2018 NATIONAL FFA NURSERY/LANDSCAPE CDE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE EXAM

1. Which of these is generally the most important condition for ensuring success when propagating shrubs from softwood cuttings?

• A. Maintaining high humidity around the cuttings

• B. Keeping the soil saturated and the leaves of the cutting dry

• C. Maintaining high soil fertility

• D. Spraying the cuttings periodically with rooting hormone

2. A home builder is preparing a newly constructed house for sale and plans to have an open house in about a week. They want the landscape to look complete and well established with the lawn looking as if it has been growing for months. If cost is not a concern, the landscaper should:

• A. plant the best seed available and water and fertilize heavily.

• B. use hydro-seeding with a complete fertilizer and ryegrass as a nurse crop.

• C. install sod.

• D. use ryegrass as a nurse crop for a fast start and over-seed with fescue.

3. A tractor driven on public roads should always have:

• A. a slow-moving-vehicle sign on the back.

• B. roll bars around the entire driver area.

• C. an oversized load sign on the back of the tractor.

• D. a USDA issued tractor license plate on the back.

4. Which of the following is true about sticking softwood cuttings?

• A. The base of the cutting should touch the bottom of the container.

• B. The media should be firmed around the base of the cutting.

• C. The media should be left uncompacted and as loose as possible to maintain the maximum amount of air.

• D. The media for cutting propagation should be 6 to 12 inches deep in the container.

5. In the landscape plant production business, ___ has almost been abandoned as an ingredient in the growing mix.

• A. topsoil

• B. bark

• C. coir

• D. perlite

6. From the statements below about a horticulture business, which statement tells us the most about the financial health of this company?

• A. The company had gross sales of $800,000 last year.

• B. The company made a net profit of $182,000 last year.

• C. The company expanded into the hard-goods business in January.

• D. The company expanded into the landscape installation business in February.

7. Which of these groups are all deciduous trees?

• A. Cercis canadensis, Fagus sylvatica, Pinus strobus

• B. Magnolia grandiflora, Quercus rubra, Abies concolor

• C. Tulipa spp. cv., Acer rubrum, Tsuga canadensis

• D. Taxodium distichum, Liquidambar styraciflura, Acer palmatum

8. Depending on the climate of the area, most nursery growers in the US must provide some type of winter protection for their potted crops. Which of these is NOT a method used for winter protection.

• A. Moving the plants tightly together, commonly known as pot-to-pot

• B. Putting the plants inside a cold frame

• C. Growing in the field in a system known as pot-in-pot

• D. Filling the water space of the pots with insulating fiber

9. This company sells mostly large balled-and-burlapped shrubs and trees. You would expect their harvest and delivery season to be from:

• A. late fall through late spring.

• B. early summer through fall.

• C. late summer through late fall.

• D. spring through late summer.

10. Before digging to install a landscape you should:

• A. call the utility companies that services the area.

• B. dial 811.

• C. post “Danger” signs along the perimeter of the work area.

• D. require the property owner to sign a liability release for the utilities.