Get Ahead with RHS Level 2: Master Plant Growth and Development with Expert Tutoring and Full Syllabus Support

Below is the full syllabus for the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development. Each topic is designed to build your expertise in key areas of plant science, nutrition, health, and sustainable garden management.

Unit 1

Topic 1: Plant Science

  1. Common and Scientific Plant Names: Understand plant taxonomy and the principles of binomial classification (genus and species).
  2. Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBRs): Explore how Plant Breeders’ Rights protect the development of new plant varieties and encourage innovation in horticulture.
  3. Evolution of Plant Groups: Understand how plants evolved from simple bryophytes to complex angiosperms.
  4. Lifecycle Adaptations: Understand how plants adapt their lifecycles, from fast-growing ephemerals to long-lived perennials.
  5. External Parts of the Plant: Identify key external structures, including stem types, flower parts, and leaf shapes.
  6. Internal Parts of the Plant: Understand internal structures such as leaf anatomy, the vascular system within stems, and the structure of roots.
  7. Movement of Water Through the Plant: Learn how water moves through plants via the vascular system and the environmental factors influencing water transport.
  8. Pollination and Fertilisation: Discover how plants achieve pollination and fertilisation, comparing insect (animal) and wind pollination strategies, and how they prevent self-pollination.
  9. Photosynthesis and Respiration: Explore how plants convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis, and how they respire to release energy.

Topic 2: Plant Health

  1. Environmental Conditions: Understand how environmental factors, such as light, temperature, water, and soil, influence plant growth and development.
  2. Plant Nutrition and Plant Health: Explore the essential nutrients plants require for healthy growth and how nutrient deficiencies impact plant health.
  3. Impact of Competition on Plant Health: Examine how competition for water, nutrients, and light, from weeds and neighbouring plants, affects plant growth and vitality.
  4. Pests and Pathogens: Identify common pests and diseases, their symptoms, and effective control methods.
  5. Maintaining Plant Health: Learn how to develop garden health plans and implement integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to sustain plant health.
  6. Biosecurity and Plant Passports: Understand current legislation on plant protection products and the role of plant passports in promoting biosecurity.

Topic 3: Plant Nutrition

  1. Soil Types and Profiles: Explore soil texture, structure, and effective soil management methods.
  2. pH and Nutrient Availability: Understand how soil pH influences the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth.
  3. Role of Nutrients: Examine the functions of key nutrients and their importance in supporting healthy plant development.
  4. Soil-Based Nutrition: Learn how soil nutrients support plant growth and how to sustainably apply artificial and organic fertilisers.
  5. Bulk Constituents for Growing Media: Identify and understand the main ingredients used in different types of compost and growing media.

Topic 4: Plant Specification

  1. Site-Based Criteria: Understand how to collect and assess essential site information, including soil type, drainage, exposure, and microclimate.
  2. Plant-Based Criteria: Understand how to select plants suited to the site’s specific conditions, ensuring long-term success.
  3. Plant Specifications: Understand how to select plants suited to the site’s specific conditions, ensuring long-term success.
  4. Receiving Material On-Site: Learn to inspect plants on arrival for quality issues and store them correctly before planting.
  5. Planting and Post-Planting Care: Learn best practices for planting and aftercare to support healthy establishment.
  6. Maintaining New Plantings: Develop skills to care for new plantings through watering, weeding, pruning, and monitoring plant health.

Unit 2

Topic 1: Plant Science 2

  1. Leaf Adaptations: Understand how leaf adaptations help plants survive environmental conditions and reproduce.
  2. Stem Adaptations: Understand the range of stem structures that support survival, resource storage, and stability.
  3. Root Adaptations: Understand the diversity of root types, their key functions, and how roots respond to gravity.
  4. Flower Adaptations: Understand how flower structures and arrangements enhance pollination success.
  5. Seed Adaptations: Understand plants’ different strategies for seed dispersal and successful germination.
  6. Growth Habit Adaptations: Understand plants’ various growth habits to survive different environmental conditions.

Topic 2: Planting Styles

  1. Historical Contexts: Explore different garden styles, key design features, maintenance requirements, and biodiversity values. Understand how historical influences shape modern sustainable practices.
  2. Formal Planting: Understand the principles of formal planting design, including aesthetic values, plant selection, and the impacts on biodiversity and long-term sustainability.
  3. Informal Planting: Investigate naturalistic and informal planting styles, including typical features, plant types, and colour palettes that support a more diverse ecosystem.
  4. Plant Associations: Analyse how colour, height, form, seasonal interest, garden style, location, and biodiversity considerations influence effective plant combinations.
  5. Plant Uses: Select plants for key roles such as structure, shade, wildlife support, and screening, while promoting biodiversity, resilience, and climate mitigation. Avoid poor choices that harm sustainability.
  6. Edible Landscapes: Examine various growing systems and planting styles for edible landscapes. Evaluate support structures, sustainability, social impacts, and the role of food production in promoting health and well-being.
  7. Short-term Plantings: Assess the selection of plants for temporary landscapes, considering their environmental footprint and contribution to or detriment of biodiversity.

Topic 3: Horticulture and Society

  1. Wellbeing: Examine how horticulture supports physical and mental health, enhances social connections, and explores its historical links to wellbeing.
  2. Environment: Investigate horticulture’s positive impacts on air quality, temperature regulation, noise reduction, and carbon storage, as well as its potential negative environmental effects.
  3. Economy: Explore how horticulture benefits the economy through different sectors, promotes social inclusion, supports biodiversity, reduces crime rates, and contributes to long-term public health savings.
  4. Community: Discover how various groups and organisations use horticulture to improve lives, foster community spirit, and promote social wellbeing.

Topic 4: Biodiversity

  1. Plants and Biodiversity: Explore the importance of biodiversity in gardens, including food chains and food webs. Examine examples of plant-animal associations and the impact of traditional attitudes towards weeds and pests. Learn how public gardens contribute to biodiversity and how plant selection influences ecological balance.
  2. Impacts of Climate Change: Understand expected climate change trends and their effects on existing plantings. Learn how to plan resilient gardens that can adapt to future climate conditions.
  3. Creating Habitats: Discuss the importance of creating habitats within gardens. Explore different types of habitats, their creation and maintenance, and the benefits they provide to wildlife and human well-being.
  4. Citizen Science and Species Surveys: Explore the role of citizen science in biodiversity conservation. Learn how to identify native species commonly found in gardens, record garden wildlife, and apply this knowledge to habitat creation.
  5. Biodiversity Action Plans: Understand what a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is, why BAPs are important for garden decision-making, and the key legislation surrounding biodiversity protection.

For the most up-to-date and comprehensive details on the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development, please refer to the official RHS syllabus: RHS Level 2 Certificate Syllabus.

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