RHS Student Guide Level 2 Unit 2 - Horticulture and Society

Different seed dispersal mechanisms should be understood, and you should be able to explain the full range of these, from leaving the parent plant to being in a position to germinate – for example, seeds that spread by attachment cling to the fur of an animal and fall or are groomed off away from the parent plant where they may germinate if the conditions are suitable. You should be able to explain that in angiosperms, seeds are enclosed in fruit and describe fruit types and formation. You should also be able to describe the conditions that affect the storage of fruit and seeds. The final element is growth habit adaptations. For this, you should be able to understand different growth habits and forms of plants, for example, ground-hugging, dwarf, layering, perennials – herbaceous and woody, trees and shrubs, climbers, and deciduous and evergreen plants. You should be able to name plants that fit in all the categories. Biodiversity and the relationship between it and plant choice should be understood and you should be able to discuss plant choice, using many different elements, and the impact this has on successful growth, establishment, and reducing the need for amelioration. This may feel like a lot of knowledge and learning but most of the above builds on the foundations laid in Unit 1 and a lot of it will help selecting and maintaining plants easier because understanding their growth habits, requirements, and structure helps growers to be able to understand why some plants succeed, why some might fail and so continually improve their knowledge of plant science and relationship to plant selection and growing.

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