R2114 exam question examples Flashcards
Name seven structural features on a glasshouse + description/function
Ridge
- joins both sections of glasshouse roof.
- provides strength to roof.
Ridge vent
- allows warm air to escape
- provides adequate ventilation
Internal framework
- provides strength to roof and to sides of structure.
Gutter
- to remove and harvest rainwater
Louvred vent
- allows cool air to enter structure
Cladding
- horticultural glass or twin-walled polycarbonate sheeting
Side vent
- allows cool air to enter the glasshouse (usually louvre)
Name three structural features on a polythene tunnel + description/function
Polythene cladding
- skin/polythene, with UV stabiliser to extend life of polythene.
Wooden frame doors
- provides ventilation in a walk-in tunnel
Netlon skirt/side vent
- to provide additional ventilation
Seven environmental factors that a grower has to consider when growing crops under protection, plus how each can be manipulated
Air temperature
- raised by use of heating
- lowered with vent, shading, damping down
Soil temperature
- warm with warming cables or hot pipes in glasshouse beds/benches
Availability of water
- provision of irrigation overhead or ground level, through pipes, seep or drip hoses
- good soil texture, structure and depth help to hold moisture
Relative humidity
- raised by damping down, use of humidifier
- lowered by good ventilation
Carbon dioxide concentration
- from good air movement through ventilation
- enriching atmosphere with CO2 gas to increase
Natural light
- glasshouse design and orientation will dictate how much light enters
- cleanliness of glass and lack of shading allows more light in
Air movement
- affected by providing adequate ventilation through layout and size of vents
- plant spacing will also affect
Pests and symptoms of decorative pot plants in protected environment x2
Vine weevil:
- larvae eat roots, plant becomes stunted, wilts, becomes chlorotic
- adults make irregular notches in leaves
Glasshouse whitefly:
- distortion of growing tip
- honeydew and sooty mould present
Diseases and symptoms of decorative pot plants in protected environment x2
Botrytis (Grey Mould):
- fuzzy, grey mould on buds, flowers, leaves, non-woody stems and fruits
Powdery mildew:
- dry, powdery, grey-white fungal bloom on upper surface of leaves, shoots and flowers
- can lead to red blotches on leaf which then curls upwards
Method of cultural control for a pest (+ example of pest)
Two-spotted spider mite:
- controlled culturally by increasing humidity in a protected environment.
- damping down concrete surfaces with water or misting the atmosphere.
Management of a NAMED fern in domestic building, under:
- Aerial environment
- Re-potting
- Watering
Adiantum raddianum (maidenhair fern)
Aerial environment:
- stable temp of 18-22 deg C
- avoid draughts
- RH of 60-80%, maintained by standing pot in larger tray of moist grit (water level always below base of pot!)
- or humidifiers (for RH)
- diffused light is best.
Re-potting:
- when pot-bound, in the spring
- prefer to be kept slightly under-potted, so never over-pot!
- remove any damaged/diseased fronds, and tease out roots a little if very pot-bound
- use high organic content potting media, planting no deeper than previous level
- firm in to remove large air pockets, but don’t compress too much.
Watering:
- keep compost moist at all times but never waterlogged (rotting!)
- don’t allow to dry out completely
- reduce watering in winter
- water from below using drip tray/capillary matting to avoid water on leaves (scorching)
- use rainwater if possible.
One method of forcing a bulb + bulb example
Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’
- ideally choose a glazed bowl for display, and place a crock over the central base hole
- prepared bulbs potted in early autumn (start of Oct) into moistened bulb fibre compost
- arrange bulbs close together, but not touching, with growing tips showing just above compost
- place bowl in cool, dark, moist environment (e.g. cold garage, fridge, shady N-facing wall) at 4 deg C, for 8-12 weeks.
- this encourages root and flower bud development
- bowl then placed in well lit location at 10-15 deg C for 4 weeks, before flowering commences.
One named disease of bulbs, plus symptoms and control
Basal rot/bulb rot of Narcissus
- pinkish white fungus between affected scales and on base plate in stored bulbs
- when bulbs are planted the foliage may yellow prematurely and not flower.
