Pruning - Short Course

Option Not Applicable

Quantity •» •»

Our Price £100.00 Another currency?

Pin It

Sneak Peek

Understand how to prune properly and when not to prune.

Pruning is an ancient art. Man has been using it to tame plants for centuries as well as to promote desirable plant growth like flowers and fruits. However, not all plants benefit from pruning and the amount you can safely prune varies from species to species. Some plants only flower on new shoots whereas others may only flower on old wood. To fully understand pruning you need a basic appreciation of plant growth.

This short course is aimed at everyone who may need to prune plants, whether occasionally or regularly. It will teach you how to prune properly and when not to prune. Learn all aspects of pruning from using different equipment to pruning hedges, creating topiary, establishing espaliers and cordons, and even starting a bonsai. Once finished, not only will you have honed your own skills but you should be better able to advise others.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction

Why, when and what to prune: How pruning affects plants
Removing broken branches, dead or diseased wood
Controlling the type of growth
Controlling the plant’s shape and size
Promoting healthy, bushy growth
Rejuvenating a plant
Why prune?
Pruning different species
Timing for pruning
What is compartmentalisation?

Lesson 2: Types of Pruning

Cleaning out dead wood
Stopping
Disbudding
Deadheading
Pollarding
Removing branches
Crown cleaning
Crown thinning
Crown reduction
Crown lifting
Crown renewal
Root pruning
Pruning trees in general
Pruning larger shrubs
Pruning tropical plants
Pruning container plants

Lesson 3: Pruning Tools and Equipment

Secateurs
Pruning knife
Loppers
Pole pruners
Hand saws
Trimmers
Chainsaws
Gloves

Lesson 4: Pruning Hedges

Selecting hedging plants
Establishing a hedge
Types of hedge
Pruning or trimming an established hedge
Rejuvenating old and overgrown hedges
Pruning conifers
Other hedging techniques
Pleaching
Tapestry hedges
Mazes

Lesson 5: Shaping Plants

How to develop an espalier
Horizontal espalier
Oblique palmette espalier
Topiary Portable topiary
Other plants suitable for topiary
Single-stem topiary
Verdant sculptures
Bonsai
Creating bonsai
Pruning bonsai to shape it

Lesson 6: Managing Prunings

Composting waste
Choosing plants for composting
Using compost to improve soil
Composting in home gardens
Indore method
Using lawn clippings
Mulching
How to lay mulch
Biochar
Chipping

Lesson 7: Pruning for Fruit Production

Before buying plants consider the shape
Before pruning
Points to consider when pruning
Pruning specific fruits
Citrus spp.
Pruning a bush shape
Pruning a standard shape
Renovating an old citrus tree
Open vase shape formative pruning
Plum tree pruning
Pruning apricots
Knowing your buds

Lesson 8: Pruning Roses

When to prune roses
Pruning techniques for different types of roses
Pruning climbers and ramblers at a glance
Pruning roses as standards
Dead heading roses
Rejuvenating an old rose plant

Lesson 9: Compendium of Plants - How to Prune What and When

Summary: Basic pruning guide
Glossary
FINAL ASSESSMENT

How do our courses work?

Enrol any time of day or night.
Start studying immediately or later (as you wish).
Configure your study sessions at any length and frequency you wish.
Work through at your own pace.
Help desk- contact our help desk here with the subject title: 'Help Desk Short Course'.
Automated self assessment tests pop up at the end of each lesson. You can attempt these as many times as you wish; and each time, upon completion, you can see your results. You will need internet access to complete the self assessment tests.
At the end of the whole course, you are presented with a major automated examination which can be attempted online, anywhere, anytime.
If you achieve a 60% pass in the exam, you immediately receive a downloadable certificate of completion with your name on it.

Ideal for...

Home gardeners who want to do a lot better in their gardens
Anyone starting up or wanting to expand the range of services offered in a garden business (e.g. a lawn mowing business, seeking to offer an expanded service. When mowing work declines in winter, you can have another source of income, pruning roses and fruit trees)
Anyone seeking employment as a gardener. This course can give you knowledge and skill that sets you apart and gives an employer a reason to consider you above other applicants
Garden managers seeking to train their staff
Gardeners, nurserymen, landscapers or horticulturists wanting to fill in a gap in their skills set.

Example -Pages from this course:

Write a Review

Please ensure you are logged in to write a review.