ANBAUVERFAHREN FUER SETZLINGE

Apparatus for automatically inspecting seedling units containing growth medium and arranged in rows and columns in the form of a matrix of pot-cells tray like containers, uses a retractable gang-sensor unit which is in the form of a sensor bridge to identify individual pot cells which do not contain an acceptable seedling or do not have any germination. Pot cells so identified are remembered as to their location in the matrix and are evacuated by vertically downward moving plungers. Pot cells which are thus emptied may be filled with acceptable seedlings together with the growth medium, so that each tray contains a totality of acceptable seedlings. Trays thus processed can be used for elevated growing of seedlings with maximum utility of space in the green house where the seedlings are grown. The tray like container is advanced each time a sensing and evacuating operation is completed. Advantageously, if any plunger malfunctions and does not retract after an evacuating operation, the malfunctioning plunger actuates a switch controlled by a laser beam and stops the operation, thereby calling for manual intervention.