- no chemical control, but planting of resistant cultivars (e.g. Narcissus tazetta) is beneficial
- also preferable not to store damaged or soft bulbs, to avoid the disease.
Distinct materials and characteristics used in manufacture of plant containers
Terracotta:
- porous, need to water more regularly
- attractive
- heavy to move esp. when watered
- may not be frost-resistant
Plastic:
- wide range of shapes, sizes and colours available
- lightweight - easy to transport and handle
Natural/reconstituted stone:
- difficult to clean
- durable - lasts a long time without need to replace
Steel & aluminium:
- marks easily - problem in prestigious locations
- expensive compared to other materials (e.g. plastic)
Wood:
- good for use as larger pots and planters
- natural, attractive look
- prone to rotting
- heavy when planted!
Six distinct protective structures used in crop production, propagation or display
Glasshouse
Conservatory
Polythene tunnel (walk-in)
Low tunnel
Cold frame
Cloche
Four horticultural uses for a Glasshouse (six points in total!)
- propagate a range of plants (e.g. Cyclamen persicum)
- growing main season crops (e.g. Solanum lycopersicum)
- overwintering plants
- display house for specimens
- used as heated or non-heated environment to grow vegetable or ornamental plants,
e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers, poinsettias, cyclamen - crops can be grown on benches/staging, or on ground using a hydroculture system.
Four horticultural uses for a walk-in Polythene Tunnel + 2 limitations:
- grow short-season crops, (e.g. Lactuca sativa)
- grow celery, strawberries, raspberries, peppers and lettuce;
- plant propagation;
- overwintering plants
- usually non-heated, but can be heated if required
Limitations:
- less flexible growing structure compared to a glasshouse
- potential of growing season is shorter and retains high level of humidity
Three horticultural uses for a Cold Frame
- propagating hardy plants
- growing bedding plants
- hardening off plants (e.g. Impatiens walleriana)
FOUR horticultural uses for a Cloche
- protecting early season row crops;
- starting off French/Runner beans until established;
- plant protection over winter;
- protects crops (e.g. lettuce, strawberries) from environmental conditions, e.g. frost, rain, wind.
Two reasons why adequate ventilation is essential to successful growing under protection
To maintain optimum air temperatures for growing:
- if temps too high = soft growth that is susceptible to P&D damage, lower yields
- if temps too low = stunted growth, reduced flower production, lower yields.
To maintain ambient levels of carbon dioxide to enable photosynthesis to take place:
- poor ventilation = temporary depletion of CO2 in boundary layer around leaf surface, resulting in reduction in growth.
Describe one named method of ventilation
Forced draught or Fan ventilation:
- extractor fans installed at one end of structure
- opening constructed at other end
- as hot, moist air is extracted from structure by fans, cooler air enters through opening
- air speed entering structure is slow due to large surface area of opening
- range of ventilation rates can be achieve depending on number of fans, or speed of fan rotation (this is controlled by thermostat installed within structure).
- Another example is natural ventilation such as vents and louvres.
Cladding: describe properties of Horticultural Glass
- good natural light entry for long period of time
- easily broken - risk hazard
- very heavy
- long life span
- retains heat well
Cladding: describe properties of Polycarbonate
- usually twin-walled, which traps air
- good insulator/heat retention
- lightweight, easy to handle
- can be cut to shape with a saw
- doesn’t break easily
- more expensive than glass
- good light transmission but may deteriorate over time due to acid rain
Cladding: describe properties of Polythene Film
- limited life span (4-5 yrs)
- creates condensation which results in high RH environment
- doesn’t retain as much heat as glass
- good light transmission but is reduced due to condensation
- susceptible to wind damage and snow loading
- goes brittle/deteriorates over time due to dust and UV rays
- less expensive than glass
Cladding: describe properties of Acrylic Sheets
- can be obtained in limited sizes
- discolours over time
- only limited number of thicknesses available
Cladding: describe properties of Horticultural Fleece
- reduces light levels which results in a shade effect
- doesn’t retain heat
- useful for frost protection for short periods of time
Name five different fuels used to heat a protected structure
Gas
Oil
Electricity
Bio-fuel
Paraffin
Two ways of distributing heat around a protected structure
By air:
- e.g. fan heater in one corner
- polythene ducting which distributes heat evenly
By water:
- network of pipes running length of glasshouse (like central heating)
- circulating pump ensure water runs along all the pipework
- N.B. - warm air rises, so heat source needs to be low down to ensure even heat distribution!
