Fluorescent Lights Fluorescent lights are the most efficient of all sources and most recommended for houseplants. They are very energy efficient, cost less than the other types to operate, emit little heat, and can be placed close to plants without scorching them. They are available in a variety of colors, which adds to their decorative use at home. Fluorescent tubes are also designed to emit different qualities of light. The spectrum of light usable by plants includes the violet-blue and red wavelength. Thus, it is important to take note of the spectrum on the label. Daylight fluorescent tubes provide mostly blue light and little red light. They are suitable for foliage plants. The best fluorescent tube lights for plants are those that provide a reddish hue, especially if flowering species are being grown. For extra light, the wide-spectrum light may be used. Extra light is desired by plants such as orchids, cacti, and pelargoniums. This requirement may be satisfied by using the very high output (VHO) fluorescent tubes. Cool white light, though poor in orange-red quality, provides excellent conditions for foliage plants to develop rich colors, branch more, and have a slow rate of stem elongation, resulting in fuller and more attractive plants. Unlike incandescent lights, which burn out suddenly, fluorescent lights age and lose intensity slowly. They have to be replaced after about four months of use. Skylight A skylight is not a light fixture but an architectural design strategy to allow more natural light to reach the interior of a room through the roof. For best results, the shell covering the opening in the roof should be constructed out of a material with translucent (not transparent) glazing. Translucent material allows the incoming solar radiation to be better distributed over a larger area without hot spots. Caution: Even though light is very important for plant growth, it is better to provide too little than too much light. The danger of overexposure to light is greatest in summer. Note that when you place a plant in a window, only one-half of it, at best, receives full sunlight. Intense light may bleach or scorch the foliage of plants. Glass in a window is a filter of light preventing most of the ultraviolet rays from reaching the plant. When growing sensitive plants, one should be aware of their needs. As already indicated, variegated plants (e.g., Hedera helix) cease to variegate but instead produce dark-green leaves under light intensity lower than optimum. Other light-related disorders are discussed in Chapter 4. 11.3.5 TEMPERATURE Houseplants generally prefer temperatures of between 18 and 24°C (64.4 and 75.2°F) for good growth and development. This condition often prevails in the average home in temperate climates. For most foliage ornamentals, a room night temperature of 21°C (70°F) is satisfactory, whereas growth is stalled at temperatures of 15°C (59°F). Flowering houseplants do well at 15°C (59°F) night temperatures. Even though plants may tolerate less-than-optimum temperatures above or below (10 to 30°C [50 to 86°F]), the danger to houseplants lies in the fluctuations in temperature. Night outdoor temperature may drop below freezing (0°C or 32°F), whereas indoor temperature may be 28°C (82°F) or higher. A change in temperature of more than 20°C (36°F) is detrimental to houseplants. As such, plants that are positioned close to windows or on windowsills run the risk of exposure to drastic temperature changes (warm inside and freezing outside) and may die as a result. Summer temperatures of 26 to 32°C (78.8 to 89.6°F) are tolerable for most indoor plants, provided the humidity is maintained at a high level. It is advisable to invest in a thermometer, preferably a maximum-minimum type, which helps determine the temperature fluctuations in the room. 11.3 Caring for Houseplants 367
