Louisiana Horticulture License Exam Questions And Answers

What is the difference between a cultivar and variety? - ANS variety - naturally occurring subgroup within species. cultivar - special group that retain their distinguishing features when propogated. Who is Linnaeus? What system of naming plants did he create? - ANS -developed binomial nomenclature. -Classification system in which each species is assigned a two-part scientific name. Why is it important to know common and scientific names of plants? - ANS -customer protection, legal requirements, communication between nursery and landscape pros What are some origins of botanical names? - ANS 1. Countries of origin 2. Names of plant explorers 3. Descriptive latin terms What are some typical groupings for plants when they are classified by growth characteristics? - ANS 1. Herbaceous or woody 2. Life span 3. Leaf retention 4. Growth habit 5. Stem structure 6. Size 7. Form 8. Temp tender 9. Light 10. Water 11. Use List the functions of a root system - ANS anchorage, absorption, conduction, storage What are 2 kinds of root systems - ANS Taproots and fibrous roots List the functions of the stem of the plant - ANS support, conduction, storage Define xylem and phloem - ANS xylem-water and minerals move from roots to leaves. phloem-food from leaves moves to the plant What is the difference between monocots and dicots? - ANS Number of cotyledons mono- 1 dicots-2 What are nodes and internodes - ANS nodes- areas on stems where leaves emerge. internodes-space between nodes List the types of specialized stems and roots commonly found in plants - ANS bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers, tuberous roots What are the 2 main functions of leaves - ANS photosynthesis and transpiration Transpiration- evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant Define angiosperms and gymnosperms - ANS Angiosperms- plants that bloom and develop fruit which encloses the seed Gymnosperms- plants that have no true flowers or fruit, but make seeds in cones List the parts of a complete flower - ANS -Stamen(Anther & Filament) -Pistil(Stilma; Style; Ovary) -Petal -Sepal -Locule -Ovule -Placenta -Receptacle -Peduncle List the priority in which plant parts receive food manufactured by the leaves - ANS 1. Flower 2. Seeds 3. Leaves 4. Stems 5. Roots List the 3 primary elements for essential plant growth - ANS 1. carbon 2. hydrogen 3. oxygen List the three macronutrients essential for plant growth - ANS 1. nitrogen 2. phosphorus 3. potassium List the 7 micronutrients needed for optimum plant growth - ANS 1. boron 2. manganese 3. copper 4. zinc 5. iron 6. molybdenum 7. chlorine How is light intensity commonly measured - ANS Foot Candles: The amount of light falling on one square foot one foot away from a standard candle List three functions of water in a plant - ANS 1)Ingredient of Photosynthesis 2)Solvent for nutrients 3)Gives the plant tissue rigidity Define permanent wilting point - ANS when the water potential of the soil is so low that water cannot be extracted by the roots Define microclimate - ANS consistent variations in light, temp and moisture within a small area that differs from the climate of the surrounding area What two forces combine to hold water in the soil? - ANS adhesion-clings to a different substance. cohesion-clings to itself List three ways heat travels - ANS 1. Conduction 2. Convention 3. Radiation Define soil texture - ANS relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay Define soil structure - ANS Refers to the arrangement of soil particles and how they are grouped together into aggregates. Soils can be classified as ________________ or _____________________ - ANS organic or mineral _______________ is commonly added to acidic soils to raise pH - ANS -Lime or wood ashes ______________________ is commonly added to alkaline soils to lower pH - ANS - Sulfur Most ornamental plants prefer a soil pH of ______________ - ANS 5.5-7.0 Acid-loving ornamental plants prefer a soil pH of ____________ - ANS 5.0-.5.5 True or false. Nutrient avaliability is regulated by soil - ANS True What is the main disadvantage of sexual propagation - ANS List the 4 physiological changes in the reproductive phase of sexual propagation - ANS 1. Flower or cone bud induction. 2. flower bud initiation and development 3. Flowering. 4. Fruit and seed production if fertilization occurs List 4 ways asexual plants reproduce. - ANS ngs ing ion 4. budding and grafting What are the 2 most critical environmental requirements pertaining to seed germination - ANS water and temperature Vegetative propagation is also referred to as ____________ propagation - ANS asexual List some examples of ways to vegetatively propagate a plant - ANS layering, division, separation, grafting Strawberry runners are commonly propagated by __________ - ANS Stolons or "runners" Define grafting - ANS One method of plant propagation, often used to combine the favorable rooting characteristics of one species with the favorable top growth characteristics of another. In grafting, the scion (cutting the top growth) is united with another plant referred to as the stock, understock, or rooting stock. For the graft to be successful, the cambium layer of the scion and the rootstock must be in contact and bond. What steps should be followed when accepting an order at a retail garden center - ANS rm order mine quality ne for pests, insects, diseases or weeds What are 3 indicators of a plant needing irrigation? - ANS 1. Sight- (looking at the foliage). 2. Weight- (low moisture means lighter weight). 3. Touch- (felling the medium's moisture) Why is cold damage common on container-grown ornamental plants at temperatures 20-25 degrees F - ANS because their root system is above ground What is the optimum planting time for adding container -grown plants to a landscape? Balled and burlapped plants? bare - rooted plants? - ANS Container grown- year around. Balled and burlapped- October-March Bare roots- December-February Should organic amendments be added to a planting hole when planting an individual tree? - ANS No use the same dirt you dugout. What are advantages of using mulches ? - ANS uniform soil moisture, insulation, reduces soil-borne diseases, reduces weeds What N/P/K ratio is recommended for fertilizer used on ornamental trees and shrubs? - ANS 1. ornamental tree fertilization rate- 3-6 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft 2. ground cover & shrubs fertilization rate- 2 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft 3. annual bedding and herbaceous perennial fert rate 1 lb N per 1000 sq ft 2 cups of fert = - ANS 1 lb of fert = divide 10 by the N of the fertilizer - ANS to get lbs per 100 sq ft Why prune? - ANS 1) Eliminate dead, deceased, dying or wounded limbs 2) Improved form & Balance of a plant 3)Guide Growth Habitat 4) Simulate new growth 5) Rejuvenate older plantings 6) Maintain a geometric shape (Formal, Hedge, Topiary)