Title: Assess substrates for container-grown or field-grown plants.
Course: Floriculture (18052-II) > Section: Applying Science to Plant Production

Assessment should include

- individual substrate components
- combinations of substrate components
- evaluation of specific plant requirements for soil structure, moisture holding ability, drainage ability, and fertility
- analysis of possible soil amendments
- chemical supplements for the soil
- sterilization of field soils and substrates, using heat treatments, fumigation, and/or chemicals.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the advantages of using commercially prepared amendments?
- How do various amendments affect substrate pH?
- Why are some substrates better suited to certain crops than to others?
- What is the importance of using sterilized substrates?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of using planting media mixes?
- What materials are used in soilless plant media mixes, and why are they used?
- What are the differences between organic and inorganic fertilizers?
- How does pH affect plant growth and development?