Orchids are to the flower world what diamonds are in the jewellery business. They’re fine flowers that often adorn special celebrations, such as weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. So, if you’d like to learn how to grow, harvest and market cut flower orchids, this online floristry course is for you!
Certificate of Cut Flower Orchids is an online professional development course that will show you how to grow orchids as cut flowers for commercial farms.
In this orchid farming course, you will learn about orchid cultivation, hydroponics, and potting and pruning techniques. You will also learn about propagation materials and equipment, plant hormones, diseases, and nutrients.
You’ll discover the importance of greenhouses and other growing structures, environmental controls, sterilisation and pest control, managing a market garden, and marketing your cut flower orchids.
On completion of this course, you will have a foundation knowledge of how to grow, harvest, and market cut flower orchids for an orchid farming commercial garden.
Course Structure
Unit - Cut Flower Orchids
Unit 1 – Introduction
- An overview of Floriculture
- Orchids
- The scientific naming system (plant names)
- Common names
- Scientific names
- Classification
- The main levels of division
- The main plant phyla
- Anthophyta
- What’s in a name?
- Sub families
- Flower structure (general)
- Male and female parts
- Development of a flower
- Compete and incomplete flowers
- Structure of orchids
- Orchid characteristic
- Reference books and resources
Unit 2 – Culture
- General guidelines for growing orchids
- Cultural requirements
- Temperature, light and humidity
- Ventilation and watering
- Fertilisers
- Salting up
- Growing media for orchids
- Substrates
- Physical and chemical properties of soil
- Soil profile
- Soil texture
- Identifying your soil type
- Soil structure
- Soil chemical characteristics
- Understanding ph
- Cation exchange capacity
- Mycorrhiza and orchids
- Adjusting ph
- Ph and nutrient availability
- Buffering capacity
- Water and air
- Soil temperature
- Humus
- The nutrients elements
- The macronutrients
- The micronutrients
- Potting up container grown orchids
- Choosing a container
- Re-potting
- Growing orchids as indoor plants
- Growing orchids in baskets
- Orchids in hydroponics
- Growing conditions
- Nutrient requirements
- Pruning
- A-Z list of orchid names
Unit 3 – Propagation A
- Propagation of orchids
- Sexual versus asexual propagation
- Sympodial epiphytic orchids
- Monopodial epiphytes
- Aerial offsets
- Propagation by seed
- Hybrid seed production
- Harvesting orchid seed
- Sowing seed – flasking method
- Propagating aids
- Plant container requirements
Unit 4 – Propagation B – tissue culture
- Tissue culture
- The main uses of tissue culture
- Advantages
- Main problems of tissue culture
- Tissue culture procedures
- Explants
- Sterilisation
- Nutrient medium
- Other types of media
- Methods of shoot induction and proliferation
- Multiplication by adventitious roots
- Growing conditions
- Hormones
- Rooting and planting out
- Laboratory requirements
- Glossary of terms
Unit 5 – Greenhouse Management A
- Greenhouses
- Greenhouse designs
- Gable or even span
- Igloo or raised arch
- Greenhouse designs for commercial production
- Venlo
- Wide-span or multi-span
- Plastic clad tunnels/igloos
- Saw-tooth
- Single-span greenhouses
- Retractable roof greenhouse
- Comparison of multi-span and single-span greenhouses
- Framing materials
- Covering materials
- Glass, core-flute/poly-flute, corrugated PVC sheet
- Polycarbonate
- Corrugated fibreglass sheet
- PVC film
- Siting greenhouses
- Greenhouse benching
- Ground beds
- Raised beds
- Pot crops
- Shade houses
- Shade house designs
Unit 6 – Greenhouse Management B
- Plant needs
- Environmental factors affecting plant growth
- Environmental controls
- Natural light
- Temperature of air – cooling
- Temperature of air – heating
- Ventilation and ventilation systems
- Controlling light in the greenhouse
- Lamps
- Thermal screens
- Blackout and shading
- Day length manipulation
- Methods of temperature control
- Heating systems
- Localised heating systems
- Centralised heating system
- Cooling
- Cooling equipment
- Carbon dioxide enrichment
- Greenhouse irrigation methods
- Overhead spray lines
- Flood benches
- Capillary watering
- Irrigation practices
- Greenhouse hygiene
- Other problems with greenhouses
- Spacing
Unit 7 – Pests and diseases
- Manage pests and diseases on an orchid flower crop
- Law in relation to chemical use
- Diseases – common in orchids
- Bacterial diseases
- Fungal diseases
- Viral diseases
- Pests – common to orchids
Unit 8 – management, harvest and post harvest
- Managing a flower farm/nursery
- Deciding what to grow
- Production plan
- Crop scheduling
- Standards
- Cost efficiency
- Profit
- Sales price
- Quality standards
- Quantity standards
- Nursery or farm layout
- Design of a store
- Nursery costing
- Capital costs
- Operating costs
- Labour costs
- Harvest and post-harvest of orchids
- Bud opening
- Conditioning for market
- Transport
- Storing flowers
- Requirements of some orchids
Unit 9 – Marketing
- Considering your market
- Small-scale growers
- The international system
- Exporting to specific countries
- Aspects of export
- Individuals as marketers
- Export documentation
- Gearing up for an international flower market
- Size and funding of a production unit to meet market demand
- Validating the markets
- Production technology, planning and cash flow management
- Selling the product
- Future developments
- Marketing an overview
- The activities of marketing
- Market research
- Steps involved in market research
- Gathering information
- What do you need to research?
- How to sell successfully
- Key rules every salesperson should follow
- Economically valuable species of orchids
Unit 10 – Problem Based Learning (PBL) Project
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.
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;
- 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 entry requirements or pre-requisites for entry into this program.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
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.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system 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 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.
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Florist
- Floristry retail staff
- Orchid farmer
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