Asexual Prop Concepts-Test 2 Flashcards
Memorize important facts of asexual propagation.
Name 4 reasons to use asexual plant propagation methods.
- Maintenance of Clones; 2. Avoidance of Long Juvenile Periods; 3. Propagation of Seedless Plants; 4. Economics.
What is a “Mother Plant?”
A mother plant is a source of cuttings to clone plants.
A “Mother Plant” should be propagated by seed. (True or False)
TRUE
What is the reason a “Mother Plant” should not be used indefinitely?
Mutation
Why is it better to propagate an orchid plant asexually?
An asexually propagated orchid will produce flowers sooner than one planted from seed. Some orchids take 10 years to bloom.
Genetic mutation of plants is bad. True or False
FALSE. Some genetic mutations are good, like the seedless Naval Orange.
Rooting hormone helps Totipotency. True or False
TRUE. Rooting hormone makes it easier to propagate.
Approximately 80% of plants propagated in the US are done by cuttings. True or False
TRUE
What is the term used to describe roots that form on the stem of a plant?
Adventitious roots.
Name the two transporting tissues inside vascular plants.
Xylem and Phloem
Name the cells that make up the outer layers of the plant stems and leaves.
Parenchyma cells
Herbaceous plants produce roots outside while woody plants usually produce them between the cambium and phloem. TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
Name 4 types of Stem Cuttings.
- Herbaceous; 2. Hardwood; 3. Semi-hardwood; 4. Softwood
Should hardwood cuttings be taken during dormancy or growing season?
Dormancy
Hardwood cuttings require a greenhouse or heat to root. TRUE or FALSE
FALSE
Why are hardwood cuttings able to be stored for a long period of time?
Hardwood cuttings can be stored for a long period of time because they are rich in carbohydrates and will not transpire.
When is the best time to take semi-hardwood cuttings?
Semi-hardwood cuttings are best taken in early spring or summer from a new flush of growth.
Semi-hardwood cuttings need moisture. TRUE or FALSE.
TRUE
Where would you find softwood to make a cutting on a woody plant?
Softwood cuttings are taken from succulent young but rigid stems that are not woody.
When can you successfully take cuttings from herbaceous plants?
Anytime.
Herbaceous cuttings require bottom heat and humidity. TRUE or FALSE
TRUE.
Describe techniques for taking cuttings.
- Cut a uniform length; 2. Select a cutting with a terminal bud; 3. Cut just below the node; 4. Remove the bottom leaves to prevent rot.
Describe the steps used in the lab for propagating by cutting.
- Fill a flat 3/4 full with perlite; 2. Wash cuttings in soapy water and dry. 3. Take a final cut below the node; 4. Dip bottom of cutting in rooting hormone; 5. Stick the cutting in the perlite flat (not all the way to the bottom; 5. Label the flat with the plant name and date. 6. Place the flat on the misting bench in the greenhouse; 7. Create a propagation card.
Name 3 BMP’s for cuttings.
- Make cuttings a uniform length; 2. Keep cuttings moist in bucket or ice chest; 3. Wash cuttings with soapy water.
How can you eliminate pathogens from cuttings?
You can eliminate pathogens by soaking in Physan or a weak solution of bleach and water.
Viruses are not seed borne. TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
What types of cuttings should be wounded before dipping in rooting hormone?
Hardwood cuttings should be wounded (smashed) to expose more of the cambium to the rooting hormone.
Polarity refers to what in planting cuttings?
Polarity refers to making sure that you are planting your cutting right side up. The shoot tip should be facing upward.
What material is used as rooting media for cuttings?
Perlite is the rooting media used for cuttings.
What do hormones do for plants?
Hormones control what each cell in a plant becomes (leaf, flowers, fruit, roots).
Temperature is considered a hormone to plants. TRUE or FALSE.
TRUE
Name the 4 major hormones for plants.
- Auxin; 2. Cytokinin; 3. Gibberellin; 4. Abscisic Acid
What is Auxin and what is it used for?
Auxin is a hormone used to initiate the formation of adventitious roots.
What is Cytokinin and what is it used for?
Cytokinin is a hormone found only in living tissue. It is essential in stimulating cell division.
What is Gibberellin and what is it used for?
Gibberellins are homones that are important in propagating plants from seeds. They also break dormancy and expands buds/flowers.
What is Abscisic Acid and what is it used for?
Abscisic acid is a hormone used by plants and seeds to promote dormancy.
