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220 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Soil |
A mixture of mineral grains, air, water, organic matter, and living organisms |
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4 functions of soil |
Physically supports/anchor roots provides air to roots supply water to root supplies nutrients to roots |
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Define soil texture |
Relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay |
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Why is soil texture important |
The ability of soil to supply water to plants is solely dependent on texture and CEC |
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Soils form over time in response to differences in: |
Topography, geologic parent material, climate, and vegetation |
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Micropores |
Hold water the longest in soil |
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Macropores |
Drain first and then supply oxygen |
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Four benefits of OM in soils |
1. Promotes granular structure 2. Enhance water infiltration 3. Ehance soil aeration 4. Enhance root penetration * Nutrient holding capacity |
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Organic matter vs. Surface liter |
OM remains in the soil after initial substrates decompose |
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What role does soil pH play in nutrient availability |
Effects nutrient solubility |
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Urban soil characteristics and how to prep or mitigate potential challenges |
Grade changes caused by cut and fill, compaction, loss of stability,impervious crust, altered soil pH, poor drainage. Oversight of plant and soil protection measures prior to and during construction can help as well as decompaction and subsoiling |
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4 water sources that should be inventoried to inform design and plant selection |
Surface waters Ground water Precipitation Irrigation |
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Full sun |
6+ hours of sun per day |
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Part sun |
4 - 6 hours of sun per day |
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Part shade |
2 - 4 hours of sun per day |
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Full shade |
< 2 hours per day |
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3 problems associated with fast growing trees |
1. Prone to insects 2. Weak wood 3. Suckering roots |
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Important factors that determine a plants hardiness not included in the USDA hardiness zones |
Snow, length of growing season, soil characteristics, and sun intensity |
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What is one environmental factor that hardiness maps are based on |
Average minimum temperature |
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What cultural related elements could impact tree planting locations around a parking lot |
Property line, utilities, land use, and snow removal |
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What are the macronutrients that plants need |
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sulfur Calcium Magnesium |
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Balled and burlapped nursery stock |
Plant is grown in the ground, surrounding soil is undisturbed |
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Bare root nursery stock |
Harvested when dormant, stripped of soil |
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Container grown nursery stock |
Grown in specified sized containers |
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Containerized |
Grown in a field then dug up bare root, and planted in a pot |
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Plug or cone nursery stock |
Grown in small specialized containers |
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Processed balled nursery |
Field grown, dug up bare root then growing media placed on roots |
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Field potted nursery stock |
Grown in a field, dug up with undisturbed soil on roots, and placed in pots |
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In ground fabric bag nursery |
Grown in specific sized fabric bags in a field |
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Tree spade |
Transplanting |
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Describe 2 potential problems associated with plants grown in standard plastic containers |
Roots can grow in a circle Deformed roots Rapid water loss following planting |
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3 ways of preventing girdling of trees by trimming tools |
Mulch rings, plastic guards, and proper training of trimmers |
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Definition of an essential element |
Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen obtained through air and water |
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What 3 materials supply plant nutrients |
Air Water Soil |
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List the 3 primary plant nutrients |
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium |
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Roles and deficiency symptoms of Nitrogen |
Important in chlorophyll, DNA, proteins, and enzymes. Will yellow, lack vigor, becomes spindly, and have tip scorch on older leaves |
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Roles and deficiency symptoms of phosphorus |
Involved in cell division, photosynthesis, blooming, seed development, and plant maturation. Growth may be stunted, purple color, and root/flowering restriction |
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Roles and deficiency symptoms of Pottasium |
Involved in uptake, storage, and utilization of water. Small neurotic spots may occur, scorch, weak stems, and poor root development |
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Roles and deficiency symptoms of Iron |