Heating a structure - how can efficiency be achieved?
Efficiency depends on the RELIABILITY and EFFECTIVENESS of the heat source,
- Combined with the ability to distribute heat around structure QUICKLY.
This is to ensure the system can respond to any temperature change in the structure.
- Low thermal inertia provides a quick response!
Financial efficiency also important - i.e. maximum heat for minimal cost.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana - how to propagate:
By seed:
- clean trays overfilled with compost
- tap, strike off, firm (tamper)
- fine layer of sieved compost and re-firm
- fine seed mixed 50:50 with dry silver sand for even distribution
- water from base until moist
- germinate at 18-24 deg C
- prick out when ready to handle, into modular trays
Cuttings:
- stem/tip cuttings
- cut healthy stem just above a node
- from 10cm cutting, cut just below the node, remove leaves from 1/3 of base
- into 50:50 mix coir/perlite
- closed case at 18-24 deg C
- pot off when sufficiently rooted
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana - how to pot
- pot off into 9cm pots with JI No.1 when seedlings/cuttings have suitable roots system
- half fill pot, hold plant in centre to correct depth (same as seed tray)
- fill gently in around plant, leaving space for watering, firm in
- water, to settle compost.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana - maintenance
Irrigation:
- manually or through a drip system which can be automated
- hydroculture system could be used - provides water and nutrients required
- growing media must be kept moist to avoid cycles of wetting and drying
- will tolerate dry conditions temporarily
Feed:
- in growing season with liquid or foliage feed
Deadhead: as required to produce more flowers.
Pollution or dust:
- occurs where there is high pedestrian traffic
- dust on foliage s/b removed with a dry or slightly damp cloth - this ensures photosynthesis is not compromised
P&D control:
- monitor plant regularly to identify any presence of P&D to be controlled
- pests: e.g. scale insect, mealy bug by biological control methods.
- also aphid, red spider mite sciarid fly.
- diseases: e.g. powdery mildew, botrytis by ensuring environmental conditions are optimum
Named salad crop:
Solanum lycopersicum
Solanum lycopersicum - propagation
By seed:
- overfill clean tray with JI No.1 seed compost
- tap, strike off, firm
- sow evenly across surface and lightly cover with sieved compost
- seeds germinate at 18-21 deg C in closed case
- prick out seedlings when big enough to handle, into 9-12cm pots
Solanum lycopersicum - planting
- plant and grown on in grow bags, pots, hydroculture or soil direct
- select plants for even vigour, health, watered well, handled with care to avoid damage
- plant at same depth as in pots, and firm in
Solanum lycopersicum - maintenance
- water at regular intervals to maintain field capacity, avoiding wet/dry cycles
- high Nitrogen feeds initially, for growth
- then Potassium feeds for flowering/fruiting
- support - cordon training system (S hook/Efford bobbin), or bamboo canes and ties for individual plants
- later stages - de-leafing of lower leaves to reduce area of foliage and maintain air movement around plant.
