Past paper June 2022

Question 1

state one use for a cloche in protected cropping

Answer 1

A cloche can be used to protect crops eg; strawberries/lettuce from environmental conditions eg; frost

Question 2

name some cladding materials suitable for a cloche or low tunnel

Answer 2

polythene film
horticultural glass
twin walled polycarbonate

Question 3

what is a benefit of polythene film when used as a cladding material?

Answer 3

cheaper than hort. glass or polycarbonate

Question 4

what is a limitation of polythene film when used as a cladding material?

Answer 4

only lasts for one season

Question 5

what is a benefit of horticultural glass when used as a cladding material?

Answer 5

long lasting
retains heat

Question 6

what is a limitation of horticultural glass when used as a cladding material?

Answer 6

breaks easily which may be a health and safety issue

Question 7

what is a benefit of twin walled polycarbonate when used as a cladding material?

Answer 7

retains heat very well

Question 8

what is a limitation of twin walled polycarbonate when used as a cladding material?

Answer 8

expensive compared to polythene film and horticultural glass.

Question 9

State two benefits of growing a tomato crop in a protected structure compared with outside.

Answer 9

improvement in quality and yield of crop

longer growing season, cropping commences earlier

can use biological control methods more effectively

Question 10

State two limitations of growing a tomato crop in a protected structure compared with outside.

Answer 10

pest and disease can spread more easily

costs to provide/control environment eg; light & heat

Watering is essential

Question 11

name two disorders that can damage a tomato crop

Answer 11

blossom end rot

cracking/splitting of tomatoes

Question 12

Describe blossom end rot in tomatoes

Answer 12

caused by insufficient calcium in the plant tissue

maintain a balanced fertiliser status in growing media

maintain soil temps

check pH of growing media

water regularly

Question 13

describe cracking/splitting of tomatoes

Answer 13

caused by erratic watering

water regularly

maintain optimum moisture content in growing media

Question 14

state three methods by which shading can be provided for a growing crop within a protected structure.

Answer 14

shade paints to the outside of the glasshouse eg; Redusol

Wooden slat blinds - can alter angle to give more/less shade on outside of GH

Netlon, a shading material attached on the outside of the GH of the glazing bars on the inside

Question 15

describe what is meant by the term ‘supplementary lighting’

Answer 15

providing additional lighting in addition to any natural light in a glasshouse/polythene tunnel.

It tops up the natural light available

The quality of light is not critical

Can be used when natural light is the limiting factor in photosynthesis for optimum plant growth.

Question 16

what type of lights can be used for supplementary lighting?

Answer 16

sodium lights - very efficient.

Question 17

State the importance of each of the following terms in relation to protected cropping, giving one example of each. SHAPE OF THE STRUCTURE

Answer 17

the shape contributes to the amount of natural light entering it.

The greater the angle of incidence, the greater the amount of light transmitted in.

A dome shape, of Mansard enabled higher light transmission during winter when the sun is naturally low in the sky.

Question 18

State the importance of each of the following terms in relation to protected cropping, giving one example of each ORIENTATION OF THE STRUCTURE

Answer 18

East-West is preferable for natural light energy as most of the glass is south facing therefore allows max. light transmission.

east-west best for spring, autumn/winter
north-south best for summer

Question 19

State the importance of each of the following terms in relation to protected cropping, giving one example of each ; DAMPING DOWN

Answer 19

this is the process whereby water is sprayed onto benches and paths withing a protected structure to raise the levels of relative humidity, as well as reducing the air temps.

Question 20

State the importance of each of the following terms in relation to protected cropping, giving one example of each; VENTILATION OF THE STRUCTURE

Answer 20

You must maintain the optimum growing cond. during warm weather by reducing air temps.

Ventilation is important when reducing the level of relative humidity and maintaining the ambient level of c02 in a protected structure.

Ventilation minimises presence of fungal diseases affecting a growing crop.

Question 21

State the importance of each of the following terms in relation to protected cropping, giving one example of each ; BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL

Answer 21

The applicationg of living predators, parasites or pathogens to control pest/diseases.

Encarsia formosa is used to control glasshouse whitefly

Biological pest control is preferable as no chemicals are used-therefore natural predators/parasites are not harmed

Question 22

state four important factors to be considered when establishing a crop of bedding plants under each of the following headings; SEED SOWING

Answer 22

use clean mains water
clean/new containers
partially sterile growing media

Use John Innes seed sowing compost - moisture retentive/low nutrient status

Appropriate conditions for germination - temps 18-24’c

method of sowing - consider density/method is dependent on size of seed

Question 23

what sowing method is used for small seeds?

Answer 23

broadcast

Question 24

what sowing method is used for large and medium seed?

Answer 24

space sown, usually covered.

Question 25

state four important factors to be considered when establishing a crop of bedding plants under each of the following headings; PRICKING OUT

Answer 25

Do when cotyledons fully expanded

Handle seedling by cotyledon/seed leaves to minimise physical damage

use JI No.1 growing media as moisture retentive, free draining, low nutrient levels

Method:
Select healthy seedlings
Make suitable hole with a dibber so roots don’t turn upwards.
Space well in tray to allow for growth
Firm gently with dibber and water in.

Question 26

explain how to prick out seedlings.

Answer 26

Method:
Select healthy seedlings
Make suitable hole with a dibber so roots don’t turn upwards.
Space well in tray to allow for growth
Firm gently with dibber and water in.

Question 27

name one pest that may cause damage to a named bedding plant

Answer 27

Pest; aphids, slugs, whitefly
Bedding plant; Lobelia erinus, Salvia splendens

Question 28

Describe two health and safety issues that need to be considered when displaying plants in a domestic building

Answer 28

plants with spines eg; cacti, and those with poisonous foliage must not be used, or positioned where people cannot brush past them.

Plant containers must be watertight, so no leaking that will lead to a slip hazard.

Plants must not block exit’s, esp. fire exit

Question 29

Describe three maintenance tasks that need to be carried out when growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in a domestic building. IRRIGATION

Answer 29

irrigation - provide manually or via an automatic drip system.

Can use a hydroculture system which provides both water and nutrients

Must keep growing media moist, avoid cycles of wetting/drying

Question 30

Describe three maintenance tasks that need to be carried out when growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in a domestic building. POLLUTION OR DUST

Answer 30

occurs in areas where there is high volume of pedestrian traffic

Remove dust from foliage with a dry/slightly damp cloth so photosynthesis not compromised.

Question 31

Describe three maintenance tasks that need to be carried out when growing Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in a domestic building. PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL

Answer 31

Check regularly for pest/disease.
eg; scale insect, mealy bug, powdery mildew, botrytis.

Insects can be controlled with biological means
diseases can be controlled by ensuring environmental conditions are optimum