Planter

A receptacle having an imperforate bottom has a perforated, horizontal wall spaced upwardly from the bottom and dividing the receptacle into upper and lower compartments. Tubes project through the perforated wall and extend upwardly above the upper edge of the receptacle and downwardly to the bottom of said receptacle. Lower end portions of the tubes below the horizontal wall are also perforated. The upper compartment is adapted to receive soil and the lower compartment receives excess water which evaporates through the tubes and keeps the soil moist.

I claim:

1. A planter comprising a receptacle open at the top and having an imperforate bottom wall;

a removable insert structure for said receptacle, said structure comprising a flat bottom support member disposed on said bottom wall, said support member having a plurality of sockets spaced outwardly from the center thereof;

a horizontal wall disposed within said receptacle above said bottom support member and dividing said receptacle into upper and lower compartments, said horizontal wall having a plurality of apertures aligned with said sockets;

a pair of tubular members each having a pair of radially outwardly projecting support rings spaced axially along said tubular member, a lower end portion of each said tubular member being disposed in one of said sockets and one of said support rings abutting the top of said bottom support member, each said tubular member projecting upwardly through one of said apertures and above said horizontal wall, the other of said support rings being disposed below and supporting said horizontal wall;

said horizontal wall being perforated to allow air and water to pass therethrough while retaining soil in said upper compartment;

the lower end portion of each said tubular member which is disposed within said lower compartment being perforated to allow air and water to pass radially therethrough;

said upper compartment adapted to hold soil to a level below the upper ends of said tubular members whereby when excess water from said soil passes through said perforated horizontal wall and collects in said lower compartment, said tubular members provide means for air circulation and evaporation within said lower compartment, and said perforated wall portion provides means for humid air to aerate said soil and keep it moist.

2. A planter as set forth in claim 1 wherein charcoal granules are disposed in said lower compartment to absorb soil odor.

3. A planter as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said tubular members extends upwardly a substantial distance above the soil level and provides support means for a plant.

4. A planter as set forth in claim 3 wherein the upper end portion of said tubular member is perforated to allow air to pass radially therethrough;

said tubular member adapted to support a transparent flexible cover which encases the plant and provides a moist atmosphere resulting from evaporation of water through said tubular member.

5. A planter as set forth in claim 4 wherein the other said tubular member extends upwardly a relatively short distance above the soil level;

a tubular extension having a diametrically reduced, hollow shank portion insertable into the upper end of said other tubular member to extend the effective height thereof to substantially the level of said one spacer member;

the upper end portion of said tubular extension being perforated to allow air to pass radially therethrough.

6. A removable planter insert structure for a receptacle open at the top and having an imperforate bottom, said insert structure comprising a flat bottom support member having a plurality of sockets spaced outwardly from the center thereof;

a wall member having a plurality of apertures therein of substantially the same size as and adapted to align with said sockets;

said wall member being perforated sufficiently to allow air and water to pass therethrough while substantially retaining soil;

a pair of tubular members having a cross section such as to slidably interfit said sockets and said apertures;

each said tubular member having a pair of axially spaced, radially outwardly projecting spacer rings, one end portion of said tubular member projecting beyond one of said rings only sufficiently to engage one of said sockets, the other of said rings being spaced a substantial distance from said one end portion and a substantial distance inwardly from the opposite end portion of said tubular member;

each said tubular member being perforated in the area between said spacer rings, to allow air and water to pass radially therethrough;

said insert structure adapted to be assembled by projecting said one end portion of each tubular member into a socket until said one ring abuts said bottom support, and projecting the upper end portion of each said tubular member through an aperture in said wall member until said wall member seats upon said other ring, the entire assembly being insertable into said receptacle whereby said wall member divides the receptacle into an upper compartment for holding soil and a lower compartment for receiving excess water and evaporating the same through said tubular members.

7. A planter insert structure as set forth in claim 6 including a tubular extension having a diametrically reduced, hollow shank portion insertable into the upper end of one of said tubular members to extend the effective height thereof and provide support for a plant.