The ability to propagate a range of plants is a valued skill in the nursery industry. If you’d like to learn the foundation skills in cutting propagation, whether as a home gardener or professional, this online course is ideal for you.
Certificate of Cutting Propagation is a professional development course that will help you develop the skills necessary to propagate a wide variety of plants by cuttings.
In this nursery course, you’ll learn to prepare cuttings from various plants using stem, root, leaf and bulb cutting techniques. You’ll also learn about propagation mixes, soil testing, nursery production processes and greenhouse management for propagation.
On completion of this nursey course, you’ll have gained a foundation knowledge to build skills in professional propagation.
Course Structure
Unit - Cutting Propagation
Unit 1 – Introduction
- Introduction to cuttings
- Propagation from cuttings
- Types of vegetative propagation
- The importance of cuttings
- Cutting grown plants are identical to their parent.
- It is easier to produce new plants from cuttings.
- Producing plants that flower or fruit sooner
- Maintaining juvenility
- Avoiding juvenility
- Why cuttings?
- Where to source cutting material
- Timing considerations
- Genotype versus phenotype
- How to grow a cutting
- The cutting environment
- General requirements
- Other considerations
Unit 2 – Stem Cuttings
- Classification of cuttings types
- Stem cutting techniques
- Success with cuttings
- Quality of work
- Selection of the most appropriate technique
- After- care
- Growth stimulation
- Improving strike rates
- Equipment
- Types of cuttings
- Softwood cuttings
- Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Hardwood cuttings
- Variations on cuttings
- Herbaceous cutting
- Tip, heel and nodal cuttings
- Basal and cane cuttings
- Rooting
Unit 3 – Non-Stem Cuttings
- Leaf cuttings
- Leaf bud cuttings
- Examples of leaf-bud cuttings
- Root cuttings
- Stock plants for root cuttings
- Bulb cuttings
- Scaling
- Twin scaling
- Sectioning
- Basal cuttage
- Where to cut bulb cuttings
Unit 4 – Materials and Equipment
- Selecting and planting stock plants
- Criteria for selecting plants
- Treatment of stock plants throughout the year
- Disinfecting cutting material
- Sources of hypochlorite
- Propagation tools and equipment
- Design
- Deciding on what you will need
- Rent, lease or buy?
- Secateurs and knives
- Rules for when using tools
- General maintenance of tools and equipment
- How to maintain tools
- How to manually handle objects in the nursery
- Plant containers – what’s in a pot?
- Comparing materials
- Controlling pests and diseases in the nursery
- Hygiene and sanitation
- Plant health
- Insects
- Diseases and viruses
- Biological control of pests and diseases
- Chemical controls
- Nursery weed control
- Non chemical weed control
- Weed control in greenhouses
- Golden rules for using chemicals
- Keeping records
- What information should you keep?
Unit 5 – Growing Media
- Propagating media
- Physical support
- Air-filled porosity
- Determining air space
- Chemical and biological properties
- Adjusting pH
- Components of media
- Mixes/substrates for striking cuttings
- Conservation issues – peat moss
- Rockwool propagation
- Using fertilisers in propagation mixes
- Potting up cuttings
- Potting media
- Make quality potting mix
- Soilless mixes
- Components of potting mixes
- Choosing growing media
- Fertilisers in growing media
- Choosing the right fertiliser
- Solubility of fertilisers
- Application rates
- Other factors affecting fertiliser application
- Application of liquid fertilisers
- Salinity problems with fertilisers
- Cation exchange capacity
- Conductivity
- Test for toxins in potting mixes
- Quantities of potting soils
- Different mixes for different situations
- Problems with using organic materials in propagating and potting media
- The other options
Unit 6 – Factors Effecting Rooting
- Why do cuttings form roots?
- Juvenility
- Cutting treatments
- Hormone treatment
- Applying hormones
- A general guide
- Other chemical treatments
- Fungicides
- Anti-transpirants
- Disinfectants
- Acid/base treatments
- Non-chemical treatments
- Wounding and callusing
- Other treatments to improve cutting success
- Mycorrhizae
- Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza
- Some plants are not mycorrhizal
- Carbon dioxide enrichment
Unit 7 – Setting up a Propagation Area
- The best cutting environment
- General requirements
- The propagation area
- Chemical storage
- Drainage network
- Environmental factors which affect photosynthesis
- Light
- Carbon dioxide concentration
- Temperature
- Water balance
- Leaf age
- Environmental history
- Types of greenhouses and other growing structures
- A cloche
- A cold frame
- Heated propagators
- Greenhouses
- Choosing a greenhouse
- Framing materials
- Covering materials
- Benching
- Temperature and the link to species choice
- Problems with greenhouses
- Shade-houses
- Heating controls
- Bottom heat
- Managing water for cuttings
- Capillary systems
- Misting systems
- Fogging systems
- Overhead watering
- Automated systems
- Automation
- The nursery site
- Size, site characteristics and location
Unit 8 – Management of Cutting Crops
- What can be done about such variables?
- General management tasks
- Managing water
- Protection from dehydration (water stress)
- Managing pests & diseases
- Managing temperature
- Managing light
- Managing air quality
- Keeping records in propagation
- What to record
- Daily propagation record sheet
- Efficiencies in cutting production
- Quality of work
- Selection of the most appropriate technique
- Aftercare
- Growth stimulation
- Cost of materials used
- Labour cost
- Success rate
- Example of estimating cost of cutting production
- Other management tasks
- Managing people
- Employee responsibilities
- Work scheduling
- Propagation aftercare
- Hardening-off methods
- Problems associated with incorrect hardening-off:
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
My course allowed me to increase my knowledge in my chosen field.
Lyndall | Patterson Lakes, VIC | Certificate of Cutting Propagation
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
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Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
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Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Retailer – Nursery
- Wholesaler – Nursery
- Gardener
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