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Tropical Plants
Tropical Plants 100 Hour Certificate Course
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Learn About Tropical Plants
Tropical Plants Course Online
Learn where and how to grow tropical plants. This course provides valuable instruction for growing plants in warm places or in protected places such as greenhouses and inside homes or offices.
Some people would think a tropical is a plant that comes from the tropics. Others might consider tropical to also include plants from sub tropical places.
This course is concentrating on plants which originate from tropical or sub tropical climates; but there may be some plants covered which fit a looser definition of “tropical”. This course covers: plant names/classification (scientific and common), climatic conditions, plants suited to your locality; cultural practices: understanding soils, naming a soil, propagation, watering, feeding, pruning etc. Growing tropical plants outside the tropics and indoors – in different climates and conditions.
Course Information
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Lessons
Lesson Structure: Tropical Plants BHT234
There are 10 lessons:
1 Introduction to Tropical Plants
- What does the term ‘Tropical Plant’ mean?
- What Tropicals can you grow?
- Naming Plants: Plant Divisions, Hybrids, Varieties and Cultivars, Monocotyledons vs Dicotyledons, Plant Families
- Growing Tropical Plants – Climatic Zones: Some climatic variations
- Warm Climate Gardening: Some climatic variations
- Plant Review Worksheets: Naming the Plant, Describing the Plant, Illustrating the Plant, Plan Review Submissions
2 Plant Cultural Practices
- Basic Gardening
- Understanding Soils: Soil Texture, Naming Soils, Soil pH, Nutrient Availability and pH, Improving Soil
- Water and Plant Growth – Why Is Water Important To Plants: Symptoms of Water Deficiency, Symptoms of Water Excess, Water Loss from Soils, Improving Water Retention
- Planting The Garden: Plant Establishment Methods, Light Requirements, Mulches, Tree Guards, Common Problems, Weeds
- Plant Nutrition: The Nutrient Elements, The Micronutrients
- Deficiencies And Toxicities: Indicators of Deficiency and Toxicity
- Propagation: Sexual (seed), Asexual (vegetative), Types of Cuttings, How to take a cutting, Looking after Cuttings, Propagating Cymbidium Orchids, Cutting Propagation Mixes, How to Sow Seeds in Containers, Seed Mixes, Propagation Equipment and Materials, Simple structures for propagating plants
- Potting Mixes: How to Evaluate a Potting Mix, Different mixes are needed for different jobs, Water Repellence
- How To Pot A Plant: What Does Pot-Bound Mean?
- Taking Care Of Young Plants: Purchasing Young Plants, Planting Out, After Planting
- Pruning: Basic Rules of Pruning, Points to Consider when Pruning
3 Tropical Annuals, Perennials, Bulbous Plants, Bamboos & Lawns
- Bamboos, Grasses And Grass-Like Plants (Including Identifying markers): Some Bamboo and Grass Plants, Bamboos, Bamboo Species, Bulbs and Herbaceous Perennials (note – gingers are included in the following lesson)
- Lawns: The Benefits of Lawns, Lawn Shape and Design, Which Lawn?, Creating a Lawn, Turf Varieties Suited to Tropical and Sub-tropical Conditions, Soil Preparation for Lawns, Sowing Seed, Laying Sod, Rolling a Lawn, Watering a New Lawn, Keeping a Lawn, Scarification, Mowing, Repairing a Lawn
4 Ornamental Gingers and Heliconias (and related plants including Alpinia, Hedychium, Zingiber, Musa & Costus
- Zingiberales: Gingers
- Heliconias: Parrot’s Beak Heliconia
- Canna
- Costus
- Musacaeae
5 Cordylines, Palms & Cycads
- Palms And Palm-Like Plants (Including Identifying Markers): Self Cleaning or Not, Solitary or Clump Forming, Pinnate or Fan-shaped Fronds, Palm Encyclopaedia
- Cordylines
6 Climbers, Shrubs and Trees
