Block E – Production of Plant Materials (Not Common Core)

Trends

There is an increase of mechanisation of production facilities reducing labour inputs.

Due to customer demand, landscape horticulturalists are producing new plant varieties, dwarf plants, native plants, edible plants and more mature plants.

Biodegradable and recyclable containers are increasingly being sought out due to environmental concerns.

Producers are becoming environmentally conscious with the goal of reducing their carbon footprint. Alternative energy systems are being considered to reduce cost and environmental impact.

Related Components (include, but not limited to)

Water, fertilizers, growing media, media and amendments, containers, irrigation system components, heating, venting and cooling system components, chemicals, fuels, labels, packing and shipping materials, files and records, plant coverings, ground covers, barriers, alarm and security system components, stakes, signage, conveyors.

Tools and Equipment

See Appendix A.

Task 12 Constructs growing facilities (NOT COMMON CORE)

Context

Landscape horticulturists are involved in the planning and building of greenhouse structures and nursery facilities. Greenhouse structures may include glass and poly growing houses. Nursery structures and facilities may include shade houses, climate control storage sheds and header houses.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 manufacturers’ construction standards
• K 2 codes and jurisdictional regulations
• K 3 basic carpentry skills
• K 4 tools and equipment used to construct systems and equipment
• K 5 irrigation systems such as flood, ebb and flow, and drip line
• K 6 water conservation and recapture systems such as tanks and ponds
• K 7 drainage systems to alleviate excess water
• K 8 site preparation and construction of growing structures
• K 9 types of growing structures such as gutter-connected greenhouses, free standing greenhouses, cold frames, and shelter and shade houses
• K 10 types of monitoring systems such as climatic control alarms and security
• K 11 generator systems
• K 12 irrigation and fertigation systems for field and greenhouse applications
• K 13 facility contents such as benches, carts and wagons
• K 14 interpreting constructions drawings and specifications
• K 15 installation of greenhouse covers such as polyethylene, poly carbonate and glass

Sub-task E-12.01 Builds growing facilities. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-12.01.01 assist in building greenhouses and growing structures
• E-12.01.02 excavate base and prepare grade according to drawings and specifications
• E-12.01.03 install footings according to specifications
• E-12.01.04 install in-ground drainage, services and granular base material according to drawings and specifications
• E-12.01.05 construct frame, install greenhouse covers according to drawings, specifications and jurisdictional regulations
• E-12.01.06 assemble premade structures and components according to manufacturers’ specifications and jurisdictional regulations
• E-12.01.07 construct walkways for accessibility throughout the facility

Sub-task E-12.02 Installs growing facility components (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-12.02.01 install operational components such as ventilation, heat distribution, lighting, generators for emergency backup systems, irrigation and fertigation, according to building codes, jurisdictional regulations and manufacturers’ specifications
• E-12.02.02 assemble and install components such as benches, nursery carts and conveyors according to manufacturers’ specifications
• E-12.02.03 install or assist in installation of utilities such as fuelling system, heating, plumbing, electrical and water according to drawings, specifications and jurisdictional regulations

Task 13 Operates and maintains components of growing facilities. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Context

Landscape horticulturists are involved in operating and maintaining growing facilities. These may include glass and poly growing houses, shade houses, climate control storage sheds and header houses. These structures, facilities and systems need to be maintained to operate efficiently, to grow and store plant materials

Required Knowledge

• K 1 control systems for heating, cooling and ventilation, misting and injecting CO₂ and their alarms
• K 2 monitoring devices such as thermometers, relative humidity meters and light meters
• K 3 light and heat regulating materials such as shade cloths, thermal blankets and liquid shade
• K 4 winterizing procedures such as blowing-out and draining-down lines, pumps and filters, installing anti-freeze and insulating pipes
• K 5 tools and equipment used to maintain and winterize systems and equipment
• K 6 irrigation and fertigation systems such as flood, ebb and flow, and drip line
• K 7 fertilizer in-line injectors
• K 8 irrigation and fertigation systems for field and greenhouse applications
• K 9 water conservation and recapture systems such as tanks and ponds
• K 10 sanitation practices such as bleaching, barriers to entry, and staff and customer notices
• K 11 installation of greenhouse covers such as polyethylene, poly carbonate and glass
• K 12 monitoring systems such as climatic control alarms and security
• K 13 generator systems
• K 14 facility contents such as benches, carts and wagons
• K 15 IPM protocols

