FERNS ONLINE COURSE
Become an expert with growing and using ferns.
A detailed look at the identification and culture of ferns. You learn to propagate (spores, division, tissue culture), different groupings (e.g. epiphytes, ground ferns, tree ferns) and both common & uncommon species. Growing techniques (baskets, indoor/outdoor containers, terrariums) and cultural methods (soils, watering, pest & disease control) are also examined.
Lesson Structure
There are 8 lessons in this course:
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Introduction
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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.
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Culture
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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.
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Propagation
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Methods of propagating ferns - spores, division, tissue culture. Propagation of selected varieties.
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The Most Commonly Grown Varieties.
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Maidenhairs, tree ferns, stags, elks, common ground ferns. How to grow and propagate these ferns.
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Other Important Groups.
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Asplenium, Blechnum, Nephrolepis, Pteris and other groups. Group characteristics, cultural details, propagation methods.
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Other Varieties
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Hares foot fern, Bracken, Fans, Corals and Combs.
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Making the best use of these Plants.
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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).
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Special Assignment - Detailed culture and identification of one genera.
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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Distinguish between different types of ferns in cultivation, including twenty different genera and fifty different varieties.
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Determine critical cultural practices required to successfully grow ferns in different specified situations.
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Determine the cultural requirements of specific fern varieties.
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Apply various specialised techniques to the culture of ferns.
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Prepare a planting plan for an area using ferns.
As ferns come from a huge range of habitats, it is difficult to set down hard and fast rules on how to best cultivate your ferns.
The easiest way to start is to choose ferns that best suit your climate.
Try to reproduce, as near as possible, the conditions which the plant grows in this natural environment.
If you are more adventurous or have a real fancy for particular ferns that may be hard to grow in your area, you will need to modify the growing conditions to suit. This may be as simple as growing ferns from warm areas indoors in cooler areas or providing additional water to moisture loving ferns being grown in drier areas. For the really keen grower it may involve the construction of a greenhouse to grow tropical and subtropical ferns or the installation of a comprehensive irrigation system.
While remembering the previous warning about over generalising on growing conditions for ferns there are, however, some general guidelines that can be followed:
• Most need protection from direct sun. Some love shade, but not all types. Semi shade is often ideal.
• Provide protection from direct wind. Hot dry winds will quickly dry out fern fronds. Strong winds will
easily damage the fronds.
• 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).
• The majority of terrestrial ferns prefer soils high in organic matter.
The incorporation of well rotted organic matter to your soil prior to planting will usually be beneficial.
Sandy soils should be avoided where possible as they are generally low in organic matter and drain
too quickly. Heavy clay or subsoil should be mixed well with coarse sand and organic
matter to improve the friability of the soil.
• If grown inside, ventilation is essential!
• Feed only with weak slow release fertilisers. Roots burn easily. Organic based fertilisers, including the seaweed based ones, are ideal.
• Most are propagated by spores, a few are propagated by vegetative means such as division.
• Most ferns will benefit from mulching, particularly when the mulch is composed of well rotted organic
matter.
• East or south aspects are preferred with plants planted beside a wall or fence. In hot north or inland
areas full shade and frequent watering (several times each day) may be necessary to achieve success with even the hardier varieties.
• Severe frosts can burn unprotected fronds.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “About Us” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Learning” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “About Us” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
