October 2021 past paper

Question 1

Describe what is meant by the term groundwork (infill) with reference to a summer bedding scheme.

Answer 1

groundwork is: the mass or bulk planting, forming the central part of the border.

plants are positioned behind the edging plants and around the dot plants.

Groundwork plants are 20-40cm height, and spaced 20-30cm apart

Question 2

what height are groundwork plants, and how far apart should they be spaced?

Answer 2

height; 20-40cm

spaced; 20-30cm

Question 3

where should you plant groundwork plants in a summer bedding border?

Answer 3

position them behind edging plants, and around the dot plants

Question 4

what are maintenance tasks for a summer bedding display?

Answer 4

irrigation
weeding
deadheading

Question 5

describe irrigation for summer bedding display maintenance

Answer 5

irrigation can be applied via a seep hose, or pop-up sprinkler system so plants are thoroughly soaked - to a depth of 150mm is ideal

Question 6

describe weeding as part of the maintenance of a summer bedding display

Answer 6

hoe off seedling weeds allowing them to dry out on the surface of the soil

or, hand pull the weeds and remove them from the bed

Question 7

describe deadheading as part of the maintenance of a summer bedding display

Answer 7

remove spent flowers by using snips to cut back to the next node

Question 8

name 4 plants suitable for a summer bedding display

Answer 8

Salvia splendens
Tagetes erecta
Lobelia erinus
Nicotiana alata
Canna indica

Question 9

what are three methods of staking herbaceous perennial plants in a border?

Answer 9

a single bamboo cane and twine
Corylus avellana brushwood
metal grids
hoops

Question 10

describe the method of staking herbaceous perennial plants in a border by using a bamboo cane, giving a named plant example

Answer 10

wrap soft twine in a figure eight knot around the bamboo cane to support a tall inflorescence eg: Delphinium ‘Conspicuous’

Question 11

describe the method of staking herbaceous perennial plants in a border by using Corylus avellana brushwood

Answer 11

these are hazel branches, and they can be woven together to create a form which is placed over the emerging plants early in the year

Question 12

describe the method of staking herbaceous perennial plants in a border by using metal grids and hoops or link stakes

Answer 12

place these around the plants when they are in early stages of growth - so that they will be almost invisible once the plants are fully grown.

(think of the peony support mike made :) )

Question 13

name 4 herbaceous perennials suitable for growing in a shady planting situation

Answer 13

Actaea pachypoda
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
Hosta fortunei ‘Aurea’
Pulmonaria angustifolia

Question 14

list 6 materials of pieces of equipment used during the planting of a tree
NOT TO INCLUDE TOOLS

Answer 14

softwood stake
Plastic buckle tie and spacer
rabbit guard
mycorrhizal root stimulant
bonemeal
chipped bark mulch
planting board
RootRain
biodegradable tree shelters

Question 15

name 4 distinct lime-hating trees and/or shrubs

Answer 15

Arbutus unedo
Calluna vulgaris- Heather
Camellia x williamsii 'Debbie'
Magnolia x soulangeana
Skimmia japonica

Question 16

state 6 characteristics of a growing medium suitable for growing alpine and rock garden plants

Answer 16

free draining
well aerated
free from pests and diseases
free from weeds and weed seeds
Suitable pH for the plants being grown
Stable structure
low in nutrients
moisture retentive

Question 17

name a pest of alpine or rock plants

Answer 17

slugs and snails

Question 18

how would you control a named pest in an alpine or rock garden?

Answer 18

slugs/snails;

physically remove them by hand
use Metaldehyde pellets

Aphids;
rub off the plants- squash them
spray off the plants with a strong jet of water
spray them with Pyrethrins or Fatty acids

Question 19

what is a named disease that can affect alpine or rock plants and how can you control it?

Answer 19

disease; Powdery mildew

control method; remove and destroy the affected plant material

Question 20

what are some methods of controlling pond weeds?

Answer 20

raking them off the surface
putting a bale of barley straw in a bag in the pond - it releases algal inhibitors
make sure there is a balance between open water and plant foliage cover
Filtration - with a pump

Question 21

describe how to control pond weeds if you were to manually rake them.

Answer 21

you can rake off floating pond weed,
use a stick to twirl blanket weed around it
lift and remove weed seedlings from container plants

Question 22

describe how to control pond weeds if you were to; use a bale of barley straw

Answer 22

place the bale in a mesh bag into the pond.
the straw releases algal inhibitors.
you can also use an algaecide eg: Tetra.

Question 23

Name an algaecide and the amount in ml’s that controls litres of water

Answer 23

Tetra,

250ml controls 5000litres of water

Question 24

describe how to control pond weeds if you were to; use a balance of foliage and open water

Answer 24

There should be a 50;50 ratio of plant foliage cover ; open water.

Use Nymphaea spp. and oxygenating plants to help reduce the amount of light the weeds need

Question 25

name an oxygenating plant that helps control pond weeds

Answer 25

Myriophyllum verticillatum

My-rio-phy-llum vert-ici-llatum

Question 26

describe how to control pond weeds if you were to; use a filtration method

Answer 26

use a pump and UV filters to clear weeds and algae from the water

Question 27

name two distinct aquatic plants suitable for a garden pool under the heading; Marginal plants

Answer 27

Lobelia cardinalis
Iris pseudacorus
Butomus umbellatus

Question 28

name two distinct aquatic plants suitable for a garden pool under the heading; FLOATING AQUATICS

Answer 28

Azolla mexicana
Pistia stratiotes - looks like a floating cabbage
Lemna trisulca - has submerged fronds

Question 29

name a mower suitable for a hard wearing utility lawn

Answer 29

a rotary mower

Question 30

name a mower suitable for a fine quality lawn

Answer 30

a cylinder mower

Question 31

describe a rotary mower

Answer 31

it travels on wheels and may have a back roller.
it can be petrol, battery or electric driven with a single blade that has a chopping action.
it normally has a grass collection box
the height of cut can be adjusted

Question 32

describe one distinct mower suitable for a hard wearing utility lawn

Answer 32

A rotary mower;

it travels on wheels and may have a back roller.
it can be petrol, battery or electric driven with a single blade that has a chopping action.
it normally has a grass collection box
the height of cut can be adjusted

Question 33

describe a cylinder mower

Answer 33

a cylinder mower;

travels on rollers which creates stripes on the lawn
it has a grass collection box
3- 12 blades which cut against a cutting plate in a scissor like action
height of cut is adjustable
can be petrol or battery powered

Question 34

describe one distinct mower suitable for a fine quality lawn

Answer 34

a cylinder mower;

travels on rollers which creates stripes on the lawn
it has a grass collection box
3- 12 blades which cut against a cutting plate in a scissor like action
height of cut is adjustable
can be petrol or battery powered

Question 35

name two diseases of turf

Answer 35

Fusarium patch

red thread

Question 36

describe the symptoms of; fusarium patch

Answer 36

starts as small, yellowish patches that spread and merge - will form patches 30cm in size.

the grass gradually dies and turns brown.

during wet conditions a white or pinkish, cottony fungal growth can appear at the edge of the patch

Question 37

describe the symptoms of Red thread

Answer 37

patches of affected grass have a reddish tinge which become light brown or bleached in appearance.

The patches range in size, 7.5 - 25cm in diameter or larger.

pink/red gelatinous thread-like structures can be seen on blades of grass, often binding them together.