Learn to be a Professional Plant Propagator
Learn skills and knowledge to propagate different types
of plants by seed, cuttings, budding and grafting, separation, division
and layering in a commercially viable way.
- Study skills and knowledge about tools, equipment & growing structures used in a nursery for plant production.
- Study broader skills in horticulture and plant identification.
ACS student comments: I have learnt so much from this course. I have learnt how easy and how much material strikes and grows, if you follow the rules. I learnt to propagate bulb leaves and grow them on. There are so many more plants that can be propagated and its not hard to do. I hope more people take up the challenge. As I don't have the internet, it's good to be able to use what may be an old fashioned way of learning. Please don't change, I don't think I'm the only one wanting to learn without the internet. Pauline Ross - Australia, Propagation course.
'This is beyond what you would learn in a Trade Certificate in Horticulture. It teaches you everything a tradesman would learn about plant propagation and culture; and more science, plus more plant identification than what an average tradesperson would know” - John Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Cert.Supn, FIOH, FPLA, Professional Horticulturist for over 40 years, Author of Nursery Management (published by Landlinks Press).
Aims
- Explain the binomial system of plant classification and demonstrate identification of plant species by using botanical descriptions for leaf shapes and flowers.
- Describe parts of the plant.
- Determine the correct planting procedure of a range of different plants.
- Explain the reasons for pruning and how to prune plants successfully.
- Describe a range of machinery and irrigation equipment commonly used in horticulture.
- Determine appropriate soil and media management for the purposes of preparing growth media for common horticultural activities.
- Explain the relationship between soils, plants, and nutrient availability.
- Describe plant propagation by seeds and cuttings.
- Describe a range of common propagation techniques beyond seeds and cuttings.
- Describe the optimal use of plants in landscaping applications.
- Describe a range of problems that can occur when establishing and maintaining plants in landscaping situations.
- Discuss the basic requirements for growing plants indoors.
- Describe range of methods used for pest identification and control in a horticultural setting.
- Describe a range of methods used for disease identification and control in a horticultural setting.
- Discuss what constitutes a weed and how weeds can be controlled.
- Describe the scope, nature and application of plant propagation.
- Explain how seed is obtained and used by a nursery propagator to produce new plants.
- Explain the science of seeds and relate this to plant propagation.
- Discuss different scenarios where seeds can be difficult to germinate and recommend solutions in such situations.
- Determine appropriate approaches to propagating a range of different plants using stem cutting propagation methods.
- Explain how to propagate a range of plants using cutting techniques other than stem cuttings.
- Determine a range of plants that might be viable to commercially propagate from cuttings in your locality; and techniques that would be appropriate to use.
- Add to knowledge of alternative propagation techniques.
- Explain and demonstrate a variety of different grafting or budding techniques.
- Explain micro-propagation and its applications in commercial plant production.
- Explain and demonstrate a variety of different layering techniques.
- Select and determine appropriate ways of using different structures and equipment for propagating a range of different plants.
- Determine different materials for propagating and growing on a range of different plant cultivars.
- Plan to provide an appropriate physical setting for plant nursery production.
- Manage the growing of plants in a nursery from propagation through to point of despatch or sale.
What You Will Do
- Collect seed from and propagate different varieties of plants with that seed.
- Describe the method and time of year used to propagate at least 200 different plant varieties.
- Draw and label the parts of a seed.
- Explain how a seed germinates, and grows in the early stages of its development.
- Explain a variety of different harvest and post harvest treatments for seed.
- Explain a variety of pre-germination treatments for seed.
- Collect, identify and prepare cuttings for at least 50 different varieties of plants.
- Propagate from cuttings and successfully grow on ten different plant varieties to the stage of a saleable tube.
- Mix and use a propagation media suited to propagating cuttings and seed.
- Explain the reasons why particular propagation methods are preferred to other methods.
- Explain the propagation of at least 40 different varieties of plants by grafting or budding.
- Prepare examples of at least ten different types of grafts.
- Successfully execute at least ten grafts using at least ten different plant variety combinations.
- Propagate fifteen different plants by methods including separation, division and layering.
