INTERIOR PLANTS ONLINE COURSE
Want to Work in a Nursery, Plant Hire or Interiorscaping Business?
.... or maybe you are just passionate about indoor plants
This is a course equally applicable to the professional interior plantscaper or the home owner (or interior decorator) who aspires to achieve the very best results with their indoor plants. You will learn about the main family groups indoor plants fall into, the cultural requirements and general characteristics of each of those groups, and from there develop the ability to select the right plant for the right situation. Many types of growing methods are covered (in pots, baskets, hydroponics, terrariums, greenhouses), as well as soil mixes, propagation, pest control, feeding and lots more.
Lesson Structure
There are 8 lessons in this course:
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Introduction
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Plant Naming and pronunciation
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Review of indoor plant families
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Resources
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Indoor Plant Culture - Part A
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Understanding interior environments
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Plants for different light conditions
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Problems with indoor plants
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Potting Media
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Potting up
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Container selection
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Managing plant nutrition
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Pruning indoor plants
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Propagation and caring for young indoor plants
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Indoor Plant Culture - Part B
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Acclimatizing indoor plants
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Helping plants survive neglect
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Managing plant health indoors
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Foliage Plants
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Growing palms inside
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Review of palm genera
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Selecing and Growing Ferns inside
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Review of other foliage plant genera
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Flowering Plants
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Orchids
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African violets
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Poinsettia
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Other genera grown for flowers indoors.
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Other Indoor Plants
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Making The Best Use Of Indoor Plants
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Deciding where to place an indoor plant
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Managing colour
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Using mirrors
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Plants in baskets
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Hydroponics indoors
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Miniature gardens
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The Interior Plantscaping Industry
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Interior Plantscaping Business
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Growing in Greenhouses
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Environmental control
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 indoor plants
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Describe the cultural methods used for growing various indoor plants
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Evaluate a range of plants not commonly grown indoors for their suitability for interior plantscaping.
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Select appropriate plants for different interior plantscaping situations.
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Develop innovative ways of presenting plants for indoor situations.
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Explain the interior plantscaping industry, including its nature and scope.
European countries such as Germany, Holland, Scandinavia and England have been using interiorscaping in their commercial buildings to create calm and attractive work environments since the 1950s.
The United States followed this trend in the early 1960s. Since the 1980s interiorscaping has grown from an industry primarily started by farmers and backyard plant growers - supplying plants from the back of vans - to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. Today’s interiorscaping business is more likely to be run by horticulturists who may also have some qualifications in interior design, or visa versa.
Industry Associations
As a consequence of the huge international growth in this industry, the U.S.A., Canada, U.K, Australia, Holland, New Zealand and South Africa all now have Interior Plantscaping Associations. These associations are an invaluable source of information for those working or contemplating work in the interior plantscaping industry:
1. Interior Plantscaper’s Association of South Africa.
2. National Interior Plantscaper’s Association: Australia and New Zealand.
3. Plantscape Industry Association: U.S.A.
4. Associated Landscape Industry of America – includes plantscaping professionals as well.
5. British Association of Landscape Industries U.K. – includes plantscaping under its umbrella.
Indoor Plant Businesses
Businesses range from small one person operations - through to large multi-million dollar businesses. Services offered differ too - from plant watering services through to the design and maintenance of large indoor garden environments (that may even include quite large trees).
Following are just some of the services offered by these businesses:
1. Plant and indoor garden maintenance using skilled staff.
2. Rotating plants ie. bringing in flowering plants in season.
3. Floral arrangements.
4. Unusual or unique plants ie. foliage and flowers.
5. Seasonal displays – using a creative and innovative approach.
6. Design and consultation services
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.”
