Enduring Understandings
Students are able to apply the processes of scientific investigation and design, conduct, communicate about, and evaluate such investigations
Students know and understand the characteristics and structure of living things, the processes of life, and how living things interact with each other and their environment.
Essential Questions
What impact does plant life have on human civilization?
How can the study of plant diversity and processes provide us with a better understanding of all life sciences; biology, genetics, ecology and evolution?
What are the best practices for running a successful and profitable greenhouse business?
Greenhouse Management I (V09-21)
Essential Learnings:
Fall Semester
Credit 1 (Weeks1-2)
-Intro to Greenhouse Management: Safety, Equipment and Industry
Credit 2 and 3 (Week 3)
-Greenhouse Design and Operation
Credit 4 and 5 (Week 4)
-Plant Classifications and Taxonomy
Credit 6 (Weeks 5-6)
- Plant Physiology: Roots
-Plant Physiology: Stems
Credit 7 (Weeks 7-8)
-Plant Physiology: Leaves
Credit 8 (Weeks 9-10)
-Plant Physiology: Flowers
-Plant Physiology: Fruit
Credit 9-11 (Weeks 11-13)
-Soil Science: Composition and Drainage
-Soil Science: Microorganisms and Decomposition
-Soilless Media: Hydroponics
Credit 12 and 13 (Week 14)
-Floral Design
Credit 14 (Week 15)
- Plant Growth Regulators
Credit 15 (Week 16)
- Food/Crop Production: Culinary Plants
Week 16: Semester Review and Exam
Spring Semester
Credit 1 (Weeks 1-2):
-Seed and Seed Viability
Credit 2 (Weeks 3-4)
- Sexual Propagation
Credit 3 (Weeks 5-6)
- Plant Genetics: DNA, Heredity and Plant Breeding
Credit 4 (Week 6)
- Biotechnology: GMO’s
Credit 5 (Weeks 7-8)
- Asexual Propagation: Cuttings, Layering, Grafting and Micropropagation
Credit 6 (Week 9):
-Plant Nutrients
Credit 7 (Week 10)
-Fertilizers and Fertilizer Application
Credit 8- 13 (Weeks 11-14)
- Plant Pests
-Invasive Species
-Vertebrate Pests
-Plant Pathology
-Integrated Pest Management
Credit 14(Week 15)
-Medicinal Plants
Credit 15(Week 16)
- Greenhouse Sales and Marketing
Week 17: Semester Review and Final Exam
Colorado Community College System common course numbering competencies:
Introduction to Horticulture (HLT 101)
- Define the differences between horticulture, the applied plant sciences and botany.
- Demonstrate the importance of horticulture in society.
- List and describe various horticulture industries and jobs.
- Define the term taxonomy, and list the various levels.
- Illustrate the need for a universal nomenclature.
- Write the binomial nomenclature system for 10 plants.
- Describe various operational systems of classification of plants based on growth form, fruits, life cycle, use stem type, leaf characteristics, adaptation, and flower types.
- List and describe the primary tissues of higher plants and their functions.
- Describe various plant organs and how they are used as a basis for classifying horticultural plants.
- Outline the differences between monocots and dicots.
- List the important plant growth factors in both the above-ground and below-ground environments.
- Explain the pH scale and its importance to plant growth.
- Discuss the need for organic matter in the soil.
- Illustrate the roles of each environmental factor in plant growth and development.
- Describe how each environmental factor may be managed for better plant performance.
- Explain the generalized phases of plant growth.
- Describe vegetative and reproductive growth and development in plants.
- Discuss specific growth processes – photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, translocation, and absorption – and their roles in plant growth and development.
- Discuss specific ways in which growers may manipulate physiological processes for increased plant productivity.
- List and describe horticultural uses of plant hormones & Plant Growth Regulators.
- Discuss the importance of genetics in horticultural plant improvement.
- Explain the genetic basis of biological variation.
- List the contributions of Mendel and Darwin.
- Examine specific practical applications of classical genetics and molecular biology in plant improvement.
- List and discuss the environmental conditions for seed germination and vegetative propagation.
- Discuss the economic effects of pests in horticulture.
- Outline the categories of organisms that are pests of plants.
- Distinguish among pests on the basis of life cycles.
- Discuss the general principles of pest control.
- Describe how greenhouses are used in the production of horticultural plants.
Greenhouse Management & Crops (HLT 105)
- Recognize the origins and evolution of the greenhouse industry and its development in this country including the history of the origin of bedding plants and cut flowers.
