US 20060030489A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0030489 A1 Northcott et al. (43) Pub. Date: Feb. 9, 2006

(54) AQUATIC PRODUCT AND METHOD Publication Classification FOR MAKING GROWTH-SUSTAINING PLANT MATRIX (51) Int. Cl. AOIN 39/02 (2006.01) (76) Inventors: Donald Owen Northcott, Cornwall A0IH 9/00 (2006.01) (CA); Mark O. Hamran, Tea, SD (US) (52) U.S. Cl...... 504/323; 800/295 Correspondence Address: (57) ABSTRACT MARIO D. THERIAULT The invention consists of an aquatic plant product for resale, 812 HWY. 101 NASONWORTH having an extended shelf life, and a method for making the FREDERICTON, NB E3C 2B5 (CA) aquatic plant product. The aquatic plant product is made of a Sealed container containing aquatic-plant-growth-Sustain (21) Appl. No.: 11/193,503 ing medium therein and an aquatic plant planted in that aquatic-plant-growth-Sustaining medium. The aquatic-plant (22) Filed: Aug. 1, 2005 growth-Sustaining medium contains a -Support material; at least one Vitamin; Sucrose; agar, distilled water, micro Related U.S. Application Data nutrients containing iron; at least one hormone Selected from a group consisting of auxin, naphthleneacetic acid, indole (60) Provisional application No. 60/599.985, filed on Aug. 3-butric acid, cytokine, 2-isopentyladenine, 6 Benzylami 9, 2004. nopurine and any combination thereof. US 2006/0030489 A1 Feb. 9, 2006

AQUATIC PLANT PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR 0012 e) distilled water; and MAKING GROWTH-SUSTAINING PLANT MATRIX 0013 f) at least one hormone selected from the list 0001. This application claims the benefits of provisional consisting of auxin, naphthleneacetic acid, indole-3-butric application Ser. No. 60/599.985, filed on Aug. 9, 2004. acid, cytokine, 2-isopentyladenine, 6 benzylaminopurine and any combination thereof. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 0014 Basically, the sealed container contains a plant 0002 This invention pertains to retail packages of aquatic growth-Supporting medium and a Sterile aquatic plant. The , and more specifically, it pertains to Sealed containers plant-growth-Supporting medium is water-based and by Vir having growth-Sustaining media therein providing extended tue of being Sealed, establishes within the non-media portion shelf life for the plants therein. of the container interior, the air space, a relative humidity that is substantially 100%. This 100% humidity level closely BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION approximates conditions aquatic plants experience while 0003. It is the dream of every fish hobbyist to decorate Submerged, this then creates the conditions required for their living Space with attractive, plant-filled aquariums. Successful growth of aquatic plants. However, it is expensive and labor-intensive for amateur hobbyists, or even professional breeders, to obtain and grow 0015. A sterile tissue-cultured aquatic plantlet when a variety of aquarium plants due to the fact that they require placed on a Sterile plant-growth-Supporting medium in a Specialized equipment to propagate. Moreover, acquatic plant Sealed vessel establishes an equilibrium in this environment retailers experience Significant product losses with aquatic and as Such only grows at a rate Supported by the factors that plant products, as the plants currently available must be control the metabolic processes. transplanted directly upon receipt of Shipment from a pro 0016 Plants complete two processes, photosynthesis and vider or will perish. Thus, what is needed is a shelf-stable respiration. In the photosynthesis process, Oxygen is aquatic plant product. released from the plant as a metabolic process. In respira tion, a plant absorbs Oxygen from the atmosphere and use SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION it to drive metabolic processes. So the cycling of a limited 0004. The present invention relates to an aquatic plant Supply of Oxygen within the closed System serves to regu product characterized by an extended shelf life, which late plant growth and in doing So it establishes the longevity product comprises at least one aquatic plant and a stable of the plant in the closed system. growth-Sustaining plant matrix, and to methods useful for 0017. This brief Summary has been provided so that the generating Same. For example, the present invention pro nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more vides a Sealed container, e.g., a test tube, containing therein complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by an aquatic plant, for example, a tissue-culture propagated reference to the following detailed description of the pre aquatic plant, in a Sterile environment and in a growth ferred embodiment thereof. Sustaining plant matrix. 