Project Samples
Lettuces grown in Vegetable Crop Production, 2020.
Transplants were handplanted in a drip irrigated ground soil during the cool season with black plastic mulch for weed, temperature, and moisture control. Learned about growing lettuce in the field as a horticultural crop, and the proper application of pesticides and fertilizer for optimal growth as well as potential pests and diseases to look out for. Learned about the approximate time to harvest for different varieties of lettuce, as well as when to harvest before lettuces began flowering, as lettuce taste decreases in quality when in bloom.
Propagated Roses from Texas A&M Rose and Peach Breeding Program, 2021.
Roses with good genetic potential and desirable traits such as flower color, shape, smell, count, growth form, thornless, dwarf variants, disease resistances, climatic resistances, and others that would make these roses valuable enough to propagate further and act as parents of future generations. I provided assistance in the entire process of propagating roses, where I used a list of potential candidates to find the desired material and took appropriate cuttings that weren't too young or had breaking buds. I applied rooting hormone to encourage callus formation and leaves mostly plucked to pursue root rather than vegetative production. Lastly, I assisted in labeling pots and organizing them for easy reference. The image far left are propagated roses that have not been separated yet. The two middle images are separated, completely rooted roses. Far right are also separated, rooted roses but quarantined due to spider mite infestation.
Transplanting Roses at Texas A&M Rose and Peach Breeding Program, 2021.
I transplanted roses growing in the greenhouse over the spring, summer, and fall into the field during the early winter before freezing temperatures came in. Thousands of roses were required to be transplanted into the field, many which had been previously acclimating outside, but given time to be successfully adjusted to transplanting before the freezing temperature added additional stress. I marked the black plastic mulch where predetermined roses were to be planted, then dug deep enough holes to transplant the roses into the ground. I then transplanted the roses in a way so they would be growing as straight as possible, then covered the roses back up with soil and ensured the soil was packed but not excessively. I also stuck tags into every rose to ensure proper documentation and identification of them, and watered them in well within a few hours of transplanting.
Peach Pruning at Texas A&M Rose and Peach Breeding Program, 2022.
Hard pruning and shaping of peach trees I did during the winter months of Texas after the last frost date. This is done because the buds closest to the tips of the branches open first as a result of apical dominance, and if a sudden cold snap occurs with temperatures low enough, the initial buds would die off, but the semi-dormant unopened buds lower on the branches would live. This is the difference between a partially cold damaged peach tree that still produces fruit, and one that loses all of its flower buds or even dies. If there is a chance of frost after the peaches have been blooming for some time, then our wind turbine is turned on manually, then run automatically over the duration of the freezing temperatures. I pruned and shapened these peach trees into a vase shape to encourage an open canopy and a healthy tree. I also collected the pruned peach branches and disposed of them in designated burn piles, which will be burned after the county's burn ban is lifted.
Before pruning
After pruning
Rose Pruning at Texas A&M Rose and Peach Breeding Program, 2022.
Hard pruning and shaping of roses I did during the winter months of Texas after the last frost date. These roses have been shown to be highly vigorous with a sprawling growth pattern, and must be pruned back before becoming even more unruly and interfering with the pathway between the mulched beds, and each other. Roses are pruned in winter so that their flowering periods are not disturbed, as during this time their buds are still opening. If pruned later, this could incite vegetative growth rather than reproductive growth. An upright growth pattern is aimed for, but as these roses are sprawling types and without a trellis or other supportive structure, pruning is done to avoid messy growth. Smaller and younger roses like those in the picture can be pruned with hand pruners, but larger, more mature roses would require hedge trimmers to cut through the thick wood.