September 2020 exam

Question 1

name one example of a plant producing a recalcitrant seed

Answer 1

Fagus sylvatica

Catanea sativa

Question 2

name one example of a plant producing an orthodox seed

Answer 2

Lactuca sativa

Nigella damascena

Question 3

what are the storage conditions for a recalcitrant seed?

Answer 3

can only be stored for a short period of time
best sown immediately following (C)
Need cool/moist storage conditions

Question 4

what are the storage conditions for an orthodox seed?

Answer 4

the need cool, dry storage conditions

Question 5

list 4 environmental conditions required for seed germination

Answer 5

water/moisture
oxygen/air
temperature
light or dark

Question 6

what time of year is suitable for sowing a lawn grass seed mixture and why?

Answer 6

most suitable times of year are:

late March, April and May, and September, October.

The soil is warm and moist which ensures rapid germination of the seed.

Question 7

describe how to prepare a seed bed for sowing a grass seed mixture.

Answer 7

fork over area to break up lumps
remove large stones

roughly rake area to level and consolidate and large air pockets

the use of a stale seed bed can be implemented to control annual weeds

apply fertiliser to aid root growth eg: superphosphate

use a garden rake to create a final tilth of 10mm in depth

Question 8

what are the sowing methods when sowing a grass seed mixture for a lawn?

Answer 8

broadcast.

divide the seed in half, sowing one in one direction and the other half at 90’ to the first half to ensure even distribution.

sown at rate of 30-35grms per m2.

lightly rake in after sowing to partially cover seed

Question 9

what is the aftercare for a lawn you have sowed?

Answer 9

protect area sown from birds, animals and humans.

water and weed as required, and rolled to settle the ‘sward’ and create tillering of the grass

Question 10

name two plants that can be propagated by deciduous hardwood cuttings

Answer 10

Cornus alba
Buddleja davidii
Sambucus nigra
Salix alba

Question 11

describe the collection and preparation of deciduous hardwood cuttings:
Collection

Answer 11

collect after leaf fall (end of Oct-Feb) from the previous seasons woody stems which is the diameter of a thick pencil.

must be true to type and healthy

cut from the base, above a node using secateurs

Question 12

describe the collection and preparation of deciduous hardwood cuttings:
preparation

Answer 12

cut stems into lengths of 150-200mm

a horizontal cut at the base, just below the node and at a 45’ angle at the top just above a node
- this ensures polarity of the cuttings is maintained.

Treat cutting with a full strength hormone rooting powder, graded and tied into bundles prior to insertion.

Question 13

name four plants that can be propagated by leaf cuttings

Answer 13

Begonia rex
Peperomia caperata
Saintpaulia ionantha
Streptocarpus rexii

Question 14

what are two methods of propagating plants from leaf cuttings?

Answer 14

Leaf Lamina Squares

Leaf petiole

Question 15

describe how to make cuttings from the method using: Leaf Lamina Squares, with a named plant example

Answer 15

eg: Begonia rex

whole leaf including the petiole is removed from the plant with a sharp knife or scalpel.

The petiole is removed and the leaf is placed upside down and cut into 3cm squares containing a principle vein.

The squares are inserted into a suitable propagation rooting media either flat or vertically to a depth of 5-6cm

Question 16

Describe the method of propagation from leaf cuttings using the LEAF PETIOLE.
Name a plant example.

Answer 16

eg: Saintpaulia ionantha

The leaf and petiole are cleanly cut from the base of the plant

The petiole is trimmed to 10-12mm in length before being inserted vertically into propagation rooting media.

It is important the leaf does not touch the growing media to prevent it rotting off.

Question 17

what are some methods of propagating plants from leaf cuttings?

Answer 17

Leaf Lamina Squares
Leaf Petiole
whole leaf lamina cut into sections
leaf bud cuttings
whole leaf lamina with veins cut

Question 18

what are environmental factors that are required for the successful rooting of leaf cuttings?

Answer 18

Shade from direct sunlight
Not stagnant- high humidity/moisture
Warm temperature 16-18’c

Question 19

name some horticultural techniques

Answer 19

hardening off
potting off
wounding of cuttings
maceration of seeds
sticking

Question 20

describe hardening off

Answer 20

the process whereby plants are acclimatised to cooler or drier conditions before being planted out.

Used for bedding plants or rooted cuttings after they have been removed from the propagation unit.

Also known as weaning off

Question 21

describe potting off

Answer 21

A plant is potted into its first pot after being removed from the propagation bed or tray

Question 22

describe wounding of cuttings

Answer 22

involves the removal of a portion of bark from the base of a hardwood or semi-ripe cutting approx. 10-25mm in length.

It exposes the cambium layer to encourage the formation of callus tissue.

Question 23

describe maceration of seeds

Answer 23

the outer layer flesh of the fruit is separated from the seeds.

Place the split fruits in water, the live seed sinks to the bottom and the dead seed float to the top.

Separate seeds using a sieve.

Question 24

describe sticking

Answer 24

The insertion of either softwood or semi-ripe cuttings into a tray of rooting media.

When hardwood cuttings are inserted directly into a final container the technique is known as ‘direct sticking’

Question 25

Name some plants that can be propagates by air layering

Answer 25

Ficus elastica
Magnolia grandiflora
Rhododendron 'Sappho'
Davidia involucrata
Monstera deliciosa

Question 26

describe the process of air layering under the heading: Preparation on the parent plant

Answer 26

A one to two year old woody stem which may still be green is selected and the leaves are removed from the area around where the air layer is to be made.

Question 27

describe the process of air layering under the heading: Air layering technique (look at a diagram)

Answer 27

Girdle stem where cut is 10-25mm in length OR

make an upward slanting cut 25-30mm in length (this can be held open with a matchstick)

Treat the cut with a medium strength hormone rooting powder before it is wrapped with moist moss.

To retain the moisture, the moss is first covered with clear polythene to you can observe the progress of rooting, and then with black polythene to prevent the roots turning hard and green.

Question 28

describe the process of air layering under the heading: aftercare until rooted

Answer 28

maintain moisture levels of the moss, and check the progress of the roots.

The plant should be kept at the correct ambient temp, and the parent plant should be kept pest and disease free- as well as watered and fed as required