Glasshouse Horticulturalist
The greenhouse effect is behind recent changes in our weather but the
ability to protect plants in a glasshouse has enriched gardens the world
over.
Where They Work
Glasshouses are a very important part of many gardens from the smallest cottage garden to the grandest botanical garden. For many home or amateur gardeners their greenhouse enables them to grow crops through the summer and then overwinter tender exotic plants. For others their glasshouses are major visitor attraction. In addition their are commercial growers growing greenhouse crops - often extending the season and stocking the shelves in our grocery shops.
What They Do
No matter how large the glasshouse the principles are the same and the skills required to grow plants under-glass are much in demand. Plants in a greenhouse are entirely at the mercy of the gardener. They have to be supplied with every need at the right time and in the right quantity. Accurate regulation of light, heat, fertilizer, and water are of paramount importance if you want your plants to thrive.
In addition to the control of the plants' environment the skilled glasshouse horticulturalist will have to be able to propagate and prune a wide variety of plants and control a wide variety of pests and diseases.
What is Needed
A glasshouse horticulturist needs all the skills and training of a general horticulturist with emphasis on how plants grow in greenhouses and how conditions can be manipulated to facilitate longer growing season. Other skills and knowledge needed includes:
- Knowledge of pests and diseases and treatments that are often more prevalent within a glasshouse environment
- Understanding a range of irrigation methods specific to glasshouse growing
- Understanding carbon dioxide enrichment and its affects on plant growth
- Ability to implement temperature and humidity control as needed
- Plant cultivation techniques relevant to glasshouse growing
Opportunities
Greenhouses are used in both Crop Production and Ornamental Horticulture, and may be found in any of the following situations:
- Botanic Gardens, Public Parks
- Home Gardens
- Horticultural Therapy
- Horticultural Education
- Hydroponic Farms
- Propagation Nurseries
- Indoor Plant Nurseries
- Retail Garden Centres
- Market Gardens - growing vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, berries, etc
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