention also relates to a pre-shaped substrate plug for use in the method and assembly.

The invention shall now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the pre-shaped plug according to the invention in a non-compressed state; - Fig. 2a-b show a perspective and cross-sectional view of an assembly of the pre-shaped plugs of fig. 1 and a tray of containers during a planting operation; - Fig. 3 shows the pre-shaped plug of fig. 1 in a compressed state; - Fig. 4a-b are views similar to fig. 2a-b with a variant of the pre-shaped plug; - Fig. 5-8 show variants of assemblies of pre-shaped plugs and containers in a non-com pressed and compressed state; and - Fig. 9a-d shows an assembly of a further variant of an assembly of plug and container in four stages of a planting operation. A pre-shaped substrate plug has been given the reference numeral 1 in fig. 1. This plug 1 is made out of flexible compressible substrate material. It has a central axis A and a substantially frusto-conical outer wall 2. A recess 3 for a plant to be inserted into, has been provided in an upper part of the plug 1. This recess 3 comprises a cylindrical central hole section 3a, two vertically extending groove sections 3b, and a horizontally extending groove section 3c. The recess 3 opens out with the hole and groove sections 3a, 3b towards an upper surface 4 of the plug 1. The grooves 3b and 3c extend over the entire width of the plug 1 and thus open out towards the outer wall 2.

The plug 1 comprises three pairs of press sections 5a-c which are provided at diametrically opposite positions relative to the recess 3. Each of the press sections 5 is formed as an elongate tapering rounded rib which projects outwardly bulging from the wall 2. The press sections 5 extend downwards along the outer wall 2 while gradually tapering towards the same diameter as the outer wall 2. Outer wall dimensions d1, d2 of the press sections 5 are larger than the diameter Dp of the frusto-conical outer wall 2. How much larger depends on the height along the plug 1. The maximum differences between D and d1, d2 are designed to be larger than the thickness t of the groove sections 3b.

Fig. 2 shows how a number of the plugs 1 can used for planting out plants 8 in containers 9 of a tray. With this each container 9 delimits a frusto-conical container space that is substantially complementary to the frusto-conical outer plug wall 2, that is to say the container 9 has a gradually downwardly decreasing inner diameter Dc which substantially corresponds to the gradually downwardly decreasing diameter Dp of the plug 1. Furthermore the container 9 and the plug 1 here have been designed with substantially same heights h.

The assembly of plugs 1 and containers 9 can now advantageously be used as follows:

Firstly the plugs 1 are pre-placed partly with their lower plug parts into upper parts of the containers 9. This is referred to as an intermediate plant positioning position. With this the press sections 5 get to lie against upper edges of the containers 9, while the recess 3 is still fully open.

Subsequently a robot arm 10 each time picks up a plant 8 and carefully and gently moves this plant 8 with a lower part into the open recess 3 of one of the plugs 1. Then in one continuous go the robot arm 10 starts to exert a downwards pressing force onto the upper surface 4 of this plug 1. This causes the plug 1 to get entirely pressed into its container 9. Since the press sections 5 are overdesigned relative to the corresponding upper part of the container 9, they are forced to progressively compress radially inwardly. Because of this the recess 3 automatically starts to progressively close or otherwise decrease around the lower part of the plant 8 and starts to firmly grip this lower plant part 8.

As soon as the entire plug 1 has been pressed into its container 9 it has reached its aimed insertion position therein, in which a lower surface of the plug 1 lies against a bottom of the container 9. The robot arm 10 then can be moved away and pick up another plant 8 for placing it into another one of the plugs 1.

Fig. 3 shows the plug 1 without the plant 8 and the container 9 in its compressed state. As can be seen there, the vertical groove sections 3b have fully closed whereas the dimensions of the central hole section 3a and of the horizontal groove section 3c have decreased. This is advantageous because the varying shape of the recess 3, on the one hand results in the plant 8 getting firmly gripped, whereas on the other hand a vulnerable center part of the plant 8, where the leaves originate, does not get fully squeezed. At the same time the sideways opening groove section 3c remains open for roots to quickly start to grow into there. This may for example be advantageous for aerial roots of epiphyte plants to grow into.

Fig 4 shows a variant in which the plug 1 only comprises one set of opposing press sections 5. Furthermore, this time the recess 3 is formed by a simple wedge-shaped groove which extends over the entire width of the plug 1. Now also the advantageous cooperation between the containers 9 and the plugs 1 can be obtained, in that the recesses 3 automatically shall be forced to close or otherwise decrease when the plugs 1 get pressed into the containers 9. In fig. 4 the downwards directed pressing force is indicated with Fd, whereas the resulting sideways inwards directed compressing forces are indicated with Fc.

