R2112 exam Qs examples Flashcards
Describe TWO named methods of sowing HARDY ANNUALS outdoors
BROADCAST - sowing seeds thinly and evenly over soil surface.
Lightly raking in and tamping down with back of rake.
DRILL - Using line of string as guide, drawing hoe to make a drill 1.5cm deep, and sowing seed evenly along drill.
Soil is drawn back over drill with back of rake (carefully) and tamped down.
Name SIX hardy annuals
Calendula officinalis (marigold)
Borago officinalis (borage)
Helianthus annuus (sunflower)
Nigella damascena (nigella)
Lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea)
Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium)
Describe symptoms of powdery mildew
Produces white, dusty, spreading patches of the fungus on upper and lower surfaces of leaf, buds, flowers and fruits;
Plant tissue can become stunted and distorted;
Infection can cause infected plant parts to turn purple-brown in colour.
Describe symptoms of grey mould
Fuzzy grey-brown mould which affects soft plant tissue, leaves and flowers;
Spreads rapidly where there is high humidity;
Causes a slimy rot and death of plant.
Name FOUR distinct herbaceous perennials suitable for herbaceous border
Verbena bonariensis
Alchemilla mollis
Rudbackia hirta
Echinacea purpurea
(also Salvia nemorosa)
State what is meant by a CLIMBER
Woody plant with adaptations to enable it to climb unaided.
Adaptations include twining stems, tendrils, twisting leaf petioles, adventitious roots.
State what is meant by a WALL SHRUB
Woody plant that needs training to grow by a wall or structure. Cannot cling on unaided - needs to be tied in.
Benefits from wall’s microclimate.
Also for decoration.
Name FOUR climbers
Hydrangea petiolaris
Clematis montana
Wisteria sinensis
Lonicera japonica
Name FOUR wall shrubs
Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’
Pyracantha ‘Golden Charmer’
Ceanothus ‘Concha’
Desfontainia spinosa
Materials used for mulching an alpine/rock garden
Gravel or grit - 2-10mm in size
Limestone chippings
Granite chippings
Maintenance of alpine/rock garden prior to mulching
Weed with hand fork
Trim/shape plants as desired
Remove dead/diseased plant material
Restore any eroded soil levels
Reset displaced rocks
Describe task of mulching alpine/rock garden
Lift up carpeting leaves and place mulch underneath them, up to collar
15-30mm deep of mulch
Ensure layer of mulch is even
Avoid getting mulch on crown of plants
State what is meant by MARGINAL plants
Plants that grow in shallow water with water over the crown of plant;
Roots are fully submerged and foliage is above water level;
In containers or direct in soil;
Planted on first shelf of pond.
State what is meant by BOG plants
Plants that grow in permanently damp soil rather than in water.
Soil must be consistently moist/wet - mustn’t dry out;
Bog plants also grow in soil that’s temporarily waterlogged.
Name TWO distinct marginal plants
Caltha palustris
Iris pseudacorus
Name TWO distinct bog plants
Primula florindae
Osmunda regalis (royal fern)
State characteristics of a growing media suitable for the growing of a marginal plant
Needs to be heavy and loam-based;
Low in OM and nutrients (esp. N) - prevents algal bloom;
If using garden soil, it must be free from fertiliser, pesticides, weeds, pests and diseases.
Describe the maintenance task of AERATION of a lawn
Takes place in spring or autumn, using a range of equipment - e.g. fork, hollow tine fork, aerator with spike, slit or hollow tine;
Carry out to a depth of 5-10cm and spacing of 10-20cm of tines;
With hollow tines, a core of soil is removed;
When using aerator, spacing between holes s/b 50cm.
Describe methods of controlling weeds in lawn
Mainly in spring or autumn, but also as and when!
Hand-weeding, daisy grubber, spade or fork, to remove all roots;
Handweeding can be done in conjunction with feeding, aerating and scarifying;
Selective herbicide (e.g. 2,4-D) to control lawn weeds - spray whole lawn or spot treat
Herbicide is often incorporated into lawn feed which is applied in spring or autumn (“feed & weed”).
Describe the term, GROUNDWORK (infill) with reference to a summer bedding scheme
Plants that are used to fill the main field of a bedding design;
Plants are positioned behind (or within the edging plants, and around the dot plants.
Describe THREE maintenance tasks for a summer bedding display
IRRIGATION - water can be applied via a seep hose or overhead sprinkler system to ensure a good soaking (to 1.5cm depth).
DEADHEADING - spent flowers are removed by using snips to next node, or snapping out the old stems.
WEEDING - hoe off the seedling weeds on a hot, dry day; leave them to dry out on surface, or hand-pull weeds and remove from bed.