What are the two parts that form the union in a graft?
- Rootstalk; 2. Scion
The characteristics of the rootstock are not passed on to the scion. TRUE or FALSE
FALSE
Give 5 reasons for grafting.
- Change the stature of a mature plant; 2. Increase disease or climatic resistance; 3. Aesthetic reasons; 4. Save a plant that has been damaged; 5. Propagate a plant; 6. Have more than one variety on the same plant; 7. Increase productivity, hasten maturity and fruit production.
Name two ways to change the stature (size) of a mature plant.
- Graft a normal sized plant onto a dwarf rootstock; 2. Graft a dwarf plant onto a rootstock that will maintain the small stature.
What is the reason to graft heirloom tomatoes onto a hybrid rootstalk?
High quality heirloom tomatoes are susceptible to a variety of diseases. Grafting onto a hybrid rootstock provides immunities to diseases.
Name 5 parts that make up the layers of a vascular woody stem.
- Bark; 2. Pith; 3. Cambium; 4. Xylem; 5. Phloem
Name 6 types of grafts.
- Cleft or Wedge; 2. Splice; 3. Saddle; 4. Topworking; 5. Chip or Bud; 6. Veneer
How many growing seasons do we have and what are they?
There are two growing seasons and they are the warm-dry season and cool-moist season.
Which two months should you not plant in for fruits/vegetables?
You should not plant in July and August.
Which months are considered the cool season?
The cool season is October through April.
Which months are considered the warm season?
The warm season is May through September.
What parts of the plant do we eat on vegetables?
We eat the roots, shoots, leaves, and flower buds of vegetables.
During which season do you use the multiple crop planting system?
The cool season uses a multiple crop planting system.
Vegetables are crops without seeds. TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
How many times will you need to fertilize your crops in the cool season?
Twice.
How many times will you need to fertilize your crops in the warm season?
3-4 times
Seed packets show the correct times to plant. TRUE or FALSE
FALSE
Grafted plants must be closely related. TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
The graft union should be planted less than 1 inch above the soil. TRUE or FALSE
FALSE. The union should be 2-5 inches above ground.
What type of soil is used for containers?
man-made/soiless
Why is important to know your soil texture?
Soil texture determines how fast water moves through the soil and how well it holds moisture.
What is the most important thing you can add to improve any soil?
Compost
Tilling is good for the soil. TRUE or FALSE
FALSE.
What are the 3 primary elements that make up natural soil?
- Sand; 2. Silt; 3. Clay
How does mulching affect the temperature of the soil?
Mulch keeps the soil cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Which type of fertilizer is best for outdoor plants, liquid or solid?
Solid
What are the 6 macronutrients for plants?
- Nitrogen; 2. Phosphorus; 3. Potassium; 4. Sulfur; 5. Calcium; 6. Magnesium
Name 3 micronutrients for plant growth.
- Iron; 2. Manganese; 3. Copper; 4. Zinc; 5. Boron; 6. Chloride; 7. Molybdenum
Plant nutrients are most available at what pH?
Neutral-7
Sodium makes nutrients unavailable. TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
Which macronutrient is most for plants?
Nitrogen
What does the N-P-K represent on fertilizer?
N= Nitrogen; P=Phosphorus; K=Potassium
Which soil amendment is typically added to Basic/Alkaline soils to improve it?
Gypsum
Why is nitrogen important to plants?
Nitrogen provides energy for photosynthesis.
Where can nitrogen be found?
Nitrogen is found in the atmosphere and in dead things like compost.
Why is phosphorus important to plants?
Phosphorus is important for cell division; making flowers and fruit.
Where can phosphorus be found?
Phosphorus is found in rocks.
Why is potassium important to plants?
Potassium promotes root development and supports systems like metabolism.
Where can potassium be found?
Potassium is found in rocks.
What is the importance of sulfur for plants?
Sulfur supports metabolism.
Where can sulfur be found?
Sulfur is found in organic material.
Why is calcium important for plants?
Calcium provides strength to the cell walls and is necessary for fruit, flowers, and seeds.
Where is calcium found?
Calcium is found in soil and organic material.
Why is magnesium important to plants?
Magnesium supports respiration (ion pump) and helps with absorption of calcium.
Where is magnesium found?
Magnesium is found in rocks/soil. Epsom salt is magnesium.
Which Western Sunset Garden Zone is Victor Valley College in?
Zone 11
Which USDA zone is Victor Valley College located in?
Zone 8b
