Certificate Of Horticulture (RHS)

Day 1

Introduction to Plants

• Describe the relevant identifying physical features of flowering ornamental plants.
• Demonstrateuseofreferences and other resources to gain relevant information for identifying and describing plants.
• Dissect, draw and labeldifferent flowers.
• Collect and identify the shapes of different leaves.
• Demonstrate how to identifybetweenfamily, genus, species, varietyandcultivar.

Day 2

Plant Culture

• Describe how to prune different plants.
• Demonstrate how to cut wood correctly, on the correct angle and section of the stem.
• Describe how to plant a plant.
• Demonstrate an awareness of different irrigation equipment, sprinklers, pumps and turf systems available by listing their comparative advantages and disadvantages.
• Demonstrate selection of appropriate irrigation systems for a horticulture, explaining why particular systems would be preferred.
• Define water pressure and flow rate and how to calculate each.
• Describe regular maintenance of garden tools and equipment.
• List factors to be considered when comparing types of machinery for use in garden maintenance.

Day 3

Soils and Plant Nutrition

• Describe the soil types commonly found in plant culture in terms of texture, structure and water-holding and nutrient holding capacity.
• Describe methods of improving soil structure, infiltration rate, water holding capacity, drainage and aeration.
• List elements essential for plant growth.
• Diagnose the major nutrient deficiencies that occur in ornamental plants and prescribe treatment practices.
• Describe soil pH and its importance in plant nutrition.
• Describe how salting occurs and how to minimise its effect.
• Conduct simple inexpensive tests on different potting mixes and report accordingly.
• Describe suitable soil mixes for container growing of different types of plants.
• List a range of both natural and artificial fertilizers.
• Describe fertilizer programs to be used in different situations with ornamental plants.

Day 4

Introductory Propagation Techniques

• Demonstrate propagation different plants by cuttings and seed.
• Construct a simple inexpensive cold frame.
• Mix and use a propagation media suited to propagating both seed and cuttings.
• Describe the method and time of year used to propagate different plant varieties.
• Describe and demonstrate the steps in preparing and executing a variety of grafts and one budding technique.
• Explain the reasons why budding or grafting are sometimes preferred propagation methods.

Day 5

Identification and Use of Plants and pests, diseases

• Select plants appropriate for growing in different climates.
• Select plants appropriate to use for shade, windbreaks, as a feature, and for various aesthetic effects.
• Categorise priorities which effect selection of plants for an ornamental garden.
• Explain the differences in the way plants perform in different microclimates within the same area.
• List and analyze the situations where plants are used.
• Describe the major ways in which diseases (fungal, viral, bacterial and nematode) affect turf, the life cycle features that cause them to become a serious problem to turf culture and the methods available for their control.