Greenhouse Management Mid-Term – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
total annual value of worldwide floral products (in 2000)
answer
$77 billion
question
Greenhouse industry originated in _____ and started to flourish during the _____ century.
answer
Holland 19th
question
First reported greenhouse in the US was that of _____ in _____ located in _____.
answer
James Beckman 1764 New York City
question
Floriculture started around population centers in _____, _____, _____, and later, _____.
answer
Boston New York Philadelphia Chicago
question
_____ was called the "Carnation Capital of the World."
answer
Denver
question
Leading agricultural state in the country.
answer
California
question
Major exporters of flower crops.
answer
Columbia, South America Kenya in East Afrika Australia and New Zealand
question
Perennial
answer
-plants having life cycle of more than 2 years. -major perennial garden plant is chrysanthemum
question
Bedding plants
answer
-young flowering plants, mostly annuals, and vegetable plants -grown in cell packs, pots, or hanging baskets -usually grown in a greenhouse -sold for landscaping or garden use -best-selling are geranium, impatiens, petunia
question
Herbaceous perennial
answer
does not form woody tissue
question
flowering plant
answer
-largely sold in pots for indoor use -major flowering plants are poinsettia, orchid, florist mum, and florist azalea
question
foliage plants
answer
-sold in pots and hanging baskets for indoor or patio use -includes larger plants for hotel, office, and restaurant interiors
question
cut flowers
answer
=usually sold in bunches or bouquets with cut foliage =most popular are roses, carnations, gladiolis, pompom mums
question
cut foliage
answer
-combined with cut flowers -value-added retail option -leading cut foliage is leatherleaf fern
question
US floriculture sales
answer
-more than half - bedding and garden plants -more than a quarter - potted flowering and foliage plants -less than one-fifth - cut flowers, cut foliage, propagative material
question
propagation
answer
increase of a plant species from one generation to the next
question
sexual propagation
answer
uses seeds of plants
question
asexual propagation
answer
occurs when various parts of a plant are placed in the proper environment until they root and grow into a plant (cuttings)
question
juvenile stage
answer
vegetative or nonflowering stage
question
adult stage of growth
answer
plant may naturally flower and produce fruit and/or seed
question
3 parts of a seed
answer
-seed covering or coat -food storage in the endosperm or cotyledons -embryo - the miniature plant that develops from the fertilized egg
question
embryo
answer
the miniature plant that develops from the fertilized egg
question
4 parts of the embryo
answer
Plumule - the first terminal bud Hypocotyl - the first true stem of the plant Radicle - first root of the plant Cotyledons - storage tissues that give rise to the first leaves that develop upon germination
question
plumule
answer
the first terminal bud
question
hypocotyl
answer
the first true stem of the plant
question
radicle
answer
first root of the plant
question
cotyledons
answer
storage tissues that give rise to the first leaves that develop upon germination
question
4 conditions that must be met for a seed to germinate
answer
Water absorption Oxygen Temperature Light (depending on species)
question
optimal temperature for seed germination
answer
75 degrees F (the range for many seeds is 68-86 degrees F)
question
4 things media should provide
answer
Proper levels of moisture and oxygen Physical support for plants Small amount of nutrients Free of insects, diseases, weed seeds
question
germination media should contain...
answer
Peat moss Perlite Vermiculite
question
peat moss
answer
-decayed organic matter from bogs -holds moisture -good porosity - aeration and drainage
question
vermiculite
answer
-mineral iron ore heated to 1400 degrees -holds moisture -good aeration, drainage -contains small amount of nutrients - potassium, calcium, magnesium
question
perlite
answer
-volcanic rock heated to 1800 degrees -good for aeration
question
ideal greenhouse temperatures
answer
day - 65-70 degrees night - 60-65 degrees
question
advantages of sowing seeds in rows (instead of broadcast sowing)
answer
Dampening off is restricted to row instead of spreading to whole tray Easier to handle seedling when transplating
question
advantages of plugs vs. sowing seeds
answer
Can delay start of production Avoid heating the greenhouse during the coldest part of the year Can be held for several days before being transplanted (vs. bare root plants)
question
8 important things to consider when selecting a greenhouse site
answer
1. the potential market 2. climatic conditions 3. topography 4. labor availability 5. zoning laws 6. types of crops 7. availability of services 8. greenhouse orientation and location of head house
question
greenhouse orientation
answer
*above 40 degrees N latitude - ridge running east-west (allows sun to pass through side of greenhouse rather than over ridge, creating shade) *below 40 degrees N latitude and all ridge and furrow - ridge running north-south (shadows created by ridges move over time rather than constantly shading one area)
question
head house
answer
-work and storage area -protects plants and workers -should be on north side of single greenhouse or central location in large group of greenhouses so that buildings are equal distance apart
question
7 types of greenhouses
answer
Even span Uneven span Lean-to Quonset Gothic arch Curvilinear or curved eave Dome
question
even span
answer
-roof equal in width and pitch on both sides -usually clear span with truss supports rather than supporting columns
question
uneven span
answer
-one side of roof is longer than other side -popular years ago when greenhouses were placed on southern hillsides -saves fuel costs
question
lean-to
answer
-built against other building -faces south
question
quonset
answer
-invented during WW II - inexpensive, easy to build structures that were needed for warehouses and barracks -curved roof in shape of semicircle
question
gothic arch
answer
-formed from laminated wood trusses -ridge ventilators cannot be used
question
curvilinear or curved eave
answer
rarely used today due to cost of curved glass
question
dome
answer
-rarely used in commercial production -sometimes found at technical institutes, vocational schools, botanical gardens
question
greenhouses in our area should withstand winds of...