Required for photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen fixation. Interveinal chlorosis or yellowing in between veins can occur. Plant growth may be stunted and flowering, fruit decrease |
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Gypsum is used for improving structure and drainage on what type of soil, does it change pH |
Sodic soil, no |
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What kind of soil does rhododendron need and how might you fix it if its lacking this soil |
Acidic, add ammonium sulfate |
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A customers vegetables show symptoms of phosphorus, potassium, and calcium deficiencies, even though he has applied fertilizer. What might be the problem and what would you reccomend. |
Low pH, raise it with lime |
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What information does a fertilizer label give |
NPK amount, fertilizer grade, and net weight |
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Differences between fertilizer grade and fertilizer ratio |
Grade tells you the minimum guaranteed concentration of NPK, while the ratio is the percentage of NPK |
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Calculate turf area |
(50 × 10) + (10 × 30) = 800 sq/ft |
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Total amount of nitrogen needed for turf. Assume 1 lb rate per 1000 sq/ft |
1lb ÷ 1000 = x ÷ 157 = .8 lbs of N |
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Calculate the area under each tree |
(Pi•5^2) × 2 = 157 sq ft = 78.5 each |
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Total amount of nitrogen needed for each tree assuming 4 lbs rate per 1000 sq. Ft. |
4 × 1000 = x ÷ 157 = .63 lbs of N = .314 each |
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Amount of 34-0-0 needed for turf area |
1 ÷ .10 = x ÷ .8 = 2.35 lbs of 34-0-0 |
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Amount of 10-10-10 needed for turf area |
1÷.10 = x÷.8 = 8 lbs of 10-10-10 |
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Amount of 34-0-0 needed for each tree |
1÷.34 = x÷.314 =.92 lbs of 34-0-0 |
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Amount of 10-10-10 needed for each tree |
1÷.10 = x÷.314 = 3.14 lbs of 10-10-10 |
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When should a customer fertilize their lawn |
Fall or spring |
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When should trees be fertilized |
Spring or fall after leaf drop |
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Increased turf fertilization affects what other cultural practice |
Mowing |
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When a plant appears to be nutrient deficient what more common causes should be considered and mitigate first. |
Environmental stress, soil compaction, poor aeration, dry/saturated soil, high/low pH, pest problems, herbicide damage |
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Do mature trees need frequent fertilization? |
No, their extensive root system draw nutrients from a large area |
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Which element is most commonly limiting in plant growth? |
Nitrogen |
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What nutrients become unavailable to plants when the soil pH is too high? |
Iron, manganese, boron, copper, zinc, phosphorus |
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What nutrient is normally added to organic matter when making compost? |
Nitrogen, so microorganisms can feed upon them once they decompose |
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Drop spreaders vs. Broadcast spreader |
Drop spreaders have a trough that holds fertilizer and is dropped by a bar while broadcast spreaders apply a wider swath of material |
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4 methods of applying fertilizer to shrubs and trees |
Drill hole technique:drilling holes around the tree & injecting with fertilizer Soil injection:using a hydraulic sprayer you inject fertilizer into the soil in a grid like pattern away from trunk Trunk injection:bore holes into the vascular system of the tree for liquid (adds micronutrients) Foliar sprays |
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Why is it important to allow soil to dry between watering |
Facilitates the replacement of oxygen to the root system and encourages deeper root growth |
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3 basic irrigation techniques |
Flood technique - floods a trench, inexpensive but wasteful Sprinkler - evaporation loss is high, more efficient than flood technique Drip irrigation - low pressure drip lines, most efficient but limits root growth within drip line area |
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Why do salts build up on the soil surface, especially in containers |
Low volume of water. Water evaporates up which leaves salts at top |
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What can you do to prevent salt build up? |
Apply more water to leach salts past root zone |
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Uses of irrigation other than supplying water to plants |
Leaching of salts Application of water soluble fertilizers Frost protection |
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What recommendation would you make regarding irrigation to help ensure good winter survival? |
Water thoroughly after leaf drop, but do not put plant under moisture stress |
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3 main aspects of plant propagation |
Knowledge of plant growth/structure Knowledge of mechanical manipulation and technical skills Knowledge of different kinds of plants and how they're successfully propagated |
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What is sexual plant production |
Male and female pollinators that create hybrids |
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What is seed dormancy |
An adaption for natural survival where the seed wont germinate even during proper conditions |
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Describe the 3 types of seed dormancy |
