SECTION D – HORTICULTURE

Horticulture refers to the small scale cultivation of crops. Horticulture differs from agriculture in the
following ways:

 Small pots of mixed crops are grown rather than large fields of one crop
 A wider variety of crops is grown, often mixing tree crops and ground crops
 Ornamental crops may be cultivated as well as edible ones.

Horticulture can be divided into two sections: the cultivation of edible plants and the cultivation of
ornamentals (attractive plants, especially flowers)

IMPORTANCE OF HORTICULTURAL PLANTS

USE IMPORTANCE EXAMPLES

Nutritional Any plant that produces a food
crop for humans and animals
Aesthetic Ornamental plants providing
pleasure and decoration.
Medical and therapeutic Many native plants have been
used for medical purposes in the
past and some are still cultivated
by herbalists.
Religious Many religious practices involve
the use of herbs for healing
Shading The provision of trees shaded
from the sun is needed for
livestock on farms; also useful in
gardens, parks and recreational
areas.
Handicraft Plants that provide materials for
making furniture and craft
objects
Vegetables (beans, maize,
tomatoes), fruit trees (apples,
citrus, peaches), grasses (hay,
silage)
Flower crops such as poinsettia,
heliconia; ornamentals trees for
parts and gardens
Chenopodium ambrosioides
(Mexican tea) used for gastric
upsets and to get rid of intestinal
worms; Capsium spp. (peppers)
with a variety of uses; Aloe vera
produces a healing balm.
Any trees; on farms the trees can
be citrus or other fruit-bearing
species, providing additional
income; native soecies in parks
and botanical gardens.
Wood from trees; wallaba,
purple heart, kabaculli etc
provides timber for cabinet
making and other decorative
purposes.
CULTIVATION OF HORTICULTURAL PLANTS

HARVESTING TECHNIQUES OF HORTICULTURAL PLANTS

Harvesting techniques do not differ greatly from those used by farmers. As the plots are smaller, most
harvesting is done by hand so there is minimum damage from machinery. Harvesting occurs when the
edible parts of plants are at a desirable stage of maturity. This varies with the crop. Some crops are
harvested at the ripe or fully mature stage. Harvesting should be done when it is cool, early morning or
late evening. Rough handling during any stage of post-harvest should be avoided.

QUALTITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FLOWERS OF HORTICULTURAL PLANTS

Flower producers need to supply the market with blooms in a state which will satisfy the consumer.
Ornamental crops need special harvesting techniques and post-harvesting treatment to ensure they
reach the market in prime condition.

Anthurium And Heliconia

Hybrids of anthurium may produce up to 12 flowers per year. Flowers are harvested when the spathe is
fully opened, the flower stalk is firm up to bloom, and the spadix (candle) is firm and rough with
prominent seed buds. Using secateurs, cut stalk 40 to 80 cm in length and place upright in baskets. Post-
harvesting handling involves flowers being stored in a cool area and graded according to size, colour and
injury.

Ginger Lilies

Ginger lily blooms are cut off together with two leaves on the flower stalk. The blooms are placed in a
basket with flowers protruding upwards. The stalks are placed with their basal ends in buckets, half-
filled with clean water, in a cool place. The blooms are later graded and placed in boxes for export or
into small bundles, and covered over with a clear polythene bag for the local market.

Orchids

Orchid’s sprays are cut with as long a stem as possible, including some buds and flowers. The blooms are
placed in a basket and transported to the storage area as quickly as possible. The cut flowers may be
placed into orchid tubes filled with water to support the stems. They are carefully packed into boxes and
stored in a cool place.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LAWN AND TURF GRASSES

Lawns can be established from seeds or by using sod (sprigs or plugs). The land should be cleared, dug
over or ploughed, and rotovated to produce a seed bed. The soil is then graded, smoothed and leveled.
The plot is left to allow weed seeds to germinate. These can be removed by hand or sprayed with
herbicide. Add lime and fertilizer and incorporate into the soil before planting. Some grass species are:
  Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon): green couch grass
 Savanna grass (Axonopus compressus): sometimes known as broad-leaved carpet grass
 Manila grass (Zoysia matrella). Turf grass

Lawn establishment

Using seed

Grass seed should be bought from a reputable supplier, be of good quality and have a high percentage
germination rate. It can be spread by hand or by using a mechanical drill or spreader. If fertilizer has not
already been added to the soil, it can be mixed with the seed before sowing. The seeds should be spread
evenly to ensure a good cover.

Using sod

Use of sod, or turf, for establishment of a lawn is the quickest method, but also the most expensive. It is
often used for landscaping or for small areas of lawn. The ground needs to be prepared, graded and
leveled and the sod watered frequently until establishment.

 Sprigs – are pieces of turf containing stolon and roots. They are sometimes referred to as
runners. Sprigs can be plated 15 to 20 cm apart or broadcast over the soil, followed by disking to
partially cover them with soil. Sprigs can be purchased as turf, which is then shredded to form
sprigs. A lawn planted in this way will establish more quickly than one grown from seed.
 Plugs – a plug is a small piece of turf 5cm across, containing shoots, roots and soil. It is made by
cutting up sod. One effective method of lawn establishment is to chop up runners or sod, mix
them with soil or peat, and spread over the surface of the (lightly covered and watered).

The grass needs to be watered regularly, fertilizer applied and pests and weeds controlled. Mowing can
be started when grass reach 5cm in height and should be carried out regularly.