Take the first Step toward Being a Serious Gardener
This course covers everything the budding botanist or propagator needs to know to satisfy their immediate hunger for knowledge. It begins by explaining the binomial naming system of plants and helps students with methods of plant identification before going on to deal with all aspects of plant growth.
Learn about cell structures and processes in different plant parts from roots to shoots and flowers. Find out how plants reproduce and how to create your own plants through sexual or asexual methods. Discover how plants feed, the significance of different chemical nutrients and how things can go wrong for plants.
Course Code: VHT040
Course Duration: 150 hours of self paced studies
COURSE CONTENTS
Thus course is split into the following ten Lessons
1. Classification of Plants and the Plant Naming System
Botanical and Horticultural Nomenclature: common names, scientific names
The Binomial System
Botanical Classification levels
Horticultural Groups
Plant Families and their distinguishing characteristics
Species, Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars
Review of significant Dicotyledon and Monocotyledon families
Plant Lifecycles
Stages in Plant Development
Plant Collection Reviews
2. The Internal Structure of Higher Plants
Plant Cell Structure
Cell Components
Cell Division; mitosis and meiosis
Types of Plant Cells; Parenchyma, Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma, Xylem, Phloem, Epidermal
Internal Structure of Dicotyledon Stems: Epidermis, endodermis, cortex, vascular bundles, etc
Structure of Monocotyledon Stems
External Differences between Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons
Anatomical features of leaves and stems in cross section
Plant Tissues
Primary and Secondary Growth
Terminology
Botanical Keys and their use
3. The External Structure of Higher Plants, Roots, Leaves, Stems and Buds
Stems; the framework, functions of the stem
Stem modifications
Leaves
Functions of leaves
Respiration, transpiration and photosynthesis
Leaf shapes
Compound leaves
Leaf modifications
Buds: adventitious, apical, flower, vegetative
Root Structure
Types of Root Systems
Root Modifications
Morphological Changes due to Maturation
4. Identification and Function of the Reproductive Parts of the Plant
Parts of a flower: Sepals, Petals Stamens, Carpel
The Inflorescence
Flower Structure
Types of Fruits
Fruit and Seed Terminology
Modification of Fruits -dry fruits, succulent fruits, composite fruits, false fruits
Key to Main Fruit Types
5. Pollination and Fertilisation in Higher Plants
Pollination Processes
Self Pollination, Cross pollination
Pollination Mechanisms
Compatibility
Fertilisation, Embryo and Seed Formation
Post Fertilisation
F1 Hybrids
Genotype versus Phenotype
Male Sterility
Parthenocarpy
Hybrid Seed Production
Terminology
Seed and Fruit Development
Seed Structure
Seed Germination
Fruit Set, Growth and Development
6. The Fundamental Physiological Processes in Plants, Plant Growth and Developmental Relationships
Importance of Photosynthesis
The Light Reactions
The Dark Reactions
Chloroplasts in Photosynthesis
C3, C4 and CAM Plants
Rate of Photosynthesis
Chemistry of Respiration
Rate of Respiration
Stages of Respiration
Aerobic versus Anaerobic Respiration
Transpiration and Translocation of Water
Osmosis
Diffusion
Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake
How Water, ions and metabolites move through a plant
Tropisms; Phototropism, Geotropism, etc
Chemical Growth Modification; Auxins, Gibberellins, AA, Ethylene, Cytokinin, etc
Effects of Chemical hormones
Light factors in plant growth
Artificial Light
7. Soils and the Root Environment
Soil Profile
Importance of Soil
Soil Composition
Texture
Structure and soil types
Soil Horizons (A, B, C and R)
Naming the Soil
Improving Soil Structure
Soil Sampling
Improving Fertility
Organic Matter
Benefits of adding Organic Matter
Soil Water and it's Value to Plants
Water Loss from Soils
Improving Water Retention
Hygroscopic Water, Gravitational Water, Field Capacity and other terminology
Saturation
Rate of Watering
Plant Health and Drainage
Symptoms of Poor Drainage, Improving surface and subsurface drainage
Tensiometer
Soil pH
Nutrient Availability and pH
Calcifuges and Calcicoles
Adding Lime
Adding Acidic Materials to Lower pH
Conservation Issues: Peat
Terminology
8. Plant Nutrition
Soil Life: Earthworms, Mycorrhizae, Nitrogen Fixing
Nitrogen Cycle; Ammonification, Nitrification, Denitrification, Nitrogen Loss
Forms of Nitrogen
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Carbon Cycle
The Nutrient Elements
The Major Elements
The Minor Elements (Trace Elements)
Total Salts
Diagnosis of Nutrient Problems
Fertilisers
Types of Fertilisers
Applying Fertilisers
Natural Fertilisers
Manures, Rock Dusts, Seaweed
Composting Methods: sheet composting, Indore method, 14 day method, compost bins, trench composting, etc
Green Manures
Mulch and Mulching
Cultivation Techniques
Cultivation Tools and Equipment
Improving Water Infiltration into Soil
Non Dig Growing Method
Soil Problems
Soil Rehabilitation
Properties of Growing Media
Potting Media: Components and mixes
Choosing Growing Media
Air Filled Porosity
Hydroponics defined
9. Plant Health Problems
Factors Affecting Plant Health and Growth
Types of Problems
Conducting an Inspection
Determining and Recommending Treatments
Responding to Difficult to Diagnose Problems
Plant Pests -major groups
Pest Treatments - Sanitation, Physical control methods, Resistant varieties, Biological controls, Chemical controls, Soil drenches
Insect Biology; structure, lifecycles, etc
Review of Major Pests and their Treatments
Review of Major Diseases and their Treatments
Review of Environmental Problems and their Control
Types of Weeds
Identifying Weeds
Weed Control Methods; suffocation, burning, cultivation, grazing, mowing, solarisation, chemicals, etc
10. Plant Propagation Principles and Practice
Sexual Propagation
When to Sow Seed
Why Some Seeds Don't Germinate
Dormancy Factors in Seed -Hard Seed Coat, Chemical Inhibitors, Undeveloped Embryos etc
Difficult to Germinate Seeds
Treatments to Break Seed Dormancy
Seed Sources
Seed Saving; Seed Storage
Sowing Seed Indoors
Seed Sowing: Germination, Temperature Control Hygiene
Seed Propagating Media
Sowing Seed Outside
Handling and caring for Seedlings
Potting Up
Propagation after care
Propagation from Cuttings
Succeeding with Cuttings
Types of Cuttings
Softwood, Semi Hardwood and Hard wood Cuttings
Variations on Cuttings: nodal, heel, tip, etc
Leaf Cuttings, Leaf bud cuttings, Root Cuttings, Bulb Cuttings, etc
Stock Plants for Cuttings
Layering
Propagation from Specialised Stems and Roots; Offsets, Division, etc
Propagating Tools: Secateurs, How to Cut, Knives
Grafting
Propagating Plants in a Greenhouse
Cold Frames
Heated Propagators
How This Course Could Help You
This course is valuable to those who want to expand their horticultural knowledge whether for their own personal development or for employment purposes.
The course will appeal to people looking to get involved in different areas of horticulture like garden maintenance, landscaping, and propagation.
It may also appeal to those wishing to explore garden consultation work or horticulture research.
Thinking of Enrolling? Get in Touch
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We want to help you choose the right course whether it is for personal interest, upskilling, professional development, a new career, or a career change.
Contact us and let us guide you on your learning pathway.
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