Past paper June 2021

Question 1

What does the ridge of a glasshouse do?

Answer 1

joins both sections of the glasshouse roof

Provides strength to the roof

Question 2

what is the purpose of the ridge ventilator in a glasshouse?

Answer 2

allows warm air to escape and provides adequate ventilation

Question 3

what is the purpose of internal frameworks of a glasshouse?

Answer 3

provides strength to the roof and sides of the structure

Question 4

what is the purpose of a gutter?

Answer 4

to remove and harvest rainwater

Question 5

what is the purpose of a louvred ventilator?

Answer 5

allows cool air to enter the structure

Question 6

name some cladding materials of a glasshouse

Answer 6

horticultural glass

twin walled polycarbonate cladding

Question 7

what is the purpose of a side ventilator on a glasshouse?

Answer 7

it is an opening ventilator that allows cool air to enter the glasshouse

Question 8

what is the purpose of polythene cladding on a polytunnel?

Answer 8

is is a skin with UV stabilisers - this helps extend the life of the polythene

Question 9

why do we use wooden frames doors on polytunnels?

Answer 9

they provide ventilation in a walk-in tunnel

Question 10

why is there Netlon skirts/side ventilation on polytunnels?

Answer 10

they provide additional ventilation

Question 11

for a grower growing crops under protection, list 5 environmental factors that the grower has to consider when growing crops under protection.

Answer 11

air temp
soil temp
availability of water
relative humidity
carbon dioxide concentration
natural light
air movement

Question 12

for a grower growing crops under protection, state one way these environmental factors can be manipulated: AIR TEMPERATURE

Answer 12

can be raised by the use of heating

can be lowered by the use of ventilation, shading or damping down.

Question 13

for a grower growing crops under protection, state one way these environmental factors can be manipulated; SOIL TEMPERATURE

Answer 13

soil warming cables or hot water pipes in glasshouse beds/benches can be used

Question 14

for a grower growing crops under protection, state one way these environmental factors can be manipulated ; AVAILABILITY OF WATER

Answer 14

PROVIDE IRRIGATION EITHER OVERHEAD OR AT GROUND LEVEL -
use pipes, seep/drip hoses.

Good soil texture, structure and depth will also effect water availability.

Question 15

for a grower growing crops under protection, state one way these environmental factors can be manipulated; RELATIVE HUMIDITY

Answer 15

Damping down or the use of a humidifier will raise the humidity

Ventilation will lower the humidity in a glasshouse

Question 16

for a grower growing crops under protection, state one way these environmental factors can be manipulated; CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATION

Answer 16

Good air movement through ventilation, and enriching the atmosphere with C02 gas will increase the concentration of it in a glasshouse

Question 17

for a grower growing crops under protection, state one way these environmental factors can be manipulated; NATURAL LIGHT

Answer 17

through design and orientation,
cleanliness of glass
lack of shading

Question 18

for a grower growing crops under protection, state one way these environmental factors can be manipulated; AIR MOVEMENT

Answer 18

provide adequate ventilation through the layout and size of the ventilators, and plant spacing

Question 19

for decorative plant pots grown in a protected environment, NAME TWO PESTS

Answer 19

glasshouse whitefly
vine weevil
Two spotted spider mite
scale insect
Mealy Bug

Question 20

for decorative plant pots grown in a protected environment, NAME TWO DISEASES

Answer 20

Botrytis
Powdery mildew
Root rot
Downy Mildew

Question 21

state the symptoms of damage caused by the glasshouse whitefly

Answer 21

distortion of growing tip

presence of honeydew and sooty mould

Question 22

state the symptoms of damage caused by ; VINE WEEVIL

Answer 22

larvae eat roots so plant growth becomes stunted
Plant wilts and becomes chlorotic
Adults chew irregular notches in the leaf margins

Question 23

state the symptoms of damage caused by ; botrytis

Answer 23

A fuzzy, grey mould develops on buds, flowers, soft tissue and fruits

Question 24

state the symptoms of damage caused by ; powdery mildew

Answer 24

A dry, powdery, grey-white fungal bloom on the upper surface of leaves, shoots and flowers in spring.
This leads to red blotches on the leaf surface which then curls upwards

Question 25

Describe one method of cultural control for controlling pests or diseases on decorative pot plants in a protected environment.

Answer 25

two spotted spider mite; increase the humidity in the protected environment.

Damo down concrete surfaces with water or mist the atmosphere.

Question 26

Describe the management for one named fern suitable for display in a domestic building under each of the following headings: MAINTAINING THE OPTIMUM AERIAL ENVIRONMENT

Answer 26

Fern name; Adiantum raddianum
stable temp. required 15-18’c
Relative humidity of 60-80%

You can maintain this by standing the fern in a larger tray filled with moist grit or
Use of humidifiers-they atomise water directly into the air.
Provide diffused light and keep away from draughts

Question 27

Describe the management for one named fern suitable for display in a domestic building under each of the following headings; Re-potting

Answer 27

Fern name; Adiantum raddianum

Re-pot once pot bound.
Do not over pot (put into one that is too large)
Remove damaged/diseased fronds
Tease out roots if pot bound
Growing media must be high in organic content
Place fern upright in centre of pot (no deeper than previous level)
Backfill with growing media
Firm carefully to remove air pockets

Question 28

Describe the management for one named fern suitable for display in a domestic building under each of the following headings; WATERING

Answer 28

use rainwater ideally
or tepid water at room temp.
water from base
never let them dry out completely

Question 29

Describe one method of forcing a named bulb

Answer 29

bulb; Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’

Prepared bulbs are potted at end of sep/early oct into moistened bulb fibre.

Place container in a cold, dark, moist environment eg; cold garage (4’c) for 13 weeks.

That encourages root and flower bud development.

Place container in a well-lit location with a temp of 16’c for 4 weeks before flowering starts.

Question 30

Describe one named disease of bulbs under each of the following headings; name of disease

Answer 30

Bulb rot.

Question 31

Describe one named disease of bulbs under each of the following headings; symptoms and control method

Answer 31

a pinkish-white fungus appears between affected scales and on the base plate in stored bulbs.
When the bulbs are planted the foliage may yellow prematurely and not flower.

There is no chemical control available but plant resistant cultivars es; Narcissus tazetta.

Avoiding storing damaged or soft bulbs helps avoid the disease

Question 32

Describe two distinct characteristics for each of four named materials that are used in the manufacture of plant containers by completing the table below; MATERIALS

Answer 32

Terracotta
plastic
natural stone
steel/aluminium

Question 33

Describe two distinct characteristics for each of four named materials that are used in the manufacture of plant containers by completing the table below; TERRACOTTA

Answer 33

porous so need to water more regularly

heavy to move round, especially when wet

Question 34

Describe two distinct characteristics for each of four named materials that are used in the manufacture of plant containers by completing the table below; PLASTIC

Answer 34

wide range of sizes, shapes and colours available

lightweight so easy to transport and handle

Question 35

Describe two distinct characteristics for each of four named materials that are used in the manufacture of plant containers by completing the table below; NATURAL STONE

Answer 35

Difficult to clean.

Durable, so lasts a long time without needing replacing

Question 36

Describe two distinct characteristics for each of four named materials that are used in the manufacture of plant containers by completing the table below; STEEL AND ALUMINIUM

Answer 36

marks easily so an issue in prestigious locations

£££ compared to plastic