06/08/2013 - Plant Propagation Unit 20557 and Soil Unit 22175

Actual Temperature
15 degrees Celsius
Humidity : 80%
Rainfall : 0.00mm
Wind : Calm

My class was conducted by Lisa Short on 06/08/2013. In the morning section monitored on the seedlings such as Digitalis summer king which is healthy and root growing gently, Sophora tetraptera seedlings are still quite slow but there are more growth. Others seedlings are just growing slowly. Thymus vulgaris has healthy roots and doing good. Juniper media blaauw the plant is healthy but growth is slow. Dianthus confetti seedlings showing good growth plant grow much taller  and more healthier. Sweet pea - cupid drawrf (Lathyrus cupid) seedlings as good growth and looks healthy. Clianthus puniceus seedlings are doing good and they are healthy. Veronica topiaria was healthy and no trace of wilting.  Lupin gallery mix seedlings is fresh and much more healthy.

Veronica "Emerald Green" hardwood cutting has good and healthier rooting was pricked out and potted into 32 separate small pots.

In the afternoon my class was also with Lisa Short regarding Soil Unit on Soil pH. The measure of soil acidity or alkaline.The acidity of pH of a soil has a major effect on soil fertility and yet is one of the simplest components of soil fertility to manage, provided that limestones is available.

The pH scale range from 0 - 14 with mid-point of scale 7, indicating neutrality that is neither acid or alkaline.

The pH of soil influences Nutrient availability, soil structure, organisms, plant growth. Nutrient availability is a change in soil pH in plant. For examples as the pH rises above neutral  availability of iron and manganese drops. Soil structure by making a soil more alkaline (adding lime) you encourage flocculation. Organisms Biological life has pH preferences such as Bacteria - neutral, worms - slightly alkaline and fungi - slightly acid. Plants grow best at a preferred pH range.

Factors affecting soil nutrients availability such as pH if the level is incorrect the nutrients bonded through chemicals reactions can be unavailable to the plants. Nutrient fixation such as phosphorous and potassium can become tied-up in very insoluble mineral forms. Soil organisms influences the rate of organic matter decomposition and therefore the amount of nutrients available. Mycorrhizal association fungi living with the roots of plants. Parent rocks the amount of many nutrients present will depend on the original mineral composition of the parent material. When soil received water, nutrients can be leached out and become unavailable to the plant. Texture amount of clay and humus particles in soil.