- Explain tissue culture techniques and their commercial relevance in plant production.
- Consider site features which are important to the operation of a nursery.
- Explain different nursery production systems.
- Construct a simple inexpensive cold frame.
- Prepare a routine maintenance program for plants in a production nursery.
- Analyse and report on the operation of two different production nurseries.
- Prepare a floor plan for the interior layout of a propagation/potting area.
- Describe how to pot up and plant out at least 20 different types of plants.
- Describe soils and potting media in terms of texture, structure and water holding and nutrient holding capacity.
- Prescribe methods of improving soil structure, infiltration rate, water holding capacity, drainage and aeration.
- Describe how to grow plants successfully in containers.
- Describe suitable potting mixes for container growing of five different types of plants.
- List safety procedures to be followed in a nursery.
- Show an awareness of irrigation equipment and its operation in a nursery.
- AND LOTS MORE
- Explain growing structures and equipment used to enhance the propagation of plants including, hot beds, misting, fogging, cold frames and greenhouses.
Lesson Structure
There are 30 lessons in this course:
-
Plant Identification
- Introduction
- Botanical/Horticultural Nomenclature
- The Binomial (Taxonomic) System
- Botanical Classification
- Plant Families and Species
- Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars
- Plant Family Names
- Pronunciation of Plant Names
- Significant Genera and Families they belong to
- Meanings and origins of Plant Names
- Pressing Plants (to create a herbaria collection for reference)
- Introduction to Amenity Plants
- Flowering Plants
- Lower Plants – Conifers, Ferns
- Rhododendrons and Azaleas
- Roses
- Bulbs
- Practical – Plant Review Worksheets
-
Parts of the Plant
- Plant Identification Skills
- How to increase your Plant I.D. Skills
- Terminology
- Lead Types
- Structure and Arrangement of Leaves and Leaflets
- Common Leaf Shapes
- Flower Structure
- Parts of a Flower
- The Inflorescence
- Types of Flowers – bisexual, unisexual, monoecious, dioeceous
- How a Seed Forms
- Plant Structure
- Stems and Stem Modifications
- Leaves and Leaf Modifications
- Roots and Root Function
- Root Modifications
- Morphological Changes as a Plant Matures
- Cell Structure and Histology
- Cell Components
- Plant Cell Types
- Plant Tissue Comparisons
- Photosynthesis
- Factors Affecting Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Rate of Respiration
- Transpiration
- Environmental Factors Affecting Transpiration and Water Uptake
- The Nitrogen Cycle
- Terminology
-
Plant Culture – Planting
- Planting
- Environmental Influences on Plants
- Potting Up Plants
- Potting Shrubs and Trees
- Introduction to Gardening Basics
- Terminology
- Common Mistakes when Planting
- Plant Selection Criteria
- Economics of Planting
- Ongoing Costs
- Longevity
- General Hardiness
- Aesthetic Criteria
- Basic Planting Procedure
- Fertiliser
- Staking
- Bare Rooted Plants
- Timing of Planting
- Considerations, Variety, Time, Locality, Mulching
- Laying a New Lawn – Soil Prep, Levels, Sowing, Raking in, Watering
- Turf Grass Varieties – Couch, Fescue, Rye, Bent, Kentucky Blue
-
Plant Culture – Pruning
- Fruit or Vegetative Buds
- Reasons for Pruning
- Removing Dead or Diseased Wood
- Controlling Growth Type
- Controlling Shape and Size
- Rejuvenation
- Basic Pruning Rules
- Home Orchard Pruning
- Fruit Tree Pruning Styles
- Before Pruning
- Considerations while Pruning
- Pruning Terminology
-
Plant Culture – Irrigation and Machinery
- Water and Irrigation
- Infiltration and Drainage
- Types of Irrigation
- Flood Irrigation
- Sprinkler Irrigation
- Trickle Irrigation
- Power Tools
- Types of Power Tools
- Power Tool Maintenance
- Oil
- Buying Power Tools
