Instructor:     Dr. Richard L. Harkess

Office#:          142-A Dorman Hall

Phone#:          325-4556

email:             rharkess@pss.msstate.edu

URL:              http://www2.msstate.edu/~harkessr/index.html

Course Meeting Time and Place:

Lecture:          Monday & Wednesday 8:00 - 8:50 AM, Dorman 321

Laboratory:     Friday 8:00 - 9:50 AM, Greenhouse 104

Required Text:     Dole, J.M. and H.F. Wilkins. 2005. Floriculture, Principles and Practices 2^nd Ed. Prentice Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

            This syllabus and related course information can be found on the internet at the following locations: http://www2.msstate.edu/~harkessr/index.html or https://mycourses.msstate.edu/

Course Description and Objectives:

            This course covers the commercial practices and principles involved in the production of the major commercial floriculture crops. Upon finishing this course a student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and environmental requirements for the production of high quality floricultural crops.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

            1)  to be able to program floriculture crop production for a complete year.

            2)  to be able to calculate plant growth regulator and pesticide rates.

            3)  to be able to use computer spreadsheet programs to graphically track plant growth and production inventory.

            4)  to predict needed supplies for crop production.

            5)  to understand principles of environmental interactions on production.

            6)  to recognize and critically analyze production problems including those presented as emailed questions or digital photographs.

            7)  to be able to complete a computer literature search and develop a production protocol for a new crop.

            8)  to know the botanical names and be able to recognize the major floriculture crops.

            MyCourses will be used extensively to present on-line quizzes, problem cases, plant material identification study material, and notes. CHECK THE MYCOURSES SITE WEEKLY OR MORE OFTEN during the semester. It is your responsibility as a student in this course to keep up with all assignments and the due dates.

“Self fulfilling prophecy is the currency of reality.” – Helen Cahn

IMPORTANT NOTES:

♦    It is your responsibility as a student in this class to read the material in the required textbook corresponding to the subjects discussed in lecture, read and understand all materials handed out in class, and complete and turn in all course assessment activities (assignments, quizzes, problem cases, exams, ...) by the posted due dates.

♦    All Lab Reports, Culture Sheets, and Term Reports must be turned in via the Turnitin website. http://www.turnitin.com/static/index.html

♦    The use of cell phones is prohibited during lectures and laboratories. Turn them off please.

♦    The use of all tobacco products is prohibited during lectures, laboratories and in the greenhouses.

♦    Attendance: Regular attendance and participation is expected and necessary to obtain the full benefit of this course. Roll will not be taken, however, the individual student is responsible for their attendance of course lectures and labs and obtaining all materials that may have been handed out during the course meeting time.

♦    Missed Exams & Quizzes: Students will be given a zero on an exam or quiz that has been missed without a legitimate excuse, preferably given in advance.

♦    First Graded Project: The first graded project in this course will be the first exam which will be given within the first 6 weeks of classes as outlined in the university guidelines.

♦    Missed Labs: Attendance is the responsibility of the student and absences should be approved IN ADVANCE where circumstances permit. There will be no make up for laboratory exercises that have been missed without prior notice. Due to the nature of some of the labs (i.e. group projects, ...), there will be no make up available for these labs if missed.

♦    There will be zero tolerance for cheating, plagiarism, or other academic misconduct as defined in the Mississippi State University Academic Honesty policy http://www.msstate.edu/dept/audit/1207A.html

Mississippi State University has an approved Honor Code that applies to all students. The code is as follows:

"As a Mississippi State University student I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do."

Upon accepting admission to Mississippi State University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor Code. Students will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the MSU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor Code. For additional information please visit: http://www.msstate.edu/dept/audit/1207A.html

READING QUIZZES (Due in class or as presented through MyCourses)

      There will be up to 10 unscheduled quizzes over the course of the semester based on the assigned readings from the textbook and handouts. These quizzes may be presented in class or through the MyCourses website. The total value of these quizzes will equal 100 points.

ON-LINE QUIZZES (Due as scheduled on the web)

      5 quizzes will posted on the MyCourses course web site over the course of the semester. Students must take each quiz. Each is worth 10 points.

PROBLEM CASES (Due as scheduled on the web)

      10 cases will posted on the MyCourses course web site starting Friday after lab and removed the following Friday at 7:30AM. Each student must at least attempt diagnosing the problem. The use of the bulletin board and chat rooms will be encouraged for enhancing student interaction on problem solving. Cases and problem sets will be discussed in lab as time allows. Each is worth 5 points.

LABORATORY EXERCISES/ASSIGNMENTS:

      Lab assignments will be handed out during laboratory sessions and a due date will be announced at that time. Some of the lab assignments will be due at the end of the class period.

LAB PROJECTS (crops):

       In addition to the lab assignments, there will be two lab projects. Each student will complete an experiment on two crops, collect data, analyze & summarize the data, and present the data in typewritten reports including tables, graphs, figures, and photographs as appropriate. Lab reports must be submitted electronically through Turnitin at http://www.turnitin.com/static/. You should include with each lab report, an electronic spreadsheet with an estimated cost analysis for producing at least 1000 plants of your crop. Submit the spreadsheet file to the professor by email attachment and include a print out of the spreadsheet in your lab report. This should include cost of plant materials, substrate, pots, amount of space needed, and overhead.

(1) Each student will be responsible for conducting a small scale demonstration/ experimentation project relevant to floriculture production on a crop to be assigned. Topics and methods will be based on growth regulator use, fertilization, or other approved topic. This project will be the basis for your first written lab report due April 17. All data collected should be presented in a spreadsheet and the data summarized and appropriately graphed or tabulated.

(2) Each student will also be responsible for growing Easter Lilies as a lab project. A written report will be required for this project including a computer generated graphic representation of the leaf unfolding rate and height increase for your lilies and a spreadsheet printout showing your data. This project is the basis for your second written lab report due April 17.

Additional information on the laboratory portion of this class may be found in the laboratory section of the syllabus.

Missed Labs and absences should be approved IN ADVANCE where circumstances permit. There will be no make up for laboratory exercises that have been missed without notice. Due to the nature of some of the labs (i.e. group projects, field trips, in class projects, ...), there will be no make up available for these labs if missed.

LAB PROJECT & PARTICIPATION:

      Twenty five points will be awarded based on your participation and care of your crops. Random inspection of the crops will occur and points will be deducted if your crop is not properly maintained.

PLANT IDENTIFICATION (Due as scheduled on the web):

      There will be 4 on-line plant identification quizzes in MyCourses. Pictures of the plants and study materials are available on the class MyCourses site under the Floral Plant ID icon. The learning of the floral plant identification is to be completed outside of class time. Additional ID questions may appear on the mid-terms and final exams.

ADVERTISEMENT (ALL STUDENTS) (Due February 27)

      The objective of this project is to develop an effective advertisement for use by a garden center, organization, or business to promote sales and to bring in customers from the 18 to 35 age group. This group doesn’t like to be sold to but does like to be informed and shown how your product will fit into their life. This advertisement should be appropriate for use in a newspaper or magazine. Be creative in your approach and layout. You must use graphics and the advertisement must be generated on the computer using appropriate software (Adobe PhotoShop, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, Word, etc.). The graphics may be scanned images or computer generated images. You will be graded on the idea, presentation, appeal, and content of the advertisement. You will be advertising a spring bedding and garden plant sale to be held on a weekend in April. The name of the company/ organization/ garden center and the content of the advertisement is your choice. It should include the time, date, and location of the sale. The advertisement should be no smaller than an 8½ by 11 sheet of paper but may be as large as 11 x 14 inches. Think creatively when completing this assignment. 50% of your grade on this assignment will come from your classmates assessment and 50% from the professors assessment of your advertisement.

CULTURE SHEET (ALL STUDENTS) (due April 3):

      A culture sheet is a short, informative publication designed to provide the grower with enough information to successfully produce the crop. The culture sheet should include a brief introduction describing the crop, potting or handling care, medium, fertilization, light, and temperature requirements. Scheduling/programming information including any pinching, spacing, growth regulator, disbudding, or other requirements. You should include with your culture sheet, an electronic spreadsheet with an estimated cost analysis for producing at least 1000 plants of your crop. Submit the spreadsheet file to the professor by email attachment and include a print out of the spreadsheet in your culture sheet. This should include cost of plant materials, substrate, pots, amount of space needed, and overhead.

      It is necessary to do a literature search for this culture sheet. Include a listing of your sources in a bibliography when submitting your culture sheet. It is expected that you will use scientific literature where possible to back up the information used to write your paper. The information used to write the culture sheet should be from literature published within the last 10 years. You should not simply copy existing fact sheets, culture sheets, or spray bulletins as your information sources when writing your fact sheet. The objective is for you to demonstrate that you can collect information and compile it in a concise format to be used as general guidelines and a quick reference for growers.

      The culture sheet should be relatively short, no longer than four (4) typewritten pages in 12 point font. You may submit this assignment in a term paper format or, if you are feeling creative, format it to look like a culture sheet you would send to growers. Although not normally done in professional culture sheets, list the specific articles used in writing the culture sheet in a bibliography at the end of the culture sheet. This may be done on a separate sheet if desired. Remember, you are to write a culture sheet/production guidelines, not a summary of someone’s research results.

TERM REPORT: (GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY) (Final Report Due April 8)

      The term report is a report on a floricultural crop in written format. The major objectives of the report are to become adept at seeking out all appropriate information on a specific crop, to identify and use both traditional and atypical sources of information, to become exceptionally knowledgeable of a specific crop, and to effectively communicate this new-found knowledge in written form.

      The report is a review of pertinent literature and current cultural information available on the production of the crop. This requires exploration in traditional written literature (books, scientific journals, and trade magazines), non-traditional sources (e.g. culture sheets obtained from horticultural supply companies, personal communication with growers, etc.), and basic science references (for taxonomic, morphological, and flowering mechanism information). The report will, as a result, present the crop on both a commercial and scientific level. No two students should select the same crop to write about.

The time line for the report is:

      Select crop and submit outline by: January 30; Final Report due: April 8.

      Students are encouraged to discuss their report/paper with the instructor for several reasons. It is hoped that the best possible reports will be prepared, consultation with the instructor can help to ensure this actually happening, and problems with the deadline will hopefully be minimized.

      There is a prescribed format for the report which appears on the next page of this syllabus. There is a maximum of length 12 pages. There is no minimum page number, however, all reports are expected to be complete and must be typed, double-spaced with no less than 1" margins on all sides. Please number your pages.

      Final reports are due April 8. For each day that a report is late, the report score will be reduced by 5%. Reports should be submitted electronically through Turnitin at http://www.turnitin.com/static/index.html.

Term Paper Format:

Student’s Name

Genus species authority

Common name(s)

Introduction

Crop and species background and history. Botanical, taxonomic, and morphological information. Give the plant family and describe plant characteristics (shoots, leaves, flowers, taxonomic, roots, rhizomes, or etc. descriptions). Native of? Economic importance, cut or pot plant. Cultivars available and commercial sources.

Cultural practices

Propagation, light intensity, water, nutrition, forcing temperature. In field or greenhouse? Response to CO₂?

Production Factors

Temperature.(Affects on growth rate, optimums for vegetative growth and during forcing)

Light.(Photoperiod requirements, light levels, duration, quality)

Dormancy.(Does it exist? If so, how is vegetative/reproductive growth commenced? Cold or heat treatments?)

Growth Regulators / Post Harvest / Miscellaneous factors

      Height control, rooting or tissue culture.

Pest Management

Crop Scheduling and Production Costs

Flowering Mechanism

      (What triggers floral induction, initiation, further differentiation and development.)

Environmental effects

Cultural effects

Other/miscellaneous effects

Literature cited, sources of information (examples of proper citation methods follow):

Article:

Harkess, R.L. and R.E. Lyons. 1993. Anatomical changes in Rudbeckia hirta L. during transition to flowering. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 118:835-839.

Book:

Martin, L.C. 1986. The wildflower meadow book. Fast and McMillan Publishers, Charlotte, N.C.

Book Section or Chapter:

Key, J.L., Kimpel, J., Vierling, E., Lin, C., Nagao, R.T., Czarnecka, E., and Schöffl, F. 1985. Physiological and molecular analysis of the heat shock response in plants. In: Changes in eukaryotic gene expression in response to environmental stress (Atkinson, B.G. and Walden, D.B. eds.) Academic Press, New York, NY, pp. 237-348.

World Wide Web page:

Harkess, R.L. (person who maintains the page) 1998 (date page was updated or the date you downloaded the page). PSS4613/6613 Floral Crop Programming - Mississippi State University (page title). http://www2.msstate.edu:80/~harkessr/PSS4613sy.html (page web address).