Hard seed coat- scarification and internal chemical will break dormancy Inhibition - stratification will break dormancy Immature embryo - scarification will break |
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General rule of planting seeds |
Plant 2 to 4 times the depth of the seed |
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Sexual reproduction |
Accomplished with seeds and naturally done in nature when genetic material mixes sometimes producing more desirable traits |
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Asexual plant propagation |
Produces plants with the same traits as the parent resulting in true to name varieties, but mutations may occur producing undesirable traits |
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4 things a viable nondormant seed needs to germinate |
Moisture Proper temperature Gas exchange Light/darkness |
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What's the difference between stratification and scarification |
Stratification can be used to break chemical inhibition by placing in cold moist "layers"
Scarification is used on hard seed coats where you scratch the seed |
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List 7 methods that you might use to control damping off in seed flats |
1. Bottom heat 2. Low pH 3. Good watering 4. Low density planting 5. Drainage 6. Post sowing 7. Good ventilation |
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Describe the method of DIVISION asexual plant propagation |
One parent plant divides into 2 or more individuals example= Day lillies |
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Describe the method of LAYERING asexual plant propagation |
Rooting shoots while they're still attached to the parent plant example = Clematis |
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Describe the method of STOLONS, OFFSETS, AND RHIZOMES asexual plant propagation |
Rooted portions of stems are removed from stock plants by division and replanted Example = strawberries |
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Describe the method of BULBS/CORMS asexual plant propagation |
Divide naturally Example = crocus |
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Describe the method of CUTTINGS asexual plant propagation |
Incomplete segments of a plant that in the right conditions will generate a new plant Example = African Violet |
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Describe the method of BUDDING/GRAFTING asexual plant propagation |
Combining into one plant the desirable qualities of 2 or more plants Example = fruit trees |
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Describe the method of TISSUE CULTURE asexual plant propagation |
Rapid multiplication of plants in vitro Example = potatoes |
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3 methods that can be used to keep unrooted cuttings from drying out while rooting |
Mist chamber Glass or plastic film Shade cloth |
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What time of year is Bud grafting done |
Mid to late summer close to the time of terminal bud set |
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Give 2 reason why propagation by tissue culture is becoming increasingly important in the nursery trade |
1.can produce a larger number of plants in a short time 2. allows for a multiplication of pathogen free clones |
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What are the basic principles of integrated pest management |
Biological, chemical, and physical |
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List the 5 main components in an IPM program |
Prevention, diagnosis, research, monitoring, and decision making |
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List some types of mechanical control |
Sticky traps, silver foil, and reflective mulch |
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List a cultural control method |
Pruning |
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What is a biological control method |
Natural predators to pests |
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What is an abiotic disorder |
A non living factor like transplant shock, deep planting, girdling roots, root disturbance, drought, and Sun scald |
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What is a biotic disease |
A living factor such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and phytoplasma |
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How can abiotic stress lead to a disease problem |
Causes the plant to become more susceptible |
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Name 5 types of pathogens responsible for plant diseases |
Fungi bacteria viruses nematodes phytoplasm |
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Which pathogens cause most plant diseases |
Fungi and bacteria |
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What effect does watering have on Winter hardiness |
If over watered it prevents plans from hardening off |
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Leaf spots and the disease/symptoms |
Caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses will leave circular or angular spots |
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Root rot |
Caused by over watering top will die back, increased seed production, and small leaves |
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Wood decay disease source and symptoms |
Caused by fungi will produce conks |
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Virus diseases |
Changes plant growth or coloration, stunting, molting, and reduced flowering |
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Which pathogen is normally responsible for Wilt disease |
Fungi it blocks water flow and defensive saps will also block water |
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Explain how alternate hosts are involved in rust disease |
There are several spore stages therefore several hosts and can overwinter |
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What is the best way to prevent leaf spot diseases |
Avoid periods of wetness and do not water at night |