- Chainsaws – Use, Starting, Chain Sharpening
- Mowers – types. Guidelines for use, Care
- Brush Cutters/ Strimmers
- Mulchers
- Rotary Hoes
- Hedge Trimmers
- Irrigation Objectives and Feasibility
- Understanding Soil, Water and Plants
- Gravitational, Capillary and Hygroscopic Water
- Measuring Water Available to Plants
- Calculations – Field Capacity, Wilting Point
- Available Moisture Range
- Root Depths for Different Plants
- Estimating Plant Water Requirement
- When to Irrigate
- Symptoms of Water Deficiency and Excess
- Types of Sprinkler Systems and Sprinkler Heads
- Design and Operation of Irrigation Systems
- Cyclic Watering
- Pulse Watering
- Irrigation Scheduling
- Selecting Surface Irrigation Methods
-
Soils and Media
- Potting Mixes
- Factors Affecting Fertiliser Application
- Soils
- Sampling Soils
- Soil Composition
- Colloids and Peds
- Soil Texture and Structure
- Soil Chemical Properties
- Improving Soils – texture, structure, fertility
- Soil Terminology
-
Soils and Nutrition
- Introduction
- Nutrient Elements
- Macronutrients
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Sulphur
- Micronutrients
- Soil pH and Nutrient Availability
- Soil Ameliorants
- Total Salts
- Salinity
- Sources of Salt
- Control Methods for Salinity
- Soil Sodicity
- Water, Air and Nutrients
- Soil Temperature
- Key to Diagnosis of Nutritional Problems
- Fertilisers
- Composting
- Compost Ingredients
-
Propagation – Seed and Cuttings
- Introduction
- Seed Propagation
- Hygiene
- How to Sow Seeds in Containers
- Seed Germination
- Seed Sources
- Seed Storage
- Factors Affecting Seed Storage
- Germinating Difficult Seeds
- Seed Dormancy
- Treatments to Break Dormancy
- Cutting Propagation
- Cutting Types – Softwood, Hardwood, Semi Hardwood, Herbaceous, Stem, Tip, Heal. Leaf, etc
- Factors affecting Rooting of Cuttings
- Plant Breeding
- Hybrid Seed Production
- Maintaining Genetic Identity in Seed
- Hand Pollination
-
Propagation – Other Techniques
- Division
- Aseptic Micro Propagation
- Grafting
- Budding
- Layering
- Tip Layering
- Mound Layering
- Simple Layering
- Compound Layering
- Aerial Layering
- Natural Layering – Suckers, Runners, Offsets, Crowns
- Propagation with Specialised Stems and Roots – Bulbs, Corms, Tubers, Rhizomes, Pseudobulbs
- Propagating Bulbs – Bulblets on Scales, Stem Cuttings, Bulbils, Basal Cutting etc
-
Identification and Use of Plants – Landscape Application
- Plants in the Landscape
- Choosing Plants – criteria
- Inspecting Plants Pre Purchase
- Trees for Landscaping
- Factors for Tree Selection
- Potential Tree Problems
- Choosing Shrubs for Different Purposes
- Groundcovers
- Building Plant Knowledge of Many Tree and Shrub Genera
- Trees for Different Conditions
- Planting Techniques
- Soil Restrictions on Planting
-
Identification and Use of Plants-Problem Situations
- Establishing Trees
- Tree Size & Age at Planting
- Root Containment at Planting - Container Type, Bare Rooted or Balled
- What to look for when Buying a Tree
- Plant Protection at Planting – Staking, Frost Protection, Sun Protection, Cages
- Controlling Birds
- Props
- Cabling & Bolting
- Quick Reference Plant Directory
- Container Growing Outside
- Street Tree Reporting
-
Identification and Use of Plants – Indoor
- Introduction to Indoor Plants
- Why Indoor Plants Die
- Potting Mixes
- Drainage holes in Pots
- How to Pot a small Plant to a Larger Pot
- Potting up Hanging Baskets
- Plantscaping with Ferns
- Fern Families and Genera
-
Pests
- Chemical Pest Control
- Law
- Chemical Labelling
- Non Chemical Pest Control
- Care when Using Chemicals
- Entomology & Insect Control Methods
- Types of Insect Poisons – contact, intermediate, stomach, translocated or not
- Integrated Pest Management
- Insecticide Use with IPM
- Preventative Actions in the Garden
- Understanding Pesticides – Reading the Label
- Toxicity, Activity Spectrum, LD50. Persistence, Volatility, etc.
