Seed propagation isn't always straight forward! Some plants may germinate and grow with ease, but for others, the seed and seedlings must be handled in a very particular way to ensure not only germination, but also survival of the seedling. 

• Learn to propagate plants from seeds
• Understand the botanical characteristics of seed
• Study appropriate treatments in order to sustain seed viability

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • Scope of Commercial Seed Propagation
   • Seed Growing Methods
   • General Soil Preparation
   • Open Ground Growing
   • Open ground propagation
   • Controlled Environment Propagation
   • The Greenhouse System
2. Seed Botany
   • Introduction
   • Seed Structure
   • Storage Tissues in Seeds
   • Hypogeal & Epigeal Germination
   • Flower Function and Structure
   • Pollination
   • Phases of Plant Reproduction
   • Fruits and Fruit Classification/Types
   • Methods to Breed Self Pollinating Crops
   • Importance of Genetic purity
   • Preventing Cross Pollination
   • Hand Pollination
   • Hybrid Seed Production
   • Hybridising Techniques
3. Seed Sources
   • Collecting in the Wild, Seed Banks
   • Commercial Seed Suppliers
   • Why do Plants Produce Seed
   • What Seed is Best
   • Selecting a Parent Plant
   • Collecting Wild Seed
   • Selecting Plants to Collect from
   • Timing
   • Methods of Collecting
   • Removing Seeds
   • Choosing Seed Plants for Vegetable Crops
   • Collecting Vegetable Seeds
4. Seed Storage
   • Seed Storage Behaviour Orthodox species, Recalcitrant Species, Intermediate Species.
   • Factors Affecting Seed Storage
   • Types of Seed Storage
   • Disease Control in Seeds
   • Germination Testing
   • Warm Germination
   • Cold Germination
   • Seed Testing
5. Dormancy
   • Difficult Seeds to Germinate
   • Dormancy Factors
   • Breaking dormancy
   • Germinating Seeds -Seed Treatments
   • Germination Treatments
   • Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties
6. Germinating Annuals, Perennials and Vegetables
   • Sowing Guidelines
   • Propagating Mixes/Media
   • Determining Air Space
   • Seed Mixes
   • How to Sow Seed in Containers
   • Hygiene
   • Light
   • Environmental Factors after Photosynthesis
   • Lighting Equipment
   • Heated Propagators
   • Sowing Seed Outdoors
   • Preparing an Area for Seed Propagation
   • Vegetable Sowing and Transplanting Guide
7. Propagating Selected Woody Species
   • Growing Seedling Rootstock
   • Reasons for Budding & Grafting
   • Disease Resistance
   • How to Propagate Selected Ornamental Trees
   • Case Studies - Acacia, Acer, Betula, Conifers, Eucalyptus, Magnolia, Lagerstroemia, Fraxinus, Quercus, Protea, Prunus.
8. Direct Seeding
   • Revegetation- Direct Seeding Woody Species
   • Other Planting Methods
   • Plant Establishment Considerations
   • What to Plant Where
   • Climate
   • Microclimates
   • When to Plant
   • Preparing Land for Planting
   • Weed Control
9. Seedling Management
   • Growing Transplants
   • Pricking Out/Tubing Seedlings
   • How to Maintain Young Seedlings in Pots
   • Feeding Seedlings
   • Watering
   • Ventilation, Light, Temperature
   • Hardening Off
   • Environmental Influences
   • Transplanting Seedlings into Open Ground
   • Healthy Seedling Growth
   • Culture of Selected Species
   • Case Studies - Vegetables and Flowers

Aims

• Discuss the nature and scope of commercial seed propagation.
• Explain the botanical characteristics of seed and the processes that occur when a seed germinates.
• Determine appropriate procedures for harvesting different seeds in different situations.
• Determine appropriate treatments for different types of seeds following harvest in order to sustain viability.
• Determine appropriate treatments for breaking dormancy in order to initiate germination with a range of different seeds.
• Determine how to sow and germinate seed of commonly grown herbaceous plants including vegetables, annuals and perennials.
• Determine appropriate propagation techniques for a range of woody plants including trees, shrubs, ground covers and climbers.
• Determine propagation and plant establishment strategies for developing a variety of different types of plantings through direct seeding onto sites where germinated plants will remain permanently in the position where the seed germinates.
• Manage germinated seedlings as they develop in a way that will optimise the survival rate.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

This is a course for:

• Nursery Professionals and nursery workers
• Seed company staff, plant breeders
• Environmental or revegetation officers
• Anyone else interested in developing a deeper understanding of seed propagation.