2104 - Propagation Facilities

Question 1

Propagation meaning

Answer 1

Human-mediated production of plants.

As apposed to ‘reproduction’ which is the plants natural processes.

Question 2

Environmental Factors to Control

Answer 2

Hygiene - outside sources of infection
Light - artificial light and shade netting
Temperature - Air and Bottom heat, Thermostatic control
Air flow - Passive vs forced air ventilation (fans)
Soil Moisture - Irigation control
Humidity - Misting, Covers, Glasshouse humidity
Growing Medium

Question 3

Why control the environment?

Answer 3

To ensure germination and growing conditions can be optimised.

Question 4

Control - Growing medium

Answer 4

Sterile, Moisture retentive, free draining, well aerated.

Allows oxygen to enter the soil for respiration, while keeping good supply of water.
Sterile compost reducing the risk of infection and disease such as ‘Damping Off’

Question 5

Control - Clean Water

Answer 5

Clean water not rainwater or grey water.

Reduced the risk of disease, Damping off, and other infections Potato Late Blight, fungal spores etc.

Question 6

Control - Light (for germination)

Answer 6

The use of compost to cover seeds, or using vermiculite if they need light.

Question 7

Control - Hygiene

Answer 7

Basic requirement, tools, utensils and containers must be sterile

Question 8

Propagation locations

Answer 8

Open Ground - Vegetables, hardy annuals
Cold Frames - Early Season seed germination
Polytunnels - Early Season Seed germination
Heated propagators - cuttings
Mit benches - cuttings

Question 9

Open Ground

Answer 9

Fine tilth!
Vegetables seed propagation
Lawns
Annual borders
Wildflower borders

Question 10

Cold Frames

Answer 10

Seed Propagation - Shrub and Tree
Hardening Off
Winter protection
Early Cropping
Hard-wood and Semi-ripe cuttings

Question 11

polytunnels

Answer 11

Less Control than Glasshouse
Higher humidity, limited ventilation, thin covering

Lactuca sativa - early salad crops that prefer higher humidity

Question 12

Heated Propagators

Answer 12

Small scale, home use.
Rooting cuttings
Geminating seed

Begonia semperflorens
Solanum lycopersicum

Question 13

Bench heating (bottom heat)

Answer 13

Controlled temperature

larger scale than heated propagators
Rooting cuttings
Seed germination

Question 14

Misting

Answer 14

Provide high humidity to reduce air desiccation and to cool leaves around vunverable plants

Keeps cuttings without roots moist
(prevents transpirational loss)

Softwood cuttings:
Pelargonium zonale

Semi-ripe-cuttings:
Chameacyparis spp. / Buddleja / Camelia spp.

Propagation from seed:
Begonia semperflorens / Lactuca sativa

Question 15

Misting Bench - parts

Answer 15

• Water supply
• Gate valve (master tap)
• Strainer (filter)
• Solenoid Valve (controlable valve)
  linked to electric power/computer controlled
• Mist nozzles

Also - Sensors (electronic leaf)

Question 16

Heating Bench - Parts

Answer 16

• Electrical supply
• Termostat
• Heating element (snaked)
• Heat diffusing panels (prevent hotspots/even heating)
• Sensor (linked to computer on/off)