Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCPER214 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Propagate plants for a permaculture garden system

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCPER214 - Propagate plants for a permaculture garden system
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to propagate plants for a permaculture garden system including small scale nurseries, school nurseries and systems where sales and profit are not the main drivers. It requires knowledge of propagation techniques, basic plant nutrition and potting media suitable for the home propagation system.All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare to propagate plants
  • Collect and wash containers and trays
  • Prepare containers with suitable potting mix for the propagation process being undertaken
  • Have tools, water and labelling materials on hand
       
Element: Propagate plants using garden techniques
  • Take cuttings, sow seed or divide plants as required
  • Place new plants into prepared containers to required level and give water, cutting treatment or fertiliser as needed
  • Label the new plant accurately
  • Place containers in trays or in propagation area to grow on
       
Element: Maintain health of plants during propagation
  • Monitor new plants and take remedial action as needed
  • Check for disease or pests and treat according to permaculture principles
  • Check for root growth and pot into larger container if required
  • Water, shelter or shade depending on prevailing weather conditions, size of container and needs of species
  • Harden off in a sheltered area before planting out
       
Element: Maintain garden propagation system year round
  • Check propagation area between seasonal propagation activities and clean or tidy to avoid disease
  • Maintain health of mother plants for propagation purposes
  • Maintain stocks of containers, labels, stakes and ties for future use
  • Maintain stocks of potting materials and nutrient additives
  • Keep propagation system clean and weed free at all times
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to propagate plants

1.1 Collect and wash containers and trays

1.2 Prepare containers with suitable potting mix for the propagation process being undertaken

1.3 Have tools, water and labelling materials on hand

2. Propagate plants using garden techniques

2.1 Take cuttings, sow seed or divide plants as required

2.2 Place new plants into prepared containers to required level and give water, cutting treatment or fertiliser as needed

2.3 Label the new plant accurately

2.4 Place containers in trays or in propagation area to grow on

3. Maintain health of plants during propagation

3.1 Monitor new plants and take remedial action as needed

3.2 Check for disease or pests and treat according to permaculture principles

3.3 Check for root growth and pot into larger container if required

3.4 Water, shelter or shade depending on prevailing weather conditions, size of container and needs of species

3.5 Harden off in a sheltered area before planting out

4. Maintain garden propagation system year round

4.1 Check propagation area between seasonal propagation activities and clean or tidy to avoid disease

4.2 Maintain health of mother plants for propagation purposes

4.3 Maintain stocks of containers, labels, stakes and ties for future use

4.4 Maintain stocks of potting materials and nutrient additives

4.5 Keep propagation system clean and weed free at all times

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

prepare for plant propagation

propagate plants using garden techniques

maintain healthy new plants and mother plants

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices related to propagation, such as:

using reclaimed or reused containers (suitably cleaned to avoid cross-contamination)

labelling systems using reclaimed materials

maintaining rare and unusual varieties

using edges and valuing marginal or unusual plants in micro-climates

sharing and swapping to increase biodiversity and mutual wellbeing

preserving provenance of locally indigenous species

testing and trialling for new plants or resistant varieties

global food plant preservation including seed saving

principles of sustainable horticultural practices

propagation techniques, such as:

soft wood cuttings

hard wood cuttings

tip and root cuttings

layering and division

grafting (whip and tongue, saddle and wedge)

seed sowing

basic plant nutrition

potting mixes suitable for propagation in a garden setting, such as:

compost and worm casting mixes

sieved and graded sands

blends used for different purposes or different times of year

sphagnum moss

basic plant growth and development

small-scale glass, shade or poly house structures

methods of waste disposal causing minimal impact on the environment

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to propagate plants

1.1 Collect and wash containers and trays

1.2 Prepare containers with suitable potting mix for the propagation process being undertaken

1.3 Have tools, water and labelling materials on hand

2. Propagate plants using garden techniques

2.1 Take cuttings, sow seed or divide plants as required

2.2 Place new plants into prepared containers to required level and give water, cutting treatment or fertiliser as needed

2.3 Label the new plant accurately

2.4 Place containers in trays or in propagation area to grow on

3. Maintain health of plants during propagation

3.1 Monitor new plants and take remedial action as needed

3.2 Check for disease or pests and treat according to permaculture principles

3.3 Check for root growth and pot into larger container if required

3.4 Water, shelter or shade depending on prevailing weather conditions, size of container and needs of species

3.5 Harden off in a sheltered area before planting out

4. Maintain garden propagation system year round

4.1 Check propagation area between seasonal propagation activities and clean or tidy to avoid disease

4.2 Maintain health of mother plants for propagation purposes

4.3 Maintain stocks of containers, labels, stakes and ties for future use

4.4 Maintain stocks of potting materials and nutrient additives

4.5 Keep propagation system clean and weed free at all times

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Collect and wash containers and trays 
Prepare containers with suitable potting mix for the propagation process being undertaken 
Have tools, water and labelling materials on hand 
Take cuttings, sow seed or divide plants as required 
Place new plants into prepared containers to required level and give water, cutting treatment or fertiliser as needed 
Label the new plant accurately 
Place containers in trays or in propagation area to grow on 
Monitor new plants and take remedial action as needed 
Check for disease or pests and treat according to permaculture principles 
Check for root growth and pot into larger container if required 
Water, shelter or shade depending on prevailing weather conditions, size of container and needs of species 
Harden off in a sheltered area before planting out 
Check propagation area between seasonal propagation activities and clean or tidy to avoid disease 
Maintain health of mother plants for propagation purposes 
Maintain stocks of containers, labels, stakes and ties for future use 
Maintain stocks of potting materials and nutrient additives 
Keep propagation system clean and weed free at all times 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPER214 - Propagate plants for a permaculture garden system
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPER214 - Propagate plants for a permaculture garden system

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: