How does the fan/pad system in the greenhouse work?
Hot ambient hair pushes through the pad
Cool air and moisture are pulled in by fans
Fans draw air out of the greenhouse
What is the purpose of rolling benches?
To maximize growing growing space for space efficency
What is the purpose of supplemental lighting in the greenhouse?
To extend day length and light intensity
Is pest control in the greenhouse most commonly chemical or non-chemical?
non-chemical, so plants aren’t harmed
What are non-chemical forms of pest control?
- Having fans/vents placed towards the top of the greenhouse
- Placing nets over the vents to prevent outside insects from getting in.
- Bio-controls: Predatory insects
- Sanitation: no standing water/ dried up plant material
Why do we prune plants?
- Diseased/ Dead wood: Protection
- Prune to protect people/ property
- Prune for plants health/appearance
What is co-dominance and why is it a problem?
Co-dominance: when two or more main stems (leaders) that are the same diameter emerge from the same location on the main trunk
PROBLEM: Fungal disease, freeze trunk, water in the cracks
How do plants respond to pruning?
Plants respond to pruning by wound wood development if cuts are done properly
-Callus tissue grows under the wound to protect the plant from infection
What is the cut method for pruning?
*study image in phone to draw it
- Cut 1 and 2 remove majority of weight off the branch so the branch does not rip down side of tree
- Cut 3 carefully made in correct place to allow proper healing (Cut done at branch collar)
How do you prune spring blooming plants? summer blooming plants?
Spring blooming plants: Trimmed after they bloom (late spring/ early summer)
Summer blooming: Trimmed spring of next year
What is rejuvenation pruning?
What is renewal pruning?
Rejuvenation Pruning: Trimming plants back to the base at the end of the growing season
Renewal Pruning: Removal of old, overgrown wood, no more than 1/3 of plat at time
SOIL PH AND NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY
- Iron can be unavailable to plants
- High soil ph (8) with addition of calcium carbonate ties up iron in soil making it less available to plants
Soil Structure and Amending
- Largely clay soils in Colorado (Low amounts of pore space in soil)
- High water holding capacity
- High PH
- Amended by compost to address PH and pore space
VEGETABLE GARDENS: What are some cool weather veggies? warm weather veggies?
Cool Weather Veggies: Cabbage, Peas, Lettuce/Spinach, Radishes
Warm Weather Veggies: Tomato, Beans, Peppers, Squash, Corn
Why is it important to known annual frost dates?
FOCO: May 18th
142 frost free days
-Important when planting plants that need more day, so that they can begin growing inside.
What is the difference between heirloom and hybrid seed types?
Heirlooms: *Seeds that have been saved/ have a history of being passed down within a family or community AND are open pollinated
- wider variety
- better flavor
- Adds diversity
- Saves $ by seed saving
- Historical connection to gardening
Hybrids: * 2 different species or varieties that have been cross-bred by a plant breeder
- Often more disease resistant
- Higher yielding
- Buy new seeds every year
What is site analysis in landscape design?
taking inventory of what is already present at the site of interest (gives constraints/ opportunities)
Why is it important to think about plant choices in landscape design?
Pick plants that have ornamental value and change and look nice with every season.
What are micro-nutrients in fertilizers? give examples
Elements that plants need in relatively low concentrations
ex: Iron, Copper, Zinc, Boron
What are macro-nutrients in fertilizers? give examples
Elements that plants need in relatively high concentrations
ex: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, (N.P.K)
What components make up good growing media?
- Should be sterile (weed/ disease free)
- Have good draining/ aeration
- Have good water and nutrient holding capacity
Peat, Per lite, Vermiculite
Peat often mixed with per lite or vermiculite
How does light affect plants?
Light affects leaf color and size (color: high light, large leaf: low light)
What are the different day and night growing temps for plants?
- 65-80 day temperature
- 60-68 night temperature
- Most flowering houseplants prefer 55-60 at night
