Who is a flower, shrub or plant grower and what do they do? The flower, shrub and plant grower cultivates different kinds of flowers, plants, e.g. herbs and aromatic plants, perennial and annual flowers, roses and shrubs, and offers them for sale in the home and foreign markets. Some growers may specialise in particular species e.g. as growers of herbs or aromatic plants, rose growers, and they may sell the plants themselves to customers who wish to grow them, or they may cut the flowers and herbs etc. for direct consumption, some fresh, some dried. Others may also make and sell plant products, seeds, oils, and so on. Live plants may be sold for customers to grow themselves, and this may involve acting as a sales assistant in a garden centre
What are the activities of the flower, shrub or plant grower? The activities are – choosing and preparation of the soil, buying of seeds and seedlings or production of seedlings, planting into the soil – earthing up, watering, fertilising, spraying against diseases and pests during vegetation – and, in the case of herbs or similar aromatic plants such as lavender, picking up, drying, preparation and offering the product for sale.
Where is it done and under what conditions? In the open air, in the fields, or sometimes in glasshouses, depending on the type of plant or shrub grown. Where plants have to be dried and prepared, e.g. herbs and aromatic plants, for sale it is done under cover. But obviously you can expect to work in a variety of weather conditions, and in some cases protective clothing is worn. Where cut flowers or other plants to be marketed that day e.g. roses – are involved, it may be necessary to get up very early and work in the fields to ensure the plants reach the market in as fresh a condition as possible. Conventional plant production (as opposed to organic growing which uses only biological methods) may also involve the regular use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, and these must be handled with care.
What tools/equipment do they use? Different kinds of machines, devices and instruments for the cultivation of soil and plants, for harvesting, drying and packing of products, plant pots and seed trays and glasshouses for more delicate plants which must be over wintered.
What do you need to succeed? You need a training course, preferably a completed secondary vocational training programme in horticulture. You need physical stamina, and should be observant, self-disciplined, responsible and, if your role is one of those that involves contact with the public, a polite and helpful manner towards customers is important.