CERTIFICATE III IN ORCHID GROWING

OVERVIEW

Participants undertaking this course may include personnel working or aspiring to work in nurseries, retail sales of orchids, landscaping or other horticultural environments with a specialist focus on Orchid Growing.

Participants undertaking the Certificate llI in Orchid Growing may seek employment in a diverse range of areas, as the skills and knowledge gained through this qualification apply in all horticultural industries and a wide range of employment situations, including landscape gardening, grounds keeping, retail and wholesale nurseries and more — even set up their own horticultural business.

DURATION

We suggest students should allow a period of 12 – 18 months to complete the course.

COST

$3,475 per participant inclusive of all materials and mail-outs.

DELIVERY

Self-paced learning by correspondence, with a focus on application of skills and knowledge in a real or simulated horticultural environment.

ORGANISATION

The 14 units of competency in the qualification are offered through self-paced learning. The training is structured to ensure that participants develop skills and knowledge which relate to real life work situations. Units of competency are delivered and assessed through clustering to ensure valuable and relevant learning and assessment.

UNIT OUTLINE

Students must first complete successfully four specialist units from Certificate II in Orchid Growing as follows:

OGUOC1A Identify and provide information of orchid species
OGUOC4A Pot-on and re-pot plants specific to orchid growing
OGUOC2A Grow and care for orchids in shade houses, green houses and glass houses
OGUOC3A Grow and care for orchids in the landscape

then complete seven units from Certificate III in Horticulture as follows:

AHCOHS301A Contribute to OHS processes
AHCPMG302A Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
AHCNSY305A Prepare specialised plants
AHCSOL301A Prepare growing media
AHCPCM301A Implement a plant nutrition program
AHCWRK205A Participate in workplace communications
AHCNSY303A Install and maintain plant displays

then complete three of the specialist Certificate III in Orchid Growing units as follows:
(Note: Students may elect any one of Units 5, 6 or 7. Units 8 and 9 are compulsory)

Unit 5 — OGUOC305A Prepare a design for orchids in the landscape
This unit develops the skills and knowledge required to develop designs for growing orchids in the
landscape, the ability to develop a garden design brief, provide design solutions, select plants,
determine irrigation requirements and planting of orchids. The Elements are:
1. Develop a design brief
1.1 Discuss how to establish the purpose and requirements of the design, through consultation if
necessary
1.2 Develop the design brief, in consultation if required
1.3 Determine and document the costs and timelines for the design.
2. Undertake a site analysis
2.1 Prepare or obtain a base plan of the site from the client or other sources
2.2 Explain how to record the physical elements and features of the site on the base plan
2.3 Explain how to assess and record the soil, topography, aspect, existing vegetation
and climatic factors on the plan
2.4 Complete a functional analysis of the site and record results on the base plan
2.5 Determine and record other relevant data, including scale and north point, on the
base plan.
3. Develop a concept design
3.1 Prepare a concept plan to illustrate the location and layout of proposed site works
according to the design brief
3.2 Compile a list of orchids suitable for the site according to the design brief
3.3 Describe how to use technology and industry appropriate graphic style to present the
concept plan
4. Produce a plan
4.1 Produce graphic representations of the garden development situations
4.2 Develop a draft garden plan according to client requirements and enterprise
standards
4.3 Ensure the information on the plan is relevant and precise and clearly communicates
development works to be undertaken
4.4 Explain the rationale included on the plan with notes and specifications to assist in
plan interpretation.

Unit 6 — OGUOC308A Grow and care for orchids for pot plant sales
This unit develops the skills and knowledge required to grow and care for orchids for sale to the pot
plant market. It requires a knowledge of the different genera of popular orchids, their cultural
requirements and flowering seasons.

Unit 7 — OGUOC309A Grow and care for orchids for cut flower production
This unit develops the skills and knowledge required to select and cultivate orchids for cut flower
production, the harvesting of flowers and post harvest flower care. It requires a knowledge of
suitable genera for cut flower production, their cultural requirements and flowering seasons and the
best methods of harvesting and caring for harvested flowers.

Unit 8 — OGUOC306A Provide customer service and advice on orchids
This unit develops the skills and knowledge required to provide assistance to customers. It requires
product knowledge of orchids. This competency may apply to a range of workplaces where
customers are provided with service and advice regarding orchids. The Elements are:
1. Develop knowledge of orchids
1.1 Identify and describe the features and characteristics of a specific range of stock,
merchandise and services
1.2 Develop and maintain product knowledge of a range of orchids, including knowledge
of stocked orchids and comparisons between alternatives
1.3 Read and interpret knowledge from manuals, product labels and instructions.
2. Assist customer
2.1 Apply product knowledge to provide assistance to customers in accordance with relevant
legislation and workplace policies and procedures
2.2 Determine customer requirements through application of active listening and questioning
2.3 Select and recommend orchids to meet the needs of customers and growing conditions
2.4 Summarise suggested alternative products if necessary or appropriate
2.5 Explain specific orchid care requirements to the customer.

Unit 9 — OGUOC307A Hybridising and care of orchid seedlings
This unit develops the skills and knowledge required to hybridise orchids, grow seedlings and care
for seedlings. The Elements are:
1. Hybrid orchids
1.1 Explain the process of selecting orchids for hybridising
1.2 Determine the hygiene requirements for hybridising orchids
1.3 Determine and apply appropriate hybridising techniques
1.4 Determine environmental parameters that impact on propagation
1.5 Detail the process to create hybrid orchids with desired new characteristics
1.6 Detail the process to care for orchids carrying seed capsules
1.7 Select and use appropriate materials, tools and equipment in accordance with industry and
workplace standards
1.8 Select, use and maintain suitable safety and personal protective equipment
2. Grow seedlings
2.1 Explain the process of caring for flasks prior to potting seedlings
2.2 Describe the process to remove seedlings from flasks in preparation for potting
2.3 Explain the process of potting seedlings according to particular genera requirements
2.4 Detail the process to check the potting media for quality and impurities
2.5 Outline the process to clean containers to ensure aesthetic and hygiene standards are maintained
2.6 Explain the process to protect tender seedlings to optimise health according to enterprise
guidelines
2.7 Identify the watering process as to quantity and method of application as specified by enterprise
work procedures.
3. Care for seedlings
3.1 Explain the process of monitoring the health and aesthetic appearance of the seedling to ensure
enterprise standards are met
3.2 Outline the process of assessing seedlings for health, quality and viability according to
enterprise quality standards
3.3 Identify and treat diseases, pests and infections
3.4 Apply water according to seedling requirements
3.5 Detail processes to modify environmental parameters, if required, to ensure optimum growth
3.6 Apply remedial or preventative measures to ensure plants maintain their aesthetic appeal.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning is the process of formal recognition for skills and knowledge gained
through previous learning such as:

★ Life experiences
★ Previous formal learning
★ Employment
★ Recreational or personal interests

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning for part or all of your intended study, based on
your previous experiences and learning. For more information regarding RPL and how to apply,
please discuss this with your trainer.

Assessment methods
This course is competency based, meaning that assessment is based on the participant’s ability to
achieve outcomes.
Assessment is based on

★ Demonstration of skills
★ Assignments
★ Questions
★ Third party reports
★ Work samples