Air temp - compare outside and protected aerial environments
Outside: lower air temperature
Protected: higher air temperature
Relative humidity (on a sunny day) - compare outside and protected aerial environments
Outside: lower RH
Protected: higher RH
Air movement - compare outside and protected aerial environments
Outside: considerable air movement
Protected: limited air movement
Carbon dioxide concentration - compare outside and protected aerial environments
Outside: ambient/plentiful CO2 concentration
Protected: lower CO2 concentration
Natural light levels - compare outside and protected aerial environments
Outside: higher light levels
Protected: restricted natural light
Six cladding materials used in protected structures
Horticultural glass
Polythene film
Twin-walled polycarbonate
Acrylic sheets
Shade netting
Horticultural fleece
Three materials used in growing media
Shredded bark
Perlite
Spagnum moss peat
Shredded bark properties (when used in growing media)
- non-clumping, open structure
- good aeration
- bark can lock up Nitrogen
- low water-holding ability
- pH can be variable
Perlite properties (when used in growing media)
- inert, durable, light, sterile
- improves drainage and air-filled porosity in media
- water only held in surface of granule
- produces an irritant dust
Sphagnum peat moss properties (when used in growing media)
Should no longer be used as environmentally unsustainable, but:
Disease-resistant
Inexpensive
Good for starting seeds
Sterile
Retains water
Retains air
Describe TWO environmental factors that must be taken into account when displaying plants inside domestic buildings
Natural light levels:
- will influence plant selection
- poor light levels = etiolated growth, extended internodes, weak growth, so more susceptible to P&D
- variegated foliage requires higher light levels to maintain variegation
- flowering plants need good light levels
- green foliage plants will tolerate lower light levels
- excessively high light levels will scorch leaves
Air temperature:
- individual plants require specific temperature range
- low temps = poor, weak, slow growth and lack of flower buds
- excessively high temps = additional drying out of growing media and possible leaf damage
- fluctuating temps are more damaging, resulting in very poor growth and leaf damage
Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) - describe propagation
- propagated from semi-ripe cuttings
- stem at base of cutting s/b firm, and shoot tip s/b soft
- (mild hormone rooting powder can be applied but not essential)
- place cuttings in compost/perlite mix in a propagator - maintain high RH
- basal heat 21-24 deg C will assist rooting
Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) - describe potting
- pot off rooted cuttings into 9cm pots using JI No.2 or equivalent loamless media
- cuttings gently teased apart, in centre of pot half filled with media
- pot at same depth as was in tray, gently fill media around plant until pot is full
- gently firm, ensuring cutting is upright and secure
Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) - describe watering
- initially water overhead after potting, to settle the growing media
- tepid water in spring/summer, allowing compost to dry slightly between waterings
- maintain humidity - gravel-filled tray kept moist below level of base of pot
Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) - one symptom of one named pest
Red Spider Mite.
- causes localised death of leaf mesophyll cells
- fine mottling on leaf
- fine silk strands visible on underside of leaf in severe infestations
Also: mealy bug, scale insect, whitefly.
Describe one method of watering plants with THREE advantages
Watering Can:
- provides limited amount of water before needing a refill
- single spout used to target water to base of plant onto root system
- Can be used with a rose for a fine spray to tray of seedlings
- Inexpensive, readily available, portable
- Adaptable from large specimens to small seed trays
Describe one automated method of watering plants with two limitations
Drip Irrigation System:
- network of small pipes fed from a larger pipe from mains or reservoir
- small pipes each lead to a pot or individual plant, and each pipe ends in a nozzle or drip emitter
- these drip water onto growing media at plant base
- [variation of this is a pipe running along a row of plants, with a hole pierced at each plant]
- Nozzles can get clogged so require regular maintenance
- Rodents or rabbits can chew through the capillary tubes, which make them ineffective.
Three distinct cladding materials for cloche or low tunnel, with a benefit and limitation for each.
Polythene film:
B - cheaper than horticultural glass or polycarbonate
L - lasts only one season
Horticultural glass:
B - long-lasting and retains heat
L - breaks easily (H&S issue)
Twin-walled polycarbonate:
B - retains heat well
L - expensive compared to poly film.
