RHS L3 Plant Growth

Lesson Structure: RHS Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development

There are 10 lessons:

Classification of Plants and the Plant Naming System
Botanical and Horticultural Nomenclature: common names, scientific names
The Binomial System
Botanical Classification levels
Horticultural Groups
Plant Families and their distinguishing characteristics
Species, Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars
Review of significant Dicotyledon and Monocotyledon families
Plant Lifecycles
Stages in Plant Development
Plant Collection Reviews
The Internal Structure of Higher Plants

Plant Cell Structure
Cell Components
Cell Division; mitosis and meiosis
Types of Plant Cells; Parenchyma, Collechyma,Sclerenchyma, Xylem, Phloem, Epidermal
Internal Structure of Dicotyledon Stems: Epidermis, endodermis, cortex,
vascular bundles, etc
Structure of Monocotyledon Stems
External Differences between Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons
Anatomica features of leaves and stems in cross section
Plant Tissues
Primary and Secondary Growth
Terminology
Botanical Keys and their use
The External Structure of Higher Plants, Roots, Leaves, Stems and Buds
Stems; the framework, functions of the stem
Stem modifications
Leaves
Functions of leaves
Respiration, transpiration and photosynthesis
Leaf shapes
Compound leaves
Leaf modifications
Buds: adventitious, apical, flower, vegetative
Root Structure
Types of Root Systems
Root Modifications
Morphological Changes due to Maturation
Identification and Function of the Reproductive Parts of the Plant
Parts of a flower: Sepals, Petals Staemens, Carpel
The Inflorescence
Flower Structure
Types of Fruits
Fruit and Seed Terminology
Modification of Fruits -dry fruits, succulent fruits, composite fruits, false fruits
Key to Main Fruit Types
Pollination and Fertilisation in Higher Plants
Pollination Processes
Self Pollination, Cross pollination
Pollination Mechanisms
Compatibility
Fertilisation, Embryo and Seed Formation
Post Fertilisation
F1 Hybrids
Genotype versus Phenotype
Male Sterility
Parthenocarpy
Hybrid Seed Production
Terminology
Seed and Fruit Development
Seed Structure
Seed Germination
Fruit Set, Growth and Development
The Fundamental Physiological Processes in Plants, Plant Growth and Developmental Relationships
Importance of Photosynthesis
The Light Reactions
The Dark Reactions
Chloplasts in Photosynthesis
C3, C4 and CAM Plants
Rate of Photosynthesis
Chemistry of Respiration
Rate of Respiration
Stages of Respiration
Aerobic versus Anaerobic Respiration
Transpiration and Translocation of Water
Osmosis
Diffusion
Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake
How Water, ions and metabolites move through a plant
Tropisms; Phototropism, Geotropism, Thigmotropism, etc
Chemical Growth Modification; Auxins, Gibberellins, AA, Ethylene, Cytokinin, etc
Effects of Chemical hormones
Light factors in plant growth
Artificial Light
Soils and the Root Environment
Soil Profile
Importance of Soil
Soil Composition
Texture
Structure and soil types
Soil Horizons (A, B, C and R)
Naming the Soil
Improving Soil Structure
Soil Sampling
Improving Fertility
Organic Matter
Benefits of adding Organic Matter
Soil Water and it's Value to Plants
Water Loss from Soils
Improving Water Retention
Hygroscopic Water, Gravitational Water, Field Capacity and other terminology
Saturation
Rate of Watering
Plant Health and Drainage
Symptoms of Poor DrainageImproving surface and sub surface Drainage
Tensiometer
Soil pH
Nutrient Availability and pH
Calcifuges and Calcicoles
Adding Lime
Adding Acidic Materials to Lower pH
Conservation Issues: Peat
Terminology
Plant Nutrition
Soil Life: Earthworms, Mycorrhyzae, Nitrogen Fixing
Nitrogen Cycle; Ammonification,Nitrification, Detritrification, Nitrogen Loss
Forms of Nitrogen
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Carbon Cycle
The Nutrient Elements
The Major Elements
The Minor Elements (Trace Elements)
Total Salts
Diagnosis of Nutrient Problems
Fertilisers
Types of Fertilisers
Applying Fertilisers
Natural Fertilisers
Manures, Rock Dusts, Seaweed
Composting Methods: sheet composting, Indore method, 14 day method, compost bins, trench composting, etc
Green Manures
Mulch and Mulching
Cultivation Techniues
Cultivation Tools and Equipment
Improving Water Infiltration into Soil
Non Dig Growing Method
Soil Problems
Soil Rehabilitation
Properties of Growing Media
Potting Media: Components and mixes
Choosing Growing Media
Air Filled Porosity
Hydroponics defined
Plant Health Problems
Factors Affecting Plant Health and Growth
Types of Problems
Conducting an Inspection
Determining and Recommending Treatments
Responding to Difficult to Diagnose Problems
Plant Pests -major groups
Pest Treatments - Sanitation, Physical control methods, Resistant varieties, Biological controls, Chemical controls, Soil drenches
Insect Biology; structure, lifecycles, etc
Review of Major Pests and their Treatments
Review of Major Diseases and their Treatments
Review of Environmental Problems and their Control
Types of Weeds
Identifying Weeds
Weed Control Methods; suffocation, burning, cultivation, grazing, mowing, solarisation, chemicals, etc
Plant Propagation Principles and Practice
Sexual Propagation
When to Sow Seed
Why Some Seeds Don't Germinate
Dormancy Factors in Seed -Hard Seed Coat, Chemical Inhibitors, Undeveloped Embryos etc
Difficult to Germinate Seeds
Treatments to Break Seed Dormancy
Seed Sources
Seed Saving; Seed Storage
Sowing Seed Indoors
Seed Sowing: Germination, Temperature Control Hygeine
Seed Propagating Media
Sowing Seed Outside
Handling and caring for Seedlings
Potting Up
Propagation after care
Propagation from Cuttings
Succeeding with Cuttings
Types of Cuttings
Softwood, Semi Hardwood and Hard wood Cuttings
Variations on Cuttings: nodal, heel, tip, etc
Leaf Cuttings, Leaf bud cuttings, Root Cuttings, Bulb Cuttings, etc
Stock Plants for Cuttings
Layering
Propagation from Specialised Stems and Roots; Offsets, Division, etc
Propagating Tools: Secateurs, How to Cut, Knives
Grafting
Propagating Plants in a Greenhouse
Cold Frames
Heated Propagators
Learning Goals: RHS Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development