“While a pessimist may usually be correct, the optimist is usually successful.” – Anonymous

Important Dates for PSS 4613/6613

W  January 7      First day of class.

M  January 19    No Class (Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday)

F   January 30    Term paper outline due (graduate students).

M  February 2    No Class (SR-ASHS)

F   February 13  Midterm Exam I

M  February 27  Advertisement Due.

M  March 16-20  Spring Break

F   March 27       Midterm Exam II

F   April 3           CULTURE SHEET DUE

W  April 8           Graduate Student term papers due.

F   April 10         No Class (Spring Holiday)

F April 17          EASTER LILY & CROP LAB REPORTS DUE

F   April 24         Last day of classes

W  April 29         Final Exam 8:00-11:00

"They did not know it was impossible, so they did it." – Mark Twain

LABORATORY INSTRUCTIONS

      Each student will be responsible for producing Easter lilies and another greenhouse crop. The crops will be assigned early in the semester and will be dependant on the availability of plant material. The student will be responsible for the daily care of their crops as specified in greater detail below. You should collect plant growth data, analyze the data (averages with a standard deviation - do not present raw data), and present the data in typewritten reports including tables, graphs, figures, and photographs as appropriate. These reports will be due on April 17. There is no set length for this report, however, it is expected to be complete. There is a 5% penalty per day for reports turned in late.

General Directions

1.   You will be the only person to water, fertilize, or treat your plants except on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Clear water only will be applied at such times, and only if needed. Place a sign by your plants if any special instructions for weekend watering apply.

1.   After potting, put in a written request with the greenhouse manager for a fungicide drench. The drench will consist of Subdue + Terrachlor or Banrot (1 tsp/gal). This is equivalent to 8 oz/100 gallons water. A proper watering consists of about 100 ml/4 inch pot.

3.   Collect appropriate data at the beginning, end and during the production of your crop to give some information on how the treatments affected the final product. Suggested data includes measuring the height of all plants right after planting, every other week, and at anthesis (date to be agreed upon later). Anthesis is considered to be shedding of pollen. Also, possibly record leaf number (nodes if leaves are missing) above soil line at potting and at anthesis. Record flower number at anthesis and rate root quality (quantity and quality on a scale of 1 to 5) at anthesis. Use a computer program like Excell or Quattro Pro to graphically chart your crop’s progress. Provide summary graphs or tables of the data upon completion of the project to include in the final report. Any other data that may seem relevant to final plant quality should also be collected.

4.   Unless otherwise specified by your study, apply 200 ppm N with every watering using 20-10-20 Peter’s Peat Light. Mums should receive 300 ppm N using 15-10-30. Initiate fertilizer application with the second watering after potting.

Crop Records:

      All activities pertaining to growing and maintaining your crops should be recorded DAILY in the “Blue Book” provided and included as part of the final lab report. You should include the dates of irrigation, fertilization, pesticide application, growth regulator applications (include calculations), general observations on growth and crop health, and any raw data collected. Record this information DAILY and date each entry. Keep neat, legible, and accurate records. The records should be handwritten but keep in mind that the instructor will need to be able to read them at the end of the semester. The crop records are to be maintained as long as the crop is in production. The instructor will notify the student when the crop is finished.

The Lab Report:

      The report should include a brief description of your crop, production cost estimates, a description of the scheduling and production techniques you used, a statement regarding the outcome of your crop detailing problems and/or successes, and your dated crop records. You should collect plant growth data, analyze the data (averages with a standard deviation - do not present raw data), and present the data in your typewritten reports including tables, graphs, figures, and photographs as appropriate.

Lab Report Format: See the grading sheet included with the syllabus.

Reports are due for both the Easter Lilies and your other assigned crop on April 17.

Easter Lilies -      6" pots     Each Student will receive a set of 6 to 10 lilies depending on enrollment. You will be assigned a specific growth regulator experiment when the lillies are assigned.

Other Crops – For your other crops, each student will need to choose an experiment from those listed on the previous pages to apply to their crop or design another approved by the professor. Check with the instructor for specific information on application of the plant growth regulators and on mixing the fertilizer solutions. Experiments 1 through 3 apply only to the Easter Lilies.

The specific other crops will be assigned after the first couple of labs depending on when the plant material is confirmed to arrive.

PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS

NOTE: THESE ARE GENERAL GUIDELINES FROM THE PRODUCT LABELS.

A-Rest      Easter Lily, 1 to 4 ppm drench when plants are 2 to 6" in height.

Tulip, 1 to 4 ppm drench 1 week before to 2 days after removal from cooler.

Dahlia, 2 to 4 ppm drench 2 weeks after potting.

Mums, 26 to 53 ppm spray when axillaries are 2½ to 3" long or a 2 to 4 ppm drench when plants are 2 to 6" in height (~2 weeks after pinching).

Begonia x hiemalis, 6 to 12 ppm spray 1 to 2 weeks after transplanting.

Geranium from seed, 33 to 66 ppm spray 3 to 7 days after transplanting.

B-Nine      Mums, 2500* to 5000 ppm when breaks from pinch were 1 to 2” long or dip cuttings in 1000 ppm before potting.

Bedding plants, 2500 to 5000 ppm when 1½ to 2 inches of new growth has developed or plants are beginning to stretch.

Bonzi        Bedding plants, 5 to 90 ppm (species dependant) when new growth is 2"

Mums, spray 50 to 200 ppm when shoots are 2-3" long.

Geraniums, 10 to 30 ppm when shoots 1½ to 2" long.

Hibiscus, 30 to 150 ppm when laterals are 1 to 4" long.

Bulbs, 5 to 40 ppm applied as a drench 1 to 5 days after removal from cooler.

Cycocel    Geranium from seed, 1500 ppm 35 and 42 days after seeding.

Hibiscus, 460 ppm when laterals are 1½ to 2".

Fascination     Easter Lilies to prevent leaf yellowing, Early season (7 - 10 days before visible bud) 10 ppm spray on lower leaves only, Mid season (second application) (7-10 days after visible bud) 10 ppm spray to lower leaves, Late season (first bud 8cm in length or no more than 14 days before shipping) 100 ppm spray to flower buds and foliage.

Florel        Narcissus, 1000 to 2000 ppm spray when leaves are 4 to 5" tall.

Sumagic    Bedding Plants, 1 to 50 ppm spray, species dependant, when plants 2 to 4"

Mums, 2.5 to 10 ppm spray when breaks are 1½ to 2 inches long.

Easter Lily, 10 to 25 ppm spray when shoot average is 3"

or soil drench at to ¼ to ½ ppm when shoots average 3" tall.

Geraniums from seed, 2 to 4 ppm spray when plants are about 4"

Geraniums from cuttings, 3 to 6 ppm spray as needed once growth begins.

                  Hibiscus, 5 to 10 ppm spray as needed. Florida only. 

SPECIFIC PROJECTS: Growth Regulator Studies

Note: Fascination will be applied Early & Mid season (2 applications) at 0 or 10 ppm spray

1)  a.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at 0 ppm spray + Fascination applied at 0 ppm spray

      b.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at 0 ppm spray + Fascination 2 apps at 10 ppm spray

      c.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at 18 ppm spray + Fascination applied at 0 ppm spray

      d.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at 18 ppm spray + Fascination 2 apps at 10 ppm spray

      e.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at 26 ppm spray + Fascination applied at 0 ppm spray

      f.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at 26 ppm spray + Fascination 2 apps at 10 ppm spray

2)  a.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at 0 ppm drench + Fascination applied at 0 ppm spray

      b.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at 0 ppm drench + Fascination 2 apps at 10 ppm spray

      c.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at ½ ppm drench + Fascination applied at 0 ppm spray

      d.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at ½ ppm drench + Fascination 2 apps at 10 ppm spray

      e.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at ¾ ppm drench + Fascination applied at 0 ppm spray

      f.   Easter Lilies, Sumagic applied at ¾ ppm drench + Fascination 2 apps at 10 ppm spray

3)  a.   Easter Lilies, A-Rest applied at 0 ppm drench + Fascination applied at 0 ppm spray

      b.   Easter Lilies, A-Rest applied at 0 ppm drench + Fascination 2 apps at 10 ppm spray

      c.   Easter Lilies, A-Rest applied at 4 ppm drench + Fascination applied at 0 ppm spray

      d.   Easter Lilies, A-Rest applied at 4 ppm drench + Fascination 2 apps at 10 ppm spray

      e.   Easter Lilies, A-Rest applied at 6 ppm drench + Fascination applied at 0 ppm spray

      f.   Easter Lilies, A-Rest applied at 6 ppm drench + Fascination 2 apps at 10 ppm spray

