Duration: 100 hours
Content
There are nine lessons in this course, as follows:
1. Introduction
Review of the system of plant identification, general characteristics of Australian flora, information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs), review of major Australian plant families.
2. Cultural Techniques
Planting, staking, mulching, watering, pest & disease, feeding, pruning, protection from wind, salt air, mounds and raised beds, containers.
3. Eucalypts
4. Native Trees: Casuarina, Brachychiton, Tristania, Angophora, Callitris, Araucaria, Palms, etc.
5. Acacias
6. Melaleucas, Callistemons and Leptospermums
7. Grevilleas: concentrated study of 25 species
8. Ground Cover and Small Shrubs
9. Commercial Applications
EXAMPLES OF THINGS YOU MAY DO:
Compile a series of plant reviews with information on each plant variety, such as:
Common Name, Plant Family, Genus & Species names, Variety (if applicable), Height, Width, Soil requirements, Environmental requirements, Cultural procedures (eg. propagation and pruning), Pest and disease susceptibility
Visit nurseries and/or gardens and observe Australian plants
Classify most significant cultivated native plants, to the family level.
Determine cultural practices to maintain healthy native plants.
Explain the identification and culture of eucalypts in your locality.
Explain the identification and culture of native trees.
Explain the identification and culture of acacias in your locality.
Explain the identification and culture of native shrubs, including species of Acacia, Melaleuca, Callistemon and Leptospermum.
Explain the identification and culture of different Proteaceous native plants, with particular emphasis on the genus Grevillea.
Explain the identification and culture of a range of Australian Native ground covers and
small shrubs.
Determine commercially viable applications for different native plants.
