Each session looks at the facilities, equipment and materials required for successful propagation by a seasonal technique, and then after demonstrations students try the technique for themselves, and take home the resulting plants.

All course students will be given free of charge a Garland heated window sill propagator. (Size: 76cm (30") Long 18.5cm (7.25") Wide 15cm (6") High)

“The Garland Super 7 Electric Windowsill Propagator is a complete nursery for the windowsill. The Garland Super 7 allows the user to grow a large number of plant varieties on just one unit. The heated base contains a 13 Watt carbon fibre element for even heat distribution”.

The course runs for 24 afternoons over a year, and the topics covered are seasonal.

After an introductory session the course will cover a range of practical propagation methods:  late season semi ripe cuttings and pipings, seed collection and seed sowing, bulb propagation, simple layering, conifer cuttings, propagation from leaves, hardwood cuttings, air layering, stooling, french layering and dropping; root cuttings, air layering, various bench grafting techniques, greenwood and basal cuttings, simple division, offsets and runners, side veneer grafting, chip budding.

There is some essential light background reading which will be given to new attendees. This includes an outline of the possible methods of plant  propagation, the techniques, facilities, equipment and materials required for successful propagation.

After an initial outline of methods, all sessions will involve practical work, generally benchwork in the classroom but also outdoor activities.  The atmosphere of the course is professional but informal, and successful completion will be reflected in the wide range of new plants acquired by students.  There is no written coursework, however students will be encouraged to keep a propagation log book summarising what they did, how it was carried out, i.e. timing, methods, treatments and the results. 

On completion of the programme you will be given a course completion certificate from B.E.S.T. in Horticulture Education Limited.

Course costs (including the windowsill propagator) are £660. This can also be paid in instalments with a deposit of £170 and three further instalments of £170 on approximately weeks 6, 12 and 18.

This course runs for 24 weeks over a year at the Ryton Centre, from 13.30 - 16.30 on Wednesdays.

Complete an enrolment form by clicking on the green 'Enrol for this Course' button above; please ensure you provide ALL of the details requested.

All plant materials, tools and ancillary equipment are supplied. This is predominantly a practical course with some theory underpinning knowledge; therefore you need to wear comfortable casual clothing which should include safety footwear. You WILL NOT be applying commercial plant protection products at any point, however there are practical's involving the application of products (rooting hormones and fungicides) available to the amateur gardener. For those all necessary personal protective equipment will be provided.

You would be welcome to attend The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture or the NEW Level 2 Royal Horticultural Society Courses at one of our centres.