- Chemical Types -Inorganic, Biological, Organophosphates, Organochlorines, Carbamates, etc.
- Review of Specific Chemical Products
- Diatomaceous earth, Soaps
- Fungicides
- Ways of Applying Chemicals – Spraying, Dusting, Granules, Irrigation injection
- Safety Procedures when Using Agricultural Chemicals
- Differentiation of Pests, Diseases and Viruses
- Review of most Common Pests
-
Diseases
- Fungicides
- Plant Pathology
- Identifying a Problem – Parasitic, Non Parasitic
- Treating a Problem
- Diagnosis of Plant Disorders – Visual Appearance, Possible Cause, Appropriate Treatment
- Common Diseases
- Anthracnose
- Blight
- Canker
- Damping Off
- Galls
- Leaf Spot
- Mildew
- Rots
- Rust
- Smut
- Mould
- Wilt
- Other Common Diseases
- Turf Fungal Diseases
- Plant Virus Detection and Diagnosis
- Arboriculture and Tree Health
-
Weeds
- What is a Weed
- Steps to Controlling Weeds
- Weed Control with Suffocation
- Weed Control with Burning
- Cultivation to Control Weeds
- Other Non Chemical Weed Control Methods – Grazing, Mowing, Flooding, pH change, Biological Controls
- Weed Control with Herbicides
- Modes of Action
- Regulations and Laws - Restricted Use & Supply
- Avoiding Spray Drift
- Types of Herbicide Chemicals – Aliphatics, Amides, Ureas, Carbamates etc.
- Herbicide Resistance and Tolerance
- Safe Use of Weed killers
- Safety Guidelines and First Aid in relation to Chemical Use
- Cleaning Up a Chemical Spill
- Identifying Weeds
- Controlling Weeds in Different Places – fence lines, base of trees, garden Beds, Hard Surfaces
- Types of Weeds
- Noxious Weeds
- Environmental Weeds
- Common Weeds
- Terminology
-
Methods of Propagation
- Sexual Propagation Introduction & Seed Treatments
- Asexual Propagation Introduction
- Scope of Commercial Seed Production
- Seed Growing Methods
- Choosing a Method
- General Soil Preparation
- Open Ground Production
-
Seed Propagation A.
- Seed Germination
- Maintaining Genetic Purity
- Methods to Breed Self Pollinated Crops
- Importance of Genetic Purity in Agriculture & Horticulture
- Seed Certification
- Preventing Cross Pollination
- Hand Pollination
- Hybrid Seed Production
- Hybridising Techniques
- Collecting Wild Seed
- Selecting Plants to Collect From
- Timing Collection
- Collection Methods
- Removing Seed
- Choosing Seed for Vegetable Crops
- Collecting Vegetable Seed
- Seed Storage Behaviour
- Factors Affecting Seed Storage
- Types of Seed Storage
- Disease Control in Seeds
- Germination Testing
-
Seed Physiology and Germination
- Flower Parts
- Pollination
- Seed Formation
- Parts of a Seed - Embryo, Endosperm, Hilum
- Germination - Epigeal, Hypogeal
- Phases of Plant Reproduction
- Fruits
- Fruit Types
-
Seed Propagation B
- Difficult to Germinate Seeds
- Endospermic and Non endospermic
- Germinating Seeds
- Failure to Germinate
- Dormancy Factors Affecting Germination
- Types of Dormancy
- Germination Treatments
-
Propagation by Cuttings A
- Importance of Cuttings
- Other Reasons to Use Cuttings
- Where to Source Cutting Material
- Genotype versus Phenotype
- How to Grow a Cutting
- Level of Difficulty Striking Cuttings
- Classifying Cutting Types
- Softwood Cuttings
- Semi Hardwood Cuttings
- Hardwood Cuttings
- Other Cuttings: Herbaceous, Tip, Heel, Nodal, Basal, Cane
- Taking Cuttings
- Improving Strike Rates
- Rooting
-
Propagation by Cuttings B
- Leaf Cuttings
- Leaf Bud Cuttings
- Root Cuttings
- Stock Plants for Root Cuttings
- Bulb Cuttings
- Scaling
- Sectioning
- Basal Cuttage
- Propagating Succulents
-
Efficiencies in Cutting Propagation
- Success with Cuttings - Work Quality, Technique Selection, Aftercare etc.