4)  a.   Plant Growth Regulator applied at 0 ppm

      b.   Plant Growth Regulator applied at ½ recommended rate

      c.   Plant Growth Regulator applied at the recommended rate

      d.   Plant Growth Regulator applied at 1½ recommended rate

5)  a.   No Plant Growth Regulator applied

      b.   Plant Growth Regulator A applied at recommended rate

      c.   Plant Growth Regulator B applied at recommended rate

      d.   Plant Growth Regulator C applied at recommended rate

6)  a.   No Plant Growth Regulator applied

      b.   Plant Growth Regulator applied earlier than the recommended time of application

      c.   Plant Growth Regulator applied at the recommended time of application

      d.   Plant Growth Regulator applied later than the recommended time of application

7)  a.   Plant Growth Regulator not labeled for the crop at rate 0x

      b.   Plant Growth Regulator not labeled for the crop at rate 1x

      c.   Plant Growth Regulator not labeled for the crop at rate 2x

      d.   Plant Growth Regulator not labeled for the crop at rate 3x

Fertilizer Studies:

8)  a.   No fertilizer applied

      b.   Apply calcium nitrate at 1 tsp./gal. in combination with potassium nitrate at ½ tsp./gal. every second watering (= 300 ppm N, 300 ppm K)

      c.   Apply calcium nitrate at 1¼ tsp./gal. in combination with potassium nitrate at 2/3 tsp./gal. every second watering (= 400 ppm N, 400 ppm K)

      d.   Apply 20-10-20 5.67 g/gal. (1½ tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 300 ppm N)

      e.   Apply 20-10-20 7.57 g/gal. (2 tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 400 ppm N)

9)  a.   No fertilizer applied

      b.   Apply ammonium nitrate at 3.4 g/gal (¾ tsp/gal) and potassium chloride at 2.27 g/gal (½ tsp/gal) every second watering (300 ppm N & K)

      c.   Apply ammonium nitrate at 4.6 g/gal (1 tsp/gal) and potassium chloride at 3.0 g/gal (2/3 tsp/gal) every second watering (400 ppm N & K)

      d.   Apply 20-10-20 5.67 g/gal. (1½ tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 300 ppm N)

      e.   Apply 20-10-20 7.57 g/gal. (2 tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 400 ppm N)

10)  a. No fertilizer applied

       b. Apply calcium nitrate at 1 tsp./gal. in combination with potassium nitrate at ½ tsp./gal. every second watering (= 300 ppm N, 300 ppm K)

       c. Apply calcium nitrate at 1¼ tsp./gal. in combination with potassium nitrate at 2/3 tsp./gal. every second watering (= 400 ppm N, 400 ppm K)

       d. Apply 15-10-30 7.56 g/gal. (2 tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 300 ppm N)

       e. Apply 15-10-30 10.08 g/gal. (2½ tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 400 ppm N)

11)  a. No fertilizer applied

       b. Apply ammonium nitrate at 3.4 g/gal (¾ tsp/gal) and potassium chloride at 2.27 g/gal (½ tsp/gal) every second watering (300 ppm N & K)

       c. Apply ammonium nitrate at 4.6 g/gal (1 tsp/gal) and potassium chloride at 3.0 g/gal (2/3 tsp/gal) every second watering (400 ppm N & K)

       d. Apply 15-10-30 7.56 g/gal. (2 tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 300 ppm N)

       e. Apply 15-10-30 10.08 g/gal. (2½ tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 400 ppm N)

12)  a. Apply 15-10-30 7.56 g/gal. (2 tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 300 ppm N)

       b. Apply 15-10-30 10.08 g/gal. (2½ tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 400 ppm N)

       c. Apply 20-10-20 5.67 g/gal. (1½ tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 300 ppm N)

       d. Apply 20-10-20 7.57 g/gal. (2 tsp./gal.) every second watering (= 400 ppm N)

Slow release fertilizer study.

