AGH 272 - Nursery Production I

1. Summarize the size and scope of the nursery industry. 
   1. Identify major production areas.
   2. Summarize the economic scope of the industry.
   3. Outline the plant groups typically classified as nursery crops.
   4. Identify the major nursery crops in the region. 
2. Tour nursery businesses. 
   1. Differentiate between product types being grown or sold.
   2. Evaluate the product quality.
   3. Identify different pricing strategies.
   4. Distinguish between practices and goals of wholesale and retail businesses.
3. Evaluate nursery plant selection for the region.
   1. Identify invasive species marketed in the nursery industry.
   2. Outline the rationale behind using native plants.
   3. Compare and contrast the benefits and negatives sexually and asexually propagated plants
   4. Select plants for the region. 
4. Compare production practices and schedules for different nursery production systems.
   1. Differentiate between container and field production.
   2. Differentiate between container types.
   3. Give examples of production cycles. 
5. Grow nursery crops from cuttings. 
   1. Differentiate between the types of cuttings.
   2. Harvest and root cuttings.
   3. Describe how one would determine when to transplant
   4. Grow out plants in final containers.  
6. Grow nursery crops from seed. 
   1. Collect seed and process seed.
   2. Describe how one would determine when to transplant.
   3. Grown out plants from seed. 
7. Grow plants from bareroot seedling and/or liners.
   1.  Describe quality seedlings and liners.
   2. List the precautions one must use to protect transplants in storage.
   3. Identify proper pruning and planting techniques. 
8. Care for the above ground portions of nursery crops in an appropriate manner. 
   1. Differentiate between pruning and training. 
   2. Prune and train nursery crops. 
   3. Identify the proper pruning and training practices for the different growth stages of nursery crops. 
9. Summarize the appropriate root environment for nursery crops. 
   1. Contrast the management of growing plants in soil and media.
   2. Calculate fertilizer and media requirements. 
   3. Differentiate between fertilization strategies.
   4. Describe the affects that containers have on root growth. 
10. Describe a healthy and marketable tree, shrub and herbaceous perennials. 
    1. Point out common faults of nursery crops.
    2. Describe high quality nursery crops. 
11. Explain the practices relating to managing nursery crops during dormancy. 
    1. Compare different over wintering techniques.
    2. Describe the process of vernalization.
    3. Investigate different over winter requirements to crops.
    4. List the precautions one must use to protect plants in storage. 
12. Summarize water management of nursery crops. 
    1.  Determine quality of water.
    2. Distinguish between the drip and sprinkler irrigation. 
    3. Describe the basic components of nursery irrigation systems.
    4. Effectively water nursery crops. 
13. Assess the consumer survivability of various nursery crops grow in different production systems. 
    1. Describe affective pre-harvest and harvest practices.
    2. Group product types based on their survivability with good or bad care after planting.
    3. Differentiate between the market season for various production systems and product types. 
14. Use the American Nursery Association’s grades and regulations in determining nursery stock grades. 
15. Review economics of nursery production.