COURSE
SYLLABUS
Please note that this syllabus may be changed as the quarter progresses. We are working with live plants and we have to adapt to them to achieve our goals. Thank you for understanding and your patience.
Instructor:
David King
Email:
greenteach@gmail.com
Phone:
310.722.3656
There
are no prerequisites for this course, although some knowledge of
basic botany is extremely helpful. We meet on Sundays from January
11 through March 29 for 10 meetings, nine on Sunday and
one Saturday field trip.
In
our field trip we will attend the WLA chapter of the California
Rare Fruit Growers meeting on February 11th, from
10:00 to noon. This is the day of their annual ‘Scion Exchange’
and is not to be missed if you can help it. There is no other forum
in Los Angeles that offers a better introduction to grafting!
All
other meetings are on Sunday 1:30 to 4:30 PM to The
Learning Garden, at the Venice High School campus. This site is
close to the ocean and because we meet outside or in a poorly
heated classroom, please dress appropriate to the weather, which
is invariably colder than one would imagine. We will do what we can
to mitigate the cold and rain, should it come, but the material of
the class is best covered with live plant material in the garden –
which, of course, is outside.
We
will also be working with potting soils and cut plant material in
almost every single class, gloves will probably be desired. Dress so
that you can comfortably get dirty and still stay dry. Dressing in
layers is probably the best idea when it comes to being outdoors at
The Learning Garden.
Course
Purpose
This
course is an introduction to the principles and practice of plant
propagation, both sexual and asexual, and the science and art of
grafting and budding.
Course
Objectives
Understand
the care and safe use of tools in plant propagation.
Understand
the biology of sexual and asexual propagation of plants.
Understand
and use the different styles of propagation of plants.
Be
able to create or craft and use a plant propagation system.
Demonstrate
an understanding of the above by propagating different species of
plants.
Understand
the physiology of plants sufficiently to be able to successfully bud
and graft a variety of plants.
Application
The
materials presented in this course will enable the student to start
plants from seeds and cuttings, in an amateur or professional setting
and graft woody plants with a working understanding of the scientific
underpinnings of the process. While we are working mostly with food
plants, these techniques cross easily to ornamental plants.
Texts for
this course
Plant
Propagation A to Z –
Bryant; Firefly Books, 2003 It is readily available online. This is
onlyl one of many texts that are useful references for all kinds of
plants. You may choose a different reference that suits you, they
are all about the same.
The
Grafter's Handbook – Garner; Chelsea Green Publishing,
2013, is the current edition.
It has been and still is the most authoritative book on propagation
in or out of print. This book is a wonderful reference book for
someone involved in grafting. Unlike the modern books that only show
a few grafts, this one shows grafts for all kinds of plant work and
as such, is essential for one who wishes to make this work a part of
a skill set.
The
Home Orchard –
UC Press, Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 3485, 2007 –
While primarily a growing guide to deciduous fruit and nut trees,
pages 101 to 122 cover budding and grafting. It does not go deep but
the photos and hand drawings are excellent (as they are throughout
the book) and this is a clear introduction to the art. If you intend
to have a home orchard, this is the book for Californians.
There
will be additional handouts from the instructor. There will be
assigned reading.
All
material for in class will be available online at
http://lagardennotes.blogspot.com/.
Additionally, I invite all of you to join the group, Greener
Gardens, on
Facebook. Handouts are put there as well, and students use the group
to contact one another – I also post other items of interest for
you. I try to not
have handouts in class to avoid wasting paper printing handouts you
may not care to keep
and I will occasionally link to internet site allowing the use of
videos (especially of grafting) you may find helpful.
Class Meetings
To
each class meeting, in addition to any note-taking tools you deem
necessary (paper, camera, tape recorder etc), each student should
bring propagation tools that will be described in our first class
meeting; please don't purchase
a lot of stuff until then. You will need pruners, a grafting knife,
a regular pocket knife (or one knife with two blades for different
purposes), a black, permanent Sharpie, a sharp pencil and a
sturdy pair of gloves – leather preferred. If you are unsure of
what to buy, buy NOTHING until after the first class meeting – we
will not be using most of these items until later.
