Proteas Distance Learning Course
"Grow this stunning plant! Learn how to achieve top quality blooms"
The term “Protea” is sometimes loosely used to refer to any plants in the Protea (or Protreaceae) family; though the scientific name “Protea” is strictly confined to one genus.
Even nurserymen and cut flower growers the world over, may sometimes use the term Protea to refer to related plants in the Proteaceae family, such as Telopeas, Leucadendron and Leucospermum (though strictly speaking they are not Proteas). This course is primarily concerned with those plants classified scientifically into the genus “Protea”.
The true “Proteas” do share characteristics, with related plants from the same Proteaceae family:
similar soil and water requirements
susceptibility to the same problems
other similar cultural needs
sometimes a similar appearance, in foliage and flower.
This is a course for amateurs and professionals; flower growers, plant collectors and breeders, nurserymen, botanists, landscapers, gardeners and horticulturists.
Course Content
1. Introduction
Duration: 100 hours
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.
Extract from Course Notes:
Protea family (known as the Proteaceae) are relatively easy to keep growing, once established; often producing spectacular floral displays for decades if they are looked after. The flowers can be picked to decorate your own home, or you can sell them at roadside stalls, markets, etc. or directly to florists.
When plant nurseries or cut flower growers talk about Proteas they often refer to a group of closely related plants ‑ particularly Leucospermum , Leucadendron and the Australian Telopea (more commonly known as the Waratah) ‑ as well as the genus Protea itself.
Their cultural requirements are similar and they are often grown alongside one another
Comparing Leucospermum , Leucadendron and Protea
Protea
Leucospermum
Leucadendron
Flowers are bisexual (male & female parts on the same flower)
Many flowers occur in heads, irregular and usually sessile (ie. Without a stalk): enclosed in a variously coloured involucre (ie. A whorl of small leaves or bracts surrounding the flowers).
Flowers are solitary or clusted occurring in a bracted head; the perianth is tubular
Dioecious –both male flowers and female flowers occur on different plants
Male flowers in a sessile (without a stalk) head
Female Flowers in a cone like head
Fruit is a densely bearded nut
Fruit is a whiteish nutlet
Fruit is a nut
Leaves sometimes don’t have a stem, arranged alternately on stem, leathery
Leaves are crowded on the stems, leathery and hairy
Distinctive terminal leaves surround flower are usually coloured, Leathery leaves
Approx 132 species, 82 from South Africa; most of the others indigenous to the African continent
Approx 48 species, upright or procumbent shrubs, most from South Africa, three from elsewhere
South African trees and shrubs, Approx 80 species
Proteas are often known for their spectacular cut flowers. There are other members of the Proteaceae family, such as the Banksias, Hakeas, Dryandras and Grevilleas that also make excellent cut flowers. They are also known for their ability to handle tough dry situations where other plants would not.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
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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.”
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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.
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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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Who is ACS Distance Education?
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