Horticulture Final Exam

Purpose of irrigation scheduling:

The goal is to apply the right amount of water at the right time by integrating plant physiology, soil physics, and weather.

ET =

Evaporation + Transpiration

ET also know as…

Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration (ET) is driven by…

solar radiation, temperature, humidity, and wind

Evapotranspiration (ET) is …

The primary indicator of crop water demand

ETo comes from…

CIMIS stations throughout CA (Victorville Station #117)

Kc adjusts for…

crop type and growth stage

ETc =

ETo × Kc → actual crop water use

Soil moisture must remain between…

field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP) to prevent stress.

Sandy soils =

low available water

Loams =

moderate

Clays =

high AW but slow infiltration

Monitoring Tools

Soil Sensors

Sap flow sensors

Plant-based indicators

Monitoring Tools: Heat

Infrared

Irrigation Methods: Low efficiency

Surface

Irrigation Methods: Moderate

Sprinkler

Irrigation Methods: High efficiency, CA standard

Drip and micro irrigation

Irrigation Methods: Minimal Evaporation

Subsurface Drip

Irrigation Methods are used for what…

Determine irrigation interval based on soil available water

Irrigation Methods do what exactly…

Calculate ETc for a crop

Texture

sand, silt, clay

Structure

arrangement of aggregates

Porosity

balance of air-filled and water-filled pore’s

Bulk density

weight per volume; high bulk density reduces plant growth

Shallow containers do what…

hold more water due to a perched water table effect.

Media must do what to maintain aeration?

Drain rapidly

Media must drain rapidly to maintain what…

aeration

Ideal mixes include components such as…

Pine bark, sphagnum peat, coarse sand, perlite

After wetting and draining: Air space should be

20-30%

Water retention must balance…

drainage vs. moisture supply

Compaction, decomposition, and particle shrinkage reduce

pore space over time

AGNR Vegetable Soil Mix is designed for…

raised galvanized beds

AGNR Vegetable Soil Mix is pre-amended with what…

nutrients, high drainage, high aeration

AGNR Vegetable Soil Mix is not recommended to mix with…

Native soil

Ideal root zone depth for cool-season vegetables: Greens

6-9”

Ideal root zone depth for cool-season vegetables: Moderately Rooted Crops

12-18”

Ideal root zone depth for cool-season vegetables: Deeply rooted vegatables

18-24”

What is Compost?

Decomposed organic matter produced through aerobic microbial action.

Decomposed organic matter is produced through…

aerobic microbial action

Compost is rich in…

Nutrients

Compost improves…

Soil structure

Compost increases…

Water holding capacity

Compost boost…

Microbial diversity

Microbes require…

Air

Microbes require what liquid…

Water

Microbes require what percentage of water…

40-60%

Microbes require what ratio…

Carbon-to-Nitrogen

What’s the Carbon-to-Nitrogen ratio?

25-30:1

Microbes require appropriate…

Temperature

Three Stages of Composting: Mesophilic Phase

Rapid breakdown of sugars & starches.

Three Stages of Composting: Thermophilic Phase decomposes…

proteins, fats, cellulose

During the Cooling/Curing Phase what finish breakdown?

Fungi & actinomycetes

During the Cooling/Curing Phase what does compost stabilize into?

Humus-like material

Greens materials

food scraps, coffee grounds, weeds, grass clippings

Greens materials are…

N-rich

Brown materials

dry leaves, shredded paper, straw, cardboard

Brown materials are…

C-rich

What to avoid when composting: What kind of plants?

Diseased

What to avoid when composting: What kind of materials?

Oil/fatty

What to avoid when composting: What Products?

Meat and dairy

What to avoid when composting: What kind of paper

Glossy

Types of Composting Systems: Traditional

Aerobic bins

Types of Composting Systems: Tiered

Stackable Bins

Vermicomposting

Hungry bin

Hungry Bins produce…

vermicast + leachate

Hungry bins are good for what environment?

Classrooms or indoor systems

Hungry bins require what…

Moderate temperatures

Larger scale composting system?

Windrows

Diagnose a “stinky pile”

too wet, too many greens

Explain how compost improves soil for container gardening and raised beds.

Enhance soil structure making ideal for drainage and aeration

Raised galvanized beds improve

Drainage and root health

Soil mix is already…

Fertilized → no initial fertilizer needed

Raised Beds maintain…

Moisture

Soils dry at what speed in garden beds…

Fast

What do you need to monitor for cool-season crops?

Spacing and root depth requirements

Healthy soil structure increases

Nutrient uptake

Cool-season crops photosynthesize best between?

45-75°F

Matching crop needs with soil depth prevents?

Root stress

Floral Design – Foundations for Horticulture

Elements of Design:

Line, form, color, space, and texture

Floral Design – Foundations for Horticulture

Principal of designs: Symmetrical/Asymmetrical

Balance

Floral Design – Foundations for Horticulture

Principal of designs:

Proportion, Harmony, Rhythm, Focal point, and Unity

Materials for Floriculture?

Floral foam or foam free alternatives

Materials for Floriculture: Wire…

Gauges and tapes

Tools for Floriculture:

Clippers, knives, and hydration solutions

Basic Arrangement Techniques: Spiral

Hand-tied bouquets

Basic Arrangement Techniques: For Depth

Layering

Basic Arrangement Techniques: Utilizing Empty Areas; also know as…

Negative spaces

Basic Arrangement Techniques: What do you need to establish

Focal point

Flower Care & Handling: Drinking water

Hydration

Flower Care & Handling: Doing what to stems?

Conditioning

Flower Care & Handling: Preventing what…

Bacterial Growth

Flower Care & Handling: Managing what…

Temperature (Care)

Industry roles and careers in floral design?

Floriculturist, florist, and floral designer.