Course CodeVHT105Fee CodeS2Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationStatement of Attainment Became an Expert in African Violets Designed for the African Violet enthusiast, this course covers everything from potting and feeding, to pests and propagation. You learn how African Violets are classified, and cover the exciting range of varieties available. Heres your chance to achieve outstanding results with African Violets. Home Study Course for growing African Violets and African Violet Care for: passionate amateur gardeners plant collectors commercial growers CPD for horticulturists, garden centre staff and florists Lesson Structure There are 8 lessons in this course: Introduction What is an African Violet Plant name pronunciation Review of the system of plant identification Introduction to Gesneriads Classification of Gesneriaceae Introduction to most commonly grown African Violet Species Information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs etc.) Culture Understanding how plants grow Soils ad nutrition African Violet potting mixes Other cultural practices -Planting, watering, feeding, etc. Review of Gesneriad Genera -Columnea, Streptocarpus, Episcia, Aeschynanthus etc Propagation Sexual and asexual explained Propagation aids -greenhouses, hotbeds, cold frames, misting etc. Cuttings Seed Division Pests & Disease Plant maintenance and health Identifying problems Controlling problems Reviewing pest, disease and environmental issues that can confront African Violets Light and its Affects Understanding light affects on african violet flowering Artificial lighting Greenhouse Culture The greenhouse system Components of a greenhouse (floor, structure, ventilation, heating, etc) Types off Greenhouses Shadehouses Coldframes Heated propagators Environmental controls Heaters, Ventilators, etc Ways to Use African Violets Containers, in the ground, in greenhouses, growing for profit (to sell etc.) Review of popular cultivars Special Assignment PBL Project: Planning the establishment of a collection of Gesneriads, for a specific (real or hypothetical) location. 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 Describe how African Violets and related plants are classified and the plant naming system Describe the cultural requirements of African violets Select appropriate propagating materials and using them, propagate African violets. Identify and control pest and diseases of African violets Discuss the role that light plays in the growth of African violets Describe greenhouses and other environmental control equipment used for growing African violets. Describe the various ways in which African violets can be grown Demonstrate the knowledge acquired for a specific group or individual plant in the Gesneriaceae family through research. Cultivars of African Violets There are over 40,000 varieties of African Violets known to be in existence, and new ones are being developed all the time. Old classifications indicate around 20 species, but newer classifications suggest as few as 6, with many older species now being considered sub species. The following are some of the more popular African Violet cultivars that have been grown around the world. Pink Flowers Georgia -Single flower, Deep pink; dark green leaf Maria -Single flower, Frilled petals, Bright pink, mid green leaf Marguerite - Large star flowers, Wavy petals, Pink Rococo Pink –Double flower, Iridescent pink Swan Lake - Large flowers, Ruffled edges to petals, Deep pink flower White Flowers Garden News -Double white with pale purplish centre, ruffled petals, Light green leaves Sleeping Beauty -Single white flower, Ruffled petals White Disco -Double flower, Very floriferous, glossy medium green leaves Blue Flowers Bright Eyes -Single flower, Dark blue with prominent yellow anthers on flowers; Dark green leaves Chantabent -Single flower, violet blue slightly paler than Bright eyes, Dark green leaves with red undersides. Delft -Very large semi double flowers; Cornflower blue colour, mid green foliage, relatively vigorous variety Wonderland -Large semi double flowers, Light blue, Olive green wavy leaves Purple Toned Flowers Diana Blue -Single, mid purple with contrasting yellow anthers Fusspot -Double flowers, Lilac with richer colour on edges of petals Summer Spice - Souble star flowers, Lilac colour with purple specks or streaks Tessa -Frilled petals, Rich purple colour, Floriferous. Lush mid green leaves Red Toned Flowers Colorado -Single frilled flowers, Margenta, mid green leaves Kristi Marie Semi Double star flower, Brick red with occasional white edges to petals. Strong grower bur can be slow to flower Kingswood Red Large semi double flowers, red, light green leaves Red and White Flowers Fancy Pants -Single flower, Frilled red and white. Very popular and prized variety by many enthusiasts. Silver Milestone Star -Huge single star Flowers, Magenta with white edges Mystic Moment -Semi Double and striking; Magenta with white edges, Deep green leaves Blue and White Flowers Alabama -Single, Frilled petals, White flowers edged with blue Ballet Silver –Large single star flowers, Deep royal blue with white edge to petals Blue Nymph -Blue and white pansy like flowers China Cup -Single star flowers, floriferous, two tone blue and white (Darker blue in the centre) Porcelain -Single flowers, White with vivid blue markings, light green leaves Pink and White Flowers Celebration -Large single flowers, Ruffled petals, White banded with rich pink Crimson Frost -Frilled petals, Dark pink with white edges and prominent yellow stamens Dorothy -Large, single frilled flowers, Pink with white edges, Light green leaves with long stalks. Fancy Pants –Single flowers, white with frilled red margins, Mid green leaves Harlequin -Frilled petals, White with pink-magenta markings, Deep green leaves Miss Pretty -Single, frilled flowers, Pale pink and white, Pale green leaves START LEARNING WITH THIS VIDEO WE HAVE PRODUCED Who Can Benefit From This Course? Those wanting to learn more about African Violets Those working in the industry Those wanting to set up a business Hobbyists