Lecture 14 Horticulture Flashcards
Example of a plant that grows in the woodland and requires less light.
Wild garlic
Name a plant that grows on the riverbank thus requiring more water and acts as a vulnerary and astringent
Bistort
List the growing conditions horticulturists take into account when cultivating plants
Light, moisture, sun, soil pH
What aspect of soil affects drainage and water holding capacity.
Grain
List the three different types of soil and a few of its characteristics
Sand- largest grain, fast draining, minerals leech in heavy rain
Clay- smallest grain, slow draining, hardest in drought conditions
Silt- from river flooding has intermediate size grain
How do we modify soils to suit the plants needs.
Light Sandy soils are enriched and made more moisture retentive by adding organic matter (compost)
Heavy clay soils are more free draining by adding grit, small stone and organic mater
What is loam and the benefits of using this type of soil.
Loam is a blend of all 3 grain types.
- neither too fast draining or water retentive
- sufficient air for root respiration
- more nutrients and moisture
- ideal environment for invertebrates (worms) and beneficial bacteria
What are the pros and cons of peat.
Peat is partially decomposed vegetable matter saturated with water found in uplands and bogs
Fertile and drains well but low in nitrogen so will become saturated if too wet and shrink if too dry.
Should avoid using because peat lands are endangered environmental resource
How does acidic soil affect plant growth
Reduces plant breakdown. Organic matter produces organic acid which lowers pH.
What nutrients are found in alkaline soil? Which type of soil do plants prefer?
Calcium, magnesium, carbonate ions.
Slightly alkaline
The addition of which substances create a more alkaline soil. Give an example of a alkaline soil loving plant.
Dolomite, limestone, calcified seaweed
Yarrow
How do you lower soil pH? Name a plant that prefers slightly acidic soil
Organic matter
Echinaea
How does the pH of the soil affect Hydrangeas?
Acidic soil produces blue flowers
Alkaline soil changes blue flowers to pink
List three soil layers necessary for plant growth
Topsoil- decayed and decaying organic matter
Subsoil- lighter colour, fewer nutrients, reservoir for water and minerals
Bedrock- draining capacity depends on composition
To assess the soil in ones garden how far deep should one dig?
30cm
In what ways can the gardener feed the soil?
Compost Green manure Well rotten manure Fertilizer Mulches
What is green manure?
Green manures are grown then mown or dug in to the soil before they shed seeds.
Pea family plants are ideal: Medicago sati a (alfalfa), Trifolium pratense, Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek).
Name 4 natural fertilisers and their main contribution to soil
Seaweed- NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium)
Calcified seaweed- harvested from beds of coral algae
Natural rock- phosphates but inorganic and non-sustainable
Animal- bone meal and blood
What are the benefits and a few examples of mulches.
Suppress weeds
Retain moisture
Increase soil temperature
Add nutrients to soil
Mushroom compost
Wood clippings
Hay
Leaf mold
Define stratification
Exposing seeds to cold, stimulates passing though winter. Leave seeds covered outside during winter or store in fragile for 8 weeks. Plant thinks spring has arrived when taken out
Define scarification
Roughening the surface of seeds with very thick shells. Rub gently with sandpaper allowing water to penetrate outer seed layers
What is the advantage of direct seeding?
Removes the shock of moving plants once they have established roots
Name of product used to cover seedlings to increase warmth and protect against weather and animals
Horticulture fleece
What are the advantages and steps to indoor sowing
Provides a controlled environment free of predators and weeds
Fill pot/ seed stray with sowing compost 1 cm below rim, water with a fine rose
Sprinkle seeds thinly on surface
Lightly cover with sieved compost
Cover larger seeds to their own depth
Water with fine sprinkler
Label
Cover with glass tray retains moisture
Keep in shade
After germination remove glass and thin out seedlings keep in warm place out of direct sun
Water
Harden off over 2-3 weeks, bring them out by day, indoors at night
Transplant when big enough to handle
What are cuttings and the four types
When stems produce new root systems
Greenwood cuttings
Semi-ripe cuttings
Water cuttings
Rhizome cuttings
Describe the process of greenwood cuttings
Do in late spring early summer
Use tip of a healthy non-flowering stem with a firm base
Strip off base leaves and place in pot covered with glass out of direct sun for 1-5 weeks
Semi-ripe cuttings
Trees and shrubs mis to late summer when shoots are hardening
Take 4-6 inch cutting strip leaves from lower end insert base of stem into hormone rooting powder and insert 1 inch into compost cover rooted after 6 months
Rhizome cuttings
Produce roots and sheets along their length
Eg ginger and turmeric
Root division
Another form of propagation some roots will form new plants from any section of root (eg comfrey)
Layering
Propagation whereby Branches from new root systems where they touch the ground
Runners
Propagate naturally when spread along surface creating new root systems
Suckers
Are new stems produced by tree roots.
List the steps when planting out seedlings, cuttings etc.
Remove weeds
Modify soil as required
Plant in autumn/ spring
Place plant in hole just larger then the root ball of the plant, add compost, soak hole prior to planting
Soak in the pot for 15 minutes in water, separate roots slightly if the plant is root outbound
Position plant at the same level as it has been growing, press in firmly, water in fork soil around the plan heel in
What are the keys to success in organic growing soil management.