- Identify changing market channels, and the future direction of greenhouse production.
- Identify suitable sites for a greenhouse based on zoning, utilities, price, soil factors, climate, etc.
- Identify factors associated with construction of all of the types of greenhouses commonly used in this area.
- Recognize costs associated with construction of all of the types of greenhouses commonly used in this area.
- Recognize and discuss the various heat systems, fuel sources, and environmental control and computer equipment available for greenhouses, including emergency heaters and generators.
- Demonstrate the ability to calculate the heating and cooling needs of a greenhouse.
- Explain the summer and winter cooling systems in a greenhouse, and describe the integration of cooling and heating systems for greenhouses.
- Explain the functions of a root media, list desirable properties, components and the advantages and disadvantages of soil-based and soil-less media.
- Describe the preparation, handling and compare the costs of common greenhouse potting media.
- Describe the differences between steam pasteurization and chemical pasteurization.
- Explain re-inoculation and how it occurs.
- Discuss watering systems and rules of watering and the effects of watering on plants.
- Identify factors related to water quality.
- Explain the difference between slow-release fertilizers and injection of liquid types of fertilization.
- Identify nutrient deficiencies in greenhouse crops and discuss how they can be corrected.
- Demonstrate the ability to formulate a fertilization program.
- Explain the role of carbon dioxide in relation to plant growth and identify various methods of carbon dioxide injection.
- Compare light intensity for photosynthesis and light duration for photoperiodism and describe methods of regulating and manipulating light for photosynthesis and photoperiodism.
- Explain the effect of temperature on plant growth and the relationship between temperature, photosynthesis and carbon dioxide usage.
- Discuss methods of insect prevention.
- Identify proper safety precautions to use when applying pesticides.
- Explain integrated pest management.
- Identify various greenhouse plant diseases.
- Discuss control measures for plant diseases.
- Discuss and trace growth of industry, as well as factors that enabled growth to occur including important dates, people, and countries of origin.
- Recap the associations within the industry and rank their importance.
- Analyze which professional association is best suited for their professional self-advancement.
- Discuss the certification process and the skills required for certification.
- Discuss how the floral industry fits into the green industry.
- Explain the concepts of harmony and unity within a floral design.
- Discuss floral design style and harmony.
- Discuss the use of color to create design interest.
- Explain balance, proportion, and scale in the creation of floral designs.
- Express the importance of rhythm and focal points in creating design interest.
- Discuss the importance of line, form, space and depth in the creation of floral designs.
- Discuss the use of texture and fragrance in floral design.
- Identify the tools used in floral design, and demonstrate the use of each.
- Discuss floral preservatives, and containers used in floral design and their advantages and disadvantages.
- Demonstrate the use of floral foam and floral grids.
- Demonstrate the use of pins, picks and water tubes, wire and wiring of fresh flowers.
- Identify the basic flowers and greenery used in floral design, and discuss the care and handling of fresh floral products.
- Discuss the ways to preserve fresh floral products.
- Demonstrate the usage of different types of flowers in arrangements and discuss how different types of flowers in arrangement to give a desired effect.
- Create several different styles of boutonnieres and corsages.
- Create 5 of the eleven basic shapes of arrangements and discuss when each one of these types would be most appropriate.
- Discuss methods of preparing effective window and cooler displays.
- Discuss how to handle telephone and walk-in orders.
- Determine costs and profit margins for various cut flower arrangements.
- Discuss inventory control and its relevance to profitability.
A. Leadership Competencies
1. Demonstrate an understanding of a CTSO, its structure and activities.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of one’s personal values.
3. Perform tasks related to effective personal management skills.
4. Demonstrate interpersonal skills.
5. Demonstrate etiquette and courtesy.
6. Demonstrate effectiveness in oral and written communications.
7. Develop and maintain a code of professional ethic.
8. Maintain a good professional appearance.
9. Perform basic tasks related to securing and terminating employment.
10. Perform basic parliamentary procedures in a group meeting.
Credit Information:
High school credit:
17.5 per semester: 15 elective credits, 2.5 science elective credits per semester
College credit:
HLT 101 and HLT 105
Textbooks and Supplementary Materials
Greenhouse Production.
Biondo, Robert, 2004.
Key Assignments and Assessments
- BVSD Common Assessments:
Quarterly: Binder Grade and Greenhouse Lab Grade
Semester: Final Exam
- Teacher and student designed assessments: