R2014 2 METHODS OF PROPAGATION FROM SEED AND SPORES

Question 1

Growing plants from seed: fine seed: Example

Container and growing media + sowing + aftercare

Answer 1

Begonia semperflorens

Container and growing media: Suitable size tray for the amount of seeds sown / Clean sterile growing media / Use seed compost

Sowing: Prior to sowing mix seeds with hort. sand, so the seeds can be sown in a uniform way / thinly broadcast the seeds / Usually left uncovered

Aftercare: Water from underneath / place the seeds in a warm protected environment / provide adequate ventilation / monitor for p&d / when large enough to handle pot off to seperate containers

Question 2

Growing plants from seed: Medium seed

Example + container and growing media + sowing technique and pricking out + aftercare

Answer 2

Lactuca sativa

Container and growing media: clean seed tray or module tray, appropraite size / use seed compost

Sowing: Broadcast by hand or sow individual seeds if sown in module / Sow evenly and thinly at least 3mm apart / cover seeds with fine seed compost or vermiculite to 3-5mm depth

Pricking out: loosen seedlings in seed tray / carefully tease apart the seedslings / Select the healthiest seedlings / Handle seedlings by leaves / Make a whole with a dibber and carefully place the seedling in a hole so the seedleaves are just above ground / gently firm ground

Aftercare: soak from below or use a watering can with a fine rose / keep the seeds in warm environment / can cover seeds with glass to keep the trays moist

Question 3

Growing plants from seed: Large seed

Example + container and growing media + sowing and pricking off + potting off + aftercare

Answer 3

Cucurbita pepo

Container and growing media: use large, preferably 9cm pots or large modules / use seed compost

Sowing: fill pots 2/3rd full / place two seeds on the edge 1 cm apart / cover with compost

Pricking off: if both seeds germinate remove the weaker seedling by snipping it off so you would not disturb the roots / grow on

Potting off: pot on if needed until ready to transplant outside

Aftercare: place pots in a warm environment / keep well watered / monitor for p&d

Question 4

Methods to avoid pest and disease problems

Answer 4

• use tap water as opposed to water from a waterbutt as can contain diseases
• use healthy seeds
• use sterile growing media and growing environment containers
• sow seeds thinly so they are not compacted
• adequate ventilation

Question 5

Ground preparation of an outdoor side for seed sowing: Weed control

Answer 5

Cultivating the ground and removal or perennial weeds (by hand forkin out, of use of chemicals)

Question 6

Ground preparation of an outdoor side for seed sowing: Nutrition

Answer 6

Making sure the site of sowing has its nutrients replenished before sowing

Question 7

Ground preparation of an outdoor side for seed sowing: levelling

Answer 7

Seed bed preparation by braking big clods with fork and raking to level

Question 8

Ground preparation of an outdoor side for seed sowing: consolidation

Answer 8

use heels of feet to consolidate the ground and get rid of air pockets

Question 9

Ground preparation of an outdoor side for seed sowing: tilth

Answer 9

rake the ground again to achieve a fine tilth texture to around 5cm depth

Question 10

Open ground sowing methods: broadcast

Example + Time of year + method + aftercare

Answer 10

i.e. grass seed mixture

Time of year: spring from late march or autumn in september and october

method: divide the seed in half and sow half in one direction and another half in 90 degrees to the previous direction to ensure even distribution / sown seeds at a rate of 30-35 grams per square meters / after sowing the seeds. lighty rake to partially cover the seeds
aftercare: the are should be protected from animals, birds and humans / should be watered and weeded as required as well as rolled to settle the sward and enourage fillering of the grass

Question 11

Open ground sowing methods: Drills

example + time of year + method + aftercare

Answer 11

i.e. Daucus carota

TIme of year: March-July

methods: straight taut line places in the ground / make a 1 cm deep drill with a hoe / water the drill before sowing seed thinly and evenly in the drill base / draw soil gently over the seed drill and tamper down to ensure good contact with the soil
aftercare: thinning but may attract carrot fly

Question 12

Open ground sowing methods: station sowing in groups of 3 or 4
example + time of year + method + aftercare

Answer 12

i.e. Parsnips

Time of year: march - april

method: 3 seeds every 15cm
aftercare: thin to one seedling and 15cm between plants / lift roots in autumn of leave until required / water in the evening so roots wouldnt split / weed as required

Question 13

Open ground sowing methods: Trench

example + time of year + method + aftercare

Answer 13

i.e. peas

Time of year: march - june

method: make a 5cm deep trench, 15 cm wide / ensure it is watered / space the seeds 25/50mm in drills or 25-50mm in each direction in a trench / cover the seeds and firm gently
aftercare: protect from birds and rodents by netting or coved ith a cloche / provide supports

Question 14

Open ground sowing methods: individual sowing

example + time of year + method + aftercare

Answer 14

i.e. Runner beans

time of year: mid may to mid june

method: sow seeds individually at a base of a cane or a wigwam / sow seeds either single or double rows at 45-60cm between rows / sow all seeds 5 cm deep, 20-30cm apart / coved the seeds with soil and water well
aftercare: protect from vermin and birds / provide supports

Question 15

Propagation of ferns by spores: spore collection

Answer 15

• When spores are dark in colour, ripe and not empty and from a healthy true to type plant on a dry day
• Late summer/autumn
• Fronds detached from parent plant and places in an envelope so they can dry for a week at 21 degrees celsius
• Screen spores, store in an tight contained until required

Question 16

Propagation of ferns by spores: growing media used

Answer 16

Steriles, loamless, fine textured, free draining, well aerated seed sowing mix

Question 17

Propagation of ferns by spores: method of sowing

Answer 17

• Fill sterilised seed tray with growing media,
  consolidate and soak in a tray of distilled water
• broadcast sow spores, thinly and evenly on surface of growing media
• coved with a sheed of glass of cling film and label
• keep moist but not waterlogged

Question 18

Propagation of ferns by spores: aftercare

Answer 18

• place in a cool, lightly shaded are for a month or two
• prothalli and then tiny fronds appear later at whihc point take the cover off
• when 2-3 fronds appear, prick out the seedlings into clump in sterilised potting compost
• place inside a clear plythene bag for a few days to maintain humid conditions
• watch for pest