Floriculture Questions

Vase life is the length of time that:
A. Cut flowers usually remain acceptable
B. A glass vase can be expected to go unbroken
C. A plastic vase will remain watertight
D. A flower container remains in style

A. Cut flowers usually remain acceptable

The first major civilization to have professional floral designers was the:
A. Egyptians
B. Chinese
C. Romans
D. Greeks

D. Greeks

Which period in the history of floral design scattered roses on the tables and floor at banquets?
A. Ancient Greeks
B. French
C. Romans
D. Byzantine

C. Romans

All of the following are bulbous and tuberous-rooted plants except:
A. Caladiums
B. Dahlias
C. Dutch iris
D. Snapdragons

D. Snapdragons

The word photoperiod has to do with light:
A. Intensity
B. Foot candles
C. Quality
D. Duration

D. Duration

Fertilization in a flower takes place when:
A. Pollen is released from a flower
B. Pollen grain touches the stigma
C. A sperm and egg unite
D. Pollen grain touches the ovary

C. A sperm and egg unite

A container often used at Thanksgiving for floral arrangements and symbolic of a plentiful harvest is the:
A. Cornucopia
B. Hanukkah
C. Bud vase
D. Basket

A. Cornucopia

A plant is placed in a kitchen window. What should be done to make it grow healthy and equally on all sides?
A. Test to see if it needs water
B. Turn the plant periodically to allow equal amounts of sunlight
C. Place it outdoors after a few days of being inside
D. Place it different areas of the house after two days

B. Turn the plant periodically to allow equal amounts of sunlight

Generally, roses are graded according to _________ of stem.
A. Length
B. Strength
C. Turgidity
D. Width

A. Length

In order to survive in the florist business, an owner/manager must be able to determine the true value of the product and strive for improvement of the perceived value. This is called
A. Retail pricing
B. Profit Pricing
C. Discount pricing
D. Premium pricing

B. Profit Pricing

A palmately compound leaf has:
A. Leaflet
B. Parallel venation
C. A midrib
D. A rachis

A. Leaflet

The new growth of a Dieffenbachia is weak and spindly, with large gaps between the leaves. The problem is probably:
A. Lack of light
B. Nitrogen deficiency
C. Botrytis
D. Salt damage

A. Lack of light

The reason for putting irregularly shaped stones or broken pieces of pottery into the bottom of a pot
containing flowering plants is:
A. It helps the soil to drain after being watered
B. Its just an old tradition passed down from person to person and does not help the plants
C. They let air into the pot from the bottom
D. They allow the roots to grow out of the bottom of the pot

A. It helps the soil to drain after being watered

The pierce wiring technique works best on flowers that have a _
A. Thick Calyx
B. Fuller Bloom
C. Thin Calyx
D. Limp stem

A. Thick Calyx

The following is not a characteristic of an insect:
A. Six legs
B. Two pairs of wings
C. Three segmented body
D. Two tentacles

D. Two tentacles

Growing medium kept too wet will deprive plants of:
A. Soluble salts
B. Oxygen
C. Water
D. Fertilizer

B. Oxygen

A method of applying pesticides to plants that can be effectively used in greenhouse but not outdoors is:
A. Fumigation
B. Spraying
C. Soil drenching
D. Dusting

A. Fumigation

Pre-formed pot covers used on potted plants are called
A. Mylar tops
B. Quick wraps
C. Speed covers
D. Picks

C. Speed Covers

A floral arrangement should be finished on all sides if it is to be placed:
A. On a bookcase
B. Against a wall
C. On a mantle
D. In front of a mirror

D. In front of a mirror

A poinsettia crop that is four weeks late in flowering for Christmas was very likely exposed to:
A. Too much CO2
B. Lighting at night
C. A gas leak
D. An herbicide

B. Lighting at night

The showy red, pink or white portions of the poinsettia are called:
A. Bracts
B. Sepals
C. Flowers
D. Petals

A. Bracts

Irregularly shaped holes with smooth edges appear in Celosia leaves. Some leaves are even missing.
The plants should be treated for:
A. Leaf cutter bees
B. Slugs and snails
C. Crickets
D. Aphids

B. Slugs and snails

Visual balance is achieved by the proper placement of plant materials according to
_____________________.
A. Size and shape
B. tone and value
C. Color and size
D. Texture and tint

C. Color and size

All of the following processes will help speed the opening of buds, except
A. Misting stems with cold water
B. Placing stems in water with bud opening solutions
C. Stems should be placed in warm temperatures between 70-80 degrees
D. Stems should be placed in an environment with 60-80% humidity

A. Misting stems with cold water

What mechanical tool can be used with a glass vase to stabilize flowers?
A Floral wire
B Binding wire
C A grid made of plastic or anchor tape
D Floral tape

