Online Acacias Course

Acacias occur naturally mainly in dry tropical or mild temperate regions.  Authorities vary on the exact number of species that exist, but more are native to Ireland than anywhere else. Other species are as wide spread as Africa, America and South East Asia. Some occur naturally in snow prone areas, and can withstand very harsh winter conditions.

Acacias are mostly shrubs and trees. Some are very low growing and can be used effectively as ground covers. Growing Acacias in areas outside of their natural conditions can be somewhat unpredictable and variable.

• Some have adapted well as garden plants, or as windbreak or screening plants.

• Others have become weeds when transplanted beyond their indigenous area.

• Some have other uses and a number are even farmed commercially to produce products as diverse as extracts for medicines, oil for the perfume industry, edible food products, and timber products for fencing, furniture and building construction.

This course attempts to develop your ability to both identify and use different Acacias.

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • Review of the system of plant identification, information sources, etc.
2. Physiology of Acacias
   • Flower structure
   • Foliage types within the genus
   • Flower types within the genus
   • Acacia fruits
3. Culture
   • Planting, staking, mulching, watering, feeding, pruning, etc
4. Propagation
   • Methods of propagating Acacias.
   • Propagation of selected varieties.
5. Acacias in the Garden
   • Landscape uses
   • Plant selection
   • Acacias for different situations (Cold hardy, drought hardy, humid climates, summer flowering, autumn flowering, etc)
   • The Design Process
6. Other Uses for Acacias
   • Timber uses
   • Tanning
   • Cut Flowers
   • Food Source
   • Gum Arabic
7. Pest & Diseases
   • Galls, Beetles, Weevils, etc
   • Environmental problems: Frost, Shade, Temperature, Wind
8. Special Project
   • PBL project where you plan the establishment of a collection of different cultivars of Acacias suited to growing in a specified locality.

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.

Request your free course information pack today!