AGH 276 - Greenhouse Production II

1. Explain the different aspects of crop culture for spring bedding plants.
   1. Describe crop specific management of light, temperature and media.
   2. Measure the impact of differing light, temperature and media scenarios.
2. Support crop specific media management for spring bedding plants.
   1. Calculate fertilizer programs for different crops and crop stages.
   2. Evaluate methods of pH monitoring.
   3. Assess methods of electrical conductivity monitoring.
   4. Choose what media mixtures are appropriate for each crop.
3. Maintain a commercial spring bedding plant crop from establishment to market.
   1. Demonstrate proper care for various of propagation materials: seed, unrooted cuttings, plugs, liners, etc.
   2. Plant a crop properly.
   3. Apply proper pinching techniques.
   4. Use proper rates of fertilization.
   5. Manage moisture status of plants.
   6. Adapt crop production practices based on gathered information.
4. Select appropriate plant growth regulators for each crop
   1. Calculate appropriate rates
   2. Determine optimal mixtures.
5. Evaluate commercial bedding plant greenhouse operations.
   1. Attend field trips to commercial greenhouses.
   2. Assess the positives and negatives of each location and production method.
   3. Determine key differences of success in different greenhouse operations.
6. Analyze the economics of greenhouse operations.
   1. Calculate costs of production.
   2. Determine the impact of plant spacing, crop scheduling and crop selection on profitability.
   3. Determine cost effectiveness of grower propagation, unrooted cuttings and various plug sizes.
7. Develop crop schedules and production plans for the next production cycle.
   1. Assess current schedule and adapt based on crop conditions.
   2. Compile sales information and apply that to the future crop cycle.
   3. Reconcile desired production plan with ordering limitation.
   4. Prepare an order that can be bid on by plant associates.
8. Formulate methods for treating unhealthy spring bedding plants.
   1. Develop procedures of correcting nutrient deficiencies.
   2. Apply most effective method of controlling a particular deficiency.
   3. Identify pest control products for major greenhouse pests.
9. Classify the diversity of spring bedding plants.
   1. Identify major crops by botanical name, common name, and cultivar groups.
   2. Identify minor crops by botanical name, common name, and cultivar groups.
   3. Report ways of utilizing and applying diverse plant materials to specific situations.
10. Evaluate use of spring greenhouse products.
    1. Evaluate plant performance in the greenhouse.
    2. Assess plant performance outdoors.
    3. Assess plant performance in mixed containers.
    4. Identify historically important and increasingly important spring crops.
11. Organize production area by crop requirements.
    1. Group plants by pH, nutrition, and temperature requirements.
    2. Determine space requirements.