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R2104

UNDERSTANDING PLANT PROPAGATION

Level 2

Monday 20 June 2016

14:50 – 15:40

Written Examination

Candidate Number: ………………………………………………………………… Candidate Name: …………………………………………………………………… Centre Number/Name: ……………………………………………………………..

Ofqual Unit Code D/505/2965 Please turn over/…..

IMPORTANT – Please read carefully before commencing:

i) The duration of this paper is 50 minutes;

ii) ALL questions should be attempted;

iii) EACH question carries 10 marks;

iv) Write your answers legibly in the lined space provided. It is NOT necessary that all lined space is used in answering the questions;

v) Use METRIC measurements only;

vi) Use black or blue ink only. Pencil can be used for drawing purposes only;

vii) Where plant names are required, they should include genus, species and where appropriate, cultivar;

viii) Where a question requires a specific number of answers; only the first answers given that meet the question requirement will be accepted, regardless of the number of answers offered;

ix) Please note, when the word ‘distinct’ is used within a question, it means that the items have different characteristics or features.

Including Examiners Comments

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ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

MARKS

Q1 a) b)

Name ONE distinct plant that can be propagated by EACH of the layering methods stated, by completing the table below.

Layering

method

Named plant

Simple

Serpentine

Air

Describe the method of air layering using a labelled diagram.

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7

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Total Mark

3

MARKS Q2 Describe the propagation of Hosta species under EACH of the following headings:

i) time of year; ii) lifting; iii) dividing; iv) aftercare.

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Total Mark

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MARKS Q3 a)

b)

c)

State the meaning of the term seed dormancy.

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List FOUR environmental factors required for successful seed germination.

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Describe how TWO of the factors listed in b) are provided when sowing seeds indoors.

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Total Mark

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MARKS Q4 a)

b)

Name ONE plant from EACH group that can be propagated by seed, by completing the table below.

Plant group Botanical name of plant

Vegetable crop

Hardy annual flower

Half-hardy annual flower

Grass

Describe the sowing of carrot seed in open ground under EACH of the following

headings:

i) soil preparation (secondary cultivation); ii) appropriate sowing technique.

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MARKS Q5 a)

b)

c)

State how EACH of the following plants are propagated, by completing the table below.

Plant Method of propagation

Saintpaulia ionantha

Streptocarpus rexii

Camellia japonica

Begonia Rex Cultorum Group

Describe the environmental conditions required for ONE of the plants propagated in a) to ensure successful rooting.

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Name ONE pest and ONE disease that can affect cuttings during the rooting

process.

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Total Mark

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MARKS Q6 a)

b)

c)

State TWO limitations of propagating plants by vegetative means.

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Name ONE plant propagated by deciduous hardwood cuttings.

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Describe the propagation of the plant named in b) from collection up to insertion.

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Total Mark

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©These questions are the property of the Royal Horticultural Society.

They must not be reproduced or sold.

The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB.

Charity Registration Number: 222879/SC038262

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R2104

UNDERSTANDING PLANT PROPAGATION

Level 2

Monday 20 June 2016

Candidates Registered 571 Total Candidates Passed 362 77.35% Candidates Entered 468 81.96% Passed with Commendation 171 36.54% Candidates Absent/Withdrawn 95 16.64% Passed 191 40.81% Candidates Deferred 8 1.40% Failed 106 22.65%

Senior Examiner’s Comments:

1 Candidates should be able to demonstrate a good range of plant knowledge and be

able to give accurately named plant examples where appropriate. Common names

and generic names are often too vague and cannot be rewarded in the positive

manner that genus, species and where appropriate, variety/cultivar can. This is

particularly important when answering questions relating to particular (named)

plant(s). Marks can only be awarded for these narratives where the example(s) are

correctly and fully identified.

2 Candidates must be able to display accurate knowledge of the technical terms and

concepts detailed in the syllabus, in the context of horticulture and also be aware that

wider interpretation will not be rewarded. The examination should be regarded as a

possible introduction to higher level studies, which will only be open to those who are

in possession of a clear understanding of the horticultural terms and concepts which

are current.

3 The introductory rubric given on the first page of each question paper should be read

carefully by candidates. At each examination there are a significant number of

candidates who ignore or misread the instructions given and consequently may not

perform as well as they could have done.

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4 Candidates should pace themselves during each paper. The most successful

candidates allow sufficient time to read the question thoroughly before answering it

and also take time to read through their answers. They should take care to write as

legibly as possible, so that the examiner is in no doubt about what is intended.