13)  a. None applied

       b. Fertilize as recommended in step 4 of the general instructions.

       c. Topdress Osmocote (14-14-14) at 3 g per 6" pot plus ½ rate fertilizer applied in b.

       d. Topdress Osmocote (14-14-14) at 6 g per 6" pot plus fertilizer as applied in b.

       e. Topdress Osmocote (14-14-14) at 9 g per 6" pot. Apply no other fertilizer.

14)  a. None applied

       b. Fertilize as recommended in step 4 of the general instructions.

       c. Topdress Osmocote (15-11-13) at 3 g per 6" pot

       d. Topdress Osmocote (15-11-13) at 6 g per 6" pot

       e. Topdress Osmocote (15-11-13) at 9 g per 6" pot

Potting Substrate Study:

15)  a. Sunshine Mix 1

b. ProMix

c. Fafard

d. MetroMix 360

Other suggestions:

Pinching (timing/amount) study

Potting study

Pot size study

PSS4613/6613 Floriculture Crop Programming

Advertisement Report grading sheet

Student Name:

Creativity/Originality                                                                                                __________/20

Does the advertisement reflect originality or other special qualities

that make it more attractive or attention getting?

All necessary information included                                                                          __________/20

Is the advertisement prepared with, at a minimum,

the following information:

Business/Organization name

Hours of operation

Location of business/organization/sale

Information on what is on sale

Neatness, spelling, readability, organization                                                               __________/6

Is the advertisement neatly prepared, not overly cluttered, organized

for quick and easy assimilation of the information, and clearly legible?

Effectiveness of the advertisement                                                                              __________/4

Total points:                                                                                                             __________/50

Comments:

PSS 4613/6613 FLORAL CROP PROGRAMMING

Culture Sheet grading sheet

Student Name:

All pertinent information for growing the crop presented                                        __________/30

            Brief introduction describing the crop                                                     _____                    

            potting or handling care                                                                           _____                    

            growing medium requirements                                                                _____                    

            fertilization                                                                                               _____                    

            light                                                                                                          _____                    

            temperature                                                                                               _____                    

            pest/disease concerns/control                                                                   _____                    

            scheduling/programming information                                                      _____                    

                        plant growth regulators                                                                _____                    

                        Pot sizes                                                                                       _____                    

                        Pinching                                                                                       _____                    

                        Spacing                                                                                         _____                    

                        Disbudding                                                                                   _____                    

                        Crop scheduling (length of time to produce)                               _____                    

                        Other requirements necessary for producing this crop                 _____                    

Applicability and clarity of the information                                                              __________/15

Cost analysis (easiest if based on a crop of 1000 or

                        more plants, use a spreadsheet)                                                         __________/10

References or information sources                                                                            ___________/5

Grammar, spelling, neatness, readability, organization                                            __________/10

Demonstrated understanding of topic/assignment                                                      __________/5

Total points:                                                                                                             __________/75

Comments:

PSS4613/6613 Floriculture Crop Programming

Laboratory Report grading sheet

Student Name and Crop:

Description of Crop                                                                                                   ___________/5

Outline of a normal production schedule                                                                  __________/10

Your experiment

  Justification

  Methods

  Results (include pictures, tables, graphs, and/or figures)

  Discussion of Crop Results                                                                                      __________/15

Dated Crop Records                                                                                                  __________/10

Production Cost estimates (spreadsheet printout)                                                     ___________/5

Grammar, spelling, neatness, readability, organization, . . .                                     ___________/5

Total points:                                                                                                             __________/50

Comments:

PSS 6613 Floriculture Crop Programming

Term Paper grading sheet

Student Name and Crop:

Introduction

Crop and species background, history___________/5

Botanical, taxonomic, and morphological information___________/5

Cultural practices                                                                                                      __________/15

Environmental factors                                                                                               __________/10

Growth Regulators                                                                                                    ___________/5

Post Harvest                                                                                                              ___________/5

Pest Management                                                                                                      ___________/5

Crop Scheduling and Production Costs

Scheduling information__________/10

Costs of production___________/5

Flowering Mechanism

       Environmental effects                                                                                        ___________/5

       Cultural effects                                                                                                  ___________/5

       Other/miscellaneous effects                                                                               ___________/5

Literature cited, sources of information                                                                    ___________/5

Miscellaneous

Grammar, spelling, neatness, readability, organization ___________/5

Demonstrated understanding of crop __________/10

Total points:                                                                                                           __________/100

Comments: