Lecture 17 Flashcards
how do you extend harvest season in short-season crops?
Multiple plantings in at ~10 day intervals in spring (ex: lettuce, spinach, radish, beans)
Mid to late summer plantings can extend harvest into fall of hardy short-season crops (ex: peas, beets, spinach)
when is thinning used? (3)
to provide plants with adequate space
Reduce competition for water & nutrients
improve air circulation
what is thinning required for?
proper root growth
how is thinning accomplished?
Pull or cut plants without disturbing roots of adjacent plants
when is it best to proceed with thinning?
when soil is moist
what seeds always require thinning?
multi-germ seeds
what happens when plants grown indoors or in a greenhouse aren’t hardened off?
will not grow for a period of time
before transplanting harden off the plants to prevent _________ ______
transplant shock
when should hardening off begin?
7-10 days before transplanting
what are the steps of proper hardening off? (4)
Start in a sheltered, shady area
Leave 3- 4 h to start & gradually increase by 1-2 h per day
Bring back indoors at night during first few days
Later can move to less sheltered area & keep out at night if temp is not below 10C
what are the 2 major challenges when hardening off?
desiccation
weak stems & cuticles - wind
how should hardening off be different if using a cold frame? (3)
Turn off heating cables if present
Open frame for gradually longer period of time
Close frame at night & resume heating if temp below 4C
when transplanting, the holes should be bigger than ____ ____
root ball
what are the steps of transplanting? (7)
Prepare soil similar to direct planting
Dig holes bigger than root ball
Apply amendments if desired
Apply water to holes
Remove plants from pots/cells with as little disturbance as possible (if roots are bound, tease them out)
Place plants in holes & move soil around plants
water gently
Plants require _______ mm of water per week at peak of production
25-40
how many inches should water penetrate into the soil?
6-12”
what time of day should you water?
early
what are the signs of a drought-stressed plant? (3)
More susceptible to disease/pests
Will bolt more quickly
May drop flowers & stop producing fruit
what is the result of an overwatered plant? (2)
More susceptible to disease/pests
Leaching of soil nutrients
weed
plant that is out of place or unwanted (any plant can be a weed)
what resources do plants compete for plants with? (4)
light, water, nutrients & air
what are the disadvantages of weeds? (7)
compete with plants for required resources
may harbour pests
aesthetically undesirable
Increase cost of production
May be poisonous to humans &/or pets
may contribute to allergies
Interfere with waterways, drainage ditches, etc.
what are the 3 ways to control weeds?
Manual, cultural, chemical
when is it easy to identify a plant as a weed?
when b/w rows or planted material (“in-row” weeds)