- Why do Cuttings Form Roots
- Juvenility
- Cutting Treatments - Hormones
- Other Chemical Treatments - Fungacides, Anti Transpirants, Disinfectants, Acid/Base Treatments
- Non Chemical Treatments = Wounding, Callusing
- Other Treatments - Mycorrhizae, VAM, Carbon Dioxide Enrichment
-
Miscellaneous Propagating Techniques
- Division
- Division of Herbs
- Separation
- Lifting and Storing Bulbs
-
Budding & Grafting
- Reasons for Budding & Grafting
- How a Graft Forms
- Factors Influencing Graft Healing
- Carpentry of Grafting
- What Can be Grafted on What
- Types of Grafts & Budding
- Grafting Tapes
- Bench Grafting
- Root Grafting
- Soft Tissue Grafting
- Grafting Fruit Trees
- Establishing Rootstocks
- Double Working
-
Tissue Culture
- Uses of Tissue CultureDifferent Environments
- Nutrient Medium
- Cleanliness
- Growing Conditions
- Procedures - Explants, Sterilisation, Nutrient Media
- Methods of Shoot INduction & Proliferation
- Multiplication by Adventitious Roots
- Rooting & Planting Out
- Laboratory Requirements
- Terminology
- Biotechnology in Horticulture
- Cell Fusions
- Overcoming Pollination Incompatibility
- Pollination Biology use in Plant Breeding
-
Layering
- Why Use Layering
- Types of Layers
- Tip Layering
- Mound Layering
- Simple Layering
- Compound Layering
- Trench Layering
- Aerial Layering
- Natural Layers - Suckers, Runners, Offsets, Crowns
-
Propagating Structures and Equipment
- What can be Grtown in a Protected Environment
- Greenhouse Systems
- Components of a Greenhouse
- Types of Greenhouses
-
Propagating Materials
- Growing in Containers
- Care of Containers
- Preventing Moss and Algae Growth
- Pots
- Comparing Materials - Plastic, Terracotta, Glazed, etc
- Potting Up Plants
- Potting Media
- History of Potting Mixes
- Testing for Toxins in Media
- Mixes/Substrates for Seed or Cuttings
- Rockwool
- Problems with Organic Components
- Qualities of Potting Soils
- Components of Potting Mixes
- Cleanliness with Soils
- Maintaining Sanitation
- Potting up Different Types of Plants
-
Nursery Management A
- The Nursery Site
- Size
- Planning Restrictions
- Site Characteristics
- Location
- Designing Facilities for the Site
- Production Areas
- Production Systems
- Flow Charts
- The U.C. System
- U.C. Mixes
- Sanitation Rules
-
Nursery Management B
- Plant Modification to Achieve Uniformity
- Developing a Thicker, Sturdier Stem or Trunk
- Making a Plant Taller Developing a Compact Root System
- Encouraging Compact Growth
- Improving Foliage Colour & Vigour
- Promoting Flower Development
- Getting Plants to Flower Out of Season
- Other Factors - Spacing, Staking, Chemical Growth modification
- Management Policies
Accreditations
PLANT PROPAGATION SKILLS ARE IN DEMAND
The beginning of the plants life: seed is sown, a cutting is struck, bulbs are divided or a fruit tree is budded etc. This stage requires greater technical skill and, in some cases, more expensive equipment than other stages.
Every production plant nursery needs at least one skilled propagator to start the plants they grow. A less skilled, but well managed work force may be able to do a lot of the other things that need doing in a nursery; but the skill of the propagator can be the difference between resounding success or failure.