- Don’t dig
- Don’t compact
- Cover soil with mulch
- Rest the soil with green manures
- use manure
- rotate crops, alternate hungry feeders (eg nightshade family) with nitrogen fixers like red clover
- good garden design
- companion planting
- Pest control (nematodes, microscopic roundworms)
- Weed control
- Growing material
- Bonfires
What is nitrogen fixation
Converts nitrogen from the air into ammonia which is metabolised by most organisms to produce amino acids and nucleic acids
Name four features of good garden design
Hedges
Leave rotten logs, leaf-mold and stones for shelter
Deep rooted plants bring nutrients up from the subsoil
Plant flowers near fruit trees to attract pollinating insects
Name 6 companion plants and their benefits
Calendula- produces root secretions that deter whitefly
Allium onion and garlic family deter carrot root fly and are fungicidal
Chamomile improves health and yield of many plants
Hyssop attracts bees and repels cabbage white butterfly
Nasturtium - deters aphids, whitefly and attract black fly to itself (keeping it off other plants)
Oregano
Growing Instructions for Echinacea purpurea
• Grows to a height of 1.2m (4ft), spreads up to 45cm (18in).
• Requires fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position.
• Harvest roots in the autumn, seeds in late summer.
• If you want to make a whole-plant
extract, harvest aerial parts in early
summer before flowers are mature;
make your extract of these, then
leave the remainder of your crop
until you can harvest the roots in the Autumn.
• Echinacea is good for all infections and low immunity
Growing Instructions for Hypericum perforatum- St. John’s Wort
• Grows to a height of 30 – 60cm
height, spreads to 15 – 45cm.
• Requires moist, well-drained soil in partial shade.
• Harvest aerial parts in mid-Summer when coming into flower.
• Can be prepared as a tincture (water and alcohol extract) or as an oil (infuse in Olive Oil).
• St John’s Wort is good for depression, anxiety and sleep.
Growing Instructions for Valeriana officinalis- valerian root
• Grows to a height of 2 metres,
spreads to approximately 1 metre.
• Thrives near water and so grows best in moist or well-watered soil, in a sunny or partially shaded position.
• Harvest the roots in Autumn.
• Valerian has a warming, comforting and relaxing effect – good for sleep and nerve problems.
Growing Instructions for Aloe vera
• Grows to a height of 60 – 90cm, spreads by
sprouting new plants from its base (“pups” or “offsets”).
• Happy in temperate climates provided that it is planted in a well-drained container, placed in a sunny position during the summer and brought inside each winter (frost will kill it).
• To harvest, simply cut off a frond as required and separate the inner healing gel from the green outer skin (which can also be used in herbal medicine as a purgative).
Growing Instructions for Calendula officinalis (Marigold)
• Grows to 50cm in height, with similar
spread.
• Flourishes in any dry & sunny position.
• Harvest flowers when in full bloom during the summer.
• Because calendula is an annual (it lives for just one year), leave
a few flowers to mature and produce seed for next years crop.
• Marigold is a wound healer, but also a liver and lymph cleanser
Growing Instructions for Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle)
• Grows to a height of 1 – 2 metres, spreads
1 metre.
• Prefers well-drained soil in a sunny position.
• Harvest by placing mature seed heads in a warm dry place. Then, tap the heads to release seeds (wear gloves to handle Milk Thistle and sow new seeds each spring).
• Milk Thistle seeds rebuild and protect the liver, e.g. after exposure to alcohol or pharmaceutical drugs.
Growing Instructions for Passiflora incarnata
• Climbs to 8m (25ft).
• Likes fertile, well drained soil in a partially shaded position, next to a wall or fence it can climb.
• Harvest leaves and flowers in summer.
• Passionflower is an excellent nerve-relaxant and sleep tonic; makes a good addition to a
calming, de-stressing herbal tea mix
Why might you use a seaweed fertiliser: Select one: a. To add salt b. To alkalise the soil c. To acidify the soil d. To add mercury
B
Which genus of plants deter carrot root fly and are fungicidal Select one: a. Allium b. Chrysanthemum c. Mentha d. Plantago
B
Why would you SCARIFY seeds:
Select one:
a. To help the shoots have an easier time getting through the shell
b. To simulate natural winter conditions
c. To prevent too many seeds germinating at once
d. To ensure that water can enter more easily
B
What happens to Hydrangea flowers if the soil is alkalised: Select one: a. They increase in size b. They turn blue c. They turn pink d. They die
C
Which family of plants are good for nitrogen fixing: Select one: a. Plantaginaceae b. Asteraceae c. Fabaceae d. Rosaceae
C
Why would you not use fresh horse manure as a fertiliser:
Select one:
a. It is alkaline and may burn root hairs
b. It rots too quickly
c. it is acidic and it may burn root hairs
d. It smells bad
C
How would you enrich a sandy soil type: Select one: a. Add organic matter b. Add chemical fertiliser c. Add water d. Add clay
A
What is nitrogen fixing:
Select one:
a. Converting nitrogen from the air into ammonia.
b. Allowing plants to breath
c. Converting oxygen into nitrogen
d. Planting out in high nitrogen-content sol
A
What growing conditions suit Calendula: Select one: a. Sunny and warm b. Shady and damp c. Shady and well-drained d. Sunny and dry
D
