PJH251 Bedding Plant Production of Flowers and Vegetables in Greenhouses
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Showing course contents for the educational year 2014 - 2015 .
Course responsible: Trine Hvoslef-Eide
Teachers: Gry Skjeseth
ECTS credits: 5
Faculty: Department of Plant Sciences
Teaching language: EN, NO
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Limits of class size:
Due to limited space in the greenhouses, there is a limit of 15 students
Teaching exam periods:
This course starts in Spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Spring parallel, June block, .
Course frequency: Annually
First time: Study year 2014-2015
Preferential right:
Students taking this course must have other courses involving plants. PV-, Biology and Biotechnology students have priority (in that order)
Course contents:
We start early February planning our activities.
The students have to choose 4 species to grow for sale on Fascination of Plants Day in mid May. We sow together, the students transfers to pots when the seedlings are ready. Both vegetatively and seed propagated plants shall be included in the four chosen species/genera for the report.
The students have to plan when to sow, when to transfer, when to give more space and calculate the final space needed for their plants. We sow at 20 C, but the plants needs to be moved to cooler temperatures to grow into nice looking plants. The students need to find this information and provide the right temperature (and daylength) at any given time.
Their written plan for their plant production is to be presented to the teacher by March 15th to make sure it is a doable plan.
The work starts by providing mats and plastic for tables, they need to know the importance of the outlets for water and the three fertilization taps.
The report should include cost calculations and the students will be given the costs of seeds, soil, pots and the cost for eaxh week Sq meter greenhouse space for the calculations.
Prior to the sale in May, the students need to make a description of ALL the plants they have grown (we can divide the task between the students growing the same plants) for the consumers to get together with their purchase. The costs of growing the plants (except labour costs) pluss the labour costs to calculate the right price
Students take care of their own plants with water and fertilization as well as providing enough space at the right temperature. At weekends and durng holidays the plants will be watered when necessary.
Several rooms in the greenhouses are provided to accommodate different temperatures and daylengths. Sometimes decapitation of shoots may be needed. The students need to carefully take notes of all conditions provided, including the soil they use and the dates for all actions. Careful planning of the experiments will need to be done.
Fascination of Plants Day 2015 at UMB will be held in mid May when the plants will be sold to the general public. The students will be expected to take part in the sale (unless they have exams that day) and provide guidance to the customers. The proceeds of the sales will go to Charity.
The students will also participate in cleaning up afterwards to leave the rooms in pristine conditions.
By June 15th a comprehensive report is to be handed in on Fronter for the chosen four species. This report needs to be in the format:
- Introduction (why)
- Materials and Methods (how)
- Results (what did you find)
- Discussion (what did you find that was expected, not expected, what went wrong, what went well?
- Cost calculations for the four species
- References (where did you get your information from )
Learning outcome:
The studenst will have insight into the production of bedding plants of flowers and vegetables in greenhouses. They should be familiar with the terms of the trade like: rooting of cuttings, sow, pot, pin, space out. They are to have a notion on how different plants are in their development into saleable plants, know about short- and long day plants. They should know why some plants needs to be clonally propagated, while others can be grown from seeds. They should have some insight into the economy and production planning.
Learning activities:
The course is problem based, i.e. no ordinary lectures will be given. We find a time where we meet in the greenhouses every week and the students can ask questions and get advice. Apart from this, we expect the students to read up on their own plants and how to grow them. To give the students insight into production, we will have a visit to a greenhouse grower.
Teaching support:
Fronter
Syllabus:
none specific - the students are expected to find their own literture on the internet and in the library for their growing of the chosen plants and the report
Prerequisites:
BOT130 Plant Physiology, BIO120 Genetics
Recommended prerequisites:
plant physiology
Mandatory activity:
Grow their own plants and write a report. Participate in visit to a greenehouse production unit.
Assessment:
An elaborate report comprising of how the plants were propagated and grown, and with guidance for the continued growth by the byuers of the plants. Economic calculations are part of the report. The report counts 100%
Nominal workload:
150 hours
Entrance requirements:
Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)
Reduction of credits:
-
Type of course:
Two hours every week in the greenhouses. The students must water and fertilize their won plants during weekdays.
Note:
-
Examiner:
By using an extarnal examinor and cooperation with the teacher in PJH250 in the years this course is given
Examination details: Continuous exam: A - E / Ikke bestått