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Plant Courses - Christchurch

Course List


Statement of Attainment

Acacias

  Become an expert on Acacias Acacias occur naturally mainly in dry tropical or mild temperate regions.  Authorities vary on the exact number of species that exist, but more are native to Australia than anywhere else. Other species are as wide spread as Africa, America and South East Asia. Some occur naturally in snow prone areas, and can withstand very harsh winter conditions. Acacias are mostly shrubs and trees. Some are very low growing and can be used effectively as ground covers. Growing Acacias in areas outside of their natural conditions can be somewhat unpredictable and variable. Some have adapted well as garden plants, or as windbreak or screening plants. Others have become weeds when transplanted beyond their indigenous area. Some have other uses and a number are even farmed commercially to produce products as diverse as extracts for medicines, oil for the perfume industry, edible food products, and timber products for fencing, furniture and building construction. This course attempts to develop your ability to both identify and use different Acacias.
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Beginners Guide to Australian Natives Plants (I)

  Learn to identify and grow Australian Native Plants “Learn about the amazing plants native to this great red land. Together our horticulture tutors have decades of experience with Australian Natives, so this is your first port of call if you’re interested in knowing more. There are so many important uses for them in our gardens.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming. Identify and Grow Australian Plants anywhere in the World.Australia has one of the oldest and most diverse varieties of plants of an country. Australian natives come from tropical areas to cold temperate snow covered mountains, and from inland deserts to fertile wet rainforests. Develop your ability to identify, select, cultivate and plan a management program, for appropriate varieties of Australian native plants, in a wide variety of situations.  This course is relevant to any part of Australia, and equally to most other parts of the world.
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Cacti & Succulents

  Growing cacti and succulents can be rewarding, but the correct conditions must be created to produce the most satisfying growth. Succulents are frequently easy to grow, but it can be harder to grow superb specimens. The main requirements of cacti and succulents is strong light, adequate drainage, and to be sufficiently dry during any dormant period. Its been said that people either love cacti or hate them. For lovers of cacti and succulents, this comprehensive 8 lesson course is a must. The course studies major cacti & succulent groups and the differences in how to treat plants from each; in terms of soils, feeding, watering, pruning, pest control, planting procedures and more. It will stimulate your interest, and set you on the path to becoming an expert with these unique plants
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Carnivorous Plants

  Carnivorous plants are unique. They don’t appeal to everyone; but they often capture the imagination of people who are not necessarily interested in other types of plants. Anyone who chooses to undertake this course is obviously interested in carnivorous plants; probably either as an amateur collector, a commercial grower or a naturalist. Carnivorous plants are plants that derive some or all of their nutrients by capturing and digesting small animals, such as insects. Other terms used for carnivorous plants are a “carnivory” or a “carnivore”. The mechanisms used to capture and digest animals are generally subtle; but not always. Characteristics that are unique to carnivorous plants include: Attraction Mechanisms  eg. Lures, odours, directional guides Trapping Mechanisms  eg. Sticky secretions that hold animals like fly paper, trap door like openings to digestive chambers. Digestive Mechanisms  eg. Secreted enzymes and absorption of digested material.
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Ferns

  “You can learn so much about ferns from this course. They are such an incredible plant; able to live in such varied conditions, from tropical rainforests to freezing mountain tops. Ferns are so popular, and there is such a range of them, this course provides invaluable knowledge when it comes to planning or adding to your own garden, or other peoples’ gardens.”- Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming. A detailed look at the identification and culture of ferns. You learn to propagate (spores, division, tissue culture), different groupings (e.g. epiphytes, ground ferns, tree ferns) and both common & uncommon species. Growing techniques (baskets, indoor/outdoor containers, terrariums) and cultural methods (soils, watering, pest & disease control) are also examined.
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Perennials

  Perennials come in all forms, from herbaceous plants that die down in the winter and re-emerge in spring (year after year), to plants that retain their soft-stemmed leafy growth year round. Although beautiful, many perennials are also tough and very much adapted to a variety of climates - ranging from very dry to wet. Some have colourful foliage as well as beautiful flowers, others add architectural interest - but all add excitement and diversity to the landscape or garden as they burst into flower each year. Discover what perennials are, which perennial plants are most popular today, their cultural requirements (ie. feeding, watering, soil requirements, pruning, pest control), and learn how to use them to create beautiful  landscapes. A course equally valuable to landscapers, nurserymen, cut flower growers and garden enthusiasts.
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Proteas

  Became a Protea Expert True Proteas come from Africa. Many produce spectacular flowers, with great commercial value as garden shrubs or a cut flower crop. The term “Protea” is sometimes loosely used to refer to any plants in the Protea (or Protreaceae) family; though the scientific name “Protea” is strictly confined to one genus. Even nurserymen and cut flower growers the world over, may sometimes use the term Protea to refer to related plants in the Proteaceae family, such as Telopeas, Leucadendron and Leucospermum (though strictly speaking they are not Proteas). Learn where and how to grow one of the most stunning groups of plants in the world. With the right cultural techniques (e.g. proper drainage, soil treatments, irrigation methods, feeding, pruning, weed control), you can achieve top quality, large blooms in what might otherwise be considered poor horticultural conditions.
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Scented Plants

  “Specialising in fragrant plants is a good option for garden design. You can get the best of both worlds with this course - fragrant ideas and horticultural knowledge!” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming.Learn to identify, grow (propagation and culture), and use different types of scented plants. You will find out how to harvest and dry scented plants, and through practical assignments actually make a whole range of exciting herb crafts (e.g. pot pourri, soaps, candles). Learn also how to landscape a scented garden and expand your knowledge of dozens of types of scented plants. Potential Employment Opportunities: Starting your own business with scented plants Designing gardens with scented plants Working for a company that specialises in scented plant products
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Certificate

Certificate In Horticulture (Organic Plant Growing)

  Understanding established methods of plant growing and how main stream horticulture deals with this eg. the pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers and general growing methods used, is of fundamental importance for a shift to organic growing.To be truly informed, you need to know all the traditional and 'accepted' methods of plant growing as well as organic methods. This knowledge enables you to make informed and important decisions (for example) during farm conversion and understand what impact 'conventional' farming has on the land you farm, and on the health of the community and the ecology. At the very least it will enable you to understand, and convey to others, why you prefer organics as your chosen method of plant culture.This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to organic growing. A fantastic course for the Horticulturalist who sees organic growing as the right way to grow.
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RHS CERTIFICATE II PLANT GROWTH, PROPAGATION & DEVELOPMENT VHT040

  Just launched , this is one of a new generation of certificates being launched by the RHS to replace older qualifications.   This course covers 4 units... The Plant Kingdom (Unit 1) Plant Nutrition, The Root Environment (Unit 2) Pests, Diseases and Weeds (Unit 3) Sexual and Asexual Propagation (Unit 4) This course provides certification from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) UK. DURATION Nominally 120 hours (as indicated by the RHS), though we believe only students who already have some prior experience could complete it within this time frame. Most students should budget on spending 150 hours or more doing this course if they hope to be successful when sitting final exams through the RHS (irrespective of whether they study with us or elsewhere). THE EXAMS To obtain the certificate, awarded by the RHS in England, the student needs to sit and pass written exams conducted under supervision, and assessed by the RHS. Exams can be arranged to be sat anywhere in the world. Exams are offered twice annually; in February and June. A separate fee applies for exams; set by and paid to the RHS. A network of exam centres are located across the UK for students located in the UK. For students located elsewhere; a provision is made for exams to be conducted "under arrangements for exceptional supervision".
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Advanced Certificate

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