Herbaceous Plants Test 3

Differentiate between hardscape and softscape in installations

Hardscape – paths, stone work, features (arbors, trellises, etc.)

Softscape is plants

Know what factors should be considered in site assessment.

Light

• Soil

• Water, and access to water

• Size of the area

• Utility lines

• Integrating principles of design

• Misc Others: Existing plants, microclimates, wind, slopes, animals, tree roots

explain how soil can be improved using tecniques like drain tile and compost

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What seasons are best for planting herbaceous plants?

Spring and fall are usually the best times to plant herbaceous plants.

It can be done in summer; however, plants will need TLC to be able to acclimate.

Steps in installation process in regard to plant layout, following designs?

• Generally, try to lay out as many plants as possible before beginning (helps to reduce errors)

• First, plant larger plants and anchors/focal points

• Next, fill in with smaller material

How can stress be minimized on transplants?

• Transplanting puts stress on plants

• Digging → Damage to feeder roots

• Containers → Substrate different from native soil

• Watering plants before reduces stress

• Overcast or cloudy days are best with little wind

Define water quality? Give ranges for pH, EC, and alkalinity.

Measures of ions, carbonates, & pathogens in water supply.

pH 5.4 - 7.0

EC 0.0 - 0.5 ms/cm

0.8-1.3 meq (40-60 ppm HCO3 -)

Explain how to correct water quality problems.

• EC = Reverse osmosis

• pH = limited impact

• Alkalinity = acid injection

• Pathogens = sanitation (chlorine, UV light, reverse osmosis)

Define substrate and its components.

Substrate = engineered medium for plant growth • 10–20% solids AND 80–90% PORES

Explain the role of pore management in herbaceous plant production.

Pore Management → water, air, nutrients

Balance important between air and water

• Too much water early on → suffocation, plant disease, death

• Plants grow → too little water → dry down, death

What are the four factors that influence pore management?

1. SUBSTRATE COMPONENTS

2. CONTAINER

3. SUBSTRATE HANDLING

4. WATERING PRACTICES

Describe the make-up of a good germination mix and a good potting mix.

Fine peat and perlite, and maybe vermiculite.

Explain why container size matters in plug production.

Smaller cells → greater chance of over/under watering • Perched water effect → effect gravity has on water (saturation zone larger in small plugs!

Describe the best methods of substrate handling.

Lightly fill pots and trays to avoid compaction

Explain how to manage watering practices based on plug size.

1. Water new at 8 and

2. Water high so plants don't die.

3. Water long their life prolong.

4. Water twice is extra nice.

Elaborate on why nutrition management is important for plant production.

Managing nutrition critical for health crop

• Minimal root zone + frequent leaching

Describe how and why to amend substrates to manipulate substrate pH.

• Peat moss pH ~ 3.5.

• 5-10 lbs limestone /yd3

• 5.4-6.6 optimum for soilless substrate (soil usually 6.2-6.8).

Describe 3 considerations for post-plant fertilization.

1. Rate & Frequency of Application

2. Fertilizer pH Effect

3. Nitrate vs Ammonium

explain how the ph of growing media can shift based on the cations and anions that a plant takes up

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explain potential acidity and bascicity

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Describe methods for assessing a plant's nutritional status.

Tissue and substrate testing.

Explain why temperature impacts plant growth.

• Air, media, and plant temp

• Average daily temperature

• DIF

• DROP (cool AM period)

• Vernalization

Calculate DIF.

86 Day temp - 57 Night temp = +29 Elongation

57 Day temp - 86 Night temp = -29 Short node space

be able to calculate and explain the role of the average daily termperature, DIF and DIP

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Define vernalization and how it impacts plant flowering.

Exposing a plant or storage organ to cool temperatures to force expression of the flowering locus.

explain why light is important for plant production

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Explain the role of daily light integral plants in crop production and how to manipulate the daily light intergral.

• Light intensity = daily light integral

• Light length = photoperiod

• Light quality can be manipulated to effect plant growth.

explain photoperiod, and how plants are long day, short day, and day neutral

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know the role that phytochrome plays in plants response to light

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Differentiate between obligate and facultative effects for photoperiod.

Obligate plants will only flower under specific conditions, and facultative will flower regardless of photoperiod.

explain how to manipulate photoperiod

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describe how to manipulate or enhance light quality for plants

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describe the 2 methods of plant propagation

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describe and differentiation between scarification and stratification for seed germination

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The four stages of seed germination.

1. Observance of radical emergence

2. Radical elongation

3. Cotyledon open and flatten

4. Emergence of true leaves

differentiate between stock and ordering cuttings and potential problems that may occur

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Field Grown Cut-Flowers….

Pros: Low Investment, No Heating Costs, No size restrictions.

Cons: Limited Weather Control, Only Grown During Season, No Rain Protection.

Low Tunnel Cut-Flowers….

Pros: Extends Season, Cool Season Crops, Low Cost, Rain Protection.

Cons: Summer Heat, Limited Enviromental Controls

Greenhouse Cut-Flowers….

Pros: Year-Round Production, Weather Protection

Cons: Very Expensive

Rules of Thumb For Harvesting….

1. Look for 1/3 Flowers Open or Color in Buds

2. Harvest Early In The Morning

3. Have 5 gal Buckets With Fresh Water

Three Aspects of a Floral Solution to Maintain Healthy Cut Flowers

1. Sugar Source- Helps Continue Floral Development

2. Acidifier - 3.0 - 3.5 pH to Help Uptake & Reduce Bacteria

3. Bactericide

Name 3 Flowers that would work well in east Texas.

Zinnias, Celosia, Marigolds

describe three reasons that cut flowers are beneficial for farmers to grow

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explain the process of growing cut flowers including weed management and supporting their growth and why these practices matter

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know how to appropriately harvest cut flowers

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