R2112 UNDERSTANDING THE CHOICE, ESTABLISHMENT & MAINTENANCE OF GARDEN PLANTS & LAWNS

Transcription

1 Including Examiners Comments R11 UNDERSTANDING THE CHOICE, ESTABLISHMENT & MAINTENANCE OF GARDEN PLANTS & LAWNS Level Tuesday 1 June :0 1:10 Written Examination Candidate Number: Candidate Name: Centre Number/Name:.. IMPORTANT Please read carefully before commencing: i) The duration of this paper is 50 minutes; ii) iii) iv) ALL questions should be attempted; EACH question carries 10 marks; 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) vii) viii) Use black or blue ink only. Pencil can be used for drawing purposes only; Where plant names are required, they should include genus, species and where appropriate, cultivar; 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. Ofqual Unit Code T/601/063 1 Please turn over/..

2 Q1 a) ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS Name TWO distinct plants suitable for a winter hanging basket display. Describe the planting of a winter hanging basket Total Mark Please see over/..

3 Q a) c) Name TWO distinct decorative bulbs suitable for growing in a container. Describe the method which can be used to control stem OR bulb eelworm. Describe TWO maintenance tasks carried out on flowering bulbs in a container. Total Mark Please turn over/.. 3

4 Q3 a) Name FOUR distinct trees suitable for growing in a small domestic garden Describe TWO distinct methods of controlling weeds during tree establishment Total Mark Please see over/..

5 Q a) Name FOUR distinct alpine OR rock garden plants suitable for growing in a container. State SIX essential requirements of a compost suitable for the cultivation of alpine OR rock garden plants in containers. 6 Total Mark Please turn over/.. 5

6 Q5 a) Name TWO distinct plants suitable for a bog garden Describe the preparation of a site for growing bog garden plants Total Mark 6 Please see over/..

7 Q6 a) Describe the establishment of a lawn from seed under EACH of the following headings: i) soil cultivation; ii) seed sowing. 5 3 i).. ii). State ONE lawn symptom of a NAMED lawn pest. ******* 7 Total Mark

8 These questions are the property of the Royal Horticultural Society. They must not be reproduced or sold. The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU3 6QB. Charity Registration Number: 879/SC0386 8

9 R11 UNDERSTANDING THE CHOICE, ESTABLISHMENT & MAINTENANCE OF GARDEN PLANTS & LAWNS Level Tuesday 1 June 016 Candidates Registered 637 Total Candidates Passed % Candidates Entered % Passed with Commendation % Candidates Absent/Withdrawn % Passed % Candidates Deferred % Failed % 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. 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. 9

10 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. 10

11 Q1 a) Name TWO distinct plants suitable for a winter hanging basket display. Describe the planting of a winter hanging basket. 8 Q1a) Most candidates were able to name two distinct plants for a winter hanging basket display and gained full marks. Suitable examples included: Viola x wittrockiana, Buxus sempervirens, Hedera helix and Erica carnea. Candidates who named plants for a summer hanging basket display or plants that are too large for a winter hanging basket display could not be awarded any marks. Q1 The best candidates described the process of planting a winter hanging basket in sequence and were awarded full marks. Acceptable answers included: The type of basket used, e.g. wire Use of a named liner, e.g. moss sourced from a reputable supplier Appropriate growing medium including nutrients, e.g. a controlled release fertiliser, i.e. Osmocote, and water retaining granules The design aspects for the planting, i.e. arrangement of the plants, colour and their reliability of flowering Planting the basket in a sequence from the sides to the top Consolidation of the growing medium and watering Candidates who described the maintenance of the basket and its position could not be awarded any marks. 11

