Lesson Structure: L4 Certificate for Plant Growth in Horticulture:

There are 10 lessons:

1. Classification of Plants and the Plant Naming System
   • Botanical and Horticultural Nomenclature: common names, scientific names
   • The Binomial System
   • Botanical Classification levels
   • Horticultural Groups
   • Plant Families and their distinguishing characteristics
   • Species, Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars
   • Review of significant Dicotyledon and Monocotyledon families
   • Plant Lifecycles
   • Stages in Plant Development
   • Plant Collection Reviews
2. The Internal Structure of Higher Plants
   • Plant Cell Structure
   • Cell Components
   • Cell Division; mitosis and meiosis
   • Types of Plant Cells; Parenchyma, Collechyma,Sclerenchyma, Xylem, Phloem, Epidermal
   • Internal Structure of Dicotyledon Stems: Epidermis, endodermis, cortex,
   • vascular bundles, etc
   • Structure of Monocotyledon Stems
   • External Differences between Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons
   • Anatomica features of leaves and stems in cross section
   • Plant Tissues
   • Primary and Secondary Growth
   • Terminology
   • Botanical Keys and their use
3. The External Structure of Higher Plants, Roots, Leaves, Stems and Buds                                                                                                                                                                                                              
   • Stems; the framework, functions of the stem
   • Stem modifications
   • Leaves
   • Functions of leaves
   • Respiration, transpiration and photosynthesis
   • Leaf shapes
   • Compound leaves
   • Leaf modifications
   • Buds: adventitious, apical, flower, vegetative
   • Root Structure
   • Types of Root Systems
   • Root Modifications
   • Morphological Changes due to Maturation
4. Identification and Function of the Reproductive Parts of the Plant 
   • Parts of a flower: Sepals, Petals Staemens, Carpel
   • The Inflorescence
   • Flower Structure
   • Types of Fruits
   • Fruit and Seed Terminology
   • Modification of Fruits -dry fruits, succulent fruits, composite fruits, false fruits
   • Key to Main Fruit Types
5. Pollination and Fertilisation in Higher Plants
   • Pollination Processes
   • Self Pollination, Cross pollination
   • Pollination Mechanisms
   • Compatibility
   • Fertilisation, Embryo and Seed Formation
   • Post Fertilisation
   • F1 Hybrids
   • Genotype versus Phenotype
   • Male Sterility
   • Parthenocarpy
   • Hybrid Seed Production
   • Terminology
   • Seed and Fruit Development
   • Seed Structure
   • Seed Germination
   • Fruit Set, Growth and Development
6. The Fundamental Physiological Processes in Plants, Plant Growth and Developmental Relationships
   • Importance of Photosynthesis
   • The Light Reactions
   • The Dark Reactions
   • Chloplasts in Photosynthesis
   • C3, C4 and CAM Plants
   • Rate of Photosynthesis
   • Chemistry of Respiration
   • Rate of Respiration
   • Stages of Respiration
   • Aerobic versus Anaerobic Respiration
   • Transpiration and Translocation of Water
   • Osmosis
   • Diffusion
   • Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake
   • How Water, ions and metabolites move through a plant
   • Tropisms; Phototropism, Geotropism, Thigmotropism, etc
   • Chemical Growth Modification; Auxins, Gibberellins, AA, Ethylene, Cytokinin, etc
   • Effects of Chemical hormones
   • Light factors in plant growth
   • Artificial Light
7. Soils and the Root Environment
   • Soil Profile
   • Importance of Soil
   • Soil Composition
   • Texture
   • Structure and soil types
   • Soil Horizons (A, B, C and R)
   • Naming the Soil
   • Improving Soil Structure
   • Soil Sampling
   • Improving Fertility
   • Organic Matter
   • Benefits of adding Organic Matter
   • Soil Water and it’s Value to Plants
   • Water Loss from Soils
   • Improving Water Retention
   • Hygroscopic Water, Gravitational Water, Field Capacity and other terminology
   • Saturation
   • Rate of Watering
   • Plant Health and Drainage
   • Symptoms of Poor Drainage Improving surface and sub surface Drainage
   • Tensiometer
   • Soil pH
   • Nutrient Availability and pH
   • Calcifuges and Calcicoles
   • Adding Lime
   • Adding Acidic Materials to Lower pH
   • Conservation Issues: Peat
   • Terminology
8. Plant Nutrition
   • Soil Life: Earthworms, Mycorrhyzae, Nitrogen Fixing
   • Nitrogen Cycle; Ammonification,Nitrification, Detritrification, Nitrogen Loss
   • Forms of Nitrogen
   • The Nitrogen Cycle
   • The Carbon Cycle
   • The Nutrient Elements
   • The Major Elements
   • The Minor Elements (Trace Elements)
   • Total Salts
   • Diagnosis of Nutrient Problems
   • Fertilisers
   • Types of Fertilisers
   • Applying Fertilisers
   • Natural Fertilisers
   • Manures, Rock Dusts, Seaweed
   • Composting Methods: sheet composting, Indore method, 14 day method, compost bins, trench composting, etc
   • Green Manures
   • Mulch and Mulching
   • Cultivation Techniues
   • Cultivation Tools and Equipment
   • Improving Water Infiltration into Soil
   • Non Dig Growing Method
   • Soil Problems
   • Soil Rehabilitation
   • Properties of Growing Media
   • Potting Media: Components and mixes
   • Choosing Growing Media
   • Air Filled Porosity
   • Hydroponics defined
9. Plant Health Problems
   • Factors Affecting Plant Health and Growth
   • Types of Problems
   • Conducting an Inspection
   • Determining and Recommending Treatments
   • Responding to Difficult to Diagnose Problems
   • Plant Pests -major groups
   • Pest Treatments – Sanitation, Physical control methods, Resistant varieties, Biological controls, Chemical controls, Soil drenches
   • Insect Biology; structure, lifecycles, etc
   • Review of Major Pests and their Treatments
   • Review of Major Diseases and their Treatments
   • Review of Environmental Problems and their Control
   • Types of Weeds
   • Identifying Weeds
   • Weed Control Methods; suffocation, burning, cultivation, grazing, mowing, solarisation, chemicals, etc 
10. Plant Propagation Principles and Practice
    • Sexual Propagation
    • When to Sow Seed
    • Why Some Seeds Don’t Germinate
    • Dormancy Factors in Seed -Hard Seed Coat, Chemical Inhibitors, Undeveloped Embryos etc
    • Difficult to Germinate Seeds
    • Treatments to Break Seed Dormancy
    • Seed Sources
    • Seed Saving; Seed Storage
    • Sowing Seed Indoors
    • Seed Sowing: Germination, Temperature Control Hygeine
    • Seed Propagating Media
    • Sowing Seed Outside
    • Handling and caring for Seedlings
    • Potting Up
    • Propagation after care
    • Propagation from Cuttings
    • Succeeding with Cuttings
    • Types of Cuttings
    • Softwood, Semi Hardwood and Hard wood Cuttings
    • Variations on Cuttings: nodal, heel, tip, etc
    • Leaf Cuttings, Leaf bud cuttings, Root Cuttings, Bulb Cuttings, etc
    • Stock Plants for Cuttings
    • Layering
    • Propagation from Specialised Stems and Roots; Offsets, Division, etc
    • Propagating Tools: Secateurs, How to Cut, Knives
    • Grafting
    • Propagating Plants in a Greenhouse
    • Cold Frames
    • Heated Propagators

