AFRICAN VIOLETS - Distance Learning Course
There are eight lessons including a special project in this course, as follows: 1. Introduction • what is an African Violet • other Gesneriads • pronouncing plant names • review of the system of plant identification • Gesneriad sub families (Cyrtandroidae, Gesneriodoideae) • review of African Violet species • review of Saint Paulia groupings • where to find more information 2. Culture • understanding plant growth in African Violets (roots, leaves, stems, flowers) • preferred conditions for African Violets • nutrition and fertilisers • soils, pH and potting media • choosing a container • potting up method • Review of Gesneriad Genera: Achimenes, Aeschynanthus, Columnea, Episcia, Streptocarpus, etc 3. Propagation • sexual and asexual methods • propagating aids (greenhouse, hotbed, coldframe, flourescent lights etc) • cutting propagation of Afriocan Violets • seed propagation of African Violets • propagating African Violets by division 4. Pests & Disease • understanding routine plant maintenance to maintain health • understanding parasitic and non parasitic problems • controlling problems (wet, cold, wind etc) • review of pests and diseases (affects on African Violets and their control) 5. Light and its Affects • understanding light • affects on African Violets • artificial lighting 6. Greenhouse Culture • providing conditions for African Violets • dealing with low humidity • types of greenhouses • greenhouse systems (heating, cooling, lighting, atmosphere controls, etc) • shade houses • cold frames • heated propagators • environmental controls (temperature, moisture, humidity, fog, etc) • managing heat, ventilation, lighting, etc) • managing water • irrigation options and methods 7. Ways to Use African Violets Containers • baskets, terrariums, miiature gardens • hydroponics • in the ground, in greenhouses, growing for profit (to sell etc.) • popular African Violet cultivars, by colour 8. Special Assignment A major problem based learning project designed to achieve the following aims: • Identify a series of possible locations for growing a collection of African Violet Cultivars. • Compare and select the best location from the available options. • Identify factors that will affect the successful culture of African Violets in the selected location. • Determine criteria for selecting cultivars of African Violets to be included in the collection. • Select cultivars of to be included in the collection. • Choose plant establishment techniques appropriate to the project. • Determine a routine 12 month maintenance program for a selected collection of cultivars to be grown in a specified situation. Find out more at http://www.acsedu.co.uk/Courses/Plant-Varieties/AFRICAN-VIOLETS-VHT105-150.aspx Or email us at info@acsedu.co.uk for more information