Horticulture

Hort 229 Plant Propagation

Introduction:

What could be a more potent subject and skill in horticulture than plant propagation? In fact, plant propagation resides at the heart of horticulture as the means by which all practitioners reproduce plants. Few things in horticulture will be as gratifying as successfully propagating plants and nurturing them for the myriad of purposes that they serve -- even just for the fun of it! Plant propagation requires an appreciation of both the science and art of horticulture and the necessary synthesis of these for success. It is a process that affords the practitioner an opportunity to form a unique bond with the green world.

This class is an introduction to the science and art of plant propagation. Students will become familiar with the most common plant parts (propagules) used in propagation and how to collect, handle, and treat them for successful propagation. Students will be using propagation tools, substances, media and a controlled environment for propagation.

This is a collaborative, hands-on class in which both the instructor, and students are active participants in the educational process. Collaboration is centered on the exchange of information, participation in learning activities, practicing skills, and the assessment of abilities in groups or as individuals. Students are expected to be self-motivated, active learners who take responsibility for their achievement.

Course Outcomes: students will be able to...

correctly identify, properly handle, and successfully process propagules for plant growth.
competently use the tools, materials, substances, and environments for propagating plants.
recognize and solve rudimentary problems in the plant propagation process.
accurately document the plant propagation process using the vocabulary of propagation and plant nomenclature.
function as part of a group (College-wide ability).
communicate orally and in writing (College-wide ability).
think critically in response to short answer / problem-solving tests, implementing propagation practices, and the oral presentation of information in class (College-wide ability).

Course Materials & Resources:

Required Text:

Dirr, M & Heuser, C. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation

Optional Text:

Hartmann et.al. Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices
(required for HORT 230, Advanced Propagation).

General subject hard copy and on-line material in the EdCC library.
Elizabeth Miller Horticultural Library, Center for Urban Horticulture, UW.
Nursery / greenhouse professionals.

Class Schedule and Agenda:

9/28: Class orientation, facilities introduction, plant propagation defined.

10/5: Vegetative Propagation - Cuttings: types, collecting, handling, short-term storage.

10/12: Vegetative Propagation - Cuttings: sizing, treating, sticking, rooting environment.

10/19: Vegetative Propagation - Division: types, resulting propagules, practice. Turn in notebook for review. Quiz.

10/26: Seed Propagation: seed structure, classification, seed types, seed collecting.

11/2: Seed Propagation: seed handling, cleaning, storage, germination requirements.

11/9: Seed Propagation: seed growing materials, sowing, germination, after care.Quiz.

11/16: Vegetative Propagation - Grafting: types, purposes, practice (whip & tongue graft, chip bud).

11/23: Micropropagation: fieldtrip.

11/30: Presentations; submit notebooks.

12/7: Final quiz.

Course Organization:

The class period is split roughly in half with one portion devoted to the review and discussion of pertinent concepts in plant propagation and the other portion devoted to propagation methods and techniques.

Course Requirements:

Attendance at all classes is required. If you must miss a class, call and leave a message for the instructor. Students will be responsible for abilities and information covered in missed classes. Students will be dropped from the class after three (3) absences.
Preparation for and participation in class is required.
All assignments -- in class and homework -- must be completed and handed in on time. If you find that you can not complete an assignment on time you must contact the instructor before the due date to make special arrangements. Late assignments will be down graded.
Students must complete a propagation notebook documenting their propagation activities and outcomes. Students must obtain the instructor' s initials with the completion of each class activity for inclusion in the notebook. The notebooks will be submitted to the instructor at the end of the quarter and will be available for return after finals week.
Students must complete a 7 minute oral presentation on the propagation of a plant of their choice.
Students will complete a set of study questions to accompany the reading assignments.
All students must complete each abilities assessment.

Propagation Notebook:

Assignment: You will create and update a propagation notebook containing a record of your propagation activities in each class. Your notebook will be collected and evaluated twice. Notebooks must be sensibly and neatly formatted into two (2) sections that include: (1) the details of every new propagation skill practiced in class; and (2) each propagation attempt. To reiterate, your propagation notebook will contain two (2) sections: notes on the propagation skills you learned each week and a separate section of records on your propagation attempts. Your notes may be in paragraph form and chronological order by class meeting. Your propagation record should be in a data collection format. Each taxon propagated should have its own record, e.g., dogwood layers, geranium seed lot, peperomia cuttings, etc. The record will consist of a summary of procedures, list of materials, and a dated log of activities and observations. Students should update their log records no less frequently than each class period. More frequent updates are encouraged. Record each observation even if there has not been any observable change, e.g., "no observable change."

Self-assessment:

When you turn in your notebook, include a self-assessment describing your strengths and weaknesses in propagation and how you met the notebook criteria shown below. Give specific examples to justify your assessment.

Criteria:

Organize your notebook in two sections: a journal section documenting your skill development and practice organized by class meetings in paragraph style; a propagation record of each propagation attempt organized by taxon that includes all the information necessary to serve as a recipe for future propagations. The record should include class updates of propagation progress through the quarter.
Record the journal information in the order in which it was first discussed and practiced. Include editorial comments describing your skill competency.
Each skill or skill set must be accompanied by the instructor' s initials indicating successful completion. This may be submitted on a separate sheet.
Each entry must be sensibly and neatly formatted, organized, and free of misspellings and gross grammatical errors.

Oral Presentation:

Prepare and deliver an oral report on the propagation of a plant of your choice. The oral presentation may not exceed 7 minutesin length. Students should make use of graphics and/or props to enhance their presentation.

Criteria:

Basic classification of the plant including family affiliation, related genera and key identification characters.
Natural history information including native distribution and common habitat.
Common uses of the plant.
All methods of propagation.
Any relevant steering information for nursery production following successful propagation.
Do not exceed 7 minutes -- practice, practice, practice!
Be clear, concise, and logically organized.

Study Questions:

Students will be given take-home study questions to accompany reading assignments. These are to be completed at home to help reinforce the concepts presented in the reading material. Many of the questions will require interpretation of the reading material and may not have quotable answers directly in the text. All answers should contain citations to the appropriate pages and paragraphs in the text that support them. These questions will be used as a basis for subject review and discussion in class at which point students will have a chance to compare their responses to the study questions before submitting them to the instructor. I will evaluate your answers based on evidence of a thorough attempt to answer each question
-- this process is as important as a "correct" answer-- and your citations. Some of this information may be repeated on quizzes.

Assessment:

Student abilities and knowledge will be assessed several times during the quarter. Assessment will be by written exam, self-assessment, and/or competence in exercising a particular skill. Final grades will be based upon the combination of class attendance and participation, assessments, completion of study questions, notebooks, and the oral presentation. Assessment values:

Quizzes = 30%

Notebook = 30%

Presentation = 10%

Study Questions = 30%