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What are cankers |
Localized areas on Woody plants that have light or dark sunken areas |
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Leave spots are caused by what type of insect |
Sucking Insects |
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Branch die back is cause from what kind of insect |
Shoot, stem, and trunk borers |
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Bronzing is caused by what type of insect |
Mites |
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Chewed or skeletonized leaves are caused by what type of insect |
Leaf chewing insects |
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Stem and leaf galls are caused by what type of insect |
Gall Forming Insects and mites |
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Witches'-broom is caused by what type of Insect |
Mites |
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Examples of chewing insects |
Caterpillar's, saw flies, leaf beetles, and leaf miners |
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Examples of sucking insects |
Aphids, leave hoppers, lace bugs, and thrips |
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Examples of root feeding insects |
White grubs and weevil grubs |
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Describe 3 methods of controlling mosquitoes |
Removing things that hold water mosquito dunks Citronella candles |
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Describe a parasite |
Live in a host that they kill like flies and wasps |
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Describe predators |
Natural enemies like ladybugs and lace worms |
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Describe how insects infestations can be aggravated by improper Insecticide use |
Over use can cause insects to become resistant |
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What are microbile insecticides |
Natural occurring pathogens of insects Example = BT produces toxins deadly to butterfly and moth larva |
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What is the minimum height for fencing a large area to keep the deer out |
8 ft |
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Describe an annual weed |
Sprout, grow, and die in one season like crab grass, pigweed, smartweed, spurge, and ragweed |
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Describe a biennial weed |
Can survive one winter like thistle, wild carrot, and burdock |
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Describe a noxious weed |
Federal, local, or state governments have deemed injurious to the public like spotted knapweed |
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Describe a pre emergent herbicide |
Kills germinating weed seeds or young weeds |
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Describe a post emergent herbicide |
Kills established weeds |
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Describe a non selective herbicide |
Toxic to all plants |
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Describe a soil sterilant |
Prevents any plans from growing in an area |
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Describe a broad leaf lawn weed killer |
Targets broad leaf weeds in lawns |
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What type of weed is Canada thistle |
Perennial |
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What type of weed is crabgrass |
An annual |
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What type of weed is quack grass |
Perennial |
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What type of weed is mullein |
Biennial |
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What type of weed is burdock |
Annual |
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What type of weed is pigweed |
Annual |
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What type of weed is a dandelion |
Biennial |
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Name four ways that noxious weeds adversely affect the environment |
1. Displace native plants 2. Reduce biodiversity 3. Lower crop and forage production 4. Reduce wildlife habitat |
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3 types of sustainable landscape design |
Low impact development, green infrastructure, and ecological landscape |
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List 7 factors that influence water uptake by plants |
1. Aeration 2. Root system 3. Temperature 4. Size of plant 5. Light 6. Composition of potting soil 7. Humidity |
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What is the difference between annual and herbaceous perennials |
Animals live for one year while perennials live through winters |
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What is a biennial |
A plant whose leaves grow in year one, blooms in year 2 and then dies Example = hollyhock |
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Peony roots should be planted so that the eyes are at what depth |
1 to 2" below soil |
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How can Tea roses be planted and protected to minimize Winter injury |
Plant deeply a 2 to 4" or choose Hardy species |
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What are the 2 primary goals of tree pruning and how are these goals achieved |
Limit decay by minimizing wounds and permanently addressing structural defects |
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What is the largest pruning wound that most trees can reliably compartmentalize |
2 to 4" depending on resistance to decay |
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Define CODIT |
Compartmentalization of decay in trees |
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Define branch collar |
The area at the base of the trunk and branch that forms a hump |
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Define branch aspect ratio |
Collars that only form around branches that are less than 1/2 the diameter of the trunk |
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Define branch bark ridge |
Ridge of raised bark in the branch crotch |
