Learn to identify and grow Australian ferns, for work or as a hobby.
Course Structure
There are eight lessons including a special project in this course. This course is designed as a detailed look at identification and culture of Australian Native Ferns.
Emphasis is placed on the horticulturally valuable species. The content of each of the eight lessons is as outlined below:‑
1. Introduction
Review of the system of plant identification, general characteristics of the ferns, main groups, information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.)
2. Culture
Planting, mulching, watering, pest & disease, feeding, pruning, protection from wind, salt air, etc.
3. Propagation
Methods of propagating ferns. Propagation of selected varieties.
4. The Most Commonly Grown Varieties.
Maidenhairs, tree ferns, stags, elks, common ground ferns.
5. Other Important Groups
Blechnum, Nephrolepis, Pteris, etc.
6. Other Varieties
Hares foot ferns, Bracken, Fans.
7. Making the Best Use of Native Ferns
In containers, in the ground, as indoor plants, growing and showing, growing for profit (to sell the plants or what they produce).
8. Special Assignment
Investigate in detail, one genera of ferns.
Duration: 100 hours
Lesson Aims
Discuss the diverse range of ferns native to Australia and the plant naming and classification system.Describe the cultural requirements of fernsPropagate ferns and identify various propagating media and methods.Describe a range of ferns that are commonly grown and freely available at nurseries.Explain the significance of a range of important Australian fern speciesDifferentiate less common species of Australian fern generaDemonstrate more in depth the knowledge acquired through research, of a specific group of ferns
Examples of Course Work
- Indicate which is the genus, which is the species and which is the variety name in the following plant names....
- Asplenium howeanum
- Cyathea australia norfolkiensis
- Grow ferns and observe them.
- Submit the list of resource groups, people and organizations you have compiled.
- Are there any areas where you feel it will still be difficult to obtain information about native ferns?
- Give your own definitions for each of different terms, such as:
- Bulbil
- Pinnule
- Fastigate
- Prothallus
- Spore
- Rhizome
- Glabrous
- Sporophyte
- Falcate
- Stipule
- Midrib
- Sorus
- Sporangium
- Visit and report on a nursery or garden growing native trees.
- Observe how and where these plants are growing; which plants are the healthiest; Are there any pest or disease problems on these plants etc?
- Contact an irrigation company and obtain any information you can about trickle or drip irrigation systems. Preferably, visit an irrigation company and look at their products if you have not seen a drip system before.
How and Where Can you Grow Ferns?
Due to the great variety of ferns, the following are only general guidelines as to how to grow ferns:
- Most need protection from direct sun. Some love shade, but not all types. Semi shade is ideal.
- Most will grow well in pots, tubs, baskets, or any type of container provided they are kept moist. If fronds dry out, the fronds will not revive (though in some cases the fern will reshoot from the roots).
- Well drained, but continually moist conditions are generally the rule (waterlogged conditions are only suitable for 'some' varieties.
- If grown inside, ventilation is essential!
- Feed only with weak slow release fertilisers. Roots burn easily.
- Soil should be rich in organic content.
- Most are propagated by spores, a few are propagated by vegetative means such as division.
REASONS TO STUDY WITH ACS DISTANCE EDUCATION
• Reputation:
-teaching Horticulture since 1979
-exceptional faculty staff (see below)
• Hands on: develop practical as well as theoretical skills
• Uniqueness:
-successful people are always those who can offer a skill or service that others can't
-this course is different; our graduates have different skills to set them apart.
• Relevance -curriculum developed in response to industry needs
• Lots of help: personal, prompt attention from tutors
• Holistic Courses: We teach more than just "facts"
-success is only 20% about intelligence (and what you know)
-you also need to build networking, problem solving & communication skills, and more!
-this course helps you develop all of these things and more
• Value: courses compare very favorably on a cost per study hour basis
• Up to date: courses under constant review
• Student amenities: This school is backed by over one of the most unique and comprehensive private collections of intellectual property in the horticultural industry. The principal and staff have written and published over 50 books and 150 gardening magazines, as well as 20,000 hours horticultural study programs. A team of 5 horticultural writers continue to develop and update new material continually. These resources together with web sites, an online student room, social media etc. provide a unique and comprehensive facility to support students studying with the school.
OUR FACULTY
These are just some of the people involved with developing and updating courses; and tutoring our horticulture students
John Mason Dip.Hort.Sc.
40 years + in horticulture Graduated from Burnley Horticultural College in 1971,Nurseryman, Landscape Designer and Parks Director through the 1970's. One of Australia's most published garden writers, author of books published by Simon and Schuster, Harper Collins, CSIRO and other major publishers; Editor for 4 different national gardening magazines; honored as a fellow of both the Institute of Horticulture in Australia and the Institute of Horticulture in the UK.
Gavin Cole B.Sc., M.Psych.
30 years + in horticulture. Renowned horticulturist and psychologist. Former operations manager for the highly regarded "Chelsea Gardener" landscape firm in London, garden writer and landscaper in both Brisbane and Adelaide in Australia.
Maggi Brown
40 years + in horticulture. Former education manager for "Garden Organic"; England's peak organic gardening and farming body.
Dr Lyn Morgan Phd
25 years + in horticulture. New Zealand based hydroponic consultant and author, with experience working everywhere from Asia to America.
Rosemary Davies Dip.Hort.Sc.
30 years + in horticulture; including Victorian Department of Agriculture Gradening Advisor, Gardening Editor/writer/author for major publishers and newspapers.
Diana Cole B,A., RHS Dip Hort, NTEC Higher Dip in Garden Design
15 years + in horticulture and landscaping
Adriana Fraser Adv.Dip.Hort.
30 years + in horticulture. Consultant, teacher, garden write, manager of plant collections
Bob James B.App.Sc(Hort), M. Env.Sc., Grad.Dip.Mgt.
Yvonne Sharpe Dip.Hort., M.Hort.
Martin Powdrill B.Sc(Hons), M.Sc. PDC
Marie Beerman B.Sc., M.Hort.
REFERENCE BOOKS
ACS operates a student bookshop that supplies a range of horticulture texts to supplement our courses.
Many are written by the principal (well known gardening author John Mason), or other staff. All have been reviewed and approved by our academic experts (to be accurate and relevant to students studying our horticulture courses).
- Student discounts are available to anyone studying with ACS Distance Education.
- Both printed books and ebooks (as downloads) available
GROWING FERNS by John Mason (publisher: Kangaroo Press) Printed book
TROPICAL and WARM CLIMATE GARDENING by John Mason (publisher Bay Books) Printed Book
ORCHIDS: A BEGINNERS GUIDE by John Mason (publisher: Highland House) Printed Book
GROWING AUSTRALIAN NATIVES 2nd edition Printed Book
GARDEN DESIGN Part I by John Mason (publisher ACS) EBook
- Click on above link for info
- Sample pages available to download for all ebook
- E Books can be purchased online for immediate download (Can be read on a computer, ipad, iphone, lap top, most book readers or similar devices).
- GO TO www.acsbookshop.com for more titles