0005. In one embodiment, the present invention provides DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE nutrient rich, non-toxic, foliar Support matrix conditions to PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Sustain an aquatic plant in a Sealed container for an extended period of time, for example, at least one year. An acquatic I. Definitions plant can be laboratory cultured under Specific growth 0018. The following definitions are provided for specific parameters and conditioned for entry into a container that terms that are used in the following written description: provides the plant with Sufficient nutrients and air to Survive 0019 AS used in the specification and claims, the singu un-aided and without the addition of water or other normal lar form “a,”“an” and “the” include plural references unless plant requirements. the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term 0006. In one embodiment, the present invention provides “a plant' includes a plurality of plants, e.g., aquatic plant a tissue culture medium formulated to Sustain the aquatic . plant of interest, for example, a tissue-culture propagated 0020. An “acquatic plant” refers to members of the king aquatic plant, in a contained, Sterile environment for up to doms Plantae and Protista that are capable of survival and/or one year. The tissue culture medium is specific for the plant, growth in an aquatic environment, e.g., under water or in a and has precise nutritive components, e.g., hormones, fer wetland environment. tilizers, amino acids, trace elements and minerals, Such as fertilizer and trace minerals which aid in the growth and root 0021 “Container” includes any suitable, sealable device formation, that Sustain the individual plant. Such as a tissue culture flask, tissue culture dish, test tube and the like. A container may be made of transparent 0007 For example, the medium according to the present material, Such as glass, polystyrene and the like, or trans invention comprises: lucent material, Such as polypropylene and the like. 0008 a) root-support material as described by inventors 0022. The terms “medium” and “media” are used inter Murashige & Skoog, who are well known in this art; changeably with “substrate,”“matrix” and “formulation.” 0009 b) at least one vitamin; 0023 The phrase “shelf-stable” refers to the capability of the product of the invention to Sustain the plant being Stored 0010) c) Sucrose; for an extended period of time, for example, for at least four 0011 d) agar; years, at a temperature Such as room temperature, e.g., 50 US 2006/0030489 A1 Feb. 9, 2006

C.-85 C. In one embodiment of the invention, the shelf muskgrasses (Chara spp.), Stoneworts (Nitella spp.) and Stable aquatic plant product of the invention can be Stored at numerous vascular plants. Many Submersed plants, Such as room temperature for one to 4 years in the Sterile container widgeon-grass (Ruppia maritima), various pondweeds without having a deleterious effect on the ability of the (PotamogetOn spp.), and tape-grass (Vallisneria spp.), are aquatic plant to Survive, e.g., grow and/or proliferate, once native to the United States. transplanted into an aquatic environment. 