- Trees And Shrubs (Including Identifying Markers)
- Conifers (Including Identifying Markers)
- Climbers (Including Identifying Markers)
7 Orchids, Ferns, Aroids and Bromeliads
- Orchids: General Guidelines for Orchid Culture, Specific Guidelines for Orchid Culture, Epiphytes
- Orchid Varieties: Cattleya, Crucifix Orchids (Epidendrum sp.), Cymbidiums, Dendrobium, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum (Slipper Orchids), Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchids), Pleione (Indian Crocus), Vanda
- Requirements For A Range Of Orchid Genera: Orchid Pests, Orchid Diseases, Orchid Viruses
- Bromeliads
- Growing Ferns: Classification, Ferns as Indoor Plants, Getting to Know Your Ferns, Some Families of Ferns, Fern Culture, More Hints, Recommended Ferns
- Aroids
8 Tropical Herbs, Vegetables and Fruit Bearing Plants Including Bush tucker, Selected Vegetables, Tea & Coffee, Tropical Fruit trees
- Growing Methods: Organic Growing, No Dig Techniques/sheet mulching, Hydroponics, Permaculture, Container Growing, Greenhouse Growing
- Plant Needs: Choosing the Right Site
- Notes On Selected Vegetables: Cucumber, Melon, Watermelon, Sweet potato, Taro
- Notes On Tropical Herbs: Galangal, Ginger, Lemon Grass, Vietnamese Mint, Coffee, Tea
- Tropical Fruit Trees: Avocado, Banana, Carambola, Coconut, Custard Apple, Guava, Fig, Paw Paw, Pepino, Macadamia, Mango, Pineapple, Passionfruit, Peanut, Pecan, Rosella
- Tropical Fruits: Tables
9 Growing Tropical Plants outside the Tropics
- Introduction
- A Review Of Some Important Indoor Plant Families: Aracea, Asteraceae, Bromeliaceae, Gesneriaceae, Orchidaceae, Liliaceae, Moraceae, Marantaceae, Piperaceae
- Problems With Indoor Plants: Potting Mixes
10 Landscaping with Tropical Plants
- Principles And Elements Of Landscape Design: Landscape Principles, The Qualities of Landscape Components, Creating Landscape Effects, The Characteristics of Garden Styles
- Pre-Planning Information: What do you want from the Garden?, Cooling Effects, Collecting Pre-planning Information
- The Design Procedure
- Producing Drawings To Scale
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the Academy, marked by the Academy’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Learning Goals
Learning Goals: Tropical Plants BHT234
- Explain the nature and scope of tropical plants
- Discuss cultural characteristics that are often peculiar to tropical plants
- Describe the taxonomy and culture of a range of soft wooded tropical plants including annuals, perennials and bulbs
- Describe the taxonomy and culture of Heliconias and gingers
- Describe the taxonomy and culture of palms and palm-like tropical plants
- Describe the taxonomy and culture of climber, tree and shrub tropical plants
- Describe the taxonomy and culture of orchids, ferns and bromeliads
- Describe the taxonomy and culture of herbs, vegetables and fruits in tropical conditions
- Determine ways to grow tropical plants outside of the tropics
- Explain the use of tropical plants in landscaping
Practical (Set Tasks)
Examinations
Program Summary
More Information
Assessment
Assessment is based on a combination of completing all assignments and sitting for a final short one and a half hour exam, in your own location.
If you don’t cope well with exams then you may elect to undertake a project instead. This is a popular option.
In addition, most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson placed before the assignment. This is an opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge and skills and practical experience. This ADL feature is an added bonus not found at most online schools. Set Tasks are not required for assessment.
Some courses also have optional Self-Tests which are available on our online learning platform. These are not available by correspondence or by USB, and do not form part of your overall grade.
