Clik here to view.
Houseplants (Source: Flickr, FD Richards)
Iowa State University is offering an eight week online course called Introduction to Houseplants, starting in January 2012!
While winter is waging in the northern half of the United States, you could be inside learning more about lush and tropical houseplants. While this course is aimed at houseplant beginners, even if you are accomplished in the arts of indoor plant care, you may be interested in this class.
What will Intro to Houseplants cover and can I get continuing education credits?
This course is especially ideal for Extension Master Gardeners (or EMGs) because most states will accept this training for your continuing education credits (check with your coordinator to be sure). Most states offer up to three hours of training related to houseplants in their core training.
This class will discuss the science of houseplants for eight hours in addition to the class activities, specifically we’ll focus on:
- irrigation
- substrates
- light
- fertility
- temperature and humidity
- common houseplant problems
- houseplant propagation
- houseplant identification.
One example of an activity will include a plant propagation project after the propagation lecture. You will learn about the techniques and then do it yourself!
Interaction with instructor and other students across the U.S!
Introductions to houseplants will be delivered via Blackboard Learn, an online training program that can be accessed anywhere you have internet. Class discussions and at home activities will round out the lecture and video instruction portion of the course.
Clik here to view.
Intro to Houseplants (click to enlarge image)
Students will also have an opportunity to interact with each other from all across the United States. One of the first assignments is to post a picture of you with one of your houseplants (one can even be borrowed, if need be). Then you would describe the plant including its common and scientific names as well as an unusual or interesting fact about the plant. Other students in the class can add tidbits of information that they know about the plant too.
As the instructor, I will be available to answer any additional questions – publicly, via discussion threads, or individually.
Having worked with EMGs at both the county and state levels, I especially welcome interaction with enthusiastic volunteers. This course can also go towards an online degree, depending on your goals.
For more information regarding Introduction to Houseplants through Iowa State University, see http://www.agde.iastate.edu/course/viewCourse.php?courseID=S2013HORT+193AXW.
{UPDATE since the original blog posting: If you are an Extension Master Gardener, you may take the course for non-credit for $150.00. For non-credit registration, go to this link: https://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/hort193a/quickregister.html
If you need more information or if you would like to know how to apply for credit, contact lyoung@iastate.edu}
You will find the relevant registration details and course fee information on that page. Depending on your avenue of taking the course, Iowa State University tuition charges may apply.