Some caution in the care of houseplants can reduce the risk of loss to adverse temperature: 1. Keep humidity high in winter by periodically spraying plants with mist sprayers to keep microclimates humid. 2. Do not place plants in the path of drafts (from air conditioners or heaters). Some plants may benefit from the additional warmth from a radiator as long as it is not direct and the humidity level is high. 3. Windows and doors close to plants should be airtight to prevent unsuspected cold drafts in winter. 4. If plants must be placed close to windows, they should be protected by having a storm window installed to prevent cold chills at night. 5. When curtains are drawn at night during winter, be sure that the plant on the windowsill is inside of the curtain. 6. If you have flowers in the kitchen, avoid placing them near sources of heat (e.g., stoves and refrigerator tops). 7. Plants directly facing doorways are subject to crosscurrent air. 11.3.6 HUMIDITY Humidity and temperature work together. Humidity, the relative amount of water vapor in the air, is measured by using a hygrometer, an instrument recommended for homes with plants. A high humidity level is uncomfortable for humans. Generally, a relative humidity (RH) of 60 percent is satisfactory for most houseplants. Many plants experience stress when RH is below 40 percent. Under such conditions, drying of leaf tips occurs in plants such as palms. Indoor RH is seasonal, being lower in winter than at other times. Plants with thick leaves are often able to tolerate low levels of humidity in the air, unlike those with thinner leaves. 11.3.7 PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY HUMIDITY FOR PLANTS In winter, the use of heaters tends to cause indoor air to be dry. Dry air encourages excessive evaporation from surfaces. Humidity indoors can be increased by several methods: 1. General humidification. Provide additional humidity for the whole room by using a domestic humidifier. 2. Localized humidification a. Mist spraying. Periodically, plants can be misted with water, but this practice provides only short-term effects. b. Pebble tray. Potted plants can be placed on pebbles in a tray (Figure 11–11) and the tray watered (but not above the pebbles). This approach provides a more continuous humid microclimate. Pebble trays FIGURE 11–11 A pebble tray may be used to keep the plants’ microenvironment humid. Gravel or pebbles kept well-watered Tray 368 Chapter 11 Growing Houseplants
HORTICULTURE Principles and Practic
HORTICULTURE Principles and Practic
With love to Theresa, quarterback;
Brief Contents Preface xxi PART 1 T
Contents Preface xxi PART 1 THE UND
5.3 PLANT GROWTH PROCESSES 160 5.4
8.20 COMMON GREENHOUSE DISEASES 276
12.3 INTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
PART 6 Summary 541 References and S
22.18 INDOOR COMPOSTING SYSTEMS 668
Preface Horticulture is the area of
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am very grateful
PART 1 THE UNDERLYING SCIENCE CHAPT
1 What Is Horticulture? PURPOSE AND
(a) (c) (b) (d) FIGURE 1-1 The many
FIGURE 1 Bridge. The plaza view of
CYCADS Many people mistake these pr
FIGURE 2 The world's largest unbran
FIGURE 2 Sold flowers are loaded on
FIGURE 1-4 Formal landscaping featu
1.4 ROLEOFTHENURSERY AND SEED INDUS
1.5 HORTICULTURE AND SOCIETY Hortic
TABLE 1-3 U.S. Horticultural Export
Turfgrass Operation 1. Landscape te
What Is Horticulture? This site pro
Examples of botanical gardens http:
2 Classifying and Naming Horticultu
Eight major taxa are commonly used
TABLE 2-3 The Divisions of the King
HISTORY OF PLANT TAXONOMY PAUL R. F
AGE OF HERBALISTS Two major events
possible system of nomenclature. Ho
TABLE 1 Type Categories for Plant N
2.3 OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS (O
2. Shrubs. A shrub has no main trun
Simple Fruits Fleshy Fruits Drupe B
FIGURE 2-14 A pome, represented by
2.3.5 CLASSIFICATION OF VEGETABLES
(a) (b) FIGURE 2-22 (Source: George
FIGURE 2-25 A narrowleaf plant. (So
FIGURE 2-29 Parts of a typical gras
such as rosemary, sage, thyme, marj
c. Leaves d. Bulbs 2. Cut across (t
Whole plant Organs FIGURE 3-1 Level
ibonucleic acid (RNA), proteins, an
called cristae; this extreme foldin
By virtue of its position, the prim
Phloem Tissue Structurally, phloem
(a) Stalk (b) Culm FIGURE 3-5 Cross
Scale Compressed stem (a) Whole bul
Upper epidermis Palisade layer FIGU
usually occur in xerophytes. In cer
FIGURE 3-22 Selected common leaf ma
FIGURE 3-25 Selected common leaf ti
absorption of water and minerals fr
Outer bark Inner bark FIGURE 3-37 T
Anther Filament Stamen FIGURE 3-41
Exocarp Parts of a typi- FIGURE 3-4
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE LABORATORY 1.