Describe the classification of higher plants
Describe the internal structure of higher plants
Describe the structure and functions of roots, leaves, stems and buds.
Describe the functions of the reproductive parts of the plant
Describe the process of pollination and fertilisation in higher plants.
Describe the processes photosynthesis, respiration, the movement of water in plants and plant growth and development.
Develop an understanding of the constituents, properties and management of soils and growing media.
Describe the nutrient elements and plant nutrition in relation to soil and growing media.
Describe the uses of organic matter and the importance of living organisms in the soil
Develop an understanding of pest, diseases and weeds that affect horticultural plants, and the cultural, biological, chemical and integrated systems used to control those problems.Develop an understanding of the principles and main practices of plant propagation in horticulture.

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Download the RHS Level 2 Brochure
How to get qualified: To obtain this certificate awarded by the RHS in England, students need to sit and pass written exams conducted under supervision, and assessed by the RHS at an RHS test centre. Exams can be arranged to be sat anywhere in the world. A network of exam centres are located across the UK for students located in the UK. For students located elsewhere; a provision is made for exams to be conducted "under arrangements for exceptional supervision".

How Can This Course Help You Begin Your Horticulture Career and Where Can It Take You?

Many thousands of budding horticulturists and keen gardening enthusiasts have studied this course and have gainful employment in the horticultural industry. Many have also started their own businesses specialising in landscaping, garden designing, nursery business. Some look after golf courses, work for park departments and provide various garden supply services and much more. Many have become successful in horticulture media while others have used the course to go onto higher qualifications in horticulture.

Learn From Experts In The Field!
These courses have trained many thousands of students to become horticulturists. Our horticultural tutors all have university degrees, are experts in their respective fields and are active within the industry. They also have many years experience in teaching horticulture through distance learning and understand the needs of students when studying online.

This course is an excellent foundation qualification not only because of the knowledge and practical skills you will acquire, but because the qualification is awarded by the worlds most famous horticultural society, the RHS.

If you only have the time to study one qualification then this would be the one to choose.

The opportunities that this course can add to your career include:

Employment in a Garden Centre and nursery.
Work as a qualified gardener - many gardeners lack formal training. With this qualification your expertise will show.
Turn your passion for gardening as a hobby into a professional career.
Use this course as entry to the first rung of the horticultural ladder and then proceed onto further study.
Your Tutors
Susan Stephenson
BSc in Applied Plant Biology (Botany) Univ. London 1983. City and guilds: Garden Centre Management, Management and Interior Decor (1984) Management qualifications in training with retail store. Diploma in Hort level 2 (RHS General) Distinction.

Susan Stephenson is a passionate and experienced horticulturist and garden designer. She has authored three books, lectures at 2 Further and Higher Education Colleges, teaching people of all ages and backgrounds about the wonders of plants and garden design, and tutors many students by correspondence from all over the world. Susan studied botany at Royal Holloway College (Univ of London) and worked in the trading industry before returning to her first love plants and garden design. She is therefore, well placed to combine business knowledge with horticulture and design skills. Her experience is wide and varied and she has designed gardens for families and individuals. Susan is a mentor for garden designers who are just starting out, offering her support and advice and she also writes, delivers and assesses courses for colleges, introducing and encouraging people into horticulture and garden design. In 2010, Susan authored a complete module for a Foundation degree (FDSC) in Arboriculture. Susan is a Professional Associate and exam moderator and holds the RHS General with Distinction. She continues to actively learn about horticulture and plants and (as her students will tell you) remains passionate and interested in design and horticulture.



Andy Patterson

PGCE Biological Sciences; Doctor of Naturopathy (pending); Registered Nutritional Therapist; Permaculture Design Consultant (PDC); BSc(Hons) Ecology;

Andy has been a biology and science teacher since 2002, and a natural health therapist since 1998. His original degree was in Ecology and is well experienced in the Life Sciences generally, from biology, medicine and clinical sciences to horticulture, ecology and the environment. he divides his time between a therapy clinic; teaching, tutoring & lecturing. Andy is a passionate believer in the power of education to transform people’s lives, and gives 100% support to helping students achieve their goal.

Andy has worked as a Biology lecturer in a number of post 16 colleges and 11-18 schools across the country during a 13 year career. This has included work as an Assessor for exam boards, 1 on 1 tutoring, working with small groups and whole classes. He worked on an award winning national Nuffield- STEM initiative using innovative educational techniques to develop sustainability awareness with KS3 school children. He has also managed a large vocational science area in a busy college and developed a successful Premedical curriculum which has helped many students on to successful medical careers.