Grading
Your
grade in this class is based on a checklist you will keep and one or
two short exams. You need to be able to perform each of the tasks on
the log with sufficient skill and understanding of the process in
order to receive a passing grade in this course.
The completed checklist must be turned in the last day of class
unless other arrangements have been made before
hand with the
instructor. I
reserve the right to administer quizzes throughout the course to
insure comprehension. They
will count in your participation score.
Instructor’s
Office Hours
Please
avail yourself of my willingness to meet with you at any
time to discuss your progress in the course or to clarify
instructional material or to answer any difficulties you are having.
My preference is to meet with you at my office at The Learning Garden
where we can cover material without distraction but I am willing to
meet with students anytime, anywhere to assist you in learning; after
all, that is the point your taking the class and my teaching it. It
is my wish that all students learn and are profited by their
enrollment in this course. Do not struggle; I am here to help.
At
The Learning Garden:
THE
FIRST AID KIT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ON THE LEFT OF THE FRONT DOOR AS
YOU ENTER my office
Remember
its location.
I’m
very serious... So
far only three students have had to have emergency medical treatment.
I don't like adding to that number. It's hard enough to get students
without killing them off.
A
garden is filled with uneven surfaces, rocks, plants with thorns and
other armaments and an infinity of possibilities for injury; most of
the time in this course we will be using very sharp
tools which deserve your utmost attention at all times, please give
due attention and consideration of this. Remain on pathways and do
not walk into planted beds unless it is absolutely necessary. Do not
pick anything without permission.
Food
and drink are allowed, but the removal of any trash or waste is
entirely incumbent on the eator and/or drinkor. I will hold you
responsible.
We
will probably have hot tea and coffee to mitigate the cool weather we
anticipate needing to endure. Bring your own cup or mug and any
eating utensils you feel you need. I drink it black – if you want
sugar or cream, it's on you.
Appropriate
clothing is essential. Remember, Venice can be hot and cold by
turns. Layering is suggested; a jacket or sweater close at hand is
essential, pay attention to the forecast, but remember, this close to
the ocean, we are usually 10ยบ
cooler. We will meet regardless of weather. If it is a light
rain/mist, we will continue work. If it is a gully-washer (as though
we get those in Southern California), we will meet in the classroom
and carry on.
Point
Assignment
For
Credit Students. It is more important to me that you learn the
material above all other considerations. I will endeavor through
point assignment, lecture and demonstration to teach you in a way
that will facilitate learning the material. If you aren’t
understanding, please allow me to help you. Tools You Will Need
Each
student should provide:
Pair
of pruners – secateur type, like Felco #2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 or
13. No anvil pruners allowed EXCEPT for those students with hand
pain or arthritis that must use the ratcheting type of pruners.
Felcos can be bought on the internet (eBay) for much less than most
local sources; I am also a Felco distributor and carry several models
at a very competitive price. Coronas and other secateur pruners are
OK, although if you have ever used Felcos, you can appreciate why I
am so fond of them.
Pruning
knife – only used for plants. It is suggested that everyone
also have a second knife for all the other needs in a garden. If one
does not plan on doing a great deal of propagation needing a sharp
knife, an inexpensive knife with break-away blades available from
many local stores may be used. Grafting knives and horticultural
knives are also found for reasonable amounts on eBay and other
internet connections; I also have a selection of inexpensive pruning
knives from Swiss Army. No one should feel pressured to buy my items
– I only have them because they can be hard to find locally and
often all you can find are the really expensive Felcos which you
don't need.
A utility knife
– for all other cutting needs.
Pair
of gloves – leather is preferred, some folks like to have more
than one.
Sharpie
– fine point, only black will not wash off
Pencil
– sharp,
wooden (the Learning Garden does have a sharpener)
You
will need to take notes, so paper is necessary – may I suggest you
take notes in pencil because it won’t run if it gets wet and a
pencil is a small dibber in a pinch.
The
Garden (or instructor) will provide as needed:
Cactus
mix and potting soils
Watering
devices
Pots
Root
stimulating gel
Other
tools and supplies as needed
Oil,
sharpening devices, cleaners and rags for pruner and knife
maintenance
Alcohol
wipes, Listerine and hand soap.