0033 Submersed species face special problems obtaining 0024 “Sterile” or “sterile environment” refers to the light for photosynthesis and they must obtain carbon dioxide absence of prokaryotic, lower eukaryotes Species, and/or from the water where it is much less available than it is in pathogens. air. Submersed Species invest much less energy into Struc tural Support because they are Supported by water and water II. Exemplary Plants of the Invention accounts for about 95% of the weight of these submersed 0.025 The shelf-stable aquatic plant product of the inven Species. tion includes a Sterile, Sealed container with at least one aquatic plant, the of which are in contact with a 0034) Free floating macrophytes (plants that typically float on or just under the water Surface with their roots in the Sustainable growth medium that is tailored to meet the water and not in Sediment) are a diverse group of aquatic nutritive needs of the plant(s) of interest. plants. Small free floating plants include duckweeds (Lemna 0026. Any aquatic and/or wetland plants can be used with spp.), mosquito fern (Azolla Caroliniana) and water fern the method of the present invention, Such as any emergent, (Salvinia spp.). Larger Surface floating plants include water floating-leaved, Submersed, and freely floating aquatic plant. hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), frog's bit (Limnobium Aquatic macrophytes, by definition, are the macroscopic SpOngia). (large enough to be observed by the naked eye) forms of aquatic and wetland plants found in water bodies. The term 0035 Free floating species are entirely dependent on the aquatic macrophytes refers to a diverse group of aquatic water for their nutrient Supply. In fact, Some (e.g., water plants and encompasses flowering vascular plants, mosses, hyacinth) have been used in wastewater treatment to remove ferns, and macroalgae. exceSS nutrients. 0027 Emergent macrophytes (plants that are rooted in 0036) Thus, the shelf-stable aquatic plant product of the Substrate with the tops of the plant extending into the air) invention includes a Sterile, Sealed container with one grow on periodically inundated or Submersed Soils. Most aduatic plant or a plurality of aquatic plants, for example, a emergent macrophytes are perennials (plants or plant parts combination of one or more aquatic plant Species. For living for greater than one year). They are typically rooted example, plants Suitable for aquarium growth include, but in the bottom, have their base portions Submersed in water, are not limited to aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei), ambulia and have their tops elevated into the air. (Limnophila indica), anacharis (Egeria densa), bacopa (Bacopa Caroliniana), , green (Cabomba carolini 0028 Emergent plants have to be strongly rooted and ana), cabOmba, purple (Cabomba pulcherrima), cardamine much energy is put into producing a strong Structure to (Cardamine lyrata), creeping charlie (Micromeria brownei), withstand the wind and waves in the shallow water Zone. gloSSOStigma (GloSSOStigma elatinoides), hornwort (Cerato 0029 Common emergent macrophytes include plants phyllum demersum), hygrophila, Scarlet (Alternanthera Ses Such as reeds (Phragmites spp.), bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), Silis), hygrophila, tropic Sunset (Hygrophila polysperma), cattails (Typha spp.), and Spikerushes (Eleocharis spp.). java moSS (Vesicularia dubyana)(large clump), loydiella Some emergents, wild rice (Zizania spp.) for example, have (Lysimachia nummularia), loydiella, golden (Lysimachia Submersed or floating before mature aerial leaves nummularia V. aurea), ludwigia, broad (Ludwigia form. repens), ludwigia, narrow leaf (Ludwigia palustris), ludwi gia, needle leaf (Ludwigia arcuata), myrio, filigree (Myrio 0030 Floating-leaved macrophytes (plants that are phyllum Simulans), myrio, green (Myriophyllum pinnatum), rooted to the lake bottom with leaves that float on the Surface myrio, red (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), temple, narrow of the water) generally occur in areas of a lake that do not leaf (Hygrophila corymbosa), barteri, barteri (Anubias bar occasionally dry out. Common representatives include teri v. “barteri’), barteri, round leaf (Anubias barteri v. waterlilies (Nymphaea spp.), spatterdock (Nuphar spp.), and round leaf), coffeefolia (Anubias barteri v. 