C. A grid made of plastic or anchor tape

What are two key elements in increasing sales and building wedding business for the retail florist?
A Planning and preparation
B Promotion and advertising
C Season and unique designs
D Word of mouth and happy clients

B. Promotion and advertising

If you have a work related problem that you do not know how to solve, you should take it to your
supervisor:
A For him/her to solve
B With alternative solutions
C To complain about it
D After you have tried a solution

B. With alternative solutions

A zinnia is an example of a flower having a _________ texture.
A Shiny
B Medium
C Fine
D Coarse

D. Coarse

The stomata of a plant leaf:
A Regulate water vapor loss from the plant
B Regulate nutrient entry from foliar fertilizer applications
C Must open to allow light to reach the chlorophyll for photosynthesis
D Prevent disease organisms from entering the plant

A Regulate water vapor loss from the plant

What is a good sign that potted plants need to be repotted?
A New leaves are quite a bit larger than older ones
B Leaves are turning yellow
C New leaves are quite a bit smaller than older ones
D The plant is becoming tall and lanky

C. New leaves are quite a bit smaller than older ones

IPM is an acronym for:
A Integrated pest material
B Intensive pest management
C Intensive pest material
D Integrated pest management

D. Integrated pest management

A consumer tracking study over floral trends showed that on average ___ of floral sales, excluding
holiday sales, were not for any special occasion.
A 50%
B 0.8
C 0.25
D 0.1

A. 50%

Short, crooked rose peduncles often result from
A Excessive soluble salts
B Botrytis blight
C Calcium deficiency
D Excessive vigor

D Excessive vigor

The timing of an Easter lily crop is complicated because:
A The seeds germinate irregularly over a long period of time
B The size of the rooted cuttings determines the date of flowering
C The earlier the date of Easter, the longer it takes to force them
D All of these

C. The earlier the date of Easter, the longer it takes to force them

What type of water supply do cut flowers need to transport food and to keep the stems stiff?
A Cold water supply
B Occasional water supply
C Constant water supply
D Periodic water supply

C. Constant water supply

A roll of ribbon is known as _____.
A. A Roll
B. A Bolt
C. A Reel
D. Streamers

B. A Bolt

Flowers are subject to chilling injury at temperatures below _________ degrees F.
A. 50
B. 59
C. 71
D. 60

A. 50

There are three main ingredients in floral preservatives. Which of the following is not one of these
ingredients?
A. Algaecide
B. Bactericide
C. Acidifying agent
D. Caking agent

D. Caking agent

Cut carnations are classified into two groups:
A. Floral and greenhouse
B. None of the above
C. Premium and discount
D. Standards and miniatures

D. Standards and miniatures

Deluxe floral foam is used to:
A. Absorb water quickly
B. Hold soft stemmed flowers
C. Hold heavy stemmed flowers
D. Act as a preservative

C. Hold heavy stemmed flowers

The three critical responsibilities of a manager in a flower shop include all of the following except

A. Oversee the flow of money into and out of the business
B. Controlling the buying, use, and sale of products
C. Supervise people
D. Advertising and networking the shop

D. Advertising and networking the shop

Color can be used in a design to achieve all of the following except

A Emphasis or focal point
B Harmony and unity
C Depth and rhythm
D Proportion

D. Proportion

Cool colors include color combinations like:

A Yellow, pink and red
B Black, white and green
C Red, red-orange, orange, yellow-orange, yellow
D Blue-green, blue, blue-violet and violet

D. Blue-green, blue, blue-violet and violet

______ is used to secure the floral foam to the design container.

A Floral tape
B Electrical tape
C Masking tape
D Anchor tape

D. Anchor tape

The term "texture", as it applies to plants, includes such adjectives as:

A Fine, medium and coarse
B Corymb, umbel and panicle
C Smooth, fuzzy and spiny
D Entire, serrate, and lobed

A. Fine, medium and coarse

Leafhoppers affect many cut flower crops such as

A. Roses and chrysanthemums
B. Baby’s breath and statice
C. Statice and asters

C. Statice and asters

When ordering flowers from a wholesale florist, one should consider the following:

A Availability
B All of these
C Keeping quality
D Price

B. All of these

This element is essential for strong stems, strong roots, and deep flower color. A deficiency in plants
shows up as weak stems, and a yellowing and browning of leaves at their tips and edges.

A Nitrogen
B Potassium
C Iron
D Phosphorus

B. Potassium

What is a terrarium?
A. A container, usually made of glass, that houses one or more live plants
B. A small dish garden arrangement with plants and cut flowers
C. None of the above
D. Any potted plant in a decorative cover

A. A container, usually made of glass, that houses one or more live plants

A correct way to remove mealybugs from plants is:

A. Rinse the leaves with milk
B. Use a pesticide
C. Use a fungicide
D. Dab each bug with a cotton swab dipping in rubbing alcohol

D. Dab each bug with a cotton swab dipping in rubbing alcohol

In traditional arrangements, materials with higher visual weight are used lower in the arrangement to create stable effect; they are sunken a little further into the arrangement for depth. Identify the significant principles of design that are related to balance:

A. Stability & depth
B. Size & shape
C. Lighting & distance
D. Color & tone

A. Stability & depth

The characteristics of a formal arrangement include all but one of the following. Identify the characteristic which is NOT normally associated with a formal arrangement.

