Australian Native Ferns course

DESCRIPTION

Become an Australian Fern Expert.

“Learn about the care and cultivation of theses ferns for the environment and your own interest. Some of our most loved ferns need to be protected.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming.

There are eight lessons including a special project in this course.  This course is designed as a detailed look at identification and culture of Australian Native Ferns. 

Emphasis is placed on the horticultural valuable species.

LESSON STRUCTURE

There are eight lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
2. Review of the system of plant identification, general characteristics of the ferns, main groups, information contacts (eg: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.)
3. Culture
4. Planting, mulching, watering, pest and disease, feeding, pruning, protection from wind, salt air
5. Propagation
6. Methods of propagating ferns. Propagation of selected varieties
7. The Most Commonly Grown Varieties
8. Maidenhairs, tree ferns, stags, elks, common ground ferns
9. Other Important Groups
10. Blechnum, Nephrolepis, Pteris
11. Other Varieties
12. Hares foot ferns, Bracken, Fans
13. Making the Best Use of Native Ferns
14. In containers, in the ground, as indoor plants, growing and showing, growing for profit (to sell the plants or what they produce)
15. Special Assignment
16. A major project on one genera of ferns

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.

AIMS

• Discuss the diverse range of ferns native to Australia and the plant naming and classification system.
• Describe the cultural requirements of ferns
• Propagate ferns and identify various propagating media and methods.
• Describe a range of ferns that are commonly grown and freely available at nurseries.
• Explain the significance of a range of important Australian fern species
• Differentiate less common species of Australian fern genera
• Demonstrate more in depth the knowledge acquired through research, of a specific group of ferns.

DELIVERY

• Correspondence