Propagator

A skillful and knowledgeable propagator will be responsible for the initiation of many new plants through various techniques using sexual and asexual propagation. Sexual propagation is achieved by using viable seed or spore, and asexual propagation is carried out by using cuttings, grafting, layering, and division as some examples.

Where They Work

Most propagators are employed in nurseries propagating a variety of different plants using various techniques. An efficient propagator can generate a lot of income for a production nursery. For example, a successful propagator can prepare and propagate over a 1000 cuttings per day. However, their work is not limited to taking and propagating cuttings. Duties include using and understanding the various methods of sexual and asexual propagation techniques.
Propagators are generally employed in specialist nurseries, wholesale nurseries and production nurseries. Occasionally retail nurseries and garden centers hire propagators, however, most of these nurseries source their plant stock from wholesale nurseries. Due to the nature of some of the propagation techniques, hygiene is extremely important, hence a lot of this work is carried out in structures which help reduce pest and diseases and help control the environment optimising production of new plants.

Opportunities

Many thousands of plants are sold daily to the public, landscapers, retail nurseries etc. All these plants have had their beginnings by using the services of a propagator. Nurseries are looking for propagators who are fast, efficient and can demonstrate a variety of propagation techniques. An experienced propagator has the potential to earn a very good income.
To be a successful propagator, a degree of technical knowledge and experience is required to be a good allrounder.

What is Needed

To be a propagator a prerequisite is to have a good plant knowledge. An ability to identify a minimum of 500 different plants and talk about how and where to grow each of those plants. Having a very good understanding of the various types of sexual and asexual propagation, and the different type of environments used to optimise production, and a thorough knowledge of the different types of media used in propagation.

Propagator

Where They Work

Opportunities

What is Needed

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Plant Breeding