A. Textures are smooth, shiny or velvety
B. Flowers used include roses, orchids and carnations
C. Arrangement is usually symmetrically balanced
D. Arrangement may be placed off-center

D. Arrangement may be placed off-center

The Alstroemeria is most closely related to the following plant:

A. Abutilon
B. Daffodil
C. Easter lily
D. Chrysanthemum

C. Easter lily

Air layered plant are removed from the parent plant:

A. When the plants are sold
B. Immediately after layering
C. When the roots are four to six inches long
D. As soon as the roots are visible

D. As soon as the roots are visible

The blending of all components of a design is known as?
A. Transition
B. Harmony
C. Unity
D. Progression

B. Harmony

Which of the following is a true statement?
A.The lower the number, the thinner the wire and narrower the ribbon.
B. The lower the number, the thinner the wire and wider the ribbon.
C. The lower the number, the thicker the wire and narrower the ribbon.
D. The lower the number, the thicker the wire and wider the ribbon.

C. The lower the number, the thicker the wire and narrower the ribbon.

Certain plants are quite suitable for use in terrariums. Which, if any, of the following are suitable for this use?
A. Creeping fig
B. Both of these
C. Needlepoint ivy
D. None of these

B. Both of these

The florist's chrysanthemum is a ____________.
A. All of these
B. Short day plant
C. Complex hybrid
D. Composite inflorescence

A. All of these

An example of a mass flower is:
A. Liatris
B. Snapdragon
C. Rose
D. Larkspur

C. Rose

This design is the easiest for a beginner because it does not require a focal point.
A. Round
B. Cascade
C. Symmetrical
D. Asymmetrical

A. Round

A design that is a naturalistic design in which flowers and plant material is placed as they would grow in nature is called:
A. Vegetative design
B. Pave' design
C. Interpretive design
D. Cascade design

A. Vegetative design

Of the following, which gauge of wire has the thinnest diameter?
A. 18
B. 36
C. 24
D. 22

B. 36

Specialty cut flowers may be defined as:
A. Cut flowers other than carnations, chrysanthemums and gladiolus
B. Cut flowers other than roses
C. Cut flowers other than those grown in the field.
D. Cut flowers other than roses, carnations and chrysanthemums

D. Cut flowers other than roses, carnations and chrysanthemums

To develop a focal point you should:
A. All of these
B. Use darker colored flowers
C. Use larger flowers
D. Use form flowers

A. All of these

A group of orchids have a problem caused by improper culture. The foliage is dark green and healthy, but the plant won't flower. The probable cause is _______.
A. Too little light
B. Over fertilization
C. Insufficient humidity
D. Under watering

A. Too little light

Which of the following sympathy floral designs are more symbolic and based on forms of specific
shapes?
A. Casket sprays
B. Standing sprays
C. Set pieces
D. Inset pieces

C. Set pieces

An organism capable of causing a disease is called:
A. An enzyme
B. A cambium
C. A Pathogen
D. A systemic

C. A Pathogen

A cut flower crop has distorted leaves and flowers and the flowers fail to form. What is the possible
cause?
A. Leafhoppers
B. Leaf miners
C. Mealybugs
D. Spider mites

A. Leafhoppers

The Occidental style of flower arranging began in _____________.
A. Egypt
B. North Korea
C. South Korea
D. Japan

A. Egypt

Analogous color harmony utilizes:
A. A combination of the primary and secondary colors
B. Two or three adjacent colors on the color wheel
C. Tints, shades and tones of one hue
D. Two colors directly opposite each on the color wheel

B. Two or three adjacent colors on the color wheel

The area within a composition occupied by material is called ________.
A. Texture
B. Line
C. Negative space
D. Positive space

D. Positive space

When completing flowers for a wedding you may work with all but one of the following arrangements except
A. Full couch spray arrangement
B. Cascade bouquet arrangement
C. Two-tiered guest table arrangement
D. Kneeling bench arrangement

A. Full couch spray arrangement

A design that uses a combination of both natural and manmade materials in an unnatural manner to create a new image is called a:
A. Line flower
B. Interpretive design
C. Parallel design
D. Pave' design

B. Interpretive design

Floral arrangements designed with visual paths along which the eye is led from one point of interest to another are called
A. Line arrangements
B. Mass arrangements
C. Abstract arrangements
D. Naturalistic arrangements

