Hydroponics A (Introduction) Online Course
| Full Fee | $595.00 incl GST - Best Value! |
| Payment Plan | $800.00 incl GST |
Exam Optional
Tutor Support Yes unlimited by email
Qualification Certificate
Why study this Introduction to Hydroponics course?
Set your hydroponics venture up for success with Careerline’s online Hydroponics A course. Horticulture and agriculture professionals and home gardeners alike will develop essential
knowledge that will assist them to plan, establish, and maintain a hydroponic system.
Whether you hope to upskill, become a more knowledgeable hobbyist, or get a head start on future studies, studying with Careerline will have a positive impact on your future. This
introductory hydroponics course provides an opportunity for professional and personal growth for anyone with a passion for plants. Your new skills will help you stay informed and prepared
as you create your simple or complex hydroponic system.
What will you learn?
Careerline’s online Hydroponics A course introduces students to how hydroponic systems are used in the horticulture and agricultural industries. During your studies, you will learn about the
science behind plant growth, and how to best facilitate the successful growth of vegetables and flowers using hydroponics.
This course provides information about the many types of simple and complex hydroponic systems, and how to decide on the best system for your needs. You will learn about the
equipment required to set up your own hydroponic system. In addition, you will study the nutritional requirements of plants grown in hydroponic systems, and how you can ensure that
your plants receive the nutrients they need to thrive.
Hydroponics A will help you understand the benefits and process of using greenhouses to grow your hydroponics. Finally, you will undertake a special assignment in which you plan your own
hydroponic enterprise, then receive feedback on this plan from your tutor.
Who is this online Hydroponics course for?
Careerline’s online Hydroponics A course is designed for current and aspiring horticulturalists, farmers, farmhands, garden retail employees, and other horticulture and agriculture
professionals. The skills you learn while studying will help you improve your career opportunities and become a more knowledgeable well-rounded professional.
The course is also an opportunity for backyard gardeners to learn the skills required to successfully set up and maintain their own small hydroponic system.
In addition, Hydroponics A is an excellent starting point for anyone hoping to pursue further study in a horticultural field. You will be introduced to concepts covered in tertiary and
vocational horticulture and agriculture courses. This knowledge will help you to feel confident and prepared as you continue your academic and professional journey.
Course Aims:
- Explain different hydroponic systems.
- Select appropriate media for specified hydroponic crops.
- Describe the equipment used in hydroponic systems.
- Determine the management of nutrition in hydroponic systems.
- Explain the management of a greenhouse in the production of a hydroponic crop.
- Plan the establishment of hydroponic facility to satisfy specified criteria, both commercial and cultural.
- Develop a management plan for a hydroponic facility.
Get Free Info Pack
Complete the form below and we'll send you a free info pack.
Detailed Course Outline
This course is made up of a number of lessons or units. Each of these has self assessment questions, a set task (practical homework) and an assignment which you can upload online. Click below to read about each of the lessons and what you will learn.
There are 10 Lessons in this course:
Introduction
- hydroponic systems
- global industry
- comparision to growing in soil
- resources and contacts.
How a Plant Grows
- plant structure
- biochemistry
- biochemical cell processess
- mechanisms of nutrient uptake
- photosynthesis; minerals and nutrients
- the role of pH in plant growth
- hydroponic nutrient solutions
- preparing nutrient solutions.
Hydroponic Systems
- location
- equipment
- systems
- soilless mixes
- rockwool
- rockwool manufacture
- rockwool properties
- development of propagating blocks
- propagation applications
- recommended practices for propogation
- nutrient film techniques
- alternative layouts for NFT
- methods of solution dispention, closed and open systems; techniques.
Nutrition & Nutrition management
- understanding nutrient formulae
- atoms, elements & compounds
- chemical names
- what does a plant need
- calculating formulae
- mixing nutrients
- symptoms of nutrient deficiency
- recommendations
- adjusting the pH
- using electrical conductivity measures
- conductivity
- conductivity and hydroponics.