Sub-task E-13.01 Operates growing facility structures and components. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-13.01.01 maintain and test emergency alarm system to ensure proper function
• E-13.01.02 calibrate instruments and equipment to establish standard settings and accuracy according to crop requirements
• E-13.01.03 inspect and maintain greenhouses and growing structures using methods such as replacing greenhouse covers, weed barriers and shade cloths
• E-13.01.04 use generators for emergency back-up systems
• E-13.01.05 inspect, maintain and repair contents using methods such as replacing bolts and bearings, and oiling and greasing components

Sub-task E-13.02 Maintains sanitary environment. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-13.02.01 conduct regular inspections and follow check lists to ensure sanitation practices such as hand washing, plant quarantine and the use of foot baths
• E-13.02.02 select cultural, physical or chemical methods to maintain continuous sanitation and pest control
• E-13.02.03 sanitize equipment, tools, benches and containers to minimize pests and diseases
• E-13.02.04 select and use sanitized tools and equipment such as hoes, sprayers and weed barriers to control pests and diseases
• E-13.02.05 perform regular maintenance activities on adjacent buildings and properties to manage sanitation and promote plant health

Sub-task E-13.03 Operates climate control and components. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-13.03.01 interpret results of environmental climate monitoring devices such as automated and computerized control systems, thermometers, relative humidity meters and light meters to determine inside and outside climate conditions
• E-13.03.02 perform basic repairs on heating, cooling and ventilation systems such as replacing fan belts, thermocouples and vent tubes to limit downtime
• E-13.03.03 maintain heating, cooling, and ventilation systems to ensure efficient operation
• E-13.03.04 conduct regular inspections and follow check lists to ensure integrity of heating, cooling and ventilation systems
• E-13.03.05 winterize heating and cooling systems when shutting greenhouse for winter to protect from frozen lines, and ice and water damage of equipment
• E-13.03.06 regulate humidity levels by using systems such as misting and venting
• E-13.03.07 maintain gas levels by using CO₂ injection systems according to crop requirements
• E-13.03.08 calibrate instruments and equipment such as controllers and zone valves to establish standard settings and accuracy depending on crop and seasonal requirements
• E-13.03.09 select and use hand tools appropriate to specific task to perform maintenance
• E-13.03.10 use shading materials and thermal blankets to regulate light and heat levels
• E-13.03.11 select and use artificial lights to ensure adequate light levels according to crop requirements

Sub-task E-13.04 Operate irrigation and fertigation systems. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-13.04.01 interpret test results and meter readings from monitoring equipment such as thermometers, and flow, pH and EC meters to determine water quality
• E-13.04.02 calibrate instruments and equipment such as controllers and zone valves to establish standard settings and accuracy
• E-13.04.03 perform basic repairs such as replacing distribution and drip lines, nozzles and injector systems on irrigation and fertigation systems
• E-13.04.04 maintain irrigation and fertigation systems to ensure efficient operation
• E-13.04.05 perform regular inspections and follow check lists to ensure integrity of irrigation and fertigation systems
• E-13.04.06 winterize irrigation and fertigation systems to protect equipment from frozen lines, and ice and water damage
• E-13.04.07 inspect water retention, capture and recycling systems to ensure that the systems are functioning according to design parameters, and meeting industry standards and jurisdictional regulations
• E-13.04.08 maintain water retention, capture and recycling systems using methods such as filter replacement, ultraviolet (UV) bulb replacement and chemical treatment to preserve water quality

Task 14 Maintains greenhouse crops. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Context

