Ferns 100 Hours Certificate Course

There are 8 lessons:

1. Introduction
   • Review of the system of plant identification, general characteristics of the ferns (especially the fronds), main groups of ferns (filmy, tree, terrestrial, epiphytic and water ferns), information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.), pronunciation of plant names.
2. Culture
   • How best to grow ferns and what conditions do they need. Planting, mulching, watering, pest & disease and their control, feeding, pruning, protection from wind, salt air, etc., compost making.
3. Propagation
   • Methods of propagating ferns - spores, division, tissue culture. Propagation of selected varieties.
4. The Most Commonly Grown Varieties.
   • Maidenhairs, tree ferns, stags, elks, common ground ferns. How to grow and propagate these ferns.
5. Other Important Groups.
   • Asplenium, Blechnum, Nephrolepis, Pteris and other groups. Group characteristics, cultural details, propagation methods.
6. Other Varieties
   • Hares foot fern, Bracken, Fans, Corals and Combs.
7. Making the best use of these Plants.
   • In containers, hanging baskets, terrariums, in the ground, as indoor plants, growing and showing, growing for profit (to sell the plants or what they produce).
8. Special Assignment: Detailed culture and identification of one genera.