SBIO 0354 GREENHOUSE CROPS PRODUCTION

SBIO 0354 GREENHOUSE CROPS PRODUCTION

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course is designed for students who are interested in learning both the theoretical and practical aspects of commercial production of greenhouse grown crops. This includes bedding plants, cut flowers, seasonal pot crops such as chrysanthemums, poinsettias, Easter lilies, and vegetables for outdoor production. Emphasis is on nutritional requirements, pest control, forcing schedules, environmental control, propagation, and stock plant maintenance. Students are afforded the opportunity of actually growing crops in season.

GOALS OF THE COURSE

1. To acquaint the student with commercial aspects of ornamental plant production

2. To facilitate the acquisition of skills in commercial production of potted plants, cut flowers, bedding plants, and specialty crops

3. To facilitate the acquisition of skills in diagnosing and treating physiological and pathological diseases

4. To facilitate the acquisition of skills in applying good cultural practices in growing greenhouse crops

5. To facilitate the acquisition of personnel management and crop production skills

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Grading Policy

Grades will be determined as follows:

2 quizzes 20 %

Midterm exam 20%

Laboratory reports 35 %

Final exam
25 %

Note:

1. Laboratory reports are not accepted beyond the scheduled due date

2. Make-up quizzes nor exams are given

3. Letter grades are awarded on the following basis:

A 93 & above C+ 74-76

A- 89-92 C 70-73

B+ 85-88 C- 67-69

B 80-84 D+ 65-67

B- 77-79 D 60-64

Below 63 results in an F

COURSE OUTLINE

I. THE FLORICULTURAL INDUSTRY
      History and development of the industry
      Production methods [cut flowers, bedding plants, herbaceous perennials]
      Business practices and current trends
      Training institutions
      Product and materials research

II. THE GREENHOUSE ENVIRONMENT
      Construction
      Environmental control [temperature, lighting, humidity]
      Energy conservation methods
      Carbon dioxide generating equipment, controlling temperature, lighting, humidity Equipment
      maintenance

III. CONTROL OF PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
      Plant growth factors [environmental, genetic, and physiological factors]
      Forcing seasonal crops
      Propagation practices
      Managing stock plants
      Crop timing

IV. INSECTS, DISEASES, AND OTHER PESTS
      Natural resistance
      Biological and chemical control measures
      Integrated pest management
      Pesticide application safety and environmental effects

V. POTTED PLANT PRODUCTION
      Flowering plants [chrysanthemums, poinsettias, Easter lilies, hydrangeas, gloxinias, etc.]
      Foliage plants [dieffenbachias, scheffleras, ficus species, aglaonemas, etc.]
      Succulents [cacti, jade, etc.]

VI. GROWING MEDIA, NUTRITION, AND WATER RELATIONS
      Media characteristics and selection
      Media reaction
      Reactions to pH and soluble salts
      Irrigation and feeding methods

VII. SPECIALTY CROPS PRODUCTION
      Hanging baskets
      Orchids
      The art of bonsai

VIII. BEDDING PLANT PRODUCTION

IX. VEGETABLE PLANT PRODUCTION
      Cool and warm season types
      Perennials

X. CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION
      Roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, snapdragons, etc.
      Storage, handling and shipping

XI. GETTING STARTED IN RETAIL AND WHOLESALE PLANT PRODUCTION
      Site selection and market relationships
      Choice of crops
      Labor management
      Production management
      Developing a business plan
      Financing
      Required text

LECTURE - DISCUSSION - DEMONSTRATION SCHEDULE

WEEK TOPIC

1 INTRODUCTION
      Course requirements
      Status and development of the greenhouse-growing industry
      Organization of the plant body

2 Greenhouse construction
Heating and cooling

3, 4 Effective environmental controls [temperature, humidity, aeration, lighting,
photoperiod (in forcing short and long day plants)
Quiz 1

5, 6 Environmental effects on vegetative and reproductive growth, hastening and
delaying flowering response, conditioning plants (hardening-off) for shipment,
storage, regeneration

7 Developing effective cropping systems

8 Plant protection: controlling insects and diseases
Mid term exam

9, 10 Pot plant production

11 Cut flower production

12 Foliage Plant production
Quiz 2

13 Vegetable and bedding plant production

14 Greenhouse labor management

15 Final Exam

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1.	To acquaint the student with commercial aspects of ornamental plant production
2.	To facilitate the acquisition of skills in commercial production of potted plants, cut flowers, bedding plants, and specialty crops
3.	To facilitate the acquisition of skills in diagnosing and treating physiological and pathological diseases
4.	To facilitate the acquisition of skills in applying good cultural practices in growing greenhouse crops
5.	To facilitate the acquisition of personnel management and crop production skills

2 quizzes	20 %
Midterm exam	20%
Laboratory reports	35 %
Final exam	25 %

1.	Laboratory reports are not accepted beyond the scheduled due date
2.	Make-up quizzes nor exams are given
3.	Letter grades are awarded on the following basis:

A	93 & above	C+	74-76
A-	89-92	C	70-73
B+	85-88	C-	67-69
B	80-84	D+	65-67
B-	77-79	D	60-64

I.	THE FLORICULTURAL INDUSTRY History and development of the industry Production methods [cut flowers, bedding plants, herbaceous perennials] Business practices and current trends Training institutions Product and materials research
II.	THE GREENHOUSE ENVIRONMENT Construction Environmental control [temperature, lighting, humidity] Energy conservation methods Carbon dioxide generating equipment, controlling temperature, lighting, humidity Equipment maintenance
III.	CONTROL OF PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Plant growth factors [environmental, genetic, and physiological factors] Forcing seasonal crops Propagation practices Managing stock plants Crop timing
IV.	INSECTS, DISEASES, AND OTHER PESTS Natural resistance Biological and chemical control measures Integrated pest management Pesticide application safety and environmental effects
V.	POTTED PLANT PRODUCTION Flowering plants [chrysanthemums, poinsettias, Easter lilies, hydrangeas, gloxinias, etc.] Foliage plants [dieffenbachias, scheffleras, ficus species, aglaonemas, etc.] Succulents [cacti, jade, etc.]
VI.	GROWING MEDIA, NUTRITION, AND WATER RELATIONS Media characteristics and selection Media reaction Reactions to pH and soluble salts Irrigation and feeding methods
VII.	SPECIALTY CROPS PRODUCTION Hanging baskets Orchids The art of bonsai
VIII.	BEDDING PLANT PRODUCTION
IX.	VEGETABLE PLANT PRODUCTION Cool and warm season types Perennials
X.	CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION Roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, snapdragons, etc. Storage, handling and shipping
XI.	GETTING STARTED IN RETAIL AND WHOLESALE PLANT PRODUCTION Site selection and market relationships Choice of crops Labor management Production management Developing a business plan Financing Required text

WEEK	TOPIC
1	INTRODUCTION Course requirements Status and development of the greenhouse-growing industry Organization of the plant body

2	Greenhouse construction Heating and cooling
3, 4	Effective environmental controls [temperature, humidity, aeration, lighting, photoperiod (in forcing short and long day plants) Quiz 1
5, 6	Environmental effects on vegetative and reproductive growth, hastening and delaying flowering response, conditioning plants (hardening-off) for shipment, storage, regeneration
7	Developing effective cropping systems
8	Plant protection: controlling insects and diseases Mid term exam
9, 10	Pot plant production
11	Cut flower production
12	Foliage Plant production Quiz 2
13	Vegetable and bedding plant production
14	Greenhouse labor management
15	Final Exam