Two benefits and two limitations of growing a tomato crop in a protected structure, compared to outside
Benefits:
- improvement in quality and yield of crop
- longer growing season, and cropping starts earlier
- biological control methods more effectively used
Limitations:
- pests and diseases spread much more easily
- expense of providing and controlling the environment (e.g. heat, light)
- essential to provide ALL water requirements
Two disorders that can damage a tomato crop, and how to avoid
Blossom End Rot:
- caused by insufficient calcium in plant tissue
- maintain balanced fertiliser status in growing media
- ensure soil temperature is maintained
- check pH of growing media prior to planting
- ensure crop is watered regularly
Cracking/splitting of tomatoes:
- caused by erratic watering of crop
- MUST maintain optimum moisture content in growing media
- regular watering is essential and must avoid extremes of wet and dry
FOUR methods by which shading can be provided for a growing crop within a protected structure
- shade paints for outside of glasshouse (e.g. Redusol)
- shading material (e.g. Netlon) attached to outside of glasshouse - or to bars on inside
- wooden slat blinds (on outside of glasshouse), where angle can be altered to provide more or less shade
- shade netting can be used instead of polythene for shade tunnels for certain plants (e.g. ferns)
What is meant by “supplementary lighting”? Describe:
- the provision of additional lighting on top of any natural daylight in a glasshouse or polytunnel
- supplementary lighting is used when natural light is a limiting factor in photosynthesis for optimum plant growth
- “tops up” natural light available
- quality of light is not as critical as would be required for replacement lighting
- low pressure sodium lights are a good choice - very light efficient.
Importance of Shape of Structure (in relation to protected cropping):
- shape will contribute to amount of natural light entering structure
- the greater the angle of incidence, the greater the amount of light transmitted into the structure
- dome shape or Mansard enables higher light transmission during winter
Importance of Orientation of Structure (in relation to protected cropping):
- this is the direction in which structure faces
- E/W is preferable for natural light entry - it presents most glass towards the S which means maximum light transmission
- E/W orientation is best for spring, autumn and winter growing
- N/S orientation is best if using glasshouse mainly for summer crops
Importance of Damping Down (in relation to protected cropping):
- water is sprayed onto benches and paths within structure to raise level of relative humidity, whilst also reducing air temperature
Importance of Ventilation of Structure (in relation to protected cropping):
- important to maintain optimum conditions during warm weather by reducing air temperature
- ventilation important when reducing level of RH and maintaining ambient level of CO2
- ventilation minimises presence of fungal diseases affecting a crop
Importance of Biological Pest Control (in relation to protected cropping):
- the application of living predators, parasites or pathogens to control pests and diseases (e.g. Encarsia formosa (tiny parasitic wasp) for glasshouse whitefly control)
- biological pest control is preferable as chemicals are not used
- better for environment - does not kill natural predators or parasites
FOUR important factors when seed-sowing a crop of bedding plants:
- Hygiene:
clean (mains) water, new/clean containers, sterile growing media - to avoid any disease - Type of media:
e.g. John Innes seed sowing compost - moisture retentive and low nutrient status - Optimum germination conditions:
e.g. temperature of 18-24 deg C, availability of moisture and oxygen - Method of sowing:
Dependent on size of seed (e.g. large seeds are direct sown, small/med seeds are broadcast).
Large/med seeds are usually covered with fine layer of compost, and small seeds are left on surface as they need light to germinate.
Density of sowing should also be considered.
FOUR important factors when pricking out a crop of bedding plants:
- takes place when COTYLEDONS are fully expanded - optimum stage of development
- must handle seedling by COTYLEDONS (seed leaves) to minimise damage to stem
- GROWING MEDIA to be moisture-retentive but free-draining and low nutrients (e.g. JI No.1)
- METHOD s/b efficient: select healthy seedlings; using dibber, ensure size of hole enables roots of seedling not to be turned upwards; space seedlings to allow for growth; gently firm with dibber and water in.
Pests (4) that may cause damage to ONE named bedding plant:
Whitefly
Aphid
Sciarid fly
Slugs
Impatiens walleriana
Three H&S issues that need consideration when displaying plants in a domestic building
- plants with spines (e.g. Cacti) or poisonous foliage must be positioned where people will not brush past them
- containers must be watertight to ensure they don’t leak onto floor causing slip hazard
- plants must not be positioned where they may block an exit - especially a fire exit.
