A GARDENER’S BOTANY: PPT Outline & Notes



A GARDENER’S BOTANY: PPT Outline & NotesIrene C. BurkeFluvanna Master Gardener2014Not a farmers’ botanyAgriculture is field or large-scale horticulture and many current, agricultural practices whether organic or non-organic do not readily scale down to the garden because of cost, inefficiency or questionable practices. Example: annual tilling, synthetic fabric weed barriers, over-head irrigation, cross-species genetic modification, monoculture.Not a grower’s botanyGrowers take the plant from beginning to wherever the retail market can sell it, from seedling to a more mature plant. Large scale root pruning and grafting is important to the grower providing us with disease resistant plants. Let them do it. Some growers use organic practices, some do not. Regardless of your preference check the label or inquire with the retailer.Not a designer’s botanyThough we advise on water wise landscaping as well as the best location for plants Master Gardeners provide information about best design practices always starting with soil, then light, then aspect (prevailing winds, slope, sun direction). Designers who are also business people often lead with the latest horticultural fad or whatever in their inventory needs to be sold. In my experience it is a rare designer who keeps current with best practices.Not for retailersRetailers often lead with the latest horticultural fad or whatever in their inventory needs to be sold or whatever their grower/suppliers are pushing. In my experience it is a rare retailer who keeps current with best practices and hires knowledgeable staff.Botany for you and meWe are the end-users of the great horticulture industry. We must be informed and wary consumers, just as informed as when we buy a high priced object like a car or refrigerator. Remember the plant need not die if you chose the right one for the right location and used best cultural practices like changing the oil in your car and cleaning the coils in the back of your refrigerator.LIFE SCIENCEBiology: the science of living organisms - plant and animalBotany: biology of plantsHorticulture: applied botany for the field, the landscape and the garden.HORTICULTUREMaster Gardeners are just that, gardeners but more importantly citizen scientists, who educate other gardeners particularly home gardeners. Sometimes that includes design for the home landscape: outside and inside the home, whatever that looks like, apartment to an acre.Let’s talk.MisinformationIlliteracyPseudoscienceScienceMISINFORMATION HAZARDSMulch MiseryA little knowledge is a dangerous thing. A little something is good so why wouldn’t a lot be better?Mulch JoyApply mulch 3” deep away from the stem or trunk flare to prevent roots from growing into the mulch and destabilizing the plant or tree making it vulnerable to wind damage especially when the soil and mulch become saturated.ILLITERACY PERILSOver-tilled, bare soilGarden MythsGravitational water will not move from a finer soil texture to coarser material until the finer soil is saturated, drowning roots.Drainage Myth BusterGravitational water will not move from a finer soil texture to a coarser material until the finer soil is saturated.PseudoscienceMisleading languageDefensiveUnsupported dataAnecdotalNo progressPSEUDOSCIENCE: examplesBiodynamic GardeningOriginally mystical and therefore unscientific agricultural method now intermingled with organic practices.Aerated Compost TeaNature of compost tea is unclear. What exactly is it? Compost tea benefits haven’t been scientifically validated. May not be sold or offered as a pesticide or disease suppression (EPA 4/6/2004).Long-range weather forecast: Farmers’AlmanacMost reliable long-range weather forecast is approximately 10 days. Accuracy for longer forecasts diminishes, the further into the future the prediction.SCIENCEWe are science advocates. Important questions to ask: What are the facts; are the facts compelling; have the facts been verified and duplicated; are the facts uncontaminated by other factors?ScienceOpen to scrutinyPrecise languageReproducible resultsSystematic processConfirms or refutesTransparent experiments and data gathering – no secretsPrecise languageResults that have been duplicated numerous timesNot chaotic nor random nor trial and errorConsistently confirms or refutesGERM THEORYThe germ theory of disease states that microorganisms cause some diseases. These small organisms, too small to see without magnification, invade living hosts (plants & animals). Their growth, reproduction & waste within the host can cause reduced vigor & death (disease). “Germ” may refer to a virus, bacterium, protist, fungus or prion. WikipediaCELL THEORYThe majority of living organisms are made of cells: plant and animal. The exceptions include prions, folded cellular material having no nuclear material.DNADNALife’s Genetic StructureHow do these examples compare with aerated compost tea, biodynamic gardening and The Farmers’ Almanac?TAXONOMYClassify in a Hierarchy Science is organized and systematic. A botanical taxonomy initially created by Carolus Linneaus is an example.You can create a taxonomy of anything: hair dos, ceiling tiles, lawn mowers and of course plants and animals. A taxonomy simplifies talk about the subject so that everyone can agree on a name and naming is what humans do. It gives an illusion of control over the thing named. Taxonomies have their rules. Note the italicized terms, with only the smallest component beginning in the lower case. That’s the way with