'coffeefolia), watershield (Brasenia spp.). Floating leaves are attached to congensis (Anubias 'congensis), frazeri (Anubids frazeri), roots or with a flexible, tough stem (actually in gigantea (Anubias gigantea), gracilis (Anubias gracilis), many cases a leaf Stalk). Some floating-leaved macrophytes, hastifolia (Anubias hastifolia), lanceolata (Anubias lan like Nuphar spp., can exist in a Submersed form for a ceolata), nana (Anubias barteri V. nana), capuronii considerable time. Many floating-leaved species form large (Aponogeion capuronii), natans ( natans), colonies from Spreading underground rhizomes. rigidifolius (ApOnogeton rigidifolius), balansae (Cryptoc 0.031 Floating leaves live in two extremely different Oryne crispatula), blassii (Cryptocoryne blassii), ciliata habitats, water on the bottom, air on top. A thick, waxy (Cryptocoryne ciliata), retroSpiralis (Cryptocoryne retroSpi coating protects the top of the leaf from the aerial environ ralis), Spiralis (Cryptocoryne Spiralis), amazon, compacta ment. Floating leaves can be ravaged by wind and waves So ( bleheri 'compacta), chain, broad leaf (Echi these plants are usually found in protected areas. nodorus quadricOStatus), chain, narrow leaf (Echinodorus tenellus), hormanii, red (Echinodorus hormanii), indian red 0032 Submersed macrophytes (plants that grow com (Echinodorus indian red ), jade (Echinodorus hormanii), pletely Submersed under the water) are a diverse group that melon (Echinodorus Osiris), melon, red (Echinodorus bar includes quillworts (Isoetes spp.), mosses (Fontinalis spp.), thii), radican (), radican, marble US 2006/0030489 A1 Feb. 9, 2006 queen (Echinodorus cordifolius), rose (Echinodorus rose), * CompactaTM; Cordyline Red Edge SpecialTM; Cordyline rosette (Echinodorus parviflorus v. tropica), ruffle (Echi Red Edge"M; Crassula helmsii; Crinum aquatica, Cryp nodorus martii), uruguayensis (), tocoryne afinis, Cryptocoryne albida, Cryptocoryne beck chilensis (Sagittaria platyphylla), Subulata (Sagittaria Subu etti; Cryptocoryne blaSSii, Cryptocoryne lingua, Cryptoc lata), Subulata, dwarf (Sagittaria Subulata), contortion (Val Oryne longicula, Cryptocoryne lucens, Cryptocoryne parva, lisneria asiatica), corkscrew (Vallisneria americana), italian Cryptocoryne petchii, Cryptocoryne pointederiifolia, Cryp (), jungle (Vallisneria americana), bar tocoryne pygmaea, Cryptocoryne tonkinensis, Cryptoc claya (Barclaya longifolia), bolbitis (Bolbitis heudelotii), Oryne tropica, Cryptocoryne uSteriana, Cryptocoryne will bolbitis (Bolbitis heteroclita), crinum natans (Crinum isii, Cyperus alternifilius, Cyperus haspens, Cyperus natans), crinum, "onion plant’ (crinum thaianum), crinum, “onion plant', dwarf (Zephyranthes candida), duckweed helferi; Diefenbachia 'Exotica VariegatusTM; Diefenba (Lemna minor), dwarf lily (Nymphaea Stellata), java fern chia bausei; Diefenbachia marianna, Diefenbachia picta, (MicroSOrium pteropus), java fern, lace (MicroSOrium ptero Echinodorus ApartTM; Echinodorus Long LeafTM; Echi pus V. tropica), micro Sword (Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae), nodorus “Narrow Leaf Red RubinTM; Echinodorus tiger lotus, green (Nymphaea zenkeri), tiger lotus, red (Nym PythonTM; Echinodorus “Red FlameTM; Echinodorus phaea zenkeri), water sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides) amazonicus, Echinodorus anguStifolia, Echinodorus argen tinesis, Echinodorus cordifolius, Echinodorus gabrieli; 0037. In one embodiment, the shelf-stable, sterile con Echinodorus grandifolius, Echinodorus harbich, Echin tainer of the invention includes at least one baby tears Odorus horemani 'GreenTM; Echinodorus horemanii (Hemianthus micranthemoides), diandra (Didiplis diandra), RedTM; Echinodorus latifolius, Echinodorus major, Echi heteranthera (Heteranthera zosterifolia), hygrophila nodorus muricatus, Echinodorus muricatus “GreenTM; (Hygrophila polysperma), ludwigia peruensis (Ludwigia Echinodorus Scaber, Echinodorus Schlueteri; Echinodorus peruensis), mayaca (Mayaca fluviatilis), mexican oak leaf Schlueteri Leopard TM; Eichhornia crassipes; Eichhornia (Shinnersia rivularis), moneywort (Bacopa monnieri), pen diversifolia, Eleocharis parvulus, Eleocharis vivipara, nywort, brazilian (Hydrocotyle leucocephala), rotala indica Eriocaulon cineteum, Eustrilis Setllata, Fittonia argyro (ROtala indica), rotala magenta (ROtala macrandra V. nar nanta, Gymnocoronis Spilanthoides, Gymnocoronis Spilan row leaf), rotala wallichii (Rotala wallichii), tellanthera thoides variegated; Hemianthus callitrichoides, Hemigra (Alternanthera reineckii), temple (Hygrophila corymbosa), phis c. “ExoticaTM; Hemigraphis colorata, Hemigraphis wisteria (Hygrophila diformis), boivinianus (ApOnogeton repanda, Heteranthera dubia, Hottonia palustris, Hydro boivinianus), crispuS (Aponogeion