CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE (CUT FLOWERS) VHT002

Train to work in the Cut Flower Industry

This course will give you the foundation to work as a manager or technician in the cut flower industry.

You can treat it as an entry level course, but it does take you well beyond the basics. You will learn both generic skills that are a common foundation for growing any species or cultivar; but your knowledge will be developed beyond that level. Given that the techniques and technology used to grow a profitable flower crop will vary depending on the cultivar, climate and context - you will be learning about a wide variety of different plants  and what each one needs.

ACS Graduate comment:

: I consider that my success in recent years is directly related to the training I have done with the ACS. The materials were spot on, and the tutors were superb...."

Lana Mitchell studied flower growing with us and developed a very successful flower business. Lana has won the Young Achievers Award from the Flowers Association of Queensland (2008) and then the prestigious RIRDC Rural Women's Award for NSW in 2010, with a bursary of $10,000 and the Australian

Modules

Note that each module in the CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE (CUT FLOWERS) VHT002 is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

Expand Your Business & Career Opportunities in the Cut Flower Industry

Cut flower production has been a strong industry worldwide for a long time. It has a great deal of potential both in domestic and export markets in all corners of the world. Many countries may meet their domestic demand at certain times of the year, but need to import from more favourable growing climates at other times.

This course has worked well as a starting point for many start up flower farms.

Scope of the Cut Flower Industry

Cut flowers and/or foliage can be a very profitable mainstream crop; or equally valuable "side-line" cash crop. If you are to make a profit from cut flowers or foliage, the critical considerations are what to grow, producing quality blooms, and how to market your produce.

Many common cut flowers (eg. bulbs, perennials and annuals) are quick cash crops, which require a great deal of attention, but can produce a return within 2-6 months of planting. Plants in this category, such as gladioli, carnations or chrysanthemums, might be grown in paddocks, or some (e.g. carnations) grown as a hydroponic crop.

Other cut flowers and foliage plants are woody, and can take several years before they are producing good crops (eg. Thryptomene, Protea, Banksia, Rose, or Geraldton Wax). While many cut flower farms devote paddocks solely to such woody crops; there is also potential for them to be integrated with other enterprises, for example, when the principle crop is not in production (e.g. dormant bulbs) a farmer could also utilise the land by grazing cattle or other grazing animals to make use of any pasture species present.

Consider:

Mainstream cut flower production can require long hours (often more hours than many other horticultural crops), and need precise cultural procedures. Competition is strong both domestically and internationally with the priority on top quality blooms having uniformity and being free from blemishes. New colours and varieties in many cases can offer an advantage over other growers.

Farmers interested in further investigating this area for potential diversification, can contact a variety of associations and organisations (e.g. agricultural departments, cut flower growers groups) for more detailed information (see the directory at the rear of this book).

Some of the popular flower or foliage crops grown include:

Working Today

The scope and nature of work in the world is constantly changing. Getting a job used to be relatively straight forward. Before the mid-20th century the world was much simpler. Pathways to careers were also much simpler. Many people would follow in the footsteps of their parents, doing similar training, and following on to do similar work.  Those who moved away from the “family business”, may have aspired to something different; perhaps to become a doctor, teacher or engineer. In almost all of these careers, there was a relatively well established path to follow. It might have involved going to university, then gaining employment as an intern, learning on the job and over the decades advancing your career.

Unlike days gone by – where a career may have been a process of following in your parents’ footsteps - today’s path to a career is much more focused on what you can do for yourself to enhance your opportunities.

It is a known fact that even today, many jobs are filled through ‘word of mouth’ i.e. someone knows of someone that would fit the job, rather than through advertising.  This is usually achieved through ‘networking’.  Networking involves hard work!  You need to be ‘seen’ to be doing useful things for others. You need to be considered capable, reliable and friendly in order to build a network of contacts that respect you, and are willing to put your name forward to potential employers. 

Employers look for people that are knowledgeable, able and positive. However they also look for potential, so although your knowledge and skills may still be still evolving,  if you have the right attitude: a positive approach, a confident manner, the ability to transfer the skills you already have to their business, and the willingness to learn and grow - you will be looked upon very favourably.

Employment Prospects

• Cut Flower Farms, small and large
• Flower or Greenhouse Technician
• Flower Marketing
• Plant propagation and breeding
• Seed and bulb production
• Flower retailing
• Garden tourism