Horticulture Exam 4

What are the advantages of organic matter in the soil?

Supplies macro and micro nutrients

Why are pore spaces for air important in a soil?

allow for air and water in the soil

Why might you choose to use organic fertilizers in your home flowerbed?

They improve soil health, provide a slower, more sustainable release of nutrients, and are less likely to harm the environment or plants

Why might you choose to use Inorganic fertilizers in your home flowerbed?

they give quick results, ease of application and are cost effective

What type of fertilizer application method would you use for Grass?

Foliar feeding

What type of fertilizer application method would you use for a row of carrots?

sidedressing

What type of fertilizer application method would you use for a large tree?

needle feeding

Why is a potting medium preferable to soil for growing plants in pots?

it is specifically formulated to provide optimal conditions for container-grown plants

What is the function of organic component in potting media?

It holds a lot of water and does not compact easy

What is the function of coarse aggregate in potting media?

improve drainage and more micropore space and more cation exchange

How can you identify vermiculite in a potting medium, and what special properties does it have?

the metallic looking material in potting medium. It helps with water absorption because volcanic rock absorb when wet

What are hydrating gel granules, and what is their purpose in the potting medium?

are put in the medium and when wet they swell to retain water. This reduces the amount of watering needed and increases the ability of the growing medium to retain water

Why is it important to sterilize potting media or to make sure the potting media you buy are already sterile?

so you don’t have to worry about diseases and pests

How do slow-release encapsulated fertilizers release their nutrients?

release nutrients through various mechanisms such as diffusion, osmosis, and microbial activity. diffusion is when nutrients move through the coating via concentration gradients, osmosis utilizes water to dissolve and push nutrients through the coating. some fertilizers rely on soil microorganisms breaking down the coating to release nutrients.

Which plant will require watering sooner, one in a potting medium composed mainly of organic matter or one in a medium with a high proportion of coarse aggregates

the plant in a medium with a high proportion of coarse aggregates

What are the three main pathways of water loss in potted plants?

Transportation, evaporation, and bottom drainage

Would a cactus in winter or a cactus in summer require more fertilizer?

in the summer

Would a plant in a north facing window or a plant in a south facing window require more fertilizer?

south facing window

Would a cactus or a large leafed tropical plant transpire more rapidly and need more frequent watering?

tropical plant

As a plant grows for more and more time in the same pot, will the frequency of watering required increase, decrease, or stay the same?

The plant will be larger and require more water, also the soil will become more compact over time leaving less spore species to hold water

In what cases would bottom watering be preferable to top watering?

For plants with sensitive foliage

What is one possible problem that might occur if a plant were constantly bottom watered?

The salts accumulate at the top of the plant pot because they are not leached downwards as they would be in top watering

What are the first symptoms of overwatering?

wilting

Why are the symptoms of overwatering and underwatering frequently the same?

because both conditions negatively impact a plants ability to absorb and utilize water, ultimately affecting leaf health and overall plant vigor. In both scenarios, wilting can occur. under watering leafs to stress and dehydration and overwatering can cause root damage and prevent water uptake

Why can relative humidity outdoors in cold-winter areas be 60-70% and indoors be only 20%?

In general, high relative humidity is beneficial to indoor plants, but what are some
possible problems that it might cause?

What is Soil texture?

What is Loam?

What is Soil structure?

The arrangement of solids and pore spaces within soil

What is a macropore?

relatively large spaces between soil particles that are usually air filled and allows for water movement and root penetration

What is a Micropore?

Small spaces between soil particles that are likely to be water filled

What is Soil pH?

The degree of acidity or alkalinity of a soil

What is cation exchange capacity?

Exchange of one absorbed cation with another cation. Cations are mostly held by colloidal clay and humus soil reaction

What is Fertigation?

The application of fertilizer through irrigation system

What are typical symptoms of damage to a plant due to sucking insects?

yellow wilt, stunted growth, deformed , and cell content sucked out

If a plant has tiny white dots on the leaves and fine webs under them, what pest is most likely causing the damage?

Spider mites, sucking insects

Describe the type of damage you would expect to see from the insect pests discussed in class

Defoliated plants, damaged fruit, honeydew (ants)

How does pruning work?

Removing infected or dead plant parts, which helps to prevent the spread of disease to other parts of the plant

How does watering without wetting leaves work?

prevents the creation of a moist environment on the leaf surface which helps prevent spread of fungal diseases by directing water directly to the roots. IT minimizes the opportunity for pathogens to colonize and infect the leaves.

How does weeding work?

prevents weeds from competing with the desired crop plants for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients, thereby reducing the opportunity for disease pathogens to spread on or through the weed host.

How does removing dead leaves from around diseased plants work?

Preventing the overwintering of disease pathogens on or within the plant debris, thus reducing the chances of new infections spreading the following season.

Why is integrated pest management preferable to simply spraying with a pesticide whenever a pest problem occurs?

It is intended for long term pest management. IT manages the present pest and helps insure that they do not return.

Pesticide safety

Wear protective clothing, do not eat or drink, apply with care, store as directed, eat the label carefully.

What is a disease triangle?

Host, pathogen, environment

What are proactive practices?

approaches to and processes for pest and disease prevention that do not involve chemicals

What are reactive practices?

Used when proactive practices have failed to the point that pests or diseases will cause unacceptable economic damage unless controlled; can be chemical or non chemical

What is IPM?

Integrated Pest Management. Program used to keep pests from entering and establishment and to eliminate any pests that do get in

What is olericulture?

a branch of horticulture that deals with the production, storage, processing, and marketing of vegetables.

What is drip/trickle irrigation?

involves the slow release of water to each plant through small plastic tubes

What is hydroponics?

growing plants, usually crops or medicinal plants, without soil, by using water-based mineral nutrient solutions in an artificial environment.

Which state in the United States produces the most vegetables for commercial use?

California

Why is vegetable production in the US regionalized?

Climate and growing conditions, soil quality, water availability, proximity to markets, labor supply, and specialization

What are some characteristics of a home garden?

small scale, diverse crop selection, manual labor, simple tools, seasonal planting, and low input prices

What are the benefits of rotating crop placement in a home garden?

pest and disease control, improved soil fertility, reduced soil depletion, weed suppression, better soil structure.

What are the uses for herbs?

culinary uses, medical uses, aromatherapy and wellness, cosmetic and skincare, household uses, gardening and companion planting.

What is a carnivorous plant?

derive some or most of their nutrients from trapping and consuming animals or protozoans, typically insects and other arthropods, and occasionally small mammals and birds. still generate all of energy through photosynthesis

What is a murderous plant?

killing victims without utilizing the corpses for food.