Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

For retail Hybrid Tea Rose plants, which factor indicates grade and general vigor?

1. Terminal buds

2. Leaves below the petioles

3. Canes

4. Lateral roots

The correct answer is: Canes

The correct choice focuses on canes as an indicator of grade and general vigor in retail Hybrid Tea Rose plants. Canes are the main stems of the rose bush and their size, color, and health are critical factors in assessing the overall vigor of the plant. Healthier canes generally indicate a stronger and more resilient plant, capable of producing robust flowers. A well-developed cane with appropriate thickness is a sign that the plant has received adequate nutrients and care, allowing it to grow properly. In contrast, thin or weak canes might suggest that the plant has poor health or inadequate growing conditions. Terminal buds, though important for flowering, primarily indicate the potential for bloom rather than the overall vigor of the rose plant. Leaves below the petioles may reflect the plant's health and photosynthetic capability but are not as definitive in expressing the overall quality and vigor of the plant as canes. Lateral roots do play a vital role in the plant's stability and nutrient uptake, but they are less visible and do not directly reflect the plant's general health in the same way that the canes do. Thus, focusing on the canes provides a clearer understanding of the plant's grade and vitality, making it the essential factor for evaluating retail Hybrid Tea Rose plants