crispus), longiplumulo charis dubia, Hydrocharis nymphaeoides; Hydrocotyle SuS (ApOnogetOn longiplumulosus), madagascar lace leuncocephala, Hydrocotyle Sibthorpiodes; Hydrocotyle (Aponogeton madagascariensis), ulvaceuS (ApOnogeton verticillata, Hydrotriche hottoniiflora, Hygrophila Red TM; ulvaceus), undulatas (ApOnogeton undulatas), wendtii, Hygrophila augustifolia, Hygrophila lacustris, Hygrophila green (Cryptocoryne wendtii), wendtii, red (Cryptocoryne Salicifolia, Hygrophila Salicifolia Long FormTM; Hygro wendtii), amazon (Echinodorus bleheri), (Spathiphyl rhyza aristata, LagarOSiphon madgascarensis, Lagenandra lum tasson), oriental (Echinodorus oriental ), ozelot (Echi thwaitesii; Lilaeopsis MauritiusTM; Lilaeopsis brasillien nodorus 'ozelot), red rubin (Echinodorus rubin), banana sis, Limnobium laevigatum, Limnophila 'GiganteaTM; Lim plant (Nymphoides aquatica), crinum calamistratum (Cri nophila TaiwainTM; Limnophila aquatica, Limnophila aro num calamistratum), or any combination thereof. matica, Limnophila huppuroides, Limnophila rotundifolia, 0.038. Other aquatic plants which can be packaged and Limnophila rotundifolia Variegated; Lobelia cardinalis grown or preserved alive in the container and the media Small FormTM; Ludwigia "M; Ludwigia arcuata, according to the present invention includes: Aeschynomine Ludwigia brevipes, Ludwigia glandulosa, Ludwigia incli fluitans, Aglaonema MinimaTM; Aglaonema Silver nata, Ludwigia Ovalis, Ludwigia palustris “GreenTM; Lud Queen TM; Aglaonema Simplex, Alternanthera “Red wigia Sedioides, Lysimachia nummularia, Lysimachia num RoundTM; Alternanthera ficiodea bettzickiana Red TM; mularia * AureaTM; Marsilea anguStifolia, Alternanthera ficodea bettzickiana 'GreenTM; Alternan Marsileacrenata, Mayaca Sellowiniana, Micrathemum thera ficoidea bettzickiana AureaTM; Altemanthera micranthemoides, Microcarpaea minima, Microsorium lilacina. Alternanthera lilacina VariegatedTM; Alteman pterpus “Narrow Leaf TM; MonoSolenium tenerum, Myrio thera Ocipus, Ammania Bonsai TM; Ammania gracilis, Anu phyllum dicrocum, Myriophyllum elatinoides; Myriophyl bias “GabonTM; Anubias barteri var barteri Broad LeafTM; lum hippuroides; Myriophyllum matogrossense “Green Anubias barteri var. barteri, Anubias barteri var. barteri FormTM; Myriophyllum procerpinacoides; Myriophyllum “Marble TM; Anubias barteri var. barteri “Oriental GreenTM; propinqum, Myriophyllum scabratum, Myriophyllum tuber Anubias barteri var. barteri Sharp Wavy LeafTM; Anubias culatum, NajaS indica, NeSaes, NeSaes pedicellata, Nuphar barteri var. barteri VariegatedTM; Anubias barteri var. japonicum SpatterdockTM; Nymphaea micrantha, Nym nana Eyes".M.; Anubias barteri var. nana GoldenTM; Anu phaea rubra, Nymphaea Stellata, Nymphoides, Nymphoides bias barteri var. nana 'Narrow LeafTM; Anubias barteri var. indica, Ophiopogon jaburan, Ophiopogon jaburan varie nana StardustTM; Anubias barteri var. nana Wrinkled gatus, Ophiopogon japonica, Ophiopogon japonica LeafTM; Anubias barteri var. nana Yellow HeartTM; Kyoto TM; Ottelia alismoides, Ottelia ovalifolia, Peliosan ApOngeton henkalianus, ApOngeton Stachysporus, Bacopa thes; Physostegia purpurea, Pista Stratiotes, PogoStemon australis, Bacopa lanigera, Bacopa myriophylloides, Blyxa Stellata, PogoStemon Stellata Broad LeafTM; Polygonum, alternifolius; Blyxa aubertii; Blyxa japonica, Bolbitis het Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum pedunculare, Potam eroclitia, CabOmba aquatica, CabOmba palaeformis, ageton MalainusTM ; Potamageton crispus, Potamageton Cabomba piaauhyensis, Caladium 'Freda Hemple TM; gayi, Potamageton Octandra, Potamageton perfoliatus, Caladium humboldtii White TM; Ceratopteris Siliquosa, ProSerpinaca palustris, Ranalisma roStrata, Rorippa Chloroophytum bichetii, Cordyline, Cordyline aquatica, Rotala PearlTM; Rotala macrandra GreenTM; US 2006/0030489 A1 Feb. 9, 2006

