Distance Learning Cacti and Succulents Course
"A wide ranging course covering cacti and succulents"
"This is the first correspondence course I have done and I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU. I appreciate everyone's effort in such a professionally-run organisation with seamless administration. The office staff's happy can-do attitude, their fast responses to all queries, tutor Shane Gould's quick turnaround in assignment marking and his supportive and motivational feedback and last but not least, the sound subject guides. Most importantly I hope my thanks and appreciation can be communicated to all the staff who have supported me long the way of my learning! I work full time and study on the weekend but really don't stop thinking about what gardening solution I need in order to answer my assignments every day of the week. Thank you for such a great learning experience and I cant wait to start the second half of my course!!" - Skye
Cacti and Succulents are a very large group of unusual plants which everyone may not think is attractive but all must agree is most interesting. These plants are very often grouped together; both in articles or books; and in gardens where they are planted. however cacti and succulents are however, two very different groups of plants.
Cacti commonly come predominantly from deserts, or very dry areas.
Cacti come from a much more diverse range of climates. Some succulents are native to deserts; but others are native to relatively high rainfall areas.
Course Content
There are 8 lessons as follows:
Introduction
Review of the system of plant identification
Physiology
Information sources
Culture A.
Planting
Staking
Mulching
Soils
Feeding
Pruning etc.
Methods of propagating cacti & succulent plants
Propagation of selected varieties
Using Cacti & Succulents
Culture B.
Pest & Disease
Irrigation
Greenhouse growing
Cacti developing your plant knowledge.
Succulents developing your plant knowledge.
Special Project
Course Duration: 100 hours
Scope of the Course
This course provides an overview of all types of cacti and succulents, as outlined below; with opportunity to explore particular areas of interest in greater depth.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
THE CACTACEAE FAMILY
Cacti are divided into three tribes (ie: a sub division below the family level but above the genus level). The tribes are as follows:
PERESKIA tribe ‑Leaves are persistent (ie: not deciduous) ‑Leaves are broad ‑Tiny barbed spines or bristles, often occurring in tufts ‑Examples include: Maihuenia and Pereskia
OPUNTIA tribe ‑Leaves are normally cylindrical ‑Has barbed spines or bristles, often occurring in tufts ‑Can drop leaves (deciduous) ‑Examples include: Opuntia, Pereskiopsis and Quiabentia
CEREUS tribe ‑Has more rudimentary leaves ‑Does not have spines or bristles in tufts
Number of genera
Between 50 and 220 (depending on the authority)
Number of species
Between 880 and 2,000
Natural habitat
Most but not all come from arid climates.
Growth habit
Small herbs, shrubs, vines or small trees, occasionally epiphytic (ie: growing in the air)
Characteristics
Most but not all have spines
Succulent or fleshy/watery tissue
Stems are cylindrical, flattened or triangular in cross section (often ribbed).
Stems generally thickened and function as water storage organs
Stems
Fleshy inside
Sometimes simple unbranched, but branched in the majority of species.
Can be round, flattened or cylindrical
Have areoles (ie. sunken or raised places on the stem), sometimes over whole stem, sometimes on part
Areoles usually have spines but not always
Flowers:
Normally occur singly ‑rarely clustered together.
There is a long style, and several stigmas
The ovary is inferior (ie: sits below the petals)
The fruit is a berry.
SUCCULENTS
A succulent is a plant with thick, fleshy stems or foliage; normally with a lot of sap.
Habitat
Many succulents come from arid or semi arid areas; but these are not all desert plants by any means. Some do come from places where natural rainfall is relatively high.
Most are from mild temperate or tropical climates, though some come from places which reach temperatures well below 0 degrees F.
Habit:
Mostly terrestrial (growing in the ground) and epiphytes.
All shapes and forms, though frequently odd or unique in their shape or form. This unique appearance is what frequently makes them prized as garden plants.
Flowers:
Varied, though most commonly bright and attractive.
Cultivation:
Most need full sun, well drained (gritty) soil, but able to retain some moisture. Avoid too much organic matter in the soil.
Many grow well as pot or tub plants.
Some are ideal as ground covers.
Succulents are commonly found in the following plant families:
Aizoaceae, Crassulaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Liliaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Compositae (eg: Senecio), Bromeliaceae, Gesneriaceae, Orchidaceae, Piperaceae and Portulacaceae.
Enrol today and learn more.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
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
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Home Study Cacti and Succulents course
"A wide ranging course covering cacti and succulents"
