2.1 - 2.3: Understand methods of propogation from seeds and spores Flashcards
Describe the propogation of ferns by spores: Collection
Collection:
- Most outdoor ferns sporulate mid to late summer
- Houseplant ferns sporulate at other times
- The strucutures on the leaves that release spores are called sporangia and are clustered in groups called sori
- Remove leaf when see first sori going bown and shaggy in appearane
- Put in an envelope and keep warm and dry
- Spores in envelope should be as pure as possible so should be seperated from any debris by tipping at an angle of 45 degress as the debris moves out quicker than the spores
Describe the propogation of ferns by spores: Media used
Media used:
- Pots and compost should be sterilised either with boiling water of a 10% bleach solution and kept in a clean plastic bag until used
- Recommended compost is r 2 part O.M. and 1 part drainage e.g 2 parts moss peat to one part coarse sand.
- It should have a high water retention
Describe the propogation of ferns by spores: Method of sowing
Method of sowing:
- Empty spores onto surface of media
- The pot should be protected immediately again with a cover and placed in a propogator
- 15-20 degrees for hardy ferns, 21-27 degrees for tropical ferns with indirect light
Describe the propogation of ferns by spores: Aftercare
Aftercare:
- After 6-9 months green leaf-like structure should have grown on the surface and be ready for pricking out. These are called prothalli (prothallus pl.).
- Fertilisation takes place and will result in the production of tiny fonds
- When prothalli have been moved to a new pot and compost (both sterilised) they should be spaced 2cm apart and kept in the same conditions as before.
- Mist spray regularly with cooled boiled water
Describe the process of growing seeds in containers:
fine seed
Begonia semperflorens - Waxy Begonia
SUITABLE CONTAINER & GROWING MEDIUM
- Before sowing the seed prepare all the pots. Use clean or new pots to reduce the risk of disease
- Use a seed compost which has 50% grit/perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage
- Mix up the compost to break up large lumps and to aerate it.
- Overfill the pot, tap the base on a surface to settle the
compost, score off any excess and then lightly firm to
make a smooth level surface 2mm below rim
- Once the pot is filled, soak with an upturned fine rose attached to a watering can and allow excess water to drain away.
SOWING
- Mix seed with a ‘carrier’, a small quantity of fine dry sand and put in the palm of your hand. Holding your hand above the pot, gently tap your hand so the seed
trickles out of your hand and is distributed evenly over
the compost
- There is no need to cover very small fine seed
Describe the process of growing seeds in containers: medium seed
Lactuca sativa - Lettuce
SOWING:
- sow seed directly from the packet, from a
piece of folded paper or put some seed in the palm of
your hand, pick up a pinch of seed and sprinkle the
seed evenly over the compost
- cover
Describe the process of growing seeds in containers:
large seed
Cucurbita pepo - Field pumpkin
SOWING:
- Place each seed on the compost, sowing up to five
seeds in a 9cm pot depending on seed size
- cover
Pricking out & Potting off
- Germinated seedlings need good quality light to avoid becoming weak and spindly. To thin out the seedlings prick them out when the first true leaves have emerged.
- Prepare pots using a general potting compost, creating an even, firm surface as before.
- Handle seedlings gently by the leaves. Use a pencil or dibber to tease out the seedlings and to make a hole in the newly prepared pot to
put the seedling roots into. - Fully moisten the compost carefully using an upturned fine rose on a watering can.
- Place the pots in good quality light
Aftercare
- Provide light: place pots in good light. A greenhouse or a cold frame is ideal and using a heated propagator in a greenhouse will speed up germination
If placed on windowsill and light is unsufficient, regularly turning thetray will even up the growth. Regular brushing of the plants can reduce seedlings becoming etiolated, making them hard to handle and vulnerable to damage and P&D’s - Keep moist: too much can lead to rotting and the encouragement of diseases like damping off
- Feeding: if the right compost has been chosen and the timing is correct then seedling should be ready for pricking out without feeding. However it is sometimes necessary to hold seedlings for longer than intended to avoid stressing them and they can be given a dilute liquid feed
Methods of avoiding P&D
- Seeds and seedlings shuld be watered with clean water. Water from a butt should be avoided and tap water left to stand for chlorine to evaporate
- Hygiene: clean containers, sterile growing media and environment
- Avoid too much overwatering or having crowded seedlings and this will help to prevent damping off
Describe the ground preparation of an outdoor site for seed sowing
WEED CONTROL: remove by hand, hoeing if done a day or two befopre continuing or digging out perennial weeds
NUTRITION: Take a soil test to find out the soil pH and whether it is lacking in any nutrients. This will help plan any lime or fertiliser application
TILTH: Loosen the soil so there is no hard layer (a pan) beneatht the soil. If large clods are present, these should be broken down to produce a suitable tilth
LEVELLING: Rake to level and to make it easier to sow seeds in at a uniforme depth.
CONSOLIDATION: May be necessary to firm the soil especially if a lot of air has been introduced to the soil by digging otherwise soil may settle unevenly later on. Done in relatively dry conditions with feet or roller and then re-rake
Describe the method of broadcast, named example, appropriate time and aftercare
Grass seed mixture: Lolium perenne - Annual rye grass
APPROPRIATE TIME: April/May or September/October.
SOWING RATE: 25 – 35 grams per m².
METHOD: The seed is weighed out and divided in half before being sown broadcast (scattered) on a still day in two directions.
The seed is lightly raked in and watered.
Describe the method of sowing in drills, named example, appropriate time and aftercare
Daucus Carota
APPROPRIATE TIME: The main outdoor sowing season is from April to early July. Seed packets will state whether the cultivar is an early or maincrop type.
- secondary cultivation
- rake ground roughly
- consolidate by treading
- add base dressing
- create fine tilth by raking in 2 directions - SOWING IN DRILLS:
- insert marker canes at either end of rows with 15cm - 30cm row spacing
- fit stringlines around markers
- draw 12mm deep drill with draw hoe, trowel
- water the bottom of the drill
- sow seeds as thinly as possible, 1cm deep
- cover seed with soil
- firm the soil over the seeds to get good contact between seed and soil
- water
Describe the method of station sowing, named example, appropriate time and aftercare
Pastinaca sativa - parsnip
APPROPRIATE TIME: From March until May
STATION SOWING: Sow 3-4 seeds at 15cm intervals along rows that are 30cm apart
AFTERCARE: When the seedlings are about 2.5cm (1in) high thin out leaving one seedling 15cm (6in) apart.
Keep the soil weed free, hand weeding close to the roots to avoid damage.
Keep the soil evenly moist to avoid roots splitting.
Describe the method of sowing in a trench, named example, appropriate time and aftercare
Pisum sativum - peas
APPROPRIATE TIME: March until July
TRENCH: Make a flat-bottomed trench 5cm deep and 15cm wide. Sow the seeds evenly in the trench about 7.5cm (3in) apart, cover with soil, then lightly firm.
If a second row is sown, space it at a distance equal to the height of the crop.
AFTERCARE: Water the plants when they start to flower and two weeks after.
Add a thick mulch around the base of the plants to help prevent the soil drying out.
Most peas, apart from dwarf cultivars, need supports to scramble up. For taller varieties, trellis, bamboo canes and netting are ideal, while smaller varieties can be supported with pea netting or pea sticks (twiggy branches).
After flowering, plants need sufficient water for the pods to swell. Check the soil moisture at root level regularly and water if necessary.