diminutive things. We know the popular name for Homo sapiens - man, but does anyone know the popular English name for Solanum lycospericum? In Hungarian it’s paradicsom and in Russian it’s pomidor.Descriptive ClassificationHardy or tenderEvergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduousEdible, ornamental or bothDescriptive classification has limited usefulness, for there are always valid exceptions. Descriptive classification, however, can be important when asking questions in layman terms, mindful of scientific classification and underlying commonalities or differentiation. Examples: Are you interested in an evergreen plant or not? Do you want annual or perennial? Scientific ClassificationKingdomDivisionClassSubclassOrderFamilyGenusSpeciesVarietyCultivarFrom general to specific with increasing precision. The two major classes distinguish seeds protected by cones from seeds encased in fruit. Those protected by fruit are further subdivided into monocots (flower once and die e.g. hens and chicks) and dicots (flower and persist e.g. oak tree). Family, genus, species, variety & cultivar become very important to gardeners when making landscaping decisions and planting preparation.TAXONOMYBiological ClassificationTaxonomies have their rules. Note the italicized terms, with only the smallest component beginning in the lower case. We know the popular name for Homo sapiens - man, but does anyone know the popular English name for Solanum lycospericum? In Hungarian it’s paradicsom and in Russian it’s pomidor.Solanum lycospersicumRemember tomatoes are our number one celebrity vegetable. Everyone wants to succeed with growing them. There’s a variety for just about any growing condition and any kind modification you can make.Applied TaxonomyAVOID MONOCULTURE!“It runs in families.”StressGrowing conditionsDiseasePest preferenceDisease: Family Solanaceae tomato, potato, eggplant, pepper, tobacco, nightshade – crop rotation to avoid overwhelming the plantPest preference: Family Rosaceae – apples, pears, quinces, plum, peaches, cherries, apricots, almonds, all roses, contoneaster – aphids, eriophyid miteswhich spread Rose rosette virusGrowing conditions: Family Cucurbitaceae – melon, squash, cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini, gourds – vines, tendril, frost sensitive, need pollinators, > 6 hours sun/dayVascular Plant Parts: overviewNon-vascular Plant Parts: overviewMosses, liverwortsVascular vs. Non-vascularVascularWater & minerals move up & down through xylemSugars move down through phloemStructured for height & droughtRoots, stems, leaves & flowersNon-vascularWater moves by osmosisMinerals & sugars move by diffusionSmall, short, close to the ground & waterNo roots, stems, leaves or flowersVascular vs. Non-vascularVascularfernshorsetailconifersflowering plantsNon-vasculargreen algaemossesliverwortshornwortsVascular & Non-vascular plants indicate:Soil depthSoil PhMoistureLightTemperatureGardeners usually want to know how to get rid of mosses and their kin. All these features imply strong growing conditions for non-vascular plants. Change the growing conditions to rid or encourage growth. Most people want to “spray something” to kill the plant. Changing or working with the growing conditions results in elimination or acceptance of the offending non-vascular plant.Vascular plantTransport, Storage & SupportTransport DirectionXylem: transport minerals & water; support.Phloem: transport sugars/carbsTransport, Storage, SupportPith ??water, minerals, nutrientsXylem? water, minerals & supportPhloem ? proteins, sugars & lipidsWhy is directional flow important? Flow influences the efficient and effective application of water and nutrients. Application at a leaf surface has a limited effect which is why foliar feeding is inefficient for gardeners, diagnostic for growers and occasionally useful for large scale turf managers but not for home gardeners.Vascular plantHow does water get to the top?Water rises but not by suction.Plants exhale. Water rises.Particles stick together.As water evaporates from the leaves, it effectively pulls up a little bit an entire chain of water leading from the roots to the leaves, as other water molecules move into the place of the recently evaporated ones. More carefully, the difference in concentration between the saturated water vapor just at the surface of the leaf and the less saturated water vapor in the atmosphere beyond the leaf creates a difference in chemical potential that could provide the energy to lift a water molecule through the height of a tree. Given this, calculate the height?h of the largest possible tree and determine whether trees are limited in height by this mechanism of water transport. TRANSPIRATION-COHESION-ADHESION THEORY: a). water exits leaf through stomata. b). this water loss is replaced by evaporation from mesophyll cells, lowering their water potential, causing them to take water from neighboring cells. c). the process connects back to the tracheids causing water to be taken from the xylem. d).Water travels from the tracheids to the air following a water potential gradient. e). Waters cohesive and adhesive properties and the small diameter of xylem aid in its movement of up the tube. f). This pull decreases water pressure in the xylem causing the roots to take water from the soil. rises in vascular plants.So what?Limit wasteful overhead watering.Irrigate the soil, the roots.Mulch to maintain soil moisture.Notice location features – aspect.Plant parts & functionsSTEMSMODIFIED STEMSAbove