Media

Question 1

4 basic functions soil must provide for good plant growth

Answer 1

o Anchorage for roots
o Body of storage for water
o Space for oxygen
o Nutrients

Question 2

Ideal soil/media

Answer 2

50% solid (loam), 25% air, 25% water

Question 3

Bulk Density

Answer 3

Dry weight of a volume of substrate

Question 4

Lighter bulk density

Answer 4

reduced labor, cheaper to ship

Question 5

Higher bulk density

Answer 5

reduced aeration/oxygen, inhibits root growth

Question 6

3 parts of soil texture

Answer 6

-sand
-silt
-clay

Question 7

Soils with more clay will…

Answer 7

hold more water and have less air space

Question 8

Sandy soils…

Answer 8

hold less water and drain more because they have more air space

Question 9

Loam

Answer 9

a fertile soil with balanced amounts of sand, silt, and clay

Question 10

recommended porosity

Answer 10

50-85%

Question 11

Compaction is brought about by

Answer 11

physical actions (rain, traffic, freeze/thaw) or lack of organic matter

Question 12

Field capacity

Answer 12

the total capacity of a field of soil to hold water against gravity’s pull

Question 13

Benefits of adding organic matter to soil

Answer 13

-Promotes moisture retention
-Enhances drainage
-Improves nutrient-holding capacity by binding soil
-Adds nutrients

Question 14

5 benefits of mulch

Answer 14

-Moderates soil temperature (Cooler and moister in summer, Warmer in winter)
-Hinders weed growth
-Frost protection
-Conserves moisture
-Prevents erosion

Question 15

pH where macronutrients less available

Answer 15

lower pH

Question 16

pH where micronutrients less available

Answer 16

higher pH (especially iron and zinc)

Question 17

Epiphyte Soil

Answer 17

-Highly porous and well-draining
-Coarse bark and charcoal in hanging basket

Question 18

Aquatic soil

Answer 18

-no floaters, un-composted organic material or added fertilizers
-Conservatory pools use 1:1 ratio of screened topsoil and screened compost

Question 19

Tropical mix

Answer 19

Compost, plantone, perlite, active iron, charcoal

Question 20

Orchid Mix

Answer 20

-Drainage important
-Chopped bark, perlite, charcoal, peat moss, broken dry leaves