Greenhouse Dual Credit (State Credit)
3 CREDIT HOURS

Mr. Sawyers

Course Information
Course Description:
Greenhouse management from the scientific basis to commercial operations and management systems. Emphasis will be on the role of horticulture in everyday living through the study of growing, maintenance, and utilization of plants to benefit people and the environment.
Course Objectives:
Topics include: basics of plant science; history, scope and nature of ornamental horticulture (includes coverage of such diverse topics as science, crop production, soil, plant reproduction, and business management skills, and is appropriate for both hobbyist and professionals).
Prerequisites:
This is the an advanced level course it is required that all students have already took an agriculture class
Course Topics:
COURSE OUTLINE
Note: Each week will represent one chapter. Each chapter will include learning objectives, study questions, power points, and supplemental learning activities.
WEEK 1: The Green Plant: The history and overview of Ornamental Horticulture as we know it today.
WEEK 2: The Soil: An introduction to plant and soil science and its relevance to ornamental horticulture.
WEEK 3: Plant Reproduction: The significance of sexual and asexual reproduction in plants.
EXAM 1
WEEK 4: Plant Pests and Their Control: Different categories of plant pests, symptoms caused to plants, and the concept of integrated pest management.
WEEK 5: Floral Design: The significance of floral design in ornamental horticulture.
WEEK 6: The Interior Use of Plants: An overview of interior plantscaping, common concerns and care and maintenance.
EXAM 2
WEEK 7: Landscape Design: Topics include: outdoor room concept, a plants role in the landscape, construction materials for the landscape and creating a landscape.
WEEK 8: Turf: Selection, Establishment, and Maintenance: Different types of turf for a particular locale, also the establishment and care of the turf.
WEEK 9: Techniques of Plant Propagation: An introduction to plant propagation by studying basic genetic concepts. Ex: Sexual and Vegetative Propagation and Biotechnology.
EXAM 3
WEEK 10: Greenhouses and Other Growing Structures: A summary of all aspects involved in the construction and maintenance of structures for the growing of plants in a greenhouse and nursery settings.
WEEK 11: Greenhouse Production Techniques: Topics in this area include: the need for a crop production schedule, growing medium, timing, containers, spacing, watering, fertilization, and integrated pest management.
WEEK 12: Nursery Production Techniques: An introduction to the differenced in field and container nurseries and how quantities and selected varieties are determined. Other vital aspects of nursery production are covered.
Note: There will be section integrated in on business management and sales skills after the third exam. Ample time will be given to complete the assignment and will be part of the participation grade.
EXAM 4
REVIEW AND COMPREHENSIVE FINAL (Everyone will be required to take a 2 hour final exam online for college credit during spring semester)
Specific Course Requirements:
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Grading Points Available
4 – 1 hour tests 400
Research paper 200
Participation 1000
Quizzes 800
Final Exam 100
2500 total
You will be required to write a research paper. A topic will be provided. It must be 5-7 pages long, double-spaced, 12 font, with 1-inch margins, and 5 references. It should detail some aspect of ornamental horticulture and/or plant science. A guideline will be provided.
Textbooks and Supplementary Materials
Required Textbooks:
Ornamental Horticulture, Science, Operations & Management. Third Edition, Author: Jack Ingels. Delmar Cengage Learning 2001
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
Students will be running the greenhouse as a business; They will raise then sell greenhouse crops to the public. They will also have “greenhouse projects”. Students will receive a weekly participation grade in these areas.