12 Q a) c) Name TWO distinct decorative bulbs suitable for growing in a container. Describe the method which can be used to control stem OR bulb eelworm. Describe TWO maintenance tasks carried out on flowering bulbs in a container. Qa) The majority of candidates named a range of suitable bulbs and other storage organs which can be grown in a container. Correct examples which gained full marks included: Narcissus Tête-à-tête, Tulipa Queen of Night, Hyacinthus orientalis and Crocus vernus. Q To gain full marks candidates needed to include the following details in their descriptions. Stem or bulb eelworm can be controlled by the removal and destruction of infected bulbs and through the use of hot water treatment on the infected bulbs. This is carried out by immersing the bulbs in water at a temperature of.5ºc for 3 hours. Avoid planting susceptible bulbs in the same area until the pest has been eradicated. Qc) Most candidates described a range of maintenance tasks that are carried out on flowering bulbs in a container and were awarded full marks. Suitable answers included: Deadheading spent flowers by cutting them off with secateurs Weeding containers by hand to avoid damage to the plants Watering the bulbs in dry weather by giving them a thorough soaking Liquid feeding the bulbs by including a dilute solution in the irrigation water or from a watering can 1

13 Q3 a) Name FOUR distinct trees suitable for growing in a small domestic garden. Describe TWO distinct methods of controlling weeds during tree establishment. 6 Q3a) The best candidates named suitable trees for growing in a small garden. Acceptable answers included: Acer griseum or Acer palmatum, Malus x zumi Golden Hornet, Cornus kousa and Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy. Q3 The majority of candidates were able to describe distinct methods of controlling weeds during tree establishment. Methods which gained full marks included the use of a mulch, e.g. garden compost or shredded bark. This is applied to a depth of mm for a radius of 1m around the tree but not touching the trunk. Herbicides were described, e.g. diquat, to control annual weed and glyphosate to control perennial weeds for a radius of 1m around the base of the tree. Other methods described included: the use of tree spats and hand weeding. 13

14 Q a) Name FOUR distinct alpine OR rock garden plants suitable for growing in a container. State SIX essential requirements of a compost suitable for the cultivation of alpine OR rock garden plants in containers. 6 Qa) Candidates named a range of alpine or rock garden plants suitable for growing in a container and were awarded full marks. Acceptable answers included: Sempervivum arachnoideum, Lewisia cotyledon, Saxifraga Esther, Armeria caespitosa, Dianthus alpinus and Leontopodium alpinum. Q Most candidates were able to state the requirements of compost for the cultivation of alpine or rock garden plants in containers and gained full marks. These included: Well drained Open structure Low nutrient levels Ability to hold nutrients Ability to hold adequate water Free from weeds Free from pests and diseases 1

15 Q5 a) Name TWO distinct plants suitable for a bog garden. Describe the preparation of a site for growing bog garden plants. 8 Q5a) Full marks were awarded to candidates who were able to name distinct plants suitable for a bog garden. Examples given included: Gunnera manicata, Lobelia cardinalis, Iris sibirica and Primula florindae. Q5 The best candidates described the preparation of a site for growing bog garden plants by including the following: Removal of perennial weeds by forking or digging out Removal of annual weeds by hoeing Removal of large stones and debris Single or double digging Incorporation of well-rotted organic matter during primary cultivation Raking level Consolidation Creation of a suitable tilth for planting Candidates who included descriptions of basic site construction in their answers were also awarded marks. 15

16 Q6 a) Describe the establishment of a lawn from seed under EACH of the following headings: i) soil cultivation; ii) seed sowing. 5 3 State ONE lawn symptom of a NAMED lawn pest. Q6a) The majority of candidates were able to describe the establishment of a lawn from seed and gained full marks. Suitable answers included: i) Soil cultivation Levelling/grading Addition of drainage if required Weed control, e.g. perennials by the use of glyphosate herbicide Primary cultivation by single/double digging or by use of a rotavator Secondary cultivation, i.e. raking, consolidation by treading or by use of a roller, creation of a fine tilth by raking ii) Seed sowing Broadcast sowing, evenly Rate of 15-35g/m² Seed sown in two directions Lightly raked in Watered if necessary Q6 Most candidates gave a suitable symptom of a named lawn pest and were awarded full marks. Acceptable answers included: moles which leave mole hills, worms which leave small worm casts and chafer grubs which cause yellowing of the lawn and where birds can be seen grubbing the chafer grubs. Candidates who named lawn diseases could not be awarded any marks. ******* 16