Online Propagation Course

Develop your broad skills in plant propagation.  

The course is divided into ten lessons as follows:

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Propagation
   • Asexual and sexual propagation
   • Aseptic Micropropagation, Runners, Suckers, Layering, Separation, Division, Grafting, Budding, Cuttings, Seed
   • Genotype versus Phenotype
   • Plant life cycles -phases of the sexual cycle; phases of the asexual cycle
   • Annual, Perennial, Biennial Life Cycles
   • Propagation Terminology
   • Nursery production systems
   • Operational Flow Chart for Seed Propagation
2. Seed Propagation
   • Seed Sources
   • Maintaining Genetic Identity of Seed -Isolation, Rogueing, Testing, Hand Pollination
   • Hybrid Seed Production
   • Storing Seed
   • Types of Seed Storage
   • Seed Biology -Endospermic, Non Endospermic
   • Dormancy Factors Affecting Germination
   • Germination Treatments -boiling water, stratification
   • Terminology
   • Seed Raising Technique
3. Potting Media
   • Characteristics of Potting and Propagating Media
   • Media derived from rock or stone
   • Media derived from synthetics
   • Organic Media
   • Soil Media
   • The UC System
   • Chemical Characteristics -eg. pH, Cation Exchange Capacity, Salinity, Conductivity
   • Laboratory Testing of Media
   • Physical Characteristics
   • Potting Mixes
   • Propagating Media
   • Nutrition at the Propagation Stage
   • Nutrition Management and Fertiliser Application
4. Vegetative Propagation I
   • Reasons to propagate by cuttings
   • Types -softwood, hardwood, semi hardwood, herbaceous
   • Stem Cuttings, Tip, heel, nodal, basal
   • Leaf and Leaf-bud cuttings
   • Cane cuttings
   • Root Cuttings
   • Bulb Cuttings
   • Hormone Treatments for Cutting Propagation
   • Other Cutting Treatments; basal wounding, anti-transpirants, fungacides, disinfectants, mycorrhyza, etc
   • Artificial Light for Propagation
   • Cutting Propasgation Efficiency
   • Rockwool Propagation
5. Vegetative Propagation II
   • Care of stock plants
   • Layering
   • Division
   • Terminology
   • Managing Watering
6. Vegetative Propagation III
   • Terminology
   • Budding and grafting
   • Reasons for Grafting
   • How a Graft forms
   • Grafting Techniques; Types of Grafts
   • What Plant to Graft on What
   • Grafting Materials
   • Root Grafting, Bench Grafting, Soft Tissue Grafting
   • Establishing Rootstocks
   • Tissue culture: Applications, Problems, Nutrient Media, Cleanliness, Growing Conditions
   • Tissue Culture Procedures and Techniques
   • Laboratory Requirements
   • Terminology
   • Biotech applications in Horticulture
7. Propagation Structures and Materials
   • Growing in a Greenhouse
   • Growing Structures: Types of Greenhouses, Cold Frames, Shadehouses
   • Propagating equipment -Heaters, Bottom Heat, Misting, Light Control, Benches etc
   • Managing a Greenhouse
8. Risk Management
   • Nursery hygiene
   • Risk assessment and management
   • Safety -tools, equipment handling, electricity, etc
   • Pest and Disease Management
   • Environmental Problems and management
9. Nursery Management I
   • Plant modification techniques
   • Management policies
   • Keeping Propagation Records
   • Nursery Production Systems
10. Nursery Management II
    • Nursery standards, cost efficiencies, site planning and development

For more information about this course, please request your free information pack.