5 Candidates need to interpret key words within questions, particularly those such as

‘state’, ‘list’ and ‘describe’. Questions requiring descriptions or explanations obviously

require a more detailed answer than those requiring a list.

6 It is important to ensure that responses to questions are to the point. Candidates

should bear in mind that small sketches might be used to convey information more

succinctly than words.

7 Successful candidates ensure that their answers are focused and to the point. It is

disappointing when they cannot be rewarded for their efforts because the answer is

irrelevant to the particular question. Candidates should take note of the mark

allocation for specific sections and allocate their time and efforts accordingly.

8 Diagrams can enhance an answer and where appropriate can replace detailed

descriptions. They should be large, clear and well annotated, ensuring that labels are

properly attached to the features they describe. Diagrams should preferably be in

pencil. Colour may be used successfully but only where it is relevant to the answer.

9 In each examination it is clear that some candidates are ill prepared to answer

papers of the type set. It is essential that candidates have the opportunity to practice

questions. Ideally some papers should be answered in a time constrained situation.

Appropriate feedback must, in any case be provided.

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MARKS

Q1 a) b)

Name ONE distinct plant that can be propagated by EACH of the layering methods stated, by completing the table below.

Layering

method

Named plant

Simple

Serpentine

Air

Describe the method of air layering using a labelled diagram.

1

1

1

7

Q1a) Most candidates named a suitable plant that can be propagated by specific methods

of layering. Acceptable answers that were awarded full marks included:

Simple layering – Cotinus coggygria and Magnolia x soulangeana.

Serpentine layering – Clematis Montana and Wisteria floribunda.

Air layering – Ficus elastica and Hamamelis mollis.

Q1b) Candidates who provided detailed descriptions of the method of air layering and

included a diagram, gained full marks. The best descriptions included:

Air layering is carried out on healthy, true to type plants

Air layering is carried out in late spring or summer on hardy plants

An upward slanting cut is made through the node which is kept open by the use of a matchstick

Medium strength hormone rooting powder is applied to the cut

Moist sphagnum moss is placed around the cut surfaces

Clear or black polythene is used to cover the moss and is tied at both ends with raffia or fine twine

Air layering is carried out on young green wood

Adjacent side shoots to the cut are removed to make binding the cut surface easier

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MARKS Q2 Describe the propagation of Hosta species under EACH of the following headings:

i) time of year; ii) lifting; iii) dividing; iv) aftercare.

1 3 2 4

Q2) Candidates who described the propagation of Hosta species provided the following

details to gain full marks.

i) Hosta species are propagated in early spring or during the autumn.

ii) A plant which is true to type is carefully lifted and any excess soil is washed off before it is placed in a bag or suitable container ready to be divided.

iii) The clump is placed on a bench or table and divided using a knife or spade to include at least a growth bud and some root growth. The old centre of the plant is discarded and the plant is checked for any evidence of vine weevil damage.

iv) Small divisions are potted into 1 litre pots using either a soilless growing media or John Innes potting mix. Large divisions can be replanted into prepared ground at the same level as they were originally, i.e. with the buds level with the soil surface. All new plants are watered as required and weeded and the flower buds are removed in the first year. The plants can be mulched and it is important to control any pests or diseases, e.g. slugs.

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MARKS Q3 a)

b)

c)

State the meaning of the term seed dormancy. List FOUR environmental factors required for successful seed germination. Describe how TWO of the factors listed in b) are provided when sowing seeds indoors.

2

4

4

Q3a) Candidates who stated that seed dormancy is when a viable seed is unable to

germinate due to either environmental or physical factors, e.g. a hard seed coat,

were awarded full marks.

Q3b) The majority of candidates listed: moisture, temperature, oxygen and light/dark as the

environmental factors required for successful seed germination, and gained full

marks.

Q3c) Those candidates who were able to describe how the environmental factors are

provided when sowing seeds indoors were awarded full marks. Acceptable answers

included:

Temperature – is provided by placing the seed trays in a closed case with bottom

heat or a propagator at a temperature of 18 - 20ºC.

Moisture – is provided by watering the trays before the seeds are sown and during

germination.

Oxygen – is provided by using a suitable growing media which has an open texture

and good air filled porosity.

Light/dark – light is provided by either not covering the seeds or covering them with

vermiculite. Dark is provided by covering the seeds after sowing.

