11:776:310 PLANT PROPAGATION
Spring Semester – 2012 (Thursdays 10:55–12:15; Fridays 12:35–3:35)
_________________________________________________________________________________
Instructor:
Thomas Molnar
molnar@aesop.rutgers.edu
Room 164 Foran Hall
T.A.:
William J. Reichert
willreic@Eden.Rutgers.edu
Hours:
By appointment only -- best way to contact us is by email
Text:
Plant Propagation – Principles and Practices. Hartman, Kester, Davies, and Genveve,
8th Edition, 2009.
Grading Basis:
1) *Quizzes
2) Mid-term examination
4) Laboratory notebook and attendance
5) Final exam
848-932-6330
25%
25%
25%
25%
*Three or four quizzes will be given that cover Lecture and Lab information
Make up quizzes will not normally be given!
Mid-Term Exam:
March 8. Comprehensive exam on material covered in lecture, labs, and
assigned readings.
Final Exam:
May 3 9:00 to 11:00 AM - Comprehensive exam on ALL material covered in
lecture, labs, and assigned readings throughout the semester.
Lab notebook:
Due May 3 (25% of grade, including attendance/makeup of each lab)
Objective of Course: Emphasis is placed on not only learning the techniques involved with the
many aspects of modern plant propagation, but also the science behind the methods. Students will
acquire hands-on experience in the art and science of grafting, budding, rooting of cuttings, seedage,
layering, tissue culture/micropropagation, propagation medias, greenhouse environmental control,
and general plant care and greenhouse management. By learning the science behind the methods,
students will develop a better understanding of why certain propagation methods were successful and
why some were not. This will allow students to be better able to solve problems that arise during the
propagation and growing of plants.
11:776:310 Plant Propagation Tentative Schedule*- Spring 2012
* Lab exercises are dependant on many factors (plant material, growth, weather, etc.) and the schedule may be changed
accordingly. All labs at Floriculture Greenhouse, unless listed otherwise below
Jan. 19:
Jan. 20:
Lecture: Introduction to Plant Propagation
Lecture: Review of Plant Biology Basics; Planting media (lecture)
Jan. 26:
Jan. 27:
Lecture: Rooting of Cuttings: Principles and Practices
Lab: Effects of hormone application and growing environment on root initiation and development
(American holly, Japanese holly, Coleus, Geranium, etc.)
Feb. 2:
Feb. 3:
Lecture: Rooting of Cuttings: Principles and Practices, con’t., QUIZ 1
Lab Group A: Effects of rooting media on root initiation and development (Japanese holly, red osier
dogwood, willow, etc.); Seed nut germination; Air layering
Lab Group B: Plant Tissue Culture Lab Foran 104
Feb. 9:
Feb. 10:
Lecture: Plant Tissue Culture, Dr. C. Chin;
Lab Group A: Plant Tissue Culture Lab Foran 104
Lab Group B: Lab #2: Effects of rooting media on root initiation and development (Japanese holly, red
osier dogwood, willow, etc.); Seed nut germination; Air layering
Feb. 16:
Feb. 17:
Lecture: Plant Tissue Culture, cont., Dr. C. Chin,
Lab Group A: Hazelnut field lab—plant selection, pruning, prep for crosses, rooting cuttings, etc.
(Rutgers Gardens)
Lab Group B: Plant Tissue Culture Lab Foran 104
Feb. 23:
Feb. 24:
Lecture: Grafting and Budding Principles and Practices, QUIZ 2
Lab: Group A Plant Tissue Culture Lab Foran 104
Lab: Group B Hazelnut field lab—plant selection, pruning, prep for crosses, rooting cuttings, etc.
(Rutgers Gardens)
Mar. 1:
Mar. 2:
Lecture: Grafting and Budding Techniques, grafting practice
Lab: Apple Grafting (several techniques)
Mar. 8:
March 9:
Mid-term Exam
Lab: Side veneer grafting: various woody ornamentals; start seeds for grafting vegetables
March 10-18: ………………Spring Break………………………………………………………………...
March 22:
March 23:
Lecture: Seeds and Seed propagation
Lab: Field layering (simple layering, stool layering), hand pollinations, etc.
(Rutgers Gardens)
Mar. 29:
Mar. 30:
Lecture: Layering Principles and Practices
Lab: Vegetable Grafting (Tomato, Pepper, etc.), tomato-potato graft, etc.
April 5:
April 6:
Lecture: Bulbs, tubers, and roots and their propagation; QUIZ 3
Lab: Floriculture open lab (tropical plant propagation); vegetable seeds
April 12:
April 13:
Lecture: Plant Propagation and the NJ Nursery Industry, James Johnson
Lab Group A: pot up side veneer grafts, after care of all grafts, vegetable seedlings, pot up air
layers, etc.
Lab Group B: Plant Tissue Culture Lab Foran 104
April 19:
April 20:
Lecture: Wrap up of Plant Propagation topics including some genetics and plant breeding
Lab Group A: Plant Tissue Culture Lab Foran 104
Lab Group B: pot up side veneer grafts, after care of all grafts, vegetable seedlings, pot up air
layers, etc
April 26:
April 27:
Lecture: Review of course material and laboratory Studies; Finish evaluations
Lab: Nursery Tour – Rare Find Nursery, Jackson, NJ
Take your plants home—Lab notebook due the day of the final