The skills you need to be an effective propagator will change depending upon the plants you are propagating, and the nursery you work in. Some plants can only be grown well using certain techniques, and sometimes those techniques are time consuming and prone to fail unless you are well practiced and skilled in what you do. Propagating plants from cuttings for instance will require you to prepare a cutting for each new plant individually;then plant it; but propagating by seed can be done by handling, treating and sowing hundreds of seeds at a time. Grafting plants is even more time consuming than propagating by cuttings. Generating new plants from tissue culture is something else again.
This course will provide a foundation for developing an understanding and awareness of all of these techniques.
WHO CAN THIS COURSE HELP?
- People who already work in a production nursery or elsewhere in horticulture.
- Anyone wanting a career in horticulture - this is a good first step, because it keeps your options wider than if you did a certificate that is only propagation. This gives you a broad foundation to work in ANY area of horticulture; but extra knowledge to set you apart with knowledge of propagation beyond other certificates.
- Anyone with a passion for plant propagation.
- Anyone with a desire to start their own production plant nursery.
WHAT SETS ACS APART?
At ACS we provide you with more than just a set of course notes.
- Your 'learning package' includes:
- Course notes.
- Self-assessment quizzes.
- Assignment feedback.
- You can interact one on one with a professional tutor with decades of experience - just email, phone or log on to chat to connect with them.
- Depending upon your course, your studies may involve independent research, interviews, practical exercises, assessments, Problem Based Learning projects, and more.
We've always found it is better to communicate with someone before they enrol.
If we understand your passions, capabilities and ambitions, we can help you map out a course of action to give you the best chance of achieving your goals.
Enrol using the automated procedure on this site or contact us via phone or email to ask questions and enrol with a real person.
You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.
Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
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Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.
This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.
It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.
The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.
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There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).
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We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.
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We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.
Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.
Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here
There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.
When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.
You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.
Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.
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Who are ACS Distance Education?
ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.
We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.
Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.
Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.
How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?
Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form
We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form
We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.
Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.
What if I have any more questions or need more information?
We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.
What if I change my mind?
Please get in touch with studentservices@acs.edu.au if you would like to be removed from our mail list.
If you would like ACS Distance Education to delete your information at any time (whether you are a customer or a prospective customer), please contact our privacy officer and we will process this ( admin@acs.edu.au ).
If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.
Course Contributors
The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.
Dr. Lynette Morgan
Broad expertise in horticulture and crop production. She travels widely as a partner in Suntec Horticultural Consultants, and has clients in central America, the USA, Caribbean, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
John Mason (Horticulturist)
Parks Manager, Nurseryman, Landscape Designer, Garden Writer and Consultant.
Over 40 years experience; working in Victoria, Queensland and the UK.
He is one of the most widely published garden writers in the world.
Climbing Plants
“A doctor can bury his mistakes, but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines.” ― Frank Lloyd Wright This e-book is a wonderful guide to climbing plants. Complete with full colour photographs, it is ideal for the home gardening enthusiast, landscape designer, or architect.
Growing Conifers
The great thing about conifers is they look good all year round. Most of them are grown for foliage, and in general, foliage remains the same pretty well all year. Unlike other trees and shrubs, you do not have a month of attractive flowers, followed by an obscure plant the remainder of the year. A brilliant blue of gold foliage conifer will be blue or gold month in, month out.
Orchids
A colourful guide for students, home gardeners and orchid enthusiasts. The first part deals with growing orchids, and the second covers dozens of orchid genera, and hundreds of cultivars. Explore orchids as cut flowers, container plants, indoor plants and outdoor garden plants, in both tropical and temperate climates, across the world.
Tropical Plants
This luscious, illustrated ebook covers hundreds of different plant genera, and many more cultivars. You will learn how to grow plants commonly cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. It contains everything you need to know about growing tropical plants, managing them and working with them (they can be a little temperamental). Many of the plants can also grow in milder climates as indoor plants or in protected places. Previously published in print form by Kangaroo Press (Simon and Schuster).