4.1 CLIMATE, WEATHER, AND HORTICULT
concentration in the atmosphere.A c
TABLE 4-1 Climatic Adaptation of Se
and upward. Another important gener
Rate of photosynthesis mg/sq. dm/hr
and plants that flower under only c
times of the year. Growers start th
content. This section is sometimes
TABLE 4-7 Soil Mineral Nutrients Es
Micronutrients (Trace Elements) Mic
Neutral FIGURE 4-11 A representatio
4.4 FERTILIZERS Fertilizer sources
One of the most commonly used contr
Chlorosis (the yellowing of green l
Fertilizers may be applied before p
It is neither practical nor safe to
Solution: How much of ammonium nitr
1°C (34°F), the optimum temperatu
Cellulose sponge Perched water tabl
Overhead Sprinkler Irrigation Water
FIGURE 4-19 Furrow irrigation of le
can self-install an underground irr
1. Surface drainage. Surface draina
Secondary Tillage Primary tillage i
(a) (b) (c) (d) FIGURE 4-20 (Source
texture. The most commonly used gra
TABLE 4-11 Selected Standard Mixes
Steam Pasteurization Steam pasteuri
Maracher, H. 1986. Mineral nutritio
5 Plant Physiology PURPOSE AND EXPE
Growth in an organism follows a cer
5.1.2 THE ROLE OF SIGNALS IN GROWTH
waxes are embedded. Waxes consist o
5.3.1 PHOTOSYNTHESIS Photosynthesis
CO 2 FIGURE 5-6 The C 4 pathway of
Growth and Development The general
TABLE 5-2 Energy Produced from Aero
Certain plants are adapted to dry e
conditions exist to sustain growth
Shoot Elongation In certain plants,
for success, since high temperature
FIGURE 5-13 Ripening of plantain sh
Terminal bud removed Unbranched pla
conditions—pertaining to light, m
them to maturity. The major process
6 Breeding Horticultural Plants PUR
Similarly, there can be no plant br
APPLICATION, CHALLENGES, AND PROSPE
hit with target DNA. Therefore, it
Generally, within ten days of exper
Aziz A.N., Sauve R.J., Zhou S., 200
(b) F 1 Rr Rr round round F 2 RR R
e.g., Aa × Aa), the lethal allele
eeder’s equation. Simply stated,
Before the seed or product becomes
6.18.2 THE GENERAL STEPS OF RDNA TE
2. Political disagreement. There ar
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READING Ac
PART 2 PROTECTING HORTICULTURAL PLA
7 Biological Enemies of Horticultur
8. Weeds may clog drains, waterways
is also a root parasite that obtain
LEGISLATIVE Both state and federal
Example Integrated cultural, physic
7.4.2 IMPORTANT INSECT ORDERS Insec
Egg FIGURE 7-3 Life cycle of an ins
sucking insects (also found with so
FIGURE 7-12 Corn earworm damage. (S
TABLE 7-1 Selected Fungal Diseases
7.6.1 SMALL ANIMALS Rabbits, mice,
FIGURE 7-16 The disease triangle. P
fungitoxic exudates in its leaves,
SUMMARY Insects are a major class o
For the home growers or those who c
for consumers and the environment).
TABLE 8-1 Strategy 4: Strategies an
gibberellic acid spray overcomes st
In a competitive industry, a variet
Chemicals gain access to humans thr
2. Pesticide management. Controllin
Every organism has its natural enem
TABLE 8-3 Selected Examples of Biol
1 2 YEAR 3 4 FIGURE 8-5 cycle. A cr
6. Heat treatment. In the greenhous
Organic Compounds (Organics) Organi
under enclosed conditions (e.g., wa
FIGURE 8-9 A tractor-mounted spraye
8.11.9 LANDSCAPE PESTS AND THEIR CO
application, a particular herbicide
Further, they do not provide unifor
SUMMARY Herbicides are chemicals us
Sulfur may be applied for both prev
8.23 PREVENTING GREENHOUSE DISEASES
PART 3 PROPAGATING HORTICULTURAL PL
9 Sexual Propagation PURPOSE AND EX
Anther Microspore Megaspore mother
Lettuce seeds Red light Darkness Fa
FEDERAL AND STATE SEED LAWS Federal
Germination Test In laboratory prac
FIGURE 15 The essential structures
processing into flour or meal). How
physiologically immature seeds must
seeds may be treated in this way be
The two basic modes of seedling eme
