Tropical Plants Home Study Course
Comment from a Student in this Course "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
Some people would think a tropical is a plant that comes from the tropics. Others might consider tropical to also include plants from sub tropical places. This course is concentrating on plants which originate from tropical or sub tropical climates; but there may be some plants covered which fit a looser definition of “tropical”.
This course covers: plant names/classification (scientific and common), climatic conditions, plants suited to your locality; cultural practices: understanding soils, naming a soil, propagation, watering, feeding, pruning etc. Growing tropical plants outside the tropics and indoors - in different climates and conditions.
It also covers the following plant types: tropical annuals, perennials, bulbous plants, bamboos, lawns, climbers. shrubs and trees also ornamental gingers and heliconias and related plants; cordylines, palms and cycads, orchids, ferns, aroids and bromeliads; tropical herbs, vegetables and fruit bearing plants.
Duration: 100 hours
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are ten lessons in this module as follows:
Introduction to Tropical Plants - Plant names/classification (scientific & common), climatic conditions, plants suited to the students locality.- Plant Cultural Practices -Understanding soils, naming a soil, propagation, watering, feeding, pruning etc.
- Tropical Annuals, Perennials, Bulbous Plants, Bamboos & Lawns
- Ornamental Gingers and Heliconias (and related plants including Alpinia, Hedychium, Zingiber, Musa & Costus
- Cordylines, Palms & Cycads
- Climbers, Shrubs and Trees
- Orchids, Ferns, Aroids and Bromeliads
- Tropical Herbs, Vegetables and Fruit Bearing Plants - including Bush tucker, Selected Vegetables, Tea & Coffee, Tropical Fruit trees
- Growing Tropical Plants outside the Tropics - Growing tropicals indoors, in different climates and conditions.
- Landscaping with Tropical Plants - Use of colour & texture, plant selection, planting a courtyard, preparing sketch plans.
A plant collection (either pressings or illustrations with written cultural notes etc) is prepared in each lesson, to build your knowledge of different species and cultivars
EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU MAY DO IN THIS COURSE
Research the climatic factors and ranges of your district. You may need to contact the Bureau of Meteorology or your local weather station. Record figures such as average monthly temperatures, rainfall, humidity readings, etc.
Walk around your local area. Observe the plants that grow in gardens and on commercial properties. Are these plants typical of tropical landscapes as you would expect? Do you think the planting are suitable for the climate?
Carry out a simple test on the soil of your property to determine it's type (e.g. sandy loam, clay). Write up the outcome and submit a description of your soil with your assignment.
Select different tropical plants. Propagate these plants either using cuttings, layering, seeds, or division. Take a photo/s of this set task, or submit drawings of your cuttings/seedlings, showing exactly their size, the amount of stem, and the location and quantity of leaf. Submit a report explaining the techniques you performed.
Do a little further reading into any group of plants that you have an interest in which you know is grown in cooler climates, for example roses. Identify how books and gardeners care for these plants in that climate. Would they be treated differently in a tropical climate? If so, how?
Prepare a brief report on at least two plant types that require different cultural practices in tropical climates compared to when they are grown in cooler districts.
E BOOKS ON TROPICAL PLANTS by our Principal, John Mason
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