Fig. 5 shows a variant with a plug 50 with an upper plug part 50a and a lower plug part 50b. A plant insertion recess 51 has been provided inside the upper plug part 50a. The lower plug part 50b has been given a frusto-conical shape of which outer walls taper at a first angle. The upper plug part 50a has been given a frusto-conical shape of which outer walls taper at a second angle which is larger than the first angle. Thus the entire upper plug part 50a forms a press section according to the inventive thought. When the plug 50 gets pressed with a downwards directed force Fd into a frusto-conical container 52 which is complementary to the lower plug part 50b, then resulting radially inwards directed compressing forces Fc between the upper plug part 50a and corresponding upper parts of the container 51 shall occur. Those forces Fc shall force the recess 51 to close or otherwise decrease. With this the lower plug part 50b is able to function as a sort of hinged connection for the two segments of the upper plug part 50a.

Fig. 6 shows a variant with a two-part plug 60 and a container 61 which are both made frusto-conical with circumferential outer plug walls and inner container walls which taper under different angles relative to the vertical direction. Since the plug 60 tapers at a larger angle than the container 61, the largest part of the plug 60 now is able to act as the overdesigned press section. As can be seen, a plant insertion recess 62 here also extends over substantially the entire plug height. The plug 60 now can be dropped down into the container 61 and automatically shall remain to hang therein in an intermediate position in which the recess 62 is still open. When subsequently pressed forcedly down further into the container 61, the plug 60 shall be able to reach its aimed end position therein in which it gets to contact the bottom of the container 61. During this pressing down, the entire plant insertion recess 62 automatically shall start to close or otherwise decrease around for example plant’s roots placed therein (not shown).

Fig. 7 shows a variant with a plug 70 with an upper plug part 70a and a lower plug part 70b. A plant insertion recess 71 has been provided inside the upper plug part 70a. The lower plug part 70b has been given a cylindrical shape. The upper plug part 70a has been given a upwards outwardly tapering frusto-conical shape. Thus the entire upper plug part 70a forms a press section according to the inventive thought. When the plug 70 gets pressed with a downwards directed force Fd into a cylindrical container 72 which is complementary to the lower plug part 70b, then resulting radially inwards directed compressing forces Fc between the upper plug part 70a and corresponding upper parts of the container 72 shall occur, which shall force the recess 71 to close or otherwise decrease.

Fig. 8 shows a variant with a plug 80 with an upper plug part 80a and a lower plug part 80b. A plant insertion recess 81 has been provided inside the upper plug part 80a. The entire plug 80 has been given a frusto-conical shape. This time a container 82 is used which comprises an upper cylindrical section 82a and a lower frusto-conical section 82b. The lower frusto-conical container section 82b is complementary to a corresponding lower section of the plug 80. The upper plug part 80a here forms the press section. When the plug 80 gets pressed with a downwards directed force Fd into the container 82, then again resulting radially inwards directed compressing forces Fc between the upper plug part 80a and the corresponding upper section 82 a of the container 82 shall occur, which shall force the recess 81 to close or otherwise decrease.

Fig. 9 shows a variant in which a container 90 comprises a different dimensioned first and second set of vertically extending grooves 91a and 91b. The first set of grooves 91a has larger outer dimensions d1 than the outer dimensions d2 of the second set of grooves 91b.

Fig. 9a shows a first method step in which a plug 92 is moulded or otherwise preshaped inside this container 90. The plug 92 then gets to comprise a complementary different dimensioned first and second set of vertically extending ribs 93a and 93b of which the first set of ribs 93a has larger outer dimensions than the second set of ribs 93b. During or after the moulding the plug 92 is provided with a plant insertion recess 94, which here is formed as a cylindrical hole.

Fig. 9b shows a second method step in which the thus pre-shaped plug 92 is lifted out of the container 90. This position of the plug 92 is referred to as its first rotational position.

Fig. 9c shows a third method step in which the lifted plug 92 is rotated around its central axis such that the first set of larger dimensioned ribs 93a gets positioned above the second set of smaller dimensioned grooves 91b. This position of the plug 92 is referred to as its second rotational position. The first set of larger dimensioned ribs 93a then is able to form the press sections according to the invention which only are able to fit into the second set of smaller dimensioned grooves 91b when they are forced to compress sideways inwardly during a pressing of the plug 92 into the container 90.

Fig. 9d shows a fourth method step in which the plug 92 has been pressed with a downwards directed force Fd into the container 90. This results in radially inwards directed compressing forces Fc between the ribs 93a of the plug 92 and the grooves 91b of the container 90. This shall force the recess 94 to reduce its diameter. At the same time, in this aimed insertion position, the second set of smaller dimensioned ribs 93b have no problem to move into the first set of larger dimensioned grooves 91a.

With this variant it is possible to manufacture and use the plugs for planting out in one and the same container. It also may help to prevent pre-shaped plugs from getting damaged during transport towards a planting location.