Plant Culture
- flow charting the crop
- controllers
- salinity controllers
- pH controllers
- post harvest storage
- cooling
- drying
- canning/bottling
- controlled atmosphere storage
- relative humidity
- vacuum storage
- freeze drying
- freezing
- pest and diseases in controlled environments
- fungi, common fungal problems
- cultural controls
- current legislation
- biological and integrated pest management
- beneficial agents
- economic thresholds
- methods of introduction
- major pests, diseases and disorders of crops identified
- problem solving and identification of illness
- difficult to diagnose problems
- leaf hoppers; thrip; virus; bacteria; caterpillars; harlequin bugs and more.
Hydroponic Vegetable Production
- commerical cultivation of vegetables
- propagation
- temperatures required for seed germination
- optimum monthly temperatures for vegetable growth
- harvesting vegetables
- growing vegetables hydroponically
- vegetable families
- fresh-cut herbs in hydroponic culture
- nutrient solution
- materials and handling
- notes on selected crops.
Hydroponic Cut Flower Production
- growing flowers in hydroponics
- carbon dioxide
- automation
- flower varieties
- indoor plants.
Solid Media vs Nutrient Film
- growing media
- NFT system choices
- header tank or direct pumping
- construction materials
- solution delivery
- capillary matting
- channel width and length
- slope
- temperature
- types of media
- vermiculite; sand; perlite; expanded plastics; scoria; expanded clay
- organic media; sawdust; peat moss; coir fibre; composted bark
- indoor plants
- plant directory
- transplanting a pot grown plant into a hydroponic ‘culture pot’.
Greenhouse Operation & Management
- growing crops in greenhouses
- solar energy
- greenhouses
- nature of active solar heating systems
- examples of solar greenhouse facilities
- greenhouse management
- what you can grow
- greenhouse and other growing structures
- environmental factors that influence plant growth
- plant needs
- temperature control
- heat loss
- heaters
- light factors
- artificial light
- horticultural management in a greenhouse
- greenhouse benches
- greenhouse cooling
- fog.
Special Assignment
- plan a hydroponic enterprise.
When you have completed the lessons of your Certificate course, you will be given the option of taking the optional exam. It's okay if you don't want the exam, we still issue your Careerline Certificate. For Advanced Certificates however, the exam is compulsory (per module) and are included in the course fee.
Course Tutor(s)
Barbara Tremain BSc. (Hons) Horticulture, RHS Adv. Cert,. RHS General, City & Guilds Garden Design, Permaculture Level 3 (UK)
Barbara brings to Careerline a wide range of horticultural experience and knowledge Barbara has a keen interest in herbalism, edible wild plants and has lead into studies of many plant based complementary medicinal systems, qualification as a Bach Flower remedy practitioner and studying Ethnobotany. Barbara has practiced and studied horticulture as well as combining it with her love of travel in many countries including the UK, US and Australia and has also studied Permaculture and runs her own horticulture business. Within the past two years she have also worked for Groundwork SW with 18-24 year old unemployed people, this work and the mentoring scheme has allowed me to teach informally. It has been a delight to nurture the interests of keen learners in horticulture and garden design. Meanwhile the business has covered a variety of Garden Design projects, from wildflower gardens to seaside situations, and has included some work with Chelsea Gold multi-winner John Moreland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay in installments?
Yes! We offer great payment plans, however full payment up front is the cheapest. You can choose the best payment plan for you from the course page, or call us on 07 55368782 to talk to one of our course consultants for a custom plan.
Can I study from anywhere in the world?
We have many international students. Careerline's range of courses are suitable for any one, anywhere in the world.
Do I get a discount if I enroll in a second course?
Yes. You may claim a 5% fee discount when you enroll in a second course, and a further 10% off a three-course package.
Do I have to sit an Exam?
No. If you are enrolled in a Certificate course (100hrs), the exam is optional. You will be issued with a certificate which proves that you are competent in all units, if you choose not to sit the exam.
Do you have set start dates?
There are no set start dates, you may start at any time. Our courses are all self-paced. As our home page says, ‘Courses for Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime’. ‘Anytime’ includes the start time of your choice. However, we do encourage our students to submit assignments on a regular basis. Wherever possible, we suggest developing a study routine.