Required skills

correct use of personal protective equipment

cleaning techniques for areas used for the preparation and care of floristry stock

recognition of spoilt flowers and plant materials

safe handling techniques for toxic flower and plant materials and those treated with toxic substances such as fungicides and pesticides

correct handling techniques for a wide variety of flower and plant materials to avoid spoilage of floristry stock

organisational skills to conduct preparation and maintenance activities as a logical and timeefficient work flow

literacy skills to read and comprehend product instructions useby dates stock labels and organisational procedures

writing skills to produce replacement product labels and price tickets and to make simple written reports on such things as the presence of pests and diseases levels of spoilt stock and to complete basic monitoring and maintenance records

communication skills to discuss such things as monitoring and maintenance schedules and to make accurate verbal reports onspoilt stock

numeracy skills to calculate the dilution requirements of cleaning and conditioning products to calculate water and fertiliser requirements and to comprehend and adjust correct temperature and humidity meters

Required knowledge

health issues related to the handling of toxic plants and those treated with toxic substances

the general characteristics and symptoms of common flower and plant pests and diseases and segregation and disposal methods

the visual recognition and general care requirements of a wide variety of flower and plant materials in order to identify stock to apply the correct preparation and maintenance techniques and to display and store items in the appropriate location

correct environmental conditions including temperature light and humidity controls for the display and storage of a wide variety of flower and plant materials and any perishable foodstuffs and alcohol commonly used by the floristry industry and the organisation in particular

correct food and water supply requirements for a wide variety of flower and plant materials and displays commonly used by the floristry industry and the organisation in particular

correct preparation conditioning and maturation techniques for a wide variety of flower and plant materials commonly used by the floristry industry and the organisation in particular

applications of different types of cleaning and conditioning products

the essential features of and safe practices for using common hazardous substances used by the floristry industry and in particular substances used by the organisation eg cleaning conditioning pest and disease control products and preservatives

the environmental impacts of cleaning premises preparing and maintaining floristry stock and minimal impact practices to reduce these especially those that relate to resource water and energy use

correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances spoiled and diseased flower and plant materials and those that have a propensity to propagate weeds

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential

ability to safely handle flowers plant materials and hazardous substances

visual recognition and knowledge of the general care requirements of a wide variety of flowers plant materials and perishable foodstuffs

ability to care for multiple and diverse flower and plant materials display items and ancillary merchandise To ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different requirements this must occur over a period of time and cover the preparation and maintenance of floristry stock using different preparation conditioning and maturationtechniques

the maintenance of flower and plant materials over a period covering their storage and display life cycle to ensure the monitoring aspects of this unit are fully covered

completion of preparation and maintenance activities within commercial time constraints

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

the preparation and maintenance of stock items within a floristry preparation maintenance display and storage environment

a diverse comprehensive and commercial range of equipment used during the preparation and maintenance of floristry products eg knives scissors secateurs containers and storage facilities with correct temperature and humidity conditions

a diverse comprehensive and commercial product range of flowers and plant materials floral displays cleaning agents preservatives and conditioning agents that can be used during the preparation and maintenance process

access to cleaning and conditioning product instructions

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

direct observation of the candidate preparing and caring for floristry stock

project or work activities that allow for the preparation and care of floristry stock for an event or special occasion so that a whole life cycle is covered

written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of the care requirements of various flower and plant materials pests and disease symptoms and applications of various conditioning techniques

review of workplace reports and maintenance records prepared by the candidate

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

SFLSOPA Source information on floristry products and services

SFLSOP201A Source information on floristry products and services

SFLSOPA Recognise flower and plant materials

SFLSOP202A Recognise flower and plant materials

SFLSOPA Receive and store floristry stock

SFLSOP203A Receive and store floristry stock

SFLSOPA Display and merchandise floristry products

SFLSOP205A Display and merchandise floristry products

SIRRFSAA Apply retail food safety practices

SIRRFSA001A Apply retail food safety practices

SIRXOHSA Apply safe working practices

SIRXOHS001A Apply safe working practices.

Areas used for the preparation of flower and plant materials may include:

Flower and plant materials must include:

Spoilage of flower and plant materials may relate to:

Containers may include:

Display areas may include:

Floristry stock must include:

Ancillary merchandise may include:

Preparation and conditioning techniques must involve:

Conditioning products may include:

Environmental conditions must involve:

Monitoring and maintenance procedures must include:

Food and water supplies may include:

Temperature and humidity requirements may involve:

Maturation techniques must include:

Pests and diseases may include:

Other perishable merchandise may include: