This unit applies to the process of production and preparation of 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. This standard involves working under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The work requires the application of horticultural knowledge and a broad range of horticultural skills. Specialist plant preparation is usually done according to established enterprise guidelines where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment, work organisation, services, actions, and achieving outcomes within time constraints.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to treat specialised plants

1.1. Customer requirements are analysed and clarified by market research or with a supervisor.

1.2. Specialist plants requiring treatment are selected for appropriateness to the requirements.

1.3. Treatments appropriate to the specialised plant are selected according to production and/marketing plan of an organisation, or the creative talent of the individual entrepreneur.

1.4. The timing of the treatments is determined according to the seasonality of the plant species and market considerations.

1.5. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards in carrying out specialist plant treatments are identified, risks assessed and controls implemented.

2. Implement treatments

2.1. Materials, tools and equipment required for the job are selected, prepared and used.

2.2. Treatments are undertaken to meet the aesthetic requirements of the plant.

2.3. Treatments are carried out according to enterprise OHS requirements.

3. Maintain aesthetic appearance of specialised plants

3.1. The health and aesthetic appearance of the plant is monitored to ensure quality standards are met.

3.2. Water is applied according plant requirements.

3.3. Environmental parameters are modified to ensure optimum growth of plant.

3.4. Remedial or preventative measures are applied to the plants to ensure they maintain their aesthetic appearance.

Required skills

communicate with work team members, supervisors, suppliers and clients

interpret production/marketing plans and plant quality specifications

organise and co-ordinate planned activities

estimate treatment and plant requirements, sizes and quantities; and calculate ratios, proportions and application rates

co-ordinate work group, materials, equipment and own activities to sequentially and effectively complete operations in a timely manner

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

characteristics of a range of potted plants commonly treated for special aesthetic purposes

different treatments which are applied to specialised plants to get desired aesthetic appearance

optimum timing of treatments

aftercare requirements of treated plants

nursery industry best practice guide.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

identify customer requirements and treatments to achieve the effect

prepare equipment and plants for treatment

carry out plant treatments

maintain the appearance and growth pattern of treated plants.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Specialised plants may include:

a range of specialised plants including:

weeping specimens

potted trees and shrubs

bulbs

bonsai

ferns

cacti

succulents

indoor foliage

espaliering

topiary

ready-made hedges.

Specialist techniques may include:

formative and decorative pruning

staking

tying and training

working with other aids such as

baskets

frames

specialist tools

materials.

Unit sector

Nursery

This unit contains employability skills.