How our courses work
- Choose Your Learning Method
You choose how you would like to receive your course material, i.e., Online, USB or Correspondence. The choice is yours. You may also work on online or offline. - Tutor Allocation
Every student is assigned their own dedicated tutor who is an expert in their subject area. They provide as much or as little individual contact as you require. You can contact your tutor whenever you need – your hours are not limited. - Feedback and Assignments
Tutor Feedback is an essential component in helping you understand the subject matter. Tutor feedback is given in the form of notes written on the assignment. We encourage you to contact your Tutor where help with clarification and understanding of course material may be required.
Your assignments are located at the end of each lesson. You submit them for marking whenever you are ready. There is no time limit. - Set Tasks and Self-Tests
Most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson before for the assignment. This is where you get the opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge, skills and practical experience. Many modules also have short Self-Tests. - Exams
Once all assignments have been completed you may then elect to sit for a one and half hour exam in your own location. If you prefer not to take the exam you do have the option to undertake a project instead.
Once the exam or project part of the course is completed, your Certificate is then processed. Please allow approximately 4 weeks for this. - Design Your Own Qualification
ADL offers students the flexibility to self-design their own qualification – bundling together a combination of 100-hour modules into a qualification higher than a certificate.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.
General
Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.
Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.
Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.
Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.
Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.
Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.
Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.
Enrolment
Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.
Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.
Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.
Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.
Assessment
Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.
Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.
Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –
Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.
Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.
Qualifications
Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.
Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.
Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.
Tutors
Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.
Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.
Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.
Career Options
What's Included
What your tuition fees include
- All Course Material via Online, USB or Correspondence
- Assignments Marked
- Professional Tutor Feedback
- Set Tasks - Practical Exercises to help you develop skills
- Self-Tests – multiple choice questions at the end of lessons in most modules
- Unlimited Personal Tutor Support – via our student classroom
- Committed and Friendly Admin Support – vital to your success
- All ADL Exam or Project fees (exception RHS exams)
- Qualification Certificate
- Official Transcript with assignment grades
- Student Manual
Plus FREE
- Academic Writing course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Critical Thinking course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Job Seekers Careers Guide
- Study Tips on How To Study Better
- Career Counselling by ADL Staff
- CV Writing Help, Tips and Advice
There are no hidden extras
Career Opportunities
FAQ - RHS Theory Qualifications
GENERAL
If you require further details about any of the RHS industry recognised qualifications please, call one of our friendly RHS Course Advisors on +44 (0)1227 789 649 or email: [email protected]
Q: When can I Enrol/Start My RHS Course With ADL?
A: Anytime, Anywhere. There are no enrolment deadlines.
Q: I live Overseas. Can I Study From Overseas?
A: You can study any of the RHS theory qualifications overseas. All courses are offered in English. You will need to email RHS Qualifications direct to arrange sitting for your examination overseas.
Q: Is There a Time Limit for Completing an RHS Qualification?
A: At present there are no time limits. However, RHS is contemplating in the future, the introduction of course time-lines.
Q: Are There Any Entry Requirements (Pre-Requisites)?
A: The RHS Theory courses do not require prerequisites, previous experience or any knowledge of horticulture. You just need passion for all things horticulture.
Q: What Course Should I Start With First? I Am New To RHS Qualifications.
A: We highly recommend that you start with Level 2 – Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance.
Q: What Does ADL Course Material Include?
A: Includes Power Point Presentations, Videos and written course lessons.
RHS EXAMS
Q: When Do Exams Take Place?
A: Exams are held on fixed dates in February and June of each year. You should register as a candidate at least 3 months before these dates, so please do not leave exam registration to the last minute
Q: Where Do I Take My Exams?
A: UK: You take the exams at the RHS Wisley Centre, located between Cobham and Ripley in Surrey or at other authorised RHS centres around the UK.
Overseas: please email RHS qualifications direct for centre information.
Q: Exam Pass Marks?
A: Module – pass 50%. Commendation 70%.
Qualification: 50% pass for all modules.
Commendation awarded for all modules.
Each question carries a value of 10 marks.
Q: I’m Not Happy With My Exam Results?
A: You have the opportunity to re-sit your exam at the next opportunity.
There are no restrictions on the number of re-sits you can take. The highest mark you achieve will remain.,