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At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Describe and compare the requirements of various sexual and asexual propagation methods
used in the horticulture industry.
2. Describe common structures, containers, soil media and other supplies used in commercial plant
propagation.
3. Compare sexual and asexual propagation methods for various plant species.
4. Demonstrate seed sowing techniques for a variety of plant species.
5. Describe the physiological processes and environmental requirements of seed germination.
6. Evaluate cuttings collected from stock plants for their likelihood of success in cutting
propagation.
7. Describe the physiological processes of wound-healing and root formation in vegetative
propagation techniques.
8. Understand the influence of hormone treatments, wounding, and other methods on rooting
success of cuttings.
9. Describe the ideal environmental conditions for cutting propagation.
10. Select propagation equipment and structures appropriate for various plant varieties and
commercial nursery enterprises.
11. Demonstrate proper sanitation procedures in the use of propagation materials and equipment.
12. Analyze propagation methods based on desired outcomes in plant characteristics, uniformity,
quality and quantity.
13. Implement plant labeling requirements associated with good propagation practices and plant
patent laws.
14. Demonstrate safe and correct use and care of propagation tools and equipment.
15. Describe and compare types of nurseries based on their propagation methods.
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I. Wholesale Plant Production Operations
II. Introduction to Plant Environmental Requirements
A. Light
B. Temperature
C. Water
D. Air
E. Anchorage
F. Minerals
G. Photoperiodism and its effect on plant growth
III. General Aspects of Plant Propagation
A. Objectives in the study of plant propagation
B. Methods of propagating plants
C. Basic types of reproduction
IV. Use and Maintenance of Common Propagation and Nursery Tools and Equipment
V. Sexual Propagation
A. Principles of sexual propagation and hybridization
1. Production of flowers
2. Production of the embryo
3. Apomixes
4. Fruit and seed development
5. The mature seed
B. The relationship of plant breeding to nursery practices
C. Seed germination requirements and practice
D. Seed collection and processing
E. Discussion of various seed treatment processes
1. Scarification
2. Stratification
F. Transplanting of seedlings
G. Plug production
VI. Asexual Propagation
A. Importance and reasons for using asexual propagation
B. The clone
C. The plant patent law
D. Different types of asexual propagation
VII. Cuttings
A. Requirements of cutting propagation
1. Moisture
2. Temperature
3. Media
4. Hormones
5. Disease prevention
6. Mother stock
B. Types of cuttings
1. Hardwood, semi-hardwood, softwood, and herbaceous cuttings
2. Stem (tip, straight, heel, mallet, cane), leaf (segments, leaf bud, leaf vein, leaf petiole),
root cuttings
C. Hardening off of cuttings
D. Potting and canning cuttings
E. Seasonal timing and programming of cutting production
VIII. Grafting and Budding
A. Theoretical aspects
1. Reasons for Grafting and Budding
2. Formation of the graft union
3. Healing of the graft or bud
4. Polarity in grafting
5. Grafting incompatibility (rootstock selection, interstock)
6. Rootstock - scion relationships
B. Techniques of Grafting
1. Methods
2. Tools and materials
3. Selection and storage of scion wood
4. Grafting classified according to placement
5. Aftercare of grafted trees
C. Techniques of Budding
1. Methods
2. Seasonal timing
3. Wrapping buds
D. Rootstock selection
1. Fruiting species
2. Ornamental species
IX. Other Common Propagation Methods
A. Layering
B. Division
X. Micropropagation/Tissue Culture
A. Overview of micropropagation in horticultural crops
1. Taking of explants
2. Culture in sterile media
3. Multiplication
4. Transplanting
B. Micropropagation facilities and techniques
C. Evaluation of micropropagation methods applied to various horticultural crops
D. Plants commonly propagated by micropropagation methods
XI. Cultural Considerations of Plant Production
A. Planting media formulation and usage
B. Fertilizing and watering of plant stock
C. Planting and transplanting nursery stock in a variety of containers
D. Pruning, Pinching, Disbudding
E. Chemical growth regulation
F. Controlling insect and disease pests of nursery stock
G. Preparation of nursery stock for sale
H. Purchasing nursery stock for growing on or reselling
I. Labeling/growing standards for retail sales and ads
XII. Propagation and Growing Structures
A. The greenhouse environment
B. Cold frames and hot beds
C. Shade structures and growing blocks
NOTE: All topics covered in lecture are also covered in lab.
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Hartmann and Kester's Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices. Davies, Fred and Geneve, Robert and Wilson, Sandra. 9th ed. Pearson. 2018
The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. 2nd ed. Dirr, Michael and Heuser, Charles. Timber Press. 2006 (classic)
Practical Woody Plant Propagation for Nursery Growers. MacDonald, Bruce. Timber Press. 2006 (classic)
Instructor prepared materials