2.Growing Media Flashcards
1
Q
Explain considerations when growing plants in containers.
A
- Restricted root volume
- Water retention and supply
- Drainage - Must have hole in pot
- Nutrient availability - correct amounts must be added as roots can not go in search for them
- Stability of compost – crumb structure needs to withstand constant wetting
2
Q
Why is soil not suitable for use with pot plants?
A
- The crumb structure will not allow for constant watering
- Pore space collapse and oxygen supply is restricted
- May contain weeds seeds/ pest and disease
- Variable unknown amount of nutrients
- Variable PH level
3
Q
Peat alternatives?
A
- Coir (coconut fibre)
- Garden compost
- Wood based – bark sawdust paper etc
- Locally available materials such as straw wool etc
4
Q
State the effects of growing acid-loving plants in alkaline soils.
A
- Calcifuges
- Stunted growth
- Lime-induced chlorosis
- Nutrient availability decreases which may result in deficiencies
5
Q
Name a situation for each different type of compost.
A
Multi-purpose composts
- Wide range of uses - low nutrient levels
- Raising seed, container planting
Ericaceous
- Lime free and suitable for Calcifuges
- Planting of Rhododendron
Seed composts
- First planting of seeds, low in nutrients as high levels would be harmful and could even prevent germination
- Good aeration and good moisture retention
Cuttings composts
- They require a high air-filled porosity
- A good mix - 50% of organic material such as composted bark and 50% of an opening material to provide good drainage such as perlite, coarse sand or grit
6
Q
Advantages and disadvantages of using peat?
A
Advantages –
- Light, cleaner to handle and easy to store
- Sterile - does not need sterilising
- Consistent
- Good open structure with good drainage/water retention capabilities
- Weed, pest and disease free
Disadvantages –
- Non renewable product, develops very slowly
- As the compost is light the staking of tall, heavy plants can be problematic
- It is often very difficult to re hydrate when dry
7
Q
Advantages and disadvantages of loam-based compost?
A
Advantages:
- Useful for plants that are to be in containers long term, such as shrubs, as it is very stable
- They have a high level of buffering which means they avoid fluctuating water and nutrient content
- Clay content of loam provides a longer supply of nutrients
- The weight of the loam provides stability for the container. Therefore good for outdoors as less likely to be blown over.
- Sterile loam used to prevent fungi and disease
Disadvantages:
- It’s hard to get a good quality loam to use as a base
- The weight does make the it difficult to move containers and not suitable for hanging baskets
- Expensive - needs to be sterilised
- Peat is often used - Non-renewable
8
Q
Advantages of loamless compost?
A
Advantages:
- Soilless - so do not need to be sterilised
- Light weight
- Cleaner to handle
- Cheaper – no sterilising
- Often no peat used
9
Q
Describe the characteristics of 4 distinct named types of growing media (excluding garden soil) used for plants in containers.
A
Coir based
- Lightweight
- High water-holding capacity with good porosity and air content
- pH neutral
- Low nutrient content
- Sustainable - waste product
Wood based
- Excellent drainage
- Low PH
- Suitable for potting seeds and growing plants on
Local authority green waste
- High nutrient content
- High PH
- Best used as a mulch
Composted bark based
- Bark is non-clumping with an open, stable structure and is well aerated
- Low water-holding capacity
- Variable pH value
10
Q
List 4 distinct problems associated with growing plants in containers.
A
- Plants can become root bound
- Containers can become difficult to move if they are large /blown over if the container is not heavy enough
- Permanent plantings require top dressing or repotting
- Plants need to be watered
11
Q
Identify 2 situations where growing plants in containers is more suitable than growing them in open ground.
A
- Tender plants can be placed in the correct situation for sunlight/shade, etc.
- Ericaceous plants can be grown in a growing media with a suitable pH
- Containers can be moved to avoid excess rainfall/frost etc
- Application of nutrients can be controlled when feeding plants
12
Q
What are the ingredients of loam-based seed compost?
A
- 2 parts by bulk medium loam (partially sterilised)
- 1 part bulk peat or peat substitute
- 1 part by bulk sand
13
Q
What are the ingredients of potting compost?
(for growing on)
A
- 7 parts bulky medium loam (partially sterilised)
- 3 part bulk peat or peat substitute
- 2 part by bulk sand
14
Q
What are the ingredients of ericaceous compost?
A
- 2 parts by bulk loam (partially sterilised)
- 1 part by bulk peat or peat substitute
- 1 part by bulk sand
15
Q
List the benefits of adding organic matter to a soil
A
- Increased activity of micro organisms
- Hummus is added - Soil structure improved (aeration/drainage)
- Water holding capacity improved
- Nutrients in soil are gradually increased
16
Q
List the Limitations of adding organic matter to a soil
A
- May be a source of plant pests - Larvee/eggs
- May contain plant disease - Fungi/Spores
- Manure may contain urea and ammonia which scorches plant roots
17
Q
State the difference between ‘green’ and ‘brown’ material
A
Green material
- Break down quickly
- Grasses, leaves, herbaceous plants, vegetable matter
- High nutrient content
Brown material
- Break down slowly
- Branches, stems, woody areas, cardboard, wood chippings
- Generally contain lignin - hard material
- Low nutrient content
- Have a good impact on soil structure
18
Q
List key examples of the types of compost
A
- Farmyard manure
- Garden compost
- Spent mushroom compost
- Local authority compost (green waste)
19
Q
List key examples of the types of mulch used
A
Organic - Generally improves plant growth, over time will add nutrients into soil
- Chipped/shredded bark (Often laid ontop of weed suppressant, prevents evaporation)
- Leaf mold (rotted leaves of deciduous tree’s- slow)
- Composted straw (Used as a mulch, prevents slugs and snails)
- Local authority compost
- Spent mushroom compost
- Green manure (Green leafy plants are grown as crop and then incorporated into soil)
Inorganic - Does not add nutrients but can improve temp/suppress weed growth
- Pebbles or gravel
- Slate
- Stone chippings
- Recycled glass
- Geo textile sheets
20
Q
Describe the process of composting to include; Site, Construction, Materials, Care
A
Site
- Compost bin should be away from main garden
- Sheltered area away from wind/ extreme temp
- Easy access for wheel barrow
- Either plastic container or slated wooden box
Construction
- 1 cubic meter is ideal
- Stand on soil to allow access for organisms
- Lid/cover is needed for warmth and to keep rain off
Materials
- A mixture of green:woody 1:2
- Only small amounts of grass cuttings
- Avoid perennial roots/ plants with disease or pests
Care
- Turned once a month to spread heat throughout and aid aeration
- Add water if it becomes dry
21
Q
List key methods of composting
A
- Composting bin/box
- Tumbler (small amounts only)
- Hot bed (good for tropical plants/fruits)
- Worm composting (highly fertile)
22
Q
Describe the term Humus and how it is made
A
- Jelly like substance, sticky and black
- Coats the soil particles
- It is what gives top soil it’s darker colour
- It is created by worms and other micro organisms breaking down organic matter
23
Q
State the key benefits of Humus
A
- Helps improve soil structure
- In a light sandy soil it helps bind particles together
- In a clay soil it helps to break down larger lumps creating a better crumb
- It has a ‘buffering’ effect and carries a small electrical charge, holding onto plant nutrients and preventing them from being leeched out of the soil
- Helps the soil to heat up quicker due to dark colour
24
Q
What is Farm yard manure and what are it’s uses and restrictions
A
- Most traditional method of composting
- A mixture of cow/horse faeces, urine and bedding material such as straw or woodchip
- Used as a soil conditioner to improve structure
- Can be used as a mulch if well rotted
- It has high levels of ammonia so if not broken down it can scorch plant roots
- Should be stored for a year before use - by this time it should be dark, crumbly and odorless
- Nutrient level is usually low but can vary drastically depending on a number of factors
25
Q
What is Garden compost and what are it’s uses and restrictions
A
- Most effective way of recycling kitchen waste
- Breakdown of organic matter as a result of worms or soil organisms
- A mixture garden and kitchen waste
- Used as a soil conditioner to improve soil structure
- Can be added to other materials to make potting compost
- Often contains weed seeds so (unless heated to a high temperature) it is not ideal for mulching
26
Q
What is Spent mushroom compost and what are it’s uses and restrictions
A
- Not generally available to the public - bi-product of mushroom industry
- Almost entirely made from straw with some chalk mixed in
- Used as a soil conditioner
- Can be used as a mulch
- Can be used as a replacement for lime when increasing soil PH
- It has high levels of PH so if not broken down it can scorch plant roots
27
Q
What is Local authority compost and what are it’s uses and restrictions
A
- Often refereed to as ‘Green waste’
- Locally produced and often free
- Essentially the same as garden waste but it is heated to a high enough level to kill of weed seeds/disease
- Used as a soil conditioner
- Can be used as a mulch on boarders or pot plants
- Can be contaminated small particles of plastic and glass
28
Q
Describe the 3 steps in the breaking down of organic matter
A
- First step - Worms, moles or other large organisms eat the organic matter and excrete the remains
- Second step - Fungi present in the soil feed and grow on the dead material, this helps to break down larger woody matter
- Third step - Bacteria/ microorganisms eventually convert it to the nutrients that can be absorbed by the plants and Hummus
29
Q
Describe Mulching and explain why it is important
A
- Material added to soil surface which has a range of uses but generally improves plant growth
- Bare soil looses moisture rapidly
- Bare soil is prone to capping and erosion
- Ideally no bare soil should be visable
- Decorative finish
- Prevent weed growth
- Aid moisture retention
- Protect soil surface
- Improve soil structure as it is slowly incorporated
30
Q
What is composting?
A
- Breakdown of garden and kitchen waste, gradually decayed
- Supplies nutrients
- High levels of hummus help improve soil drainage, aeration and nutrient holding capacity
- Contributes healthy soil organisms
31
Q
What conditions are needed when composting?
A
- Beneficial organisms are aerobic so require well aerated conditions
- Water is needed but materials must never become to wet
- Oxygen is needed so material must never become to compacted
- Should be covered to keep out excess rain and retain heat
- 1 part green 2 part brown - green will speed up process, brown will helps to keep open and aerated
- Heat is needed and produced - may rise to 70’c but not high enough to kill pest/disease
- Must be turned often
32
Q
Give an overview of how comfrey tea is made
A
- Produced from plant not animal material
- No cost and no carbon footprint
- Good source of potassium
- Used for liquid feed
Process
- Wear gloves to protect from irritants
- When plant has reached 60cm (but before plant has flowered) cut it down to 5cm above ground
- Chop the leaves
- Pack 900g of leaves into hessian sack and suspend in container with a lid
- Fill container with water and keep warm
- Stir mixture, foaming indicated it is working
- When it stops foaming (after 4 weeks) draw of the liquid
- Dilute 1:10
Uses
- Tomatoes, cucumbers - flowering/fruiting plants
- Folier feed
