True Proteas come from Africa. Many produce spectacular flowers, with great commercial value as garden shrubs or a cut flower crop. The term ‘Protea’ is sometimes loosely used to refer to any plants in the Protea (or Protreaceae) family; though the scientific name ‘Protea’ is strictly confined to one genus.
Even nurserymen and cut flower growers the world over, may sometimes use the term Protea to refer to related plants in the Proteaceae family, such as Telopeas, Leucadendron and Leucospermum (though strictly speaking they are not Proteas).
This course is primarily concerned with those plants classified scientifically into the genus ‘Protea’.
The true ‘Proteas’ do share characteristics, with related plants:
- similar soil and water requirements
- susceptibility to the same problems
- other similar cultural needs
- sometimes a similar appearance, in foliage and flower.
E-Learning Structure
The duration of this online course is 100 hours. This consists of 8 in-depth lessons:
- Introduction
- Review of the system of plant identification
- General characteristics of the group
- Information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.)
- Culture
- Planting
- staking
- mulching
- watering
- feeding (nutrition requirements, deficiencies etc)
- pruning
- protection from wind, salt air etc.
- drainage requirements
- techniques for providing drainage, etc.
- Propagation
- Methods of propagating this group of plants (cuttings & seed)
- Propagation of selected varieties, etc.
- Most Commonly Grown Varieties of Proteas
- Protea cynaroides
- Protea mellifera
- Protea repens
- Pests, Diseases and Problems
- Protea botany
- Pest & diseases
- Drainage problems
- Other Proteas to Grow
- Making the Best Use of Proteas
- Harvest and post harvest
- How to use them at home
- Special Assignment – On one selected plant or group.
How Does A Warnborough Online Course Work?
You can start the course whenever is convenient for you. You will be studying from home and have access to support from our qualified tutors. Practical exercises and research tasks will be set at the end of each lesson – including an assignment. You will submit this assignment to your course tutor, who will mark your work and give you constructive feedback and suggestions.
If you have any questions please contact us.