locations in the field. Home garden
FIGURE 9-9 A plastic flat. (Source:
(a) (b) FIGURE 9-12 (a) Sowing seed
y the gardener or grower. Whatever
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READING Co
species enables vegetative propagat
for rapid rooting. There are two ba
Ekholt, B.A., D.R. Mears, M.S. Gini
or object to be warmed. Failure to
objects in its path (e.g., the floo
FIGURE 12-27 Motorized ventilation
FIGURE 12-30 Movable internal shade
FIGURE 12-33 A high pressure sodium
Source of Water The quality of loca
FIGURE 12-37 Overhead sprinkler irr
Intermittent Feed Greenhouse plants
However, in winter, greenhouse vent
OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT 1. Explain the
. Foliage or green plants. Foliage
2. Labor. The size of the labor for
FIGURE 13-1 Greenhouse production o
FIGURE 13-2 Lettuce plug is inserte
13.8.4 AGGREGATE HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS
(a) (b) (c) FIGURE 13-6 Plug produc
14 Growing Succulents PURPOSE AND E
FIGURE 14-3 Leaf succulent represen
frost-hardy. Their rosettes are usu
TABLE 14-1 Plant Selected Popular S
(a) (b) FIGURE 14-12 Typical bromel
14.7.1 WHAT ARE CACTI? 14.7 CACTI C
FIGURE 14-16 Opuntia. (Source: Crai
FIGURE 14-23 Mammillaria. (Source:
FIGURE 14-28 Both desert and jungle
Growing mix Gravel Cacti (a) (b) FI
PART5 GROWING PLANTS OUTDOORS: ORNA
15 Principles of Landscaping PURPOS
8. Create recreational grounds. Suc
knowledge, with concern for resourc
(a) (b) (c) FIGURE 15-2 The occurre
GUIDELINES FOR LANDSCAPE DESIGN DAV
the landscape. Some very successful
Rhythm and Line Panoramic view of a
FIGURE 15-10 A formal garden. The e
How frequently do they entertain? A
the patio should be located on the
15.7.1 SELECTING PLANTS A homeowner
Plant Arrangement in the Landscape
Shadow FIGURE 15-15 Planting a tree
SUMMARY Landscaping enhances the su
3. Supply materials on a timely bas
such as preparation rooms (for mixi
of environmental fluctuations. Furt
FIGURE 16-4 A bare-root tree seedli
17 Installation of the Landscape PU
for walks, driveways, and patios (F
Planting may be limited to accentin
17.3.3 PREPARING THE BED The soil s
FIGURE 17-4 Bedding plants raised i
SUMMARY Bedding plants are largely
TABLE 17-6 Selected Ground Covers T
TABLE 17-7 Selected Ornamental Gras
they determine the success and surv
12. Wildlife attraction. Trees in t
pennsylvanica), hackberry (Celtis s
y winds. A stake, which is often a
TABLE 17-8 Selected Narrowleaf Ever
TABLE 17-11 Selected Deciduous Shru
Blooming bushes 1. Blue mist shrub
Planting Bulblets and Bulbils Speci
may be divided such that each secti
FIGURE 18-1 (Source: George Acquaah
Cool-Season (Temperate) Grasses In
Growth Habit Turfgrasses are the mo
Heavy Use Lawns on playgrounds and
The seed should be free from weeds
Source of Sod As with seed, sod sup
A plug of sod FIGURE 18-7 Plugging
way, plants are able to adapt to th
form of a can placed on the lawn wi
TABLE 18-3 Some Common Lawn and Tur
even surface soil surface for layin
MacCaskey, M. 1987. All about lawns
Pruning is sometimes done in conjun
4. Pruning may be done to reduce th
19.4.2 SAWS A saw may be designed t
defeat the purpose of pruning. The
Bud withers as cut end dries back d
19.6 STRATEGIES FOR PRUNING ABOVEGR
Rejuvenation Pruning Cut canes to a
3. In the third and subsequent year
(a) Cut Prune (b) FIGURE 19-16 Step
Eucalyptus and Paulownia are amenab
TRAINING & PRUNING DECIDUOUS FRUIT
Summer pruning eliminates an energy
a) b) FIGURE 2 Newly planted apple
FIGURE 6 Wooden limb spreaders can
FIGURE 9. An apple tree trained to
years to promote continued lateral
Horizontal Espalier The horizontal
19.16.1 CANE FRUITS Cane fruits are
FIGURE 19-26 Shearing of Christmas
pyramid-like form that is wider at