A. Line arrangements

When making an English Georgian type arrangement it should be?
A. Formal and symmetrical
B. Proportioned and compact
C. Casual and open
D. Elegant and flamboyant

A. Formal and symmetrical

There are three basic types of pots that are commonly used in the greenhouse industry. Which of the following is not one of the basic types?
A. Azalea pot
B. Standard pot
C. Bulb pot or pan
D. Designer pot

D. Designer pot

The flowers and leaves of a rose are mottled and streaked with silver, and dusty black droppings have collected. This damage is indicative of:
A. Thrips
B. Scale
C. Powdery mildew
D. Fungus gnats

A. Thrips

What is the biggest difference between pricing wedding work and regular daily sales?
A. Mark ups aren't used
B. Tax structure
C. More labor is required
D. Cost of products

C. More labor is required

Successful advertising to a target audience is based on three profit "P"'s. Which one of the following is not part of the three profit "P"s?
A. Persuasive
B. Persistent
C. Planned
D. Pleasant

A. Persuasive

Mass production techniques can often be used for all of the following arrangements except

A. Holiday designs through the wire service
B. A walk in customer's anniversary flowers
C. Corsages for a large wedding
D. Monthly in store promotions

B. A walk in customer's anniversary flowers

What type of plants are best suited for closed system terrariums?
A. Succulents
B. Cacti
C. Tropical plants
D. Flowering plants

C. Tropical plants

Hanging plants used in interior landscapes function to:
A. Float in water features
B. Smooth squared edges found in the architecture
C. Keep people from sitting on the edges of plants
D. Hide tall, ugly equipment

B. Smooth squared edges found in the architecture

To check if a plant needs water, touch the soil with your finger: if the plant needs water the soil will feel:
A. Gritty
B. Dry and warm
C. None of these
D. Cool and moist

B. Dry and warm

The highest percentage of florist industry sales are made by:
A. Regular customer
B. None of these
C. Walk-in customer
D. Telephone

D. Telephone

Secondary colors consist of:
A. Orange, green, and violet
B. None of the above
C. Orange, blue-violet, and blue-green
D. Yellow, red, and blue

A. Orange, green, and violet

How many essential nutrients are essential to plant growth and reproduction?
A. Three
B. Four
C. Six
D. Sixteen

D. Sixteen

The Hogarth "S" design was made in which period?
A. Byzantine
B. English- Georgian
C. Empire
D. Baroque

D. Baroque

The flower part that contains the pollen is the:
A. Ovary
B. Corolla
C. Filament
D. Anther

D. Anther

Transition in a floral arrangement is the process of rhythmic change through progression, sequence, or
A. Modification
B. Restructuring
C. Separation
D. Gradation

D. Gradation

Which of the following can be a negative effect of using leaf shine often on potted plants?
A. Keeps leaves shiny
B. Blocking of leaf stomata
C. Depletes nutrients
D. Prevention of photosynthesis

B. Blocking of leaf stomata

Which of the following is NOT a primary principle of design:
A. Proportion
B. Accent
C. Dominance
D. Rhythm

B. Accent

The most important cut flower crops in the US are:
A. Mum, rose, carnation
B. Carnation, rose, orchid
C. Gladiolus, orchids, gardenia
D. Rose, snapdragon, gladiolus

A. Mum, rose, carnation

Fertilizer that you add to your flowering plants contains the following elements in the correct order:
A. Nitrogen, phosphorus, iron
B. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
C. Potassium, nitrogen, iron
D. Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus

B. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

Plant texture is determined by __________.
A. both foliage density and plant shape
B. foliage density
C. plant shape
D. the way the leaf feels to the touch

A. both foliage density and plant shape

Flower stems should be cut approximately at a _______________ angle.
A. 45 degree
B. 180 degree
C. 90 degree
D. None of the above

A. 45 degree

An explant is:
A. Weed
B. Dead plant
C. Plant produced from a leaf
D. Plant produced from a tissue (meristem)

D. Plant produced from a tissue (meristem)

_____________ play a powerful role in advertising floral shops and in most locations leads all other
media in sales return for dollar spent.
A. Newspapers
B. Window displays
C. Radio spots
D. Telephone Sales

B. Window displays

Nosegay originated during which period in the history of floral design:
A. English-Georgian
B. Baroque
C. Renaissance
D. Victorian

A. English-Georgian

Which of the following is NOT important for a floral designer to ask when designing arrangements for a specific room?
A. What size is the room?
B. What is the ceiling height?
C. What percent of the budget does the room cost
D. How many table will there be?

C. What percent of the budget does the room cost

If a customer you are serving has a complaint, the first thing that you should do is:
A. Write down his/her name and address
B. Listen very carefully
C. Ask the customer to wait while you check on what to do
D. Refer it to your supervisor

B. Listen very carefully