If you have a passion for plants, study hydroponics and start your own business! This course is ideal for those who want to start a hydroponics business that provides services or products to hydroponic growers – including hobbyist and trade customers.
Start a Hydroponic Business is an online professional development program that will provide you with foundation skills and knowledge to advise on hydroponic supplies and provide support for the successful culture of plants.
Throughout this hydroponic course, you will learn about the nature and scope of hydroponic systems, from plant nutrition requirements to nutrient solutions, climate control and vital equipment.
You will also develop methods to maintain system and plant health, including controlling pests and diseases, plant deficiencies, toxicities and system pH levels.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to advise customers on buying hydroponic supplies and provide support for the successful culture of plants.
Course Structure
Unit - Hydroponic Supply and Consultancy
Unit 1 – Hydroponics – Nature and Scope
- Introduction to hydroponics
- What’s needed in hydroponics?
- Advantages of hydroponics
- Basic system components
- Other equipment
- Hydroponics system ( 6 types)
- Hydroponics – a global industry in the 21st century
- Hydroponics – is it as good as growing plants in the soil?
- Building a client / supplier list
- International society for soil-less culture
- Suppliers in Australia
- Suppliers in USA, UK and Europe
- Hydroponic societies
- Suggested further reading and websites
Unit 2 – Types of Hydroponic Systems
- Hydroponics system components
- The location
- The container or grow bed
- Watering/nutrient application equipment
- Trellising and root media
- Two simple hydroponic systems
- Types of hydroponic systems
- Solution culture
- NFT systems
- A horizontal rectangular plane
- Vertical tubes
- Tier system
- DFT (deep flow technique)
- Pond, raft, float or raceway systems
- Aeroponics
- Aggregate or media culture
- Rockwool culture
- Advantages and advantages of rockwool
- Rockwool properties
- Limitations in the use of rockwool
- Historic, hobby and lesser used systems
- Methods of solution dispensation
- Closed system
- Open system
- Drip irrigation systems
- Sub irrigation and ebb and flow systems
- Techniques
- Organic soil-less mixes
Unit 3 – Introduction to Plant Nutrition and Understanding Nutrient Labels
- Plant growth factors
- How plants grow
- The structure of a plant
- Roots, stems and leaves
- Reproductive parts
- Mechanisms of nutrient uptake
- Plant nutrients for growth
- Macronutrients (major elements)
- Micronutrients (minor elements)
- The role of pH in plant growth
- What is pH?
- Understanding hydroponic nutrient formulae
- Elements
- Writing chemical names
- Nutrient solutions
- What does a plant need?
- Example nutrient formula table
- Mixing nutrients
- Symptoms of nutrient deficiency
- Summary of fertilisers used in hydroponic nutrients
Unit 4 – Introduction to Growing Media
- Growing media
- NFT system choices
- Types of media (for aggregate culture)
- Vermiculite
- Sand, gravel, perlite
- Pumice and scoria
- Expanded plastics
- Scoria
- Expanded clay
- Rockwool
- Organic media
- Sawdust
- Peat moss
- Coir fibre (coconut fibre)
- Composted bark
Unit 5 – Basic Hydroponic Systems and Components
- Choosing the right sized system
- Materials for NFT systems
- NFT channel size and solution volume
- NFT channel slope
- NFT delivery and drainage
- Materials for substrate systems
- Irrigation design
- Pumps and pipes
- Specific materials for use with aggregate systems
- Sand and gravel aggregates
- Materials for use with rockwool
- Materials for use with sawdust
- Aeroponics
Unit 6 – Nutrition Management
- Key to growing plants successfully
- Nutrient solutions
- Fertiliser salts for formulations
- Nutrient formulations
- Nutrient formulation stock solutions
- Nutrient formulation
- Formulas for different systems
- Stage of growth
- Making up hydroponic stock solutions from fertiliser salts
- Adjusting nutrient solutions using electrical conductivity measurements
- Conductivity
- Conductivity and hydroponics
- Adjusting the pH
Unit 7 – Climate Management Equipment
- Growing plants in a greenhouse
- What can be grown
- Other growing structures
- Equipment for environment control
- Environmental control
- Environmental factors that influence plant growth
- Plant needs
- Temperature control
- Heaters
- Unit heaters
- convection heaters
- Electric heaters
- Radiant heaters
- Solar heaters
- Principles of temperature control
- Light factors
- Artificial light
- Horticultural management in a greenhouse
- Plants and water
- Water excess
- Water deficiency
- Culture and management of some greenhouse crops
- Pollination, fruit cracking
- Ventilation
- Types of fans
- Optimum growth requirements for certain plants
- Greenhouse benches
- Greenhouse cooling
- Fog and carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Plants that respond to CO2
Unit 8 – Common Pests and Diseases
- Pest & disease control measures
- Good hygiene
- Integrated pest management (IPM)
- Common pests & diseases
- Common pests
- Aphids and thrips
- Whitefly
- Caterpillars and cutworms
- Budworms (tomato grub, corn earworm, tobacco budworm)
- Leaf miners
- Mites
- Mealy bugs
- Scale insects
- Leafhoppers
- Slugs and snails
- Flies
- Common diseases
- Botrytis – grey mould
- Mildew diseases
- Rusts and rots
- Bacterial diseases
- Viruses
- Nematodes
Unit 9 – Deficiencies, Toxicity and pH Control
- Nutrient deficiencies and toxicities
- Nutrient mobility and deficiencies
- Other modes of detection
- Nutrient toxicities
- Controllers
- Salinity controllers
- Nutrients and pH
- pH controllers
Unit 10 – Troubleshooting Systems
- EC (CF) & nutrient solution levels
- EC and TDS meters
- Maintaining nutrient levels
- Nutrient solution management
- Nutrient temperatures
- Organic hydroponic nutrient solution problems
- Water in recirculating systems
- Water in run-to-waste systems
- Water treatments
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
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
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
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:-
- Home Gardeners
- Hobby farmers
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