answer
80 mph
question
4(5) advantages of single greenhouses
answer
-Easier to program and maintain temperature -Light uniformly distributed, no shadows from gutters -Easily cleared of snow -Require fewer ventilators -Restrict pests
question
4 advantages of gutter connected greenhouses
answer
-Less heat required because of fewer exposed walls -Ease of movement of people and plants -Easier management/supervision -No wasted space - less land area required
question
Aluminum is material of choice for greenhouse frames because...
answer
-Light-weight -Strong -Rust-resistant
question
When wood is used in a greenhouse it should be treated with...
answer
CCA - chromated copper arsenate ACA - ammoniacal copper arsenate zinc napthanate (COPPER NAPTHANATE)
question
curtain wall
answer
-non-translucent sections along the lower 2-4' of the greenhouse walls typically contructed of concrete block, cement, brick -only extends up to bench height so does not significantly reduce light available to crop -reduces heat loss -may be used for entire north wall in northern climates
question
flooring options
answer
concrete porous concrete gravel dirt
question
concrete flooring
answer
-expensive -especially good for areas used for mixing soil and where heavy equipment used -weight capacity 2500 psi
question
Porous concrete flooring
answer
-allows drainage and helps prevent puddling -provides barrier for weed control -avoid using in seeding areas -weight capacity 600 psi
question
gravel/dirt floors
answer
-inexpensive -cannot be cleaned/disinfected -can harbor pests -can be muddy -difficult for handicapped access
question
good flooring compromise
answer
concrete aisles with gravel over dirt under bunches
question
greenhouse bench layouts
answer
peninsula longitudinal rolling
question
bench efficiency
answer
-peninsula design results in greater growing area than longitudinal - both good for retail -rolling benches increase efficiency up to 90% of floor space - good for wholesale growers
question
ebb and flow benches
answer
-watertight molded plastic trays -flooded with water and fertilizer then drained -plants absorb through capillary action -labor costs reduced -foliage stays dry -must group plants with similar water requirements ***can save up to 50 percent on water and fertilizer
question
bench design height and width
answer
-ideal 36" high -should not exceed 36" wide against wall -freestanding may be up to 6' wide
question
benches should support at least...
answer
25 pounds per square foot
question
bench structural support
answer
concrete blocks wood plastic galvanized steel aluminum
question
bench surface materials (7 types)
answer
Plastic - expensive, resistant to water and chemicals, strong Wood - lower cost, must be treated, difficult to clean, high maintenance Expanded metal - long-lasting, expensive, strong and rigid Wire and chained-link fence - low cost, bends easily Concrete - permanent, durable, need holes for drainage Pallets - inexpensive, easy to move Snow fence - same disadvantages/advantages as wood
question
Greenhouse glazing materials
answer
Polyethylene Glass Polycarbonate Acrylic Fiberglass
question
Polyethylene glazing *strength *weight *expansion/contraction *light transmittance *estimated life *cost
answer
easily punctured light weight high expansion/contraction light transmittance- 1 layer 85%, 2 layers 75% Lasts up to 5 years costs .10/sq ft, .20/sq ft for 2 layers
question
Glass glazing *strength *weight *expansion/contraction *light transmittance *estimated life *cost
answer
strong, but easily broken on impact (tempered glass stronger, more widely used now) heavy weight low expension/contraction light transmittance - single 1/4"/double 1/8" - 88% insulated - 71% low iron - 81-92% lasts 25+ years costs $3-10/sq ft
question
Polycarbonate glazing *strength *weight *expansion/contraction *light transmittance *estimated life *cost
answer
strong, impact/hail resistant, UV resistant light weight high expansion/contraction light transmittance - 1 layer - 87-94%, double wall - 83% warranty 10 years, but lasts 20 years costs $2-6/sq ft
question
Acrylic glazing (no longer used) *strength *weight *expansion/contraction *light transmittance *estimated life *cost
answer
easily scratched, becomes brittle with age light weight high expansion/contraction light transmittance - plexiglass - 87-93% double wall - 83% exolite - 83% lasts 20 years cost $3-8 /sq ft
question
Fiberglass glazing (no longer used) *strength *weight *expansion/contraction *light transmittance *estimated life *cost
answer
strong, scratches, UV breakdown, extremely flammable medium weight low expansion/contraction light transmittance lascolite - 90% double layer - 80% lasts 10-15 years cost $1-1.50/sq ft
question
wiggle wire and agri-lock
answer
used to attach polyethylene additional cost of 20-25 cents/sq ft but just a one time cost ww better for one year film al better for 4 year film - holds more firmly
question
greenhouse framework components
answer
Sideposts - bear the weight and side strain of the roof glazing or sash sill - support for base of the glass eave - rests on side posts gutters - collects water runoff drip gutter - collects condensation that forms on inside of glazing material sash bars - one of most important structural members, must be strong to carry weight of glazing but cast least amount of shade possible
question
more greenhouse framework components
answer
bar caps - attached to outside of sash bars to hold glazing in place purlins - run length of greenhouse, support sash bars truss - provides structural support ridge - top of greenhouse ventilator - movable unit fastened to ridge vent header - ventilator rests on this
question
# of square feet in an acre
answer
43,560 sq ft/acre
