Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare specialised, unusual or rare plants in a production nursery or by other organisations, groups and individuals with a wide range of species and cultivars as the specialised plants or individual cultivars under production.
It applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to treat specialised plants | 1.1 Analyse customer requirements and clarify by market research or with a supervisor 1.2 Select specialist plants requiring treatment 1.3 Select treatments appropriate to the specialised plant as outlined by the production and marketing plan of the organisation, or by the individual entrepreneur 1.4 Determine the timing of the treatments according to the seasonality of the plant species and market considerations 1.5 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement control measures |
2. Implement treatments | 2.1 Select, prepare and use materials, tools and equipment required for implementing treatments 2.2 Select, use and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) 2.3 Use treatments that meet the aesthetic requirements of the plan |
3. Maintain aesthetic appearance of specialised plants | 3.1 Monitor the health and aesthetic appearance of the plant to ensure quality standards are met 3.2 Apply water according to plant requirements 3.3 Modify environmental parameters to ensure optimum growth of plant 3.4 Apply remedial or preventative measures to the plants to ensure they maintain their aesthetic appearance |
Evidence of Performance
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:
estimate treatment and plant requirements, sizes and quantities and calculating ratios, proportions and application rates
organise and co-ordinate materials and equipment
implement plant treatments
meet quality standards for plant health and aesthetic appearance
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
the principles and practices of specialised plant preparation
aftercare requirements of treated plants
characteristics of a range of potted plants commonly treated for special aesthetic purposes
different treatments which are applied to specialised plants to achieve desired aesthetic appearance
nursery industry best practice
optimum timing of treatments
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Nursery (NSY)