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Define included bark |
A negative effect when bark becomes included in the wood at the Junction of 2 stems |
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Define codominant leaders |
Leader branches of equal size |
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Describe a 3 point cut |
May just outside the branch collar and generally good for large branches one cut underneath 1 cut over to cut 90% of the branch and then cutting closer to the branch collar |
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Describe a reduction cut |
Reduce length of branch by cutting back to lateral branches |
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Describe heading cut |
A practice that is not suggested or practiced when you cut to a stub or lateral branch |
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Briefly describe suppression pruning and how it is performed |
Slows growth of branches by pruning a significant percentage of branch photosynthetic area |
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What is the goal of structural tree pruning |
Developing a dominant central leader as high into the Crown as possible with subordinate branches |
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What are the 3 primary branch defects to be addressed in tree structural pruning |
Codominant leader branches with included bark branches with a diameter greater than 1/2 the trunk diameter |
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What is the maximum amount of foliage that should be removed at any one time when pruning trees |
20% or 10% when dealing with mature trees |
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Describe the differences between pollarding and and topping trees, list 3 potential problems caused by topping |
Pollarding only cuts back to new branch growth within the last few years while topping cuts back to stubs which can result in unnatural appearance, susceptibility to insects and disease, and reduction in energy storage capacity |
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What are the 2 best times to prune trees |
Early Spring and early summer following completion of growth |
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What is the best time to remove a branch infected with fire blight and why |
When dormant to reduce transmission |
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What type of pruning should be done when a tree is planted |
Only cleaning |
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Why is the use of wound dressing on pruning wounds not recommend |
There is no indication that it prevents decay |
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When is the best time to prune most deciduous shrubs |
Best on when dormant early Spring or late Winter |
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How should you prune a lilac |
With a renewal pruning that removes portions of the largest stems at the ground level |
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How should you prune a potentilla and summer blooming spiraea |
With rejuvenation pruning that removes all stems close to the ground level |
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How should you prune a burning Bush |
Use reduction pruning which makes reduction cuts at most prominent branches back to lateral branches |
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How should you prune a hedge |
Prune wider at the base using a reduction or renewal pruning |
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How should you prune a Mugo pine |
Cut off new growth of candles in the Spring |
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How should you prune a juniper |
Use only reduction cuts |
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What pruning tool makes the cleanest cuts and therefore should be the tool of choice for most pruning cuts |
Handsaws |
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List several cool season crops |
Lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli |
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List several warm season crops |
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and celery |
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When can garden soil be safely worked in the Spring |
Early morning when it's cool and has moderate soil temperature; too wet of soil destroys soil structure |
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A customer wants to grow vegetables on a site with extremely heavy clay soil what amendments would you recommend |
1. Work and 4 - 6" of peat moss 2. Add a few inches of sand and compost **or use raised beds |
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What are 2 main problems with saving seeds for a future vegetable garden |
Cross pollination and it's difficult to sow small seeds |
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How can the gardening season be extended |
Using hot caps keep the soil warm and helps seeds generate quicker. Transplants can also produce early harvests |
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Briefly describe several cultural practices that can help to reduce disease problems in a vegetable garden |
Disease resistant cultivars
Crop rotation
Space plants properly for good air circulation |
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Explain what verticillium wilt is and how to prevent it in berry plants |
This disease blocks water conducting mechanisms the only way to get rid of it is fumigation. Do not plant after certain fruits that can host it |
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Define primocane |
Canes produce during current growing season |
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Define floricane |
Cains produced during the 2nd growing season that produce fruits; brambles |
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Rank the following brambles in order of relative cold hardiness from most hardiness to least hardiness: Purple raspberries black raspberries, red and yellow raspberries Blackberries |
