Geraniums & Pelargoniums

• Learn from a team of professional horticulturists, led by John Mason (Author of Growing Pelargoniums and Geraniums -published by Hyland House)
• Start any time; study from anywhere, work at yourown pace
• An in depth 100 hour course for the enthusiast or serious grower

This course opens up a wealth of possibilities for growing and using these plants.

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • Review of the system of plant identification
   • Physiology
   • Information sources
2. Culture
   • Planting
   • Staking
   • Mulching
   • Watering
   • Feeding
   • Soils
   • Pruning, etc.
3. Propagation
   • Methods of propagating this group of plants
   • Propagation of selected varieties
4. Using Geraniums & Pelargoniums
   • Landscaping With Geraniums
   • Growing in baskets
   • Hydroponics
   • Rock gardens
   • Tubs
   • Planting design
5. Pest & Disease
   • Diagnosing problems
   • Hygiene
   • Chemical & non chemical control
6. Irrigation
   • Manual & automatic
   • Capillary
   • Disease implications etc.
7. Greenhouse Management
   • Types of Greenhouses & Other Growing Structures
   • Plant Needs
   • Temperature Control
8. Special Project
9. A research project into one major group such as species geraniums or pelargoniums, Regals, Zonals, Ivy Leaf, etc.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Select and cultivate appropriate varieties of geraniums and pelargoniums in different situations.
• Describe the cultural requirements of various Geranium and Pelargoniums.
• Propagate Geraniums and Pelargoniums, using different techniques.
• Explain a variety of ways Geranium and Pelargoniums may be used both in landscape and other situations.
• Manage various pest and disease problems that affect Pelargonium and Geraniums.
• Manage the environmental conditions to optimise plant health
• Understand and manage water requirements of geraniums and pelargoniums, in a way to optimize the plant’s performance.
• Manage the growing of Pelargoniums and Geraniums in a greenhouse.
• Learn how to plan the establishment of a collection of different cultivars of a group of geraniums or pelargoniums

An extract from the course notes:

Today many beautiful hybrid pelargoniums are the result of many years of cross pollination and breeding in the 17th and 18th centuries. Nursery people were deeply impressed by these plants and public interest increased again after World War II with more hybridizing. A lot of progress has been made since the early days; with today's gardeners having an outstanding range of cultivars to choose from.

They are as common place and right
As books and tea and candle light
And all about them is scent
Of home and comfort and content
Annon.

Geraniums have for a long time been grown by gardeners who have considered them as an easy and as a 'forget them' type of plant. Even with little care they still produce a floral display. They are frequently used as a 'for-now' plant to fill in an awkward spot until something else can be chosen to be placed there, or until something slower growing can grow to fill the surrounding space.

There are geraniums suitable for borders and small corners, some are suitable for rockeries, hedges and hanging baskets. Large urns, window boxes and retainer walls are decorated (and hidden) by the cascading 'ivy' forms of geraniums. An open garden of regal geraniums provides a splash of colour with smaller growing deacons at their bases. The cut flower industry regularly uses geranium flowers for posies and the foliage for arrangements.

Career Opportunities:

• Starting your own business in supplying plants for the retail or wholesale nursery industry
• Become a better gardener, specialising in Pelargoniums
• Start a plant collection, develop your passion