Exploring the
Garden: Plant Growth and Diversity (BOT1)
Why are some plants
"thirstier" than others? Why is it a bad idea to water my garden a little every
day? Why do I have to refrigerate my bulbs before forcing? Can plants tell time? Why won't
my poinsettia bloom? What causes the changes in seasons, making sap flow or leaves change
color?
The course begins by laying a foundation for how plants
work. We start with an overview of plant parts, from root tips to treetops. Then we zoom
in on the plant cell to see how plants manufacture their own food and perform other
important functions. Next, we look at how plants are named and classified, and survey some
plant families important to gardeners. (Did you know that broccoli, cauliflower, and
cabbage are all the same species?!) Finally, we explore the amazing diversity of plant
life, and the adaptations that have allowed plants to colonize almost every corner of the
earth! We emphasize proper terminology to help gardeners everywhere communicate more
effectively. Throughout the course, you'll find pop quizzes, hyperlinks to a comprehensive
glossary, and links to related Web sites.
Exploring the Garden: Plant
Relationships and Cycles (BOT2)
Why does deadheading a plant
promote more flowering? Why won't seeds collected from hybrid plants grow
"true-to-type"? Why does cross-pollination among different varieties of sweet
corn affect flavor? And yet the flavor of squash isn't affected by cross-pollination? Can
home gardeners breed their own vegetable varieties? What exactly is genetic engineering,
and is there a cause for concern?
The course begins with a look at the relationships
between plants and people. We survey a variety of plants and plant parts, looking at the
characteristics that make them so valuable to us. Next we look at the role of flowers in
plant reproduction - that mystery in which life is transmitted from one generation to the
next. We explore plant life cycles, and discuss how gardeners manipulate plant life cycles
to their advantage. Then, we venture into the world of genetics, investigating how various
traits are passed from parent to offspring. This leads us to a brief look at plant
breeding, including recent advances in high-tech methods, and we survey different ways
gardeners can propagate their own plants. We wrap up the course with a look at ecology in
the garden.
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