Rotala macrandra variegatedTM; Rotala najean, Rotala (N), phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), magnesium rotundifolia GreenTM; Rotala wallichii Long LeafTM; Sau (Mg) and potassium (K). Micronutrients include but are not rurus cernuus, Selaginella wildenowii; Syngoium White limited to iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), Zinc Butterfly'TM; Syngoium podophyllum, Syngoium podophyl (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), and boron (B). In lum Red KnightTM, Tonina fluviatilis, Trapa natans; Tri addition, the matrix can contain organic components Such as chocoronis rivularis, Trichocoronis rivularis variegatus; adenine Sulfate, activated charcoal, adenine hemisulfate, Trichomanes javanicum Aqua FernTM; Ultricularia, Val agar, 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA), D-biotin, 6 gamma lisneria americana var. americana RubraTM; Vallisneria gamma-Dimethylallylaminopurine, glycine, indole-3-acetic americana var. biwaensis, Vallisneria americana var. acid, indole-3-butyric acid, kinetin, MES, myo-Inositol, natans, Vallisneria neotropicalis; Vallisneria rubra SerpantaTM; Vallisneria spiralis Leopard TM; Vallisneria alpha-Naphthaleneacetic acid, nictotinic acid, peptone, pyri spiralis RedTM; Vesicularia ferriei Weeping MossTM; doxine, Sucrose, and/or thiamine. Vesicularia montagnei "Christmas MossTM. 0044) The matrix of the invention also can contain a III. Methods of the Present Invention hormone, Such as abscisic acid, an auxin, naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-butric acid (IBA), a cytokinin, a 0.039 Plant tissue culture is used for plant propagation. It gibberellin, 2-isopentyladenine (2-IP), 6-benzylaminopurine operates on the principle of growing disease-free plant tissues under Sterile conditions in artificial plant growth (BAP), or any combination thereof. medium. Briefly, a Superior plant is identified, checked and 0045. The invention will now be illustrated by the fol Verified to have all the growth characteristics particular to lowing non-limiting example. the variety. These plants are designated to be the mother plants or the donor of plant tissues to Start the tissue culture An aquatic plant-Support medium prepared according to the process. The mother plant should be healthy and free from following formula: all micro-organisms and a laboratory disease testing pro gram followed to Verify freedom from bacteria, Viruses and 0046 1. Root-support material as described by inventors other disease organisms. Murashige & Skoog for example, with Vitamins, 0040. A growing point or meristem is removed from a 0047 2. Sucrose; plant and placed into culturing flaskS containing appropriate nutrient media and growth promoting conditions. The plant 0.048 3. Agar, tissues grow on a nutrient rich culture medium in a Sterile environment. Bacteria and fungi are excluded from the 0049 4. Distilled water; mother plant, it is also necessary to exclude these organisms 0050 5. One or more of the following hormones: auxin, from the growth of the plant tissue therefore, all manipula NAA (Naphthleneacetic Acid), IBA (Indole-3-Butric tions are carried out under Sterile conditions. At predeter Acid), cytokine, 2-iP (2-isopentyladenine) and BAP(6 mined Stages, the growing plants are divided under Sterile Benzylaminopurine). conditions and in Successful culture, these cells divide, multiply and differentiate into thousands of plantlets having 0051 More particularly, the following ingredients of a the same characteristics as the mother plant. AS the desired preferred medium and their relative quantities are as follows, number of plantlets has been reached, the plantlets can be expressed in gram(s) per liter of water: transferred to pots or greenhouse conditions to continue the growth process. These plantlets are uniform and with proper 0052 A preferred aquatic plant inorganic salt Stock con care will grow and produce a crop of identical healthy tains plants. 0041. The tissue culture propagated aquatic plant(s) is then deposited into a Sterile container, Such as a plastic tube, MgSO4.7H2O 2.0 grams MnSOHO O.86 under Sterile conditions. The roots of the plant(s) are placed ZnSO.7HO O46 in contact with the Substrate of the invention that has been CuSO4.5H2O O.OO1 formulated according to the individual needs of the plant(s) CaCl2.2H2O O.22 to be Stored. Then, the container is Sealed, and can be Stored K O.04 CoCl2.6HO O.OO1 for an extended period of time, for example, on the shelf of KHPO 1.7 a commercial vendor of plant material. HBO O.32 0042. After being sealed in the sterile container, the NaMoO2HO O.O1 aquatic plant can be placed, e.g., transplanted, into an aquatic environment. 