Advanced Certificate In Horticulture (Ornamental Horticulture) V

Learn all about ornamental plants. A 400-hour course that provides initial training for anyone working, or intending to work in ornamental horticulture. The course is designed to teach the basics of how to identify, grow, and maintain ornamental plants and gardens in any climate. Emphasis is placed on the plant varieties which are horticulturally most valuable. Topics covered include garden maintenance, turf care, arboriculture, landscaping, and nursery work.

The Advanced Certificate in Horticulture (Ornamental Horticulture) is a vocationally oriented course comprising core studies (general horticulture) and stream studies specific to ornamental horticulture.

The objective of the course is to:

• develop general and broad based skills in horticultural practices and plant identification.
• provide more specific knowledge in areas of ornamental horticulture including garden maintenance, turf care, arboriculture, landscaping and nursery work.

Course Structure The Advanced Certificate in Horticulture involves the areas of work:

• CORE STUDIES - this involves at least 300 hours, divided into 15 lessons, approx. half of the course.
• ELECTIVE STUDIES - this involves a further 100 hrs of study going into greater depth in the areas of garden maintenance, nursery practices and landscaping.

Core Studies

1. Introduction to Plants Nomenclature and taxonomy, the plant kingdom, genus, species, hybrids.
2. Parts of the Plant How plants grow, plant structure, parts of the flower and leaf, modification of stems and roots.
3. Plant Culture - Planting How to plant and protect newly planted specimens, terms like: annuals, biennials, perennials, deciduous, evergreen and herbaceous plants.
4. Plant Culture - Pruning Purpose for pruning, rules for pruning, how to prune.
5. Plant Culture - Irrigation and Machinery Different irrigation systems, components of an irrigation system, designing an irrigation system, selection, use and maintenance of machinery and tools.
6. Soils & Media Soil classifications, testing soil, potting mixes, the U.C. System, ingredients of potting mixes.
7. Soils & Nutrition Fertilisers - deficiencies and toxicities, N:P:K ratios, salting, fertiliser programming, compost.
8. Propagation - Seeds & Cuttings How to propagate plants by seed and cuttings, propagating mixes, cold frame construction, after care for young plants.
9. Propagation - Other Techniques Other methods to increase plant numbers - budding, grafting, layering, division and tissue culture.
10. Identification and Use of Plants How are plants used in the landscape, how to choose and purchase plants, selecting plants suitable for the climate and site.
11. Identification and Use of Plants Problems with plants and choosing plants for problem sites.
12. Identification and Use of Plants Indoor and tropical plants, flowers, herbs, bulbs, ferns.
13. Pests Identifying and controlling pests, chemical and natural methods for control, chemical safety precautions.
14. Diseases Identifying and controlling diseases, plant pathology, fungi, viruses, non-pathogenic problems, interactions with the host and the environment.
15. Weeds Identifying and controlling weeds, chemical terminology.

Stream Studies Choose one module from the list below:

1. Landscaping
2. Plant knowledge
3. Plant Care
4. Nursery Practices

The scope of the stream studies includes:

• Landscape design (including pre-planning and drawing plans).
• Principles and styles of landscape designs.
• Analysis of garden designs. Graphic skills, materials and techniques.
• Estimating costs for landscape jobs.
• Surfacing materials and their effects.
• Quality and cost of different landscape materials.
• Plant knowledge, both native and exotic, suitable for local conditions.
• Plant selection f