A netting material is knitted from at least two synthetic material yarns of which one is an opaque and the other is a transparent or translucent or different opaque yarn. A knitted netting material comprises a plurality of primary yarns knitted to form a mesh construction having an arrangement of primary apertures defined by yarn intersections and yarn connecting portions between yarn intersections, and a plurality of secondary yarns crossing over the primary apertures to form secondary apertures within the primary apertures.

A netting material is knitted from at least two synthetic material yarns of which one is an opaque and the other is a transparent or translucent or different opaque yarn. A knitted netting material comprises a plurality of primary yarns knitted to form a mesh construction having an arrangement of primary apertures defined by yarn intersections and yarn connecting portions between yarn intersections, and a plurality of secondary yarns crossing over the primary apertures to form secondary apertures within the primary apertures.

The invention relates to a greenhouse, specifically a closed greenhouse environment suitable for use in dry environments which regulates the conditions of the growing environment whilst minimising heat and water loss. The greenhouse is especially suitable for use with macrophyte growing systems.

The invention relates to a greenhouse, specifically a closed greenhouse environment suitable for use in dry environments which regulates the conditions of the growing environment whilst minimising heat and water loss. The greenhouse is especially suitable for use with macrophyte growing systems.

This invention is directed toward a rotating arm that can quickly and easily cover and uncover a greenhouse. The invention comprises a base unit to which is attached a rotating arm. The base unit is secured into cement and the rotating arm unit is attached at its end to a tarp. As a worker rotates the arm, the greenhouse tarp is quickly moved in the direction or rotation. A greenhouse with one of these inventions at either end can be covered and uncovered by a single person in a matter of seconds and removes the need for the motors and complicated apparatus associated with the prior art.

This invention is directed toward a rotating arm that can quickly and easily cover and uncover a greenhouse. The invention comprises a base unit to which is attached a rotating arm. The base unit is secured into cement and the rotating arm unit is attached at its end to a tarp. As a worker rotates the arm, the greenhouse tarp is quickly moved in the direction or rotation. A greenhouse with one of these inventions at either end can be covered and uncovered by a single person in a matter of seconds and removes the need for the motors and complicated apparatus associated with the prior art.

Color conversion units and inks for horticultural applications as well as corresponding growing facilities and methods are provided. Color conversion units comprise structural element(s) positioned between natural and/or artificial illumination source(s) and horticultural crop(s), and fluorescent dye(s) embedded in and/or painted on the structural element(s) and configured to convert radiation within absorption range(s) in the specified spectrum into emitted radiation within emission range(s) that are at longer wavelengths than the absorption range(s) and are more readily used by the crop plants and/or modify their growing conditions. Illumination control may be achieved by controlling the types and spatial spread of the dyes, to modify the illumination spectra controllably. For example, dyes may be used to convert ultraviolet, blue and/or green radiation into red radiation which is used better by the plants and/or into growth signals, e.g. in the infrared, that modify plant growth patterns, such as initiating flowering.

Color conversion units and inks for horticultural applications as well as corresponding growing facilities and methods are provided. Color conversion units comprise structural element(s) positioned between natural and/or artificial illumination source(s) and horticultural crop(s), and fluorescent dye(s) embedded in and/or painted on the structural element(s) and configured to convert radiation within absorption range(s) in the specified spectrum into emitted radiation within emission range(s) that are at longer wavelengths than the absorption range(s) and are more readily used by the crop plants and/or modify their growing conditions. Illumination control may be achieved by controlling the types and spatial spread of the dyes, to modify the illumination spectra controllably. For example, dyes may be used to convert ultraviolet, blue and/or green radiation into red radiation which is used better by the plants and/or into growth signals, e.g. in the infrared, that modify plant growth patterns, such as initiating flowering.

An intelligent farming arrangement comprises a cultivation receptacles receiving a soil medium for cultivation of a plant. Each receptacle has a growth condition sensor for monitoring a condition of the soil medium in the receptacle. A leaching reservoir arranged below the receptacles receives leached nutrients from the receptacles gravity. A fluid redistribution arrangement having at least one fluid pump is arranged within the reservoir for redistributing such nutrients from the reservoir to the receptacles. A controller is in communication with each sensor and the fluid redistribution arrangement, the controller configured to operatively provide a GUI, via a communications network, to a user, the GUI having a prediction engine configured to predict plant growth in each receptacle by analysing the monitored soil condition, the GUI configured to display such predicted plant growth and monitored soil condition and to enable remote control of the fluid redistribution arrangement in real-time.

The friction clamp includes a cylindrical body of elongate form between ends and with a slot into which a tubular item is snapped. Lateral connectors such as a receiver with a cylindrical recess therein receive an end of a tubular member, such as a member similar to that which snaps into the slot. As an alternative to the receiver, a tab is provided extending from the clamp laterally. The tab includes a hole through which hardware is placed, and an item having a similar tab is placed adjacent to the tab extending from the clamp and the hardware tightened for fixation at a desired rotational orientation. As another alternative to the receiver, a small friction clamp connector is provided on an exterior of the friction clamp. A small rod (or other item) snaps into the small clamp. The small clamp and rod can be provided separate from the friction clamp.