Course Syllabus
Hort 332 - Interior Plantscaping
Hort 332 Interior Plantscaping 3 Prereq introductory biology or horticulture course or permission of instructor. Design, selection, installation, management, and maintenance of plantings within buildings; effects of interior plants on people and the environment. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students (PLSC 332).
Time:
Taught Fall semesters, Tuesday and Thursday 4:10 to 5:25 pm. (AMS/WECN and ANGEL will be used.)
Instructors:
Dr. Rita Hummel, 205A Kalkus Hall, WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center
Email: hummelrl@wsu.edu
Caroline Pearson-Mims, 101A Johnson Hall, WSU Pullman
Email: pearson@wsu.edu
Required Texts & Media:
- Interior Plantscapes: Installation, Maintenance and Management, Third Edition, by George Manaker.
- Interior Plant Handbook, by Rita L. Hummel.
- Hort 332 website: http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/Hort/Hort332/index.html
Supplemental Texts & Media:
- Interior Landscaping by Tok Furuta.
- Tropical Foliage Plants, by Lynn P. Griffith, Jr.
- Guide to Interior Landscape Specifications 5th Edition by PLANET
- The Healthy Indoor Plant: A Guide to Successful Indoor Gardening, by Charles C. Powell and Rosemary Rossetti
Course Objectives:
Students will learn to select, install, manage, maintain and design plantings within buildings as well as to understand the effects of interior plants on people and the environment.
Instructional Methods:
Methods used will include lectures, PowerPoint presentations, internet and Angel; students will be encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions during class time and online.
Course Topics:
- Introduction to interior plantscaping. History, value, origins and future of interior plants; online and research information sources
- Uses of plants in interiorscapes; design of a small-scale commercial interiorscape. Design considerations, LEED, plant growth and plant growth control
- Plant-human relationships. Physical, emotional and environmental justification for interior plantscaping; research overview of interior-plant effects on humans and the environment
- Environmental factors limiting plant growth and maintenance indoors. Research methods related to environmental physiology of interior plants and class discussion of student research project on light intensity and plant growth.
- light: intensity, duration, source, effects, modifications
- temperature, humidity, air movement and quality
- water: quality, quantity, methods of application, waterproofing
- growing media and nutrients: salinity, selection
- Plant problem diagnosis. Recognition, prevention and control of common cultural, disease and insect problems on interior plants with emphasis on integrated pest management practices for interiorscapes; WSU Plant Diagnostician guest lecture; student presentations and discussion of interior plant problem diagnostic studies
- Planters. Selection and maintenance considerations; living walls
- Plant acclimatization and acceptance. Environmental physiology, horticultural practices and the research basis for understanding
- Maintenance practices and schedules. Environmental monitoring, equipment, plant pruning, grooming, girdling roots, potting, replacement, rotation, seasonal flowering plants, maintenance schedules
- Installation and maintenance contracting. Organization, image, client and industry interactions, specifications and cost estimates for interior designs, contracts. Student PowerPoint Presentations of the Plant Assessment and Site Analysis Projects will occur during this time
- Interior plant identification, cultural requirements and uses. Information on the individual plants used in commercial interiors will be integrated throughout all lectures
Assignments/Projects:
- Observations on the Use of Interior Plants in American Life and Popular Media. Students will observe interior plant use in selected commercial interiorscapes and discuss the design intent, the same will be done for selected television shows and/or movies.
- Professional Web Sites Familiarization. Students will research information available on the Green Plants for Green Buildings web site (greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org), and the Interiorscape web site (interiorscape.com). Students will find a website pertinent to the class and briefly present their finding to the class.
- Journal Article Assignments. Students will read, analyze and interpret the significance of scientific journal articles.
- Class Research Project-Light Intensity and Plant Growth. Students will be given cuttings of Ledebouria socialis to root and grow at differing interior light intensities. Students will collect data on plant response to light intensity and report to the class. Data from all students will be combined for statistical analysis and each student will produce a report interpreting the results.
- Interior Plant Problem Diagnosis. Students will observe interior plants with biotic or abiotic problems and follow diagnostic strategy to systematically diagnose the problems.
- Design Project. Students will create a planting plan and plant list for a small-scale commercial interiorscape.
- Plant Assessment and Site Analysis. Student teams will select and analyze a commercial interior site giving consideration to plant selection and use, environmental parameters, plant health and maintenance requirements, and recommendations for improvement. Teams will present their projects to the class.
Grading:
Grades will be based on three exams, plant identification (ID) quizzes, the assignments, projects and class participation.
Grading Scale:
| A | 94 to 100% | B | 84 to 86% | C | 74 to 76% | D | 60 to 66% |
| A- | 90 to 93% | B- | 80 to 83% | C- | 70 to 73% | F | Less than 60% |
| B+ | 87 to 89% | C+ | 77 to 79% | D+ | 67 to 69% |
Students with Disabilities:
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC). All accommodations MUST be approved through the DRC (Washington Building, Room 217). Please stop by or call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability specialist.
Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is the cornerstone of the university. Any student who attempts to gain an unfair advantage over other students by cheating, will fail the assignment and be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students. Cheating is defined in the Standards for Student Conduct WAC 504-26-010 (3).
http://www.conduct.wsu.edu/Content/Documents/conduct/09-10%20conduct%20booklet.pdf
Safety Statement:
Washington State University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for its faculty, staff, and students. Safety is the responsibility of every member of the campus community and individuals should know the appropriate actions to take when an emergency arises. In support of our commitment to the safety of the campus community the University has developed a Campus Safety Plan (http://safetyplan.wsu.edu). It is highly recommended that you visit this web site as well as the University emergency management web site (http://oem.wsu.edu/emergencies) to become familiar with the information provided. Other safety information can be accessed through the WSU ALERT site (http://alert.wsu.edu).