October 2021 paper

Question 1

state 4 limitations of propagating plants from seed

Answer 1

some plants may not produce viable seed
seedlings may not come true to parent plant
plants may take longer to produce flowers, or coloured bark
the seed crop can be unreliable
the sex of the progeny is unknown

Question 2

name two vegetables commonly propagated by seed

Answer 2

Lactuca sativa
Phaseolus vulgaris
Daucus carota

Question 3

state 4 environmental requirements for seed germination

Answer 3

moisture/water - to rehydrate the seed, and for growing the seedling
suitable temperature - for cell activity and respiration
oxygen - required for respiration
light/dark - Begonia semperflorens need light to germinate
Pisum sativum need dark to germinate

Question 4

describe the propagation by seed of Begonia semperflorens (Cultorum group) under the following headings: preparation of container

Answer 4

overfill a clean or new seed tray with seed sowing compost
make sure the compost is pushed into the corners
tap tray twice to ensure compost settles
strike excess off with a striker board, and firm surface uniformly with a presser board
sieve a fine layer of compost over the surface of the tray and firm surface again.
water seed tray by putting it in a tray of water

Question 5

describe the propagation by seed of Begonia semperflorens (Cultorum group) under the following headings: sowing technique

Answer 5

seed is very fine so mix with the same quantity of dried silver sand
sow evenly and thinly over whole tray
- use the pinching method, or tapping from the palm of the hand/packet.

Question 6

describe the propagation by seed of Begonia semperflorens (Cultorum group) under the following headings: immediate aftercare

Answer 6

cover seed tray with a sheet of glass and place on a heated bench
Temp should be 21-24’c
keep an eye on moisture levels-can put tray in tray of water or use a fine rose on watering can.
remove glass cover as germination occurs and check for signs of damping off

Question 7

state one suitable vegetative propagation method and one plant name for a named facility; MIST BENCH

Answer 7

softwood cutting
for an indoor plant, herbaceous perennial or deciduous shrub
eg: Fuchsia magellanica

OR a Leaf bud cutting eg: Clematis montana

Question 8

state one suitable vegetative propagation method and one plant name for a named facility: HEATED PROPAGATOR

Answer 8

leaf lamina cutting
indoor plant
Begonia rex

Question 9

state one suitable vegetative propagation method and one plant name for a named facility: COLD FRAME

Answer 9

Semi-ripe cutting
evergreen shrub or conifer
eg: Chamaecyparis subsp.

Question 10

state one suitable vegetative propagation method and one plant name for a named facility: OPEN GROUND

Answer 10

deciduous hardwood cutting or layering
for a deciduous tree or shrub
EG: Cornus alba

Question 11

name 2 methods by which plants can naturally vegetatively propagate themselves

Answer 11

bulbs
corms
tubers
rhizomes
stolons
runners

Question 12

name three materials suitable for a rooting medium for softwood cuttings

Answer 12

peat
bark
coir
perlite
vermiculite

Question 13

Describe the characteristics of suitable rooting materials for softwood cuttings; coir, bark, perlite

Answer 13

coir; high air-filled porosity, can absorb and retain moisture well. Contains some nutrients

Bark: non-clumping, open stable structure and provides good aeration

perlite; lightweight and sterile. Increases air-filled porosity and improves drainage.

Question 14

state the reasons for the temperature difference between the root and aerial environments for rooting softwood cuttings

Answer 14

a cooler air environment is required to reduce water loss

a warmer basal temperature required to assist with the formation of callus tissue and roots

Question 15

name two plants propagated by leaf bud cuttings

Answer 15

Clematis montana
Hedera helix
Camellia japonica

Question 16

describe the preparation of the leaf bud cuttings for one named plant, under the heading: Time of year

Answer 16

Clematis montana; may - june

camellia japonica; june - oct

Question 17

describe the preparation of the leaf bud cuttings for one named plant, under the heading: preparation

Answer 17

for Clematis montana;

cut just above the node that contains 2 axillary buds and 2 pairs of leaves
the basal cut is made 50mm below the top cut within the internode
one leaf can be removed for easier insertion
dust base of cutting with rooting hormone powder

Question 18

describe the preparation of the leaf bud cuttings for one named plant, under the heading: insertion

Answer 18

clematis montana;

insert cuttings into a tray with a 50:50 mix of coir and perlite or fine grit/sharp sand
they must be stable, but do not let them touch growing media

Question 19

describe the preparation of the leaf bud cuttings for one named plant, under the heading: Suitable aerial environment

Answer 19

clematis montana;
place cutting in a closed case or mist unit.

aerial temp 12-18’c
basal temp 18-24’c

Question 20

name one pest and one fungal disease likely to affect rooting Fuchsia spp. cuttings

Answer 20

pest; aphids, two spotted spider mite, Fuchsia gallmite

disease; damping off

Question 21

describe how the disease that affects rooting Fuchsia spp. cuttings can be prevented and controlled

Answer 21

damping off;

use clean, sterile trays and rooting media.
pay attention to density- need good ventilation
remove any dead/damaged plant material
mains water used for watering
avoid waterlogged soil

Question 22

describe the aftercare of the Fuchsia cuttings (other than pests and diseases) after removal from a named propagation facility.

Answer 22

harden off
pot off
water regularly
pinch out to encourage lateral growth
feed during growing season
remove any dead/damaged foliage