Academic Catalog

HORT 90L: PLANT PROPAGATION: BASIC SKILLS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 1
Hours: 12 lecture per quarter (12 total per quarter)
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate ability to utilize various propagation techniques in nursery and greenhouse environments.
  • Exhibit understanding of the basic techniques used in plant propagation.

Description

Introduction to propagation of plants by sexual and asexual methods. Seeding, cutting, grafting, division of specialized structures, and micro-propagation discussed and demonstrated. Discussions include growing media, fertilizers, hormones, and other plant supplements.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Explain the basic techniques used in plant propagation.
  2. Describe basic terminology associated with plant propagation.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to utilize various propagation techniques in nursery and greenhouse environments.
  4. Describe media and products used for propagation.
  5. Create a sterile environment.
  6. Manage pests.
  7. Prepare plant starts.

Course Content

  1. Techniques used in propagation of plants
    1. Sexual propagation techniques
    2. Asexual propagation techniques
    3. Hybridization vs. cultivation
  2. Terminology associated with plant propagation
  3. Practical application of propagation techniques
    1. Seeding
    2. Cutting
    3. Grafting
    4. Budding
    5. Division of specialized structures
    6. Micro-propagation
  4. Media and supplements
    1. Growing media
    2. Fertilizers
    3. Hormones
    4. Plant supplements (vitamins, micro-nutrients, etc.)
  5. Techniques for sterile working environments
    1. Decontamination of equipment
    2. Sterile personal protective equipment (PPE)
    3. Use of sterilants
  6. Pests and diseases
    1. Insects
    2. Pathogens
  7. Transplanting
    1. Cuttings
    2. Sterile medium

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Horticultural laboratory, greenhouse, nursery, and related horticultural facilities and equipment.
2. Students provide seeds, pruning shears with sheath, work boots, leather gloves, and clothing for field work.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Student field demonstration of concepts
Plant propagation and production project
Preparation of propagation schedules and crop planning

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Demonstrations
Discussions

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Squire, David. Home Gardener's Propagation. 2016.

Kester, Dale, Fred Davies, Robert Genevet, and Hudson Hartmann. Hartmann and Kesters's Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices, 8th ed.. 2011.

Although the above texts are older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, they remain seminal in this area of study.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

Reading assignments will include reading approximately 30 pages per week from the assigned texts.

Discipline(s)

Ornamental Horticulture