Certificate in Horticulture (Propagation)

The Certificate in Horticulture (Plant Propagation) is a vocationally oriented course comprising a core of studies common to all horticulture certificates, plus specialised studies in plant propagation.

The objective of the course is to:

• develop skills and knowledge about propagating different types of plants by seed, cuttings, budding and grafting, separation, division and layering in a commercially viable way.
• develop skills and knowledge about tools, equipment & growing structures used in a nursery for plant production.
• develop general skills in horticultural practices and plant identification.

This Certificate involves the following areas of work:

*CORE STUDIES - fifteen lessons involving at least 350 hours.

*STREAM STUDIES - stream studies on plant propagation involving at least 350 hours of study.

CORE STUDY LESSONS

There are 15 lessons in the first half (core):

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, stem & root modification.
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, NPK 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 - 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.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

STREAM STUDY LESSONS

There are four major topic areas comprising fifteen lessons in the second half:

The content of the fifteen lessons is as outlined below:

UNIT 1.. SEED PROPAGATION

Lesson 1. Methods Of Propagation

Lesson 2. Seed Propagation A

Lesson 3. Seed Physiology & Germination

Lesson 4. Seed Propagation B

UNIT 2. CUTTING PROPAGATION

Lesson 5. Propagation By Cuttings A

Lesson 6. Propagation By Cuttings B

Lesson 7. Efficiencies In Cutting Production

UNIT 3. BUDDING, GRAFTING & OTHER PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES

Lesson 8. Miscellaneous Propagating Techniques

Lesson 9. Budding & Grafting

Lesson 10. Tissue Culture

Lesson 11. Layering

UNIT 4. NURSERY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT

Lesson 12. Propagating Structures & Equipment

Lesson 13. Propagating Materials

Lesson 14. Nursery Management A

Lesson 15. Nursery Management B