0053 A preferred iron stock preparation includes: IV. Plant Matrices of the Present Invention 0043. As discussed herein, the Sustained growth matrices of the invention are formulated according to the individual Na-EDTA 1.5 grams needs of an aquatic plant of interest. In one embodiment of FeSO.7HO 1.48 grams the invention, a Sustainable growth matrix is provided that contains a Source of nutrients, Such as a balance of macro nutrients and minor or trace nutrients. Macronutrients can Preferred plant growth regulating hormones comprise: IAA, include but are not limited to oxygen (O2), CO, nitrogen IBA, NAA, 24, D, BAP, KinetinTM, 2iP, ZeaitinTM US 2006/0030489 A1 Feb. 9, 2006

0.054 While one embodiment of this invention has been 6. A Shelf-stable aquatic plant product comprising: described herein above, it will be evident to those skilled in a Sealed container containing water-based, aquatic-plant the art that changes and modifications may be made therein growth-Sustaining medium therein; without departing from the essence of this invention, as Set forth in the appended claims. an air space inside Said container; means for creating a 100% relative humidity in said air What is claimed is: Space; and 1. A method for making a shelf-stable aquatic plant an aquatic plant in Said container, planted in Said aquatic product comprising the Steps of; plant-growth-Sustaining medium. propagating a first acquatic plant by tissue-culture; 7. The Shelf-stable aquatic plant product as claimed in claim 6, wherein Said aquatic plant is a Sterile tissue-cultured providing a Sterile container with aquatic-plant-growth plantlet. Sustaining medium therein; Said medium containing 8. The Shelf-stable aquatic plant product as claimed in root-Support material; at least one Vitamin; Sucrose; claim 6, further including means for regulate a growth of agar, distilled water, micro-nutrients containing iron; at Said aquatic plant. least one hormone Selected from a group consisting of 9. The shelf-stable aquatic plant product as claimed in auxin, naphthleneacetic acid, indole-3-butric acid, claim 8 wherein Said means for regulate a growth of Said cytokine, 2-isopentyladenine, 6 Benzylaminopurine aquatic plant includes an Oxygen content of Said air Space. and any combination thereof; 10. The shelf-stable aquatic plant product as claimed in planting Said aquatic plant in Said medium, and claim 6, wherein Said medium further includes micro-nutri ents containing iron. Sealing the container under Sterile conditions. 11. The Shelf-stable aquatic plant product as claimed in 2. A shelf-stable aquatic plant product comprising: claim 6, wherein Said container is made of a transparent a Sealed container containing aquatic-plant-growth-SuS material. taining medium therein; Said aquatic-plant-growth-SuS 12. The shelf-stable aquatic plant product as claimed in taining medium containing root-Support material; at claim 10, wherein Said medium further includes an inorganic least one Vitamin; Sucrose, agar, distilled water, micro salt stock containing MgSO.7H2O, MnSOHO, nutrients containing iron; at least one hormone Selected ZnSO.7HO; CuSO4.5HO; CaCl2.H.O; KI; from a group consisting of auxin, naphthleneacetic CoCl2.6H.O; KHPO; HBO; and NaMoO2H.O. acid, indole-3-butric acid, cytokine, 2-isopentylad 13. The shelf-stable aquatic plant product as claimed in enine, 6 Benzylaminopurine and any combination claim 12, wherein Said iron is comprised in a compound thereof; and containing Na2EDTA and FeSO.7H2O. 14. The shelf-stable plant product as claimed in claim 13, an aquatic plant planted in Said aquatic-plant-growth wherein Said medium further comprises plant nutrients Sustaining medium. Selected from Sucrose, MannitolTM, InositolTM, B1, B5 and 3. The Shelf-stable aquatic plant product as claimed in Nicotinic Acid. claim 2, wherein Said container comprises a test tube. 15. The shelf-stable plant product as claimed in claim 14, 4. The shelf-stable aquatic product as claimed in claim 3, wherein Said medium further comprises plant-growth regu wherein Said tube is transparent. lating hormones selected from IAA, IBA, NAA, 2,4, D, 5. The shelf-stable aquatic plant product as claimed in BAP, Kinetin TM, 2iP, and ZeaitinTM claim 2, wherein Said aquatic plant is a plant obtained by tissue-culture. k k k k k