groundSpurCrownStolonBelow groundRhizomeBulbCormTuberTuberous stemStems: important for propagation to the gardener, the grower & the retailer.STEM TYPESSTEM TEXTURESSTEM LIFE CYCLESCLASSPERENNIALANNUALBIENNIALSCYCLE LENGTHSEVERAL YEARSONE SEASONTWO-SEASONSTEM LIFE CYCLESLEAVESTHE LEAFA Plant partThinFlattenedAbove groundPhotosynthesis siteTHE LEAFLEAF STOMA “mouth”SOLAR ENERGY CHAIN: graphic examplesBUDSLeaf buds develop into leaves; flower buds, into flowers then possibly fruit.ROOTSabsorb nutrients & moistureanchor the plantprovide stem supportstore plant nutrientsROOT cuttings make new plantsRaspberryBlackberryRoseTrumpet vinePhloxCrabappleFigLilacSumac.PeonyROOTS: graphic/diagramTAPROOTS: graphic/diagramFIBROUS ROOTS: graphic/diagramROOT STRUCTURE: graphic/diagramTHE MATURE FLOWER: graphic/diagramPerfect Complete Flower: graphic/diagramIncomplete means one of these parts is missing.Dioecious – separate plants for M & F flowersMale Juniperus virginianaFemale Juniperus virginianaMonoecious – same plant for M & F flowersFlower arrangementsSOLITARYCLUSTER (Inflorescence)An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangements.….Inflorescences are described by many different characteristics including how the flowers are arranged on the peduncle, the blooming order of the flowers and how different clusters of flowers are grouped within it. These terms are general representations as plants in nature can have a combination of types…. There is no general consensus in defining the different inflorescences. WikipediaINFLORESCENCE TYPES: graphic/diagramFRUIT: graphic/diagramFRUIT: graphic/diagramFruit: simple & aggregate: graphic/diagramFruit: multiple & accessory: graphic/diagramCORN SEED -- MONOCOT: graphic/diagramSEED: graphic/diagramSEEDLING: graphic/diagramBEAN SEED -- DICOT: graphic/diagramSEED: graphic/diagramSEEDLING: graphic/diagramWhere in the world is Photosynthesis? graphicAir and water are also found within the soil and also contain: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Boron, chlorine, & Molybdenum.PHOTOSYNTHESIS: graphic/diagramRESPIRATION – night & day: graphic/diagramOpposites Get AlongPHOTOSYNTHESISProduces sugars from light energyStores energyOccurs only in cells with chloroplastsReleases oxygenUses waterUses carbon dioxideRequires lightRESPIRATIONBurns sugars for energyReleases energyOccurs in most cellsUses oxygenProduces waterProduces carbon dioxideOccurs in dark and lightTRANSPIRATION – waterAs water evaporates from the leaves, it effectively pulls up a little bit an entire chain of water leading from the roots to the leaves, as other water molecules move into the place of the recently evaporated ones. More carefully, the difference in concentration between the saturated water vapor just at the surface of the leaf and the less saturated water vapor in the atmosphere beyond the leaf creates a difference in chemical potential that could provide the energy to lift a water molecule through the height of a tree. TRANSPIRATION-COHESION-ADHESION THEORY: a). water exits leaf through stomata. b). this water loss is replaced by evaporation from mesophyll cells, lowering their water potential, causing them to take water from neighboring cells. c). the process connects back to the tracheids causing water to be taken from the xylem. d).Water travels from the tracheids to the air following a water potential gradient. e). Waters cohesive and adhesive properties and the small diameter of xylem aid in its movement of up the tube. f). This pull decreases water pressure in the xylem causing the roots to take water from the soil. : photoTRANSLOCATION: graphic/diagramXylem: transport minerals & water; support. Phloem: transport sugars/carbsLIGHT QUANTITYDistance from light sourceSeasonal intensityAffects photosynthesisLIGHT QUALITYWavelength colorBlue = leaf growthRed + Blue = floweringLIGHT DURATION EFFECTUninterrupted darknessFlower PowerArtificially manipulated with row covers or additional light sources.Light Pruning: 2 slidesPyramid shape best for dwarf fruit treesTEMPERATUREExtremesDelayDuration changes*PhotosynthesisFlowering Fruit setRipeningGerminationHardinessWATER WORKSPhotosynthesis Tissue firmness (turgor)Turgor moves root through soilMinerals solventTransport > minerals & sugarsRelative Humidity Amount of water vapor in the air/amount water vapor the air can holdThe higher the temperature the more water the air can hold.The higher the atmospheric pressure the more water the air can hold.Water: Adapt or DieMany plants adapt over time to less than ideal conditions from bald cypress to barrel cactus.Water borne pathogensHarmful microbes: fungi, bacteria, viruses Pests: worms, insectsInvasives: plants seeds, rootsPhytophthora (root rot), Pythium, Botrytis, FusariumFungus Gnats, NematodesPlant growth > Which way?TROPISM: a moving experienceMovementPhotoGeoThigmoDirectionSUN > towardPOSITIVE > “down”NEGATIVE > “up”POSITIVE > towardNEGATIVE > awayPHOTOTROPISM - lightGEOTROPISM - gravityTHIGMOTROPISM – touch16 Plant Nutrient Needs: 3 SourcesAir & waterCarbonHydrogenOxygenSoilNitrogen (N)Phosphorus (P)Potassium (K)CalciumMagnesium & 7 moreAir and water are also found within the soil and also contain: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Boron, Chlorine, & Molybdenum.Nutrients are not plant food.Foliar “Feeding”BarriersTiming TemperatureTransportStress vs. Balanceheat, pH, light, waterPlantsFeedBreatheGrowReproduceCompeteAgeDieDecomposePLANTS – BEFORE US ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download