Name FOUR distinct plants suitable for a summer bedding display
Salvia splendens
Lobelia erinus
Impatiens walleriana
Begonia semperflorens
Describe methods of staking herbaceous perennial plants in a border
Tie tall, upright plants (e.g. Delphinium) to bamboo cane, with soft twine, in figure 8 knot;
Birch or hazel twigs and sticks placed in spring - gives natural look;
Single stem ring supports for large, single blooms;
Plastic netting suspended horizontally on stakes for large areas of vigorous plants (e.g. Leucanthemum);
Metal hoops and rings for top-heavy, bushy plants (e.g. Paeonia);
Circular grid supports.
Name FOUR herbaceous perennials for growing in SHADY situation
Vinca major
Alchemilla mollis
Primula vulgaris
Trillium grandiflorum
List SIX materials or pieces of equipment used during the planting of a tree (NOT TOOLS)
Softwood stake
Plastic buckle tie and spacer
Chipped bark mulch
Mycorrhizal root stimulant
Bonemeal/fertiliser
Rabbit guard
Name FIVE lime-hating trees/shrubs
Camellia japonica
Vaccinium corymbosum
Pieris japonica
Rhododendron luteum
Erica carnea
State EIGHT characteristics of growing medium suitable for alpine/rock garden plants
Free draining
Well aerated
Low nutrients
Suitable pH
Stable structure
Free from pests/diseases
Free from weeds/weed seeds
Moisture retentive
Control of pests of alpine/rock garden plants (x2)
Slugs/snails - remove by hand or use ferric phosphate pellets;
Aphid - remove/squish by hand, jets of water, fatty acid solution.
Control of NAMED disease of alpine/rock garden plant (x1)
Powdery mildew - remove and destroy affected plant material; or use fungicide such as Bupirimate.
Describe THREE methods of controlling pond weeds
Manually rake off floating pond weed or use stick to twirl around blanket weed (leaving on side for a day so critters can go back to pond).
Create balance between open water and plant foliage cover (50:50) by using Nymphaea spp. and oxygenating plants, which reduces the amount of light for weeds.
Place bale of barley straw in mesh bag in pond to release algal inhibitors. Or use algaecide (eg Tetra).
Lift and remove weed seedlings from container plants.
Filtration method using a pump and UV filters to clear weeds and algae from water.
Name TWO floating aquatic plants
Lemna trisulca (duckweed)
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (frogbit)
Describe one distinct mower for a UTILITY lawn
Rotary bladed mower.
One blade that spins like a helicopter blade;
Grass collection box;
Petrol or electric;
Pushed;
Can include roller;
Four wheels;
Height adjustable.
Describe one distinct mower for ORNAMENTAL lawn
Cylinder bladed mower.
Blades mounted on a cylinder at front;
Usually a large roller at rear instead of wheels;
Grass box often at front;
Petrol, electric or manual;
Pushed;
Height adjustable.
Describe symptoms of Fusarium Patch disease
Starts as small, yellowish patches that spread and often merge to form a patch 30cm+ in size;
Grass gradually dies and turns brown;
In wet conditions, a pinkish-white, cottony fungal growth may appear at the edge of the patch.
Describe symptoms of Red Thread disease
Patches of affected grass have a reddish tinge - becomes light brown or almost bleached;
Range in size from 7.5 to 25cm in diameter - or larger;
Pink/red gelatinous thread-like structures can be seen on blades of grass, often binding them together.
State FOUR benefits of selecting F1 hybrid plants for a summer bedding display
Hybrid vigour
Uniformity of size/colour/form
Disease resistance
Consistent speed of germination
FOUR examples of F1 hybrid plants
Pelargonium peltatum ‘Summer Showers’
Petunia ‘Frenzy Mixed’
Dianthus ‘Elegance Pink’
Zinnia elegans ‘Sunshine Mix’
Describe SOIL PREPARATION for a summer bedding display
Removal or burial of annual weeds
Single or double digging
Incorporation of well-rotted bulky OM
Roughly breaking down large clods with fork
Roughly raking soil level - remove large stones
Carefully consolidating soil by treading
Application of suitable fertiliser
Creating tilth (raking again) suitable for planting
Name FOUR bulbs for containers
Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’
Galanthus nivalis
Crocus versus
Fritillaria meleagris
SIX maintenance tasks for growing bulbs in containers
Irrigate when containers are dry - watering can or drip irrigation;
Weed container regularly, by hand;
Deadhead - pinch out spent flowers regularly;
Feed with liquid feed when irrigating, or apply granular fertiliser and water in;
Cut back dead top growth with secateurs;
Lift and store bulbs in cool dry shed/garage at end of growing season.
Name FOUR diseases of bulbs
Grey mould (Botrytis)
Powdery mildew
Bulb rot
Rust