ENROL NOW

Acacias

Course CodeVHT114
Fee CodeS2
Duration (approx)100 hours
QualificationStatement of Attainment

Learn to Identify and Grow Acacias

  • Expand your plant knowledge, improve your career and business opportunities in horticulture
  • Understand how to use wattles for land rehabilitation and other practical purposes

Lesson Structure

There are 7 lessons in this course:

  1. Introduction
    • Review of the system of plant identification, information sources, etc.
    • Plant reviews
  2. Physiology of Acacias
    • Flower structure
    • Foliage types within the genus
    • Flower types within the genus
    • Acacia fruits
    • Plant reviews
  3. Culture
    • Planting, staking, mulching, watering, feeding, pruning, etc
    • Plant reviews
  4. Propagation
    • Methods of propagating Acacias.
    • Propagation of selected varieties.
    • Plant reviews
  5. Acacias in the Garden
    • Landscape uses
    • Plant selection
    • Acacias for different situations (Cold hardy, drought hardy, humid climates, summer flowering, autumn flowering, etc)
    • The Design Process
    • Plant reviews
  6. Other Uses for Acacias
    • Timber uses
    • Tanning
    • Cut Flowers
    • Food Source
    • Gum Arabic
    • Plant reviews
    • Pest & Diseases
    • Galls, Beetles, Weevils, etc
    • Environmental problems: Frost, Shade, Temperature, Wind
  7. Special Project
    • PBL project where you plan the establishment of a collection of different cultivars of Acacias suited to growing in a specified locality.

Aims

  • Describe the way in which Acacias are classified.
  • Determine how to find reliable resource information that relates to Acacias
  • Describe the physiology of Acacias
  • Determine cultural requirements that are common to Acacias
  • Determine propagation methods that are commonly applicable to Acacias.
  • Describe a variety of commercial uses for Acacias.
  • Describe a range of other practical uses for Acacias.
  • Identify and recommend treatment for a variety of health problems occurring with Acacias.
  • Develop an in depth understanding of one aspect of Acacia Growing.

WHY STUDY AND GROW ACACIAS?

Acacias have more uses than most people realize. The most obvious use is as a garden plant or perhaps for timber. Acacias are also grown and harvested for a whole range of other purposes.
  • Did you realise that Gum Arabic comes from Acacias?
  • Did you know Acacias can improve soil fertility?
  • Did you realise that some African tribes use Acacias as a major food source for livestock?
  • Do you realise, some Acacias are used to supply medicines?
  • Do you realise native peoples in Australia, Africa and other places eat seeds, flowers, gum and other things harvested from Acacia

Who Will Benefit From This Course?

  • Acacia enthusiasts
  • Those interested in bush tucker
  • Those involved in revegetation and rehabilitation of land
  • Those wanting to set up a nursery propagating Acacias

 

 

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