How is horticulture a science, a technology, and an industry?

What is agriculture? The production of plants and animals to meet basic human needs (food, clothing, shelter). Includes three important areas: Horticulture Agronomy Forestry

What is horticulture? Culture of plants for food, comfort, and beauty

What is agronomy? Production of traditional crops, such as grain and fiber.

What is forestry? Production of trees for timber

Where does the word horticulture come from? Latin derivative Hortus (garden) Colere (cultivate) = Horticulture +

What is the horticulture industry? All activities that support meeting the needs of consumers of horticulture products Supply and service to growers Production of crops Processing crops Marketing Distribution

How is horticulture a science? Botany The study of plants including the life cycle, structure, growth, and classification Combines plant science, soil science, & biotechnology

What is horticulture technology? Applies science to horticulture production Tools used to control and manage plant’s environment Cultural practices to impact visual, functional, and productive qualities of plants

What are the two major areas of horticulture? Ornamental Horticulture- growing and using plants for their beauty inside and outside our homes. Food Crop Production- growing crops for use as food.

What are the 3 major areas of ornamental horticulture? Floriculture Landscape horticulture Interiorscaping

What is floriculture? Production, transportation, and use of flower and foliage plants Growing flowers for floral designs Growing potted plants to sell Growing bedding plants for transplanting into gardens

What is landscape horticulture? Producing and using plants to make our outdoor environment more appealing Nursery: place where plants, shrubs, and trees are started for transplanting Landscape operators: design planting plans, install material, and maintain plants Lawn and turf maintenance: planting, fertilizing, and mowing turfgrasses Golf course management: maintain all the grass areas of the golf course

What is interiorscaping? Use of foliage plants, grown and sold for their beautiful colored leaves and stems, to create pleasing and comfortable areas inside buildings

What is Food Crop Production? Growing crops for food Olericulture- growing, harvesting, storing, processing, and marketing vegetables Examples Pomology- growing, harvesting, storing, processing, and marketing of fruits and nuts

How did horticulture evolve? European influence on horticulture Early U.S. horticulture

European Influence on Horticulture Theophrastus (377-288 B.C.) Greek horticulturist Speculated that roots absorb nutrients for plants Observed the differences between the leaves of germinating seeds of wheat and beans Described how root pruning encouraged the flowering and fruiting of plants

European Influence on Horticulture Romans Used legumes to improve poor soil Used manure to improve production Used cultivation for weed control

European Influence on Horticulture Varro (116-20 B.C.) Roman horticulturist Developed techniques of post-harvest storage

European Influence on Horticulture Dioscorides Greek herbalist Wrote De Materia Medica that served as the authority for 1,500 years Identified plants that had medicinal properties

European Influence on Horticulture Carolus Linnaeus (1701-1778) Swedish botanist and physician Developed method for classifying plants through binomial nomenclature

European Influence on Horticulture Charles Darwin (1809-1882) English naturalist Presented scientifically sound explanation of evolution Wrote The Power of Movement in Plants which described phototropism and geotropism

European Influence on Horticulture Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) Austrian monk Laid the foundation for the science of botany and genetics

Early U.S. Horticulture Prince Nursery First commercial nursery founded during early 1730s Grew rapidly until the American Revolution Published a catalog in 1794 which contained an extensive list of cultivars Major supplier of the Lombardy poplar after its introduction in 1784

Early U.S. Horticulture Andrew J. Downing (1815-1852) First great American landscape gardener Frederick Law Olmstead (1822-1903) Father of landscape architecture Primary landscape architect for Central Park in N.Y.

Early U.S. Horticulture Liberty Bailey (1858-1954) Writings serve as the standard authority on plant nomenclature, taxonomy, pruning, etc. Wrote Manual of Cultivated Plants, Hortus Second, and How Plants Get Their Names

Why is horticulture so popular? Increased awareness and job market in horticulture Food and crop production Technology advancements and jobs Professional interest in horticulture as a career Diploma, associates degrees, bachelors, masters, and P.H.D.s in horticulture