Besides the embodiments shown, numerous variants are possible. For example the shapes and dimensions of the various parts, segments and sections of the container and/or plug can be further changed. The plug material can be very diverse and for example comprise coconut fibres, peat, bark, mineral/rock wool, soil, polyphenol foam, or mixtures thereof. This material can for example be pre-shaped or moulded while being glued together by means of a suitable adhesive. The plug can be made symmetrical or asymmetrical. Instead of the container and/or the plug being made out of one integral part it is also possible to use multi-part plugs and/or containers. For example some kind filling organ(s) like a ring can be placed inside an upper part of the container and/or around an upper part of the plug at the location of the press sections. This filling organ together with the press sections of the plug and the corresponding parts of the container, then also can be made such that an automatic decreasing of the recess is able to take place during pressing of the plug into the container. The plug can also be made out of two or more distinctive segments of which at least some are provided with the press sections and which together can be pressed into a container in such a way that a recess which is delimited by those plurality of segments automatically decreases. Also it is possible to use some kind of intermediate basket inside which the plug or plug segments can get placed before getting pressed together into the container. The container can have substantially closed side and/or bottom walls. It is also possible to use a basket as container of which the walls are provided with a plurality of openings.

Thus the invention provides an easy to manufacture assembly of container and plug with relative large dimensioned press section(s) sideways of a plant insertion recess, which assembly makes it possible to truly speed up, improve and possibly fully automate a planting out process.

Claims

A method for planting out a plant, in particular a seedling, cuttings, or tissue culture plant, comprising the steps of: providing a preformed substrate plug that is provided with a substantially vertically extending plant insert recess that opens to an upper surface of the plant plug; providing a container for fitting the plug therein; positioning a lower part of the plant in the plant insert recess; and placing the plug in an insertion position in the container, characterized in that the provided plug comprises one or more press sections laterally of the plant insertion recess, wherein external wall dimensions of the press sections, in the insertion position, are larger than internal wall dimensions of corresponding parts of the container, and that during the step of placing the plug in the insertion position in the container, pressing the plug into the container is performed to fit the pressing sections into the corresponding parts of the container while the pressing sections fit into a compressing laterally inwards and at least partially reduce the planting recess around the underlying plant part.

A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the lower plant part in the plant insert recess comprises a downward movement of the plant in the plant insert recess, which downward movement is continued in one pass by a downward pressing action applied to the top surface of the plug is applied for pressing the press sections into the corresponding container parts and causing the plant insert recess around the lower plant part to be at least partially reduced.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein prior to the step of positioning the lower plant part in the plant insert recess, the plug is partially pre-positioned with a lower plug part in an upper part of the container, the pressing sections then in a staple - compressed state supported by the corresponding parts of the container.

A method according to claim 3, wherein the provided plug has its pressing sections extended along an upper plug part, and wherein during the placing of the lower plug part in the upper part of the container, the upper plug part, along which the pressing sections extend, is positioned above the upper part of the container.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the provided container defines a space with a shape such that the plug fits therein in a first rotational position with its pressing sections in a non-compressed state, and that the plug fits therein in a second rotational position with its pressing sections in a compressed state, which second rotational position corresponds to the insertion position, the method further comprising the steps of: preforming the substrate plug in the container; moving the preformed plug at least partially out of the container; rotating the preformed plug from the first rotation position to the second rotation / insertion position; positioning the lower part of the plant in the plant insert recess; and pressing the plug into the container in the second rotational / insertion position while the pressing sections compress inwards in the lateral direction and cause the plant insertion recess to be at least partially reduced around the underlying plant part.

An assembly of a preformed substrate plug and a container, in particular for use in the method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plug is provided with a substantially vertically extending plant insert recess which opens to an upper surface of the plug, with characterized in that the plug laterally of the plant insert recess further comprises one or more pressing sections, with outer wall dimensions of the pressing sections being larger than inner wall dimensions of corresponding parts of the container.

An assembly according to claim 6, wherein differences between the outer wall dimensions of the pressing sections and the inner wall dimensions of the corresponding parts of the container are equal to or greater than the thickness of the planting recess to be reduced, in particular at least 3 millimeters larger.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 6-7, wherein the plant insert recess has a varying thickness over its height and / or width.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 6-8, wherein the pressing sections are limited by downwardly tapered outer walls.

10. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 6-9, wherein the plug comprises an upper and lower plug part, wherein the pressing sections extend along the upper plug part, and wherein the lower plug part has outer wall dimensions that are equal to or smaller than inner wall dimensions of a corresponding lower part of the container.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 6-10, wherein the container defines a space with a shape such that the plug fits therein in a first rotational position with the pressing sections in a non-compressed state, and that the plug therein a second rotation position fits with the pressing sections in a compressed state, which second rotation position corresponds to the insertion position.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 6-11, wherein the plant insert recess extends over the entire width and height of an upper plug part, and wherein segments of the upper plug part that lie on opposite sides of the plant insert recess, hinged to one another be connected by means of a lower plug part.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 6-12, wherein the pressing sections extend over at least the height of the plant insert recess.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 6-13, wherein the substrate plug including its pressing sections is made from a compressible substrate material.

A preformed substrate plug for use in the method and assembly of any one of the preceding claims.