Red and yellow raspberries Purple raspberries Black raspberries Blackberries |
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Which type of grape is most cold Hardy for northern gardens |
American grape |
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Describe the difference between self fertile and self sterile fruit tree varieties |
Can pollinate itself vs. cannot |
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Name 3 types of fruit trees that can be self fertile |
Apricots Peaches Nectarines |
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Why must fruit trees be grafted or budded to obtain true to named varieties |
Most trees are self sterile |
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Why is a root stock selection important in Apple trees |
Determine the size, vigor, fruit production, cold hardiness, and disease resistance |
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What are the size differences between dwarf, semi dwarf, and standard when referring to Apple trees |
Standard: 25' canopies Semi dwarf: 14' canopies Dwarf: 10' canopies |
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What is the most serious pear tree disease |
Fire blight |
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Describe the main reasons for pruning fruit trees |
1. To train a young tree 2. To maintain vigor and fruit production 3. To correct problems |
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When is a business required to have a nursery license |
When a business is engaging and selling or distributing nursery stock |
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List 4 types of plants or plant materials that are not considered nursery stock |
Pasture grasses Cut trees Fruits and vegetables Commodity plants such as weed/oats/corn |
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Describes suitable grass seed for a high use playground area |
Rye grass because it establishes fast and good with high traffic |
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What are the best times to seed a lawn in Idaho or Montana |
Late August to mid September one month before frost, soil is warm so it establishes faster and less weeds will occur |
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Describe a method of determining when Turf needs to be irrigated |
Sticking a screwdriver into the soil, resistance means more water is needed |
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Describe a reel mower |
Good for closely clipped lawns such as golf courses |
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Describe a rotary mower |
Used on typical residential lawns, easy for everyone to use |
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Should you leave your grass clippings on your lawn |
Leave them if they're small because they return nitrogen to the soil, up to 4% nitrogen can be returned to grass |
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What is thatch |
Built up stems (living and dead), roots, and crowns that build up between the soil and vegetation |
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Problems associated with excessive thatch |
Run off, shallow roots, and increased insect |
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What pathogen causes most turf diseases |
Fungus: snow mold |
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4 cultural practices that help prevent turf diseases |
1. Fertilization 2. Aeration 3. Mowing 4. Watering |
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3 main roles of a salesperson |
1. Welcoming host 2. Informative consultant 3. Assuring seller |
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Describe the difference between open and closed questions |
An open ended question obtains facts while a closed question checks facts |
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Mycorrhizae are: |
Beneficial fungi that form a symbiotic relationship with roots |
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The term dwarf apple tree refers to: |
A cultivar grafted to a size controlling rootstock |
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The term fertilizer grade refers to: |
The ratio of N,P,K, and S in the mix |
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True or false. For trees and shrubs, you should split the total amount of fertilizer up and apply half in the Spring 1/2 in the fall or early Winter |
True |
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Thinning cuts are used on shrubs to: |
Encourage new cane development |
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Fruit trees are normally in retail nurseries sold as: |
Containerized stock |
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When used as side dressings in vegetable gardens fertilizers should be: |
Applied after the plants are established |
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True or false. As long as they are kept cool and dry in storage, the seeds of nearly all species will remain viable for many years |
False |
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The consultant at a nursery should: |
Be primarily a problem solver for customers |
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True or false. strawberries can be propagated both by divisions and stolons |
True |
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Define the role of a host |
Establish a friendly, professional, and comfortable atmosphere |
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Budding and grafting are used for fruit trees to: |
Maintain true to name cultivars, avoid a non fruiting juvenile stage, and create trees with several cultivars of fruit on them |
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Sudden pest outbreaks are often caused by |
Improper pesticide use destroying natural enemies |
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A plant exhibiting twisting, stunted leaves with bright chlorotic splotches is most likely infected with |
Viruses |
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In general when planting fruit trees you should do what to the planting hole |
Add no amendments to the planting hole |