Plant
material/seeds
First
aid kit
Plant
markers
PLEASE NOTE: TWO DATES IN FEBRUARY WERE INCORRECT IN MY ORIGINAL SYLLABUS -
they are changed here....
Date
|
Mtg.
|
TOPIC
|
01/21/18
|
1
|
Lecture: Introduction
– roll, Extension policy, meeting time and place, attendance and
tardiness, tools etc. Tour Garden. Tool selection, care and
safety. Sexual and asexual propagation defined. Introduction to
the different arts of propagation. Botany as applied to
propagation.
Demonstration:
Cutting scions for the exchange
Practical:
Harvesting scionwood
|
01/28/18
|
2
|
Lecture:
Meristematic tissue and the principles of propagation by cuttings;
Pages 92-113; soil mixes for propagation; knives and tools, care
of etc
Demonstration:
Different kinds of cuttings
Practical:
Making cuttings - Lycium chinensis |
02/04/18
|
3
|
Lecture: General
Propagation Methods and Application; Pages 47-91; pests and
diseases and methodology to deal.
Demonstration:
Division of perennials
Practical:
Dividing perennial plants
TEST:
Primarily on Cuttings and Safety
|
02/10/18
|
4
|
Field Trip to California
Rare Fruit Growers
>>> NOT TO BE
MISSED <<< your Valentine will forgive you....
|
02/11/18
|
5
|
Lecture:
Seeds, structure, germination and viability, collection, storage.
Propagation, pages 47-74; seed starting problems and their
solution.
Demonstration:
Scarification/Seed sowing
Practical:
Sowing seeds of different
sizes
|
02/18/18
|
6
|
Lecture: Grafting
Demonstration:
Grafting
Practical:
Practice Grafting
|
02/25/18
|
7
|
Lecture: Budding
Demonstration: Budding
Practical:
Grafting
|
03/04/18
|
8
|
Lecture: California
Native Propagation
Demonstration: Fire
scarification of a California native
Practical: Transplanting
seedlings
|
03/11/18
|
9
|
Lecture: Propagating
ornamentals; Katarina Ericksen
Demonstration:
Ornamental propagation
Practical: Propagating
something unusual.
|
03/18/18
|
10
|
Lecture:
Uses and Varieties of Grafting
Demonstration:
Air Layering
Practical: Air
Layering
TEST:
Grafting Principles and Seeds
|
03/25/18
|
11
|
Field Trip: TBD
|
Our Class
Meeting Locations
The
Learning Garden
13000
Venice Blvd.
Los
Angeles, CA 90066
310.722.3656
(my cell)
The
Garden is located on the south east corner of Walgrove Avenue and
Venice Blvd. It is the first gate on Walgrove south of Venice –
there is a small amount of parking inside the gate, there is no other
secured parking, other than those few spaces, you are on the street
and on your own. DO NOT PARK ON THE CAMPUS PROPER. If parking on
the street is onerous for you (i.e. you have a cane etc) see me.
California
Rare Fruit Growers, West Los Angeles Chapter
Scion
Exchange meeting on February 11 10:00 AM, Veteran's Community
Building, Overland
Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232
Tool
Suppliers: Search online at eBay and other buying services, but the
following companies, in addition to myself, reliably have the tools
you need and prices that are competitive.
A.M.
Leonard (AKA The Gardeners Edge) www.gardenersedge.com
They have everything and they make good house brands of knives and
pruners. Frost Proof Garden Supply www.frostproof.com
A good source for many common garden tools including pruners and
grafting knives and associated supplies. Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
www.groworganic.com
Felco and Corona pruners, inexpensive Swiss Army grafting knives. A
good choice.
Scoring For
Grading in This Class Grading is as follows:
Class
Participation
|
30.00%
|
|
A
|
100-90
|
In
class exams
|
20.00%
|
B
|
90-80
|
Checklist
|
50.00%
|
C
|
80 and <80 p="">
|
TOTAL
|
100.00%
|
|
|
If
you forget your pruners or knife, I do have a few of each, and while
I do have gloves, a pair that fits your hand is preferred (and a pair
of gloves are somewhat personal too). I can sharpen your pruners and
knives and we will learn how in this course.