Learning Goals:  L4 Certificate for Plant Growth in Horticulture:

• Describe the classification of higher plants
• Describe the internal structure of higher plants
• Describe the structure and functions of roots, leaves, stems and buds.
• Describe the functions of the reproductive parts of the plant
• Describe the process of pollination and fertilisation in higher plants.
• Describe the processes photosynthesis, respiration, the movement of water in plants and plant growth and development.
• Develop an understanding of the constituents, properties and management of soils and growing media.
• Describe the nutrient elements and plant nutrition in relation to soil and growing media.
• Describe the uses of organic matter and the importance of living organisms in the soil
• Develop an understanding of pest, diseases and weeds that affect horticultural plants, and the cultural, biological, chemical and integrated systems used to control those problems.Develop an understanding of the principles and main practices of plant propagation in horticulture

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.

How Can This Course Help You Begin Your Horticulture Career and Where Can It Take You?

Many thousands of budding horticulturists and keen gardening enthusiasts  have studied this course and have gainful employment in the horticultural industry.  Many have also started their own businesses specialising in landscaping, garden designing, nursery business.  Some look after golf courses, work for park departments and provide various garden supply services and much more.  Many have become successful in horticulture media while others have used the course to go onto higher qualifications in horticulture.

Learn From Experts in the Field!

These courses  have trained many thousands of students to become horticulturists.   Our horticultural tutors all have university degrees, are experts in their respective fields and  are active within the industry. They also have many years experience in teaching horticulture through distance learning and understand the needs of students when studying online.

If you only have the time to study one qualification then this would be the one to choose.

The opportunities that this course can add to your career include:

• Employment in a Garden Centre and nursery.
• Work as a qualified gardener – many gardeners lack formal training. With this qualification your expertise will show.
• Turn  your passion for gardening as a hobby into a professional career.
• Use this course as entry to the first rung of the horticultural ladder and then proceed onto further study.