Distance Learning Course Orchids
- Learn more about identifying, growing, harvesting and operation of an orchid business
- Grow orchids for cut flowers -start a small business; improve a large business
- Learn to propagate orchids, grow Orchids in a Greenhouse, Harvest and Market the flowers, and more
- 100 hour self paced course for the orchid enthusiast or commercial farmer
“This specialist course is aimed at those that would love to work in the orchid growing sector. Greenhouse growing is covered extensively throughout this very rounded course. Improve your skills and gain work or set up your own business.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 10 lessons as follows:
- Introduction.
- Covers plant names
- Basic plant classification
- Information on plant flower structure
- Culture.
- Looks at soil cultivation
Container growing- Hydroponics
- Baskets
- Epiphytes
- Potting mixes
- Pruning orchids
- Propagation A.
- Propagation materials and equipment
- Seed
- Miscellaneous propagation techniques
- Propagation B. (Tissue Culture).
- Materials necessary for tissue culture
- Types of tissue culture
- Plant hormones
- Diseases
- Plant nutrients
- Greenhouse Management A.
- Greenhouses and other growing structures
- Environmental controls
- Benches and beds
- Effects of carbon dioxide
- Yields
- Greenhouse Management B.
- Growing plants in greenhouses
- Plant needs
- Temperature control
- Greenhouse irrigation
- Cooling
Pest and Disease Control.
- Horticultural Management in greenhouses
- Sterilisation
- Pests and diseases
- Management, Harvest and Post Harvest.
- Harvest and post-harvest
- Managing a market garden
- Crop scheduling
- Standards
- Farm layout
- Nursery costs
- Marketing.
- Marketing your produce
- Economically valuable orchids
- International flower markets
- Special Project.
An in depth study of a specific group of orchids.
Aims
- Explain the plant naming system, identify flower parts and compile resources
- Describe cultural techniques applicable to orchid growing.
- Describe propagation techniques used for orchids.
- Explain tissue culture propagation techniques.
- Describe protected plant production facilities suited to orchids.
- Explain the day to day management of a greenhouse.
- Manage Pests and diseases on an orchid flower crop
- Explain management of an orchid enterprise and the harvest and post harvest of an orchid crop.
- Explain marketing techniques used for cut flower orchids.
- Describe a major orchid group
Duration: 100 hours
FAQ's
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Horticulture Tutors
John Mason Dip Hort Sc. FIOH, FAIH, FPLA, MGMG
John is author of the book "Growing Orchids (publisher -Hyland House); a fellow of the Institute of Horticulture (UK) and an internationally renowned horticulturist with over 40 years of experience in the industry.
Diana Cole B.A. (Hons), Higher Dip. (Garden Design), RHS Advanced Cert. Horticulture, Cert Admin.Mgt., Dip. Inst. Personnel Management
In addition to her RHS horticulture, garden design, City & Guild construction, NPTC pesticide/legislation and business/management qualifications, Diana has a variety of skills drawn from setting up Arbella Gardens, a landscape gardening business. She also has administrative, management and training delivery experience drawn from her employment in other organisations such as the NHS and other educational institutions such as schools & universities. She has augmented her training expertise having gained the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualification. She also has experience gained through working as a volunteer in a number of different roles including amenity style gardening in parks and practical conservation work. Diana is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Limited (NSALG).
Maggi Brown Cert.Ed.(Environment)
Maggi is regarded as an expert in Organic Growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic). She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more them three decades.
Yvonne Sharpe RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt.
Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne has travelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades. Yvonne is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG).
Thady Barrett M.Hort (RHS)
Thady is a consultant to the horticulture industry in the UK, with particular interest in the ornamental plant sector. Previously he was a senior lecturer at Writtle College for 20 years which included being course tutor for RHS qualifications. Wide ranging practical horticultural experience but with specific interest in propagation techniques and plant production technologies. Member of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) and awarded the Rose Bowl Award in 2009 in recognition of his contribution to the society.
Home Study Cut Flower Orchids Course
Understand how to produce orchids for the cut flower trade.
Learn more about this beautiful flower and its production.
Study in your own time at your own pace.
Learn from our highly experienced and knowledgeable tutors.
“This specialist course is aimed at those that would love to work in the orchid growing sector. Greenhouse growing is covered extensively throughout this very rounded course. Improve your skills and gain work or set up your own business.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor
Orchids occur naturally from very cold temperate climates through to tropical locations; and provided you choose appropriate species and treat them according to location, it is feasible to grow orchids as cut flowers almost anywhere. Orchids are one of the most commercially viable cut flower crops (partially due to their beauty, and also due to their long shelf life). Learn how to produce orchid flowers for the cut flower trade.