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MARKS Q4 a)

b)

Name ONE plant from EACH group that can be propagated by seed, by completing the table below.

Plant group Botanical name of plant

Vegetable crop

Hardy annual flower

Half-hardy annual flower

Grass

Describe the sowing of carrot seed in open ground under EACH of the following

headings:

i) soil preparation (secondary cultivation); ii) appropriate sowing technique.

1

1

1

1

2 4

Q4a) Candidates provided a range of suitable plants for each of the groups of plants

propagated by seed, and gained full marks. Acceptable answers included:

Vegetable crop – e.g. Daucus carota and Lactuca sativa.

Hardy annual flower – e.g. Nigella damascena and Helianthus annuus.

Half-hardy annual flower – e.g. Lobelia erinus and Salvia splendens.

Grass – Lolium perenne and Festuca rubra.

Q4b) Most candidates were able to describe the soil preparation and sowing of carrot seed

in open ground, and were awarded full marks. Suitable answers included:

i) The soil is prepared by raking the ground roughly level before consolidating it by treading. A base fertiliser can then be applied before raking the area in two directions to create a fine tilth for seed sowing.

ii) A drill is drawn using a draw hoe or the back of a garden rake against a taut line or a straight edge to a depth of 12mm. The drill is watered before the seed is sown thinly and evenly along the drill. The seed is covered by drawing the soil over the drill.

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MARKS Q5 a)

b)

c)

State how EACH of the following plants are propagated, by completing the table below.

Plant Method of propagation

Saintpaulia ionantha

Streptocarpus rexii

Camellia japonica

Begonia Rex Cultorum Group

Describe the environmental conditions required for ONE of the plants propagated in a) to ensure successful rooting.

Name ONE pest and ONE disease that can affect cuttings during the rooting

process.

1

1

1

1

4

2

Q5a) The majority of candidates named a suitable method of propagation for the named

plants, and were awarded full marks. Acceptable answers included:

Saintpaulia ionantha – leaf petiole cuttings.

Streptocarpus rexii – leaf lamina section cuttings or midrib cuttings.

Camellia japonica – leaf bud cuttings or semi-ripe stem cuttings.

Begonia rex Cultorum Group – leaf slashing or leaf square cuttings.

Q5b) Candidates who described the environmental conditions required to propagate a

specific plant were awarded full marks. Suitable answers for Saintpaulia ionantha

included:

Temperature – e.g. 18 - 21ºC and the use of shading to control temperature and to

reduce sun scorch.

Moisture and air content – a suitable level is required in the growing media to

maintain the turgidity of the plant and enable respiration to take place.

Humidity – ventilation and airflow are required to reduce the occurrence of fungal

diseases and the level of humidity.

Light – Appropriate levels for growth with the provision of shading to avoid sun

scorch if high levels occur.

Q5c) Candidates named a range of pests and diseases that can affect cuttings during the

rooting process. Acceptable answers included:

Pests – aphids, mealy bug, two spotted mite, sciarid fly, slugs and whitefly.

Diseases – damping off, grey mould and downy mildew.

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MARKS Q6 a)

b)

c)

State TWO limitations of propagating plants by vegetative means.

Name ONE plant propagated by deciduous hardwood cuttings.

Describe the propagation of the plant named in b) from collection up to insertion.

2

1

7

Q6a) The majority of candidates were able to provide a range of limitations of propagating

plants by vegetative means, and gained full marks. Suitable answers included:

Limited availability of propagation material

Lack of genetic material

Transmission of pests and diseases is more likely on propagation material

Requirement for different and often complex propagation methods, e.g. grafting

Need for more complex facilities for some methods of propagation, e.g. bench grafting and tissue culture

Requirement for healthy stock plants

Q6b) Candidates named a range of suitable plants that are propagated from deciduous

hardwood cuttings, and gained full marks. These included: Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’,

Buddleja davidii , Ribes nigra, Forsythia x intermedia and Philadelphus coronarius.

Q6c) Candidates who were awarded full marks described the propagation of a suitable

plant e.g. Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’.

The propagation material is collected from known plants that are pest and disease

free and true to type, during October and November. Current seasons’ woody

material which is 6 – 8mm in diameter is removed from the parent plant by cutting

above a node. Cuttings 15 – 20cm in length and of ‘pencil thickness’ are prepared by

making a horizontal cut at the base below a node and an angled cut at the top of the

cutting above a node. Any remaining leaves are removed. The base of the cuttings

are treated with hormone rooting powder and are graded prior to insertion.

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