After selecting the appropriate spe
PART 6 GROWING PLANTS OUTDOORS: VEG
20 Growing Vegetables Outdoors PURP
The National Agricultural Statistic
(This item omitted from WebBook edi
growers should take to determine an
pests and reduce/ eliminate hail da
square yard (10 to 68 grams per squ
High tunnels help increase the prof
(This item omitted from WebBook edi
20.4 VEGETABLE MARKET TYPES Fresh V
Establishing the Crop Planting into
home water supply from the tap. Thi
Cole crop Cabbage Root Potato Bean
6. Adequate nutrition. While overfe
variable, ranging from creamy yello
There are two general production pr
This toxin is heat resistant and no
large, or jumbo. The bulb may be sw
REFERENCES Growing selected vegetab
TABLE 21-1 Popular Herbs and Their
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) FIGURE 21-1
22 Organic Farming PURPOSE AND EXPE
22.3 PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC FARMING
and the specific materials to be us
22.8 MANAGING SOIL PHYSICAL QUALITY
preemergent or early postemergent o
Composting is a deliberate activity
22.14.5 THE CARBON-TO-NITROGEN RATI
Moisture Supply Water is required b
Compost materials FIGURE 22-4 a wir
As microbial decomposition proceeds
Establishment and Management of an
night, freezing can occur in spring
accomplished by stratification. It
transmitted by the dagger nematode
PART 7 SPECIAL TECHNIQUES AND HANDL
24 Cut Flowers and Floral Design PU
to more than four-fold in standard
Temperature and Humidity Wilting re
FLORAL DESIGN: AN OVERVIEW BY WM. J
Principle Definition Types (or Uses
pH value-a measure of the acidity o
FIGURE 6 Parallel Design-Parallel d
24.3.2 TOOLS AND MATERIALS The tool
3. Establish the focal point. 4. Ad
Natural Drying To dry naturally, fl
24.4.3 DRIED FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS Dr
25 Terrarium Culture PURPOSE AND EX
FIGURE 25-3 Terrarium containers ar
FIGURE 25-5 Assortment of tools use
25.6.7 ENHANCING THE DISPLAY Certai
(a) (b) FIGURE 26-1 Bonsai can be c
TABLE 26-3 Plant A Selection of Pop
26.3.1 COLLECTING BONSAI PLANTS FRO
Strip bark Bare branch FIGURE 26-9
26.5.2 SANITATION It is critical to
27 Postharvest Handling and Marketi
whereas oranges are picked (they ha
(b) (a) (c) (d) (e1) (e2) (f) FIGUR
To reduce packaging injury, contain
is replaced by the by-product of re
Stored produce may lose some color,
with pricing. When selling by volum
(a) (b) FIGURE 27-5 Horticultural p
APPENDIX A Temperature: Converting
APPENDIX B Metric Conversion Chart
APPENDIX D Common and Scientific Na
Pecan (Carya illinoensis) Peony (Pa
GLOSSARY A Abaxial Turned away from
Cellulose A complex carbohydrate th
Floriculture The science and practi
M Macronutrient An essential elemen
Root cap A mass of hard cells cover
INDEX A-frame, 395 A-horizon, 108 A
defined, 390 fertilization, 432-434
Radiant heaters, 378 Radicle, 90 Re
color plate 1 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) M
color plate 3 (b) (a) (c) (d) (e) (
color plate 5 (a) (b) (d) (c) (e) (
color plate 7 (b) (c) (d) (a) (e) (
color plate 9 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (
color plate 11 (a) (c) (b) (d) Grow
color plate 13 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
color plate 15 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
color plate 17 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
color plate 19 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
color plate 21 (a) (b) (c) (e) (d)
color plate 23 (c) (b) (a) (d) (e)
color plate 25 (c) (a) (b) (d) (e)
color plate 27 (a1) (a2) (b2) (b1)
color plate 29 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
color plate 31 (a) (b) (c) Floral d
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Magazine: Horticulture Principles and Practices