Learn about the identification, growth and application of ferns. In this 100 hour course we take a detailed look at the identification and culture of ferns. There is so much more than meets the eye with these wonderful prehistoric plants. This is a course for amateurs and professionals; plant collectors and breeders, nurserymen, botanists, landscapers, gardeners and horticulturists.
Course Aims:
- Distinguish between different types of ferns in cultivation, including twenty different genera and fifty different varieties.
- Determine critical cultural practices required to successfully grow ferns in different specified situations.
- Determine the cultural requirements of specific fern varieties.
- Apply various specialised techniques to the culture of ferns.
- Prepare a planting plan for an area using ferns.
There are 8 lessons in this course:
Introduction
- How ferns are classified scientifically
- General characteristics of ferns (especially the fronds)
- Broad groupings of ferns (filmy, tree, terrestrial, epiphytic and water ferns)
- Networking contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.)
- How to pronounce plant names
Culture
- How best to grow ferns
- Conditions required
- Planting, mulching, watering
- Pest and disease management
- Feeding
- Pruning
- Protection from wind, salt air, etc.
- Compost making
Propagation
- Methods of propagating ferns
- Spore propagation
- Division
- Tissue culture
- Propagation of selected varieties
The Most Commonly Grown Varieties
- Maidenhairs
- Tree ferns
- Epiphytes – stags, elks
- Common ground ferns
Other Important Groups
- Asplenium
- Blechnum
- Nephrolepis
- Pteris
- Other groups
- Group characteristics, cultural details, propagation methods
Other Fern Varieties
- Hares foot ferns
- Bracken
- Fans
- Corals
- Combs
Using Ferns
- Container Growing
- Growing in hanging baskets
- Growing in a terrarium
- In ground cultivation
- Growing ferns as indoor plants
- Competition growing and showing
- Growing ferns for profit (to sell the plants or what they produce)
Special Assignment
- Detailed culture and identification of one genera