Landscape horticulturists are involved in the planning and production of greenhouse plant materials. These products are distributed in retail and wholesale facilities, and in the horticultural industry.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 chemical application equipment
• K 2 fertigation systems
• K 3 propagation methods such as seeding, cutting, division and grafting
• K 4 specialized propagation methods such as air layering, layering and micropropagation
• K 5 propagation materials such as rooting hormones and growing media
• K 6 manual and mechanical transplanting methods
• K 7 storage facilities such as cold rooms, refrigerators and freezers
• K 8 containers such as flats, pots and decorative
• K 9 growing media such as custom formulations, composts and non-soil products
• K 10 plant growing requirements such as nutrients, light, CO₂ levels, growth regulators and water
• K 11 pest and disease identification and treatment methods such as biological and low-impact chemical controls
• K 12 other plant growth limiting factors such as over-watering, lack of nutrients and physical damage
• K 13 sampling and testing methods
• K 14 plant identification and nomenclature
• K 15 plant maturity for market
• K 16 jurisdictional regulations
• K 17 PPE, environmental safety and product safety
• K 18 species and cultivars and their growing regime
• K 19 hardening-off procedures such as reduction of temperature, changing fertility programs and reduction of light
• K 20 standards and quality of products
• K 21 product storage and requirements
• K 22 handling techniques when packaging plant materials
• K 23 use of fork lifts, pallet jacks and conveyors
• K 24 packing materials such as boxes, nursery carts, pallets and trays
• K 25 monitoring devices
• K 26 basic plant botany and physiology
• K 27 storage and sanitation of tools
• K 28 IPM

Sub-task E-14.01 Propagates greenhouse plant materials. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-14.01.01 select and use tools and equipment such as mechanical seeders, dibble sticks, watering cans and misters
• E-14.01.02 sow seeds in flats and containers using methods such as hand seeding and mechanical seeding
• E-14.01.03 take leaf, root and stem cuttings, plugs and tissue cultures to grow additional plants
• E-14.01.04 treat cuttings according to species requirements using methods such as callusing, hormone treatment and leaf incisions to promote root growth
• E-14.01.05 harvest and divide roots, tubers, bulbs and corms to produce additional plants
• E-14.01.06 graft scion wood and buds to selected rootstocks and stems to create additional plant material
• E-14.01.07 maintain propagated materials until viable for transplanting, harvesting and growing-on
• E-14.01.08 label plants to identify species and date of seeding

Sub-task E-14.02 Transplants greenhouse plants. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-14.02.01 select most viable and true-to-type stock for transplanting
• E-14.02.02 select containers according to intended use
• E-14.02.03 select growing media according to species requirements and containers
• E-14.02.04 plant according to container, species requirements and presentation
• E-14.02.05 water to species requirements to promote optimum growth and development
• E-14.02.06 place plants in optimum growing environment
• E-14.02.07 label plants for species and date of transplanting

Sub-task E-14.03 Grows greenhouse crops. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-14.03.01 maintain and monitor water requirements to optimize plant health and development, and apply interventions such as pH and nutrient adjustments, and watering levels
• E-14.03.02 maintain and monitor crop for pests to ensure threshold levels are not exceeded
• E-14.03.03 maintain and monitor crop growth to ensure proper health and development rate
• E-14.03.04 transplant in bigger pot to grow
• E-14.03.05 segregate for quarantine purposes
• E-14.03.06 apply interventions such as pinching, hormone growth application, temperature, fertility, lighting and water adjustments to manage crop growth
• E-14.03.07 monitor growing media fertility levels using methods such as soil and tissue sampling, testing and analyzing to determine corrective action
• E-14.03.08 harden-off crops to prepare for sale

Sub-task E-14.04 Harvests greenhouse crops. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-14.04.01 select crop according to maturity to fill sales orders
• E-14.04.02 inspect plant material before shipping to ensure it is free of diseases and free of insects, according to standards
• E-14.04.03 label plants for marketing, species, cultural practices and retail price
• E-14.04.04 prepare harvested plants for staging area ensuring they are groomed, clean and pruned

Sub-task E-14.05 Ships greenhouse crops. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-14.05.01 package orders for transport using identified packing materials such as boxes, nursery carts, pallets and trays
• E-14.05.02 assemble products in staging or marshalling area
• E-14.05.03 arrange orders and load on appropriate transportation
• E-14.05.04 install monitoring devices such as recording thermometers to ensure optimum climate during shipping
• E-14.05.05 advise management on status of orders

Task 15 Maintains nursery plants. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Context

Landscape horticulturists are involved in the planning and production of field and container-grown plant materials. These products are distributed in retail and wholesale facilities, and in the horticultural industry.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 chemical application equipment and products specific to target pests
• K 2 propagation methods such as seeding, cutting, division and grafting
• K 3 specialized propagation methods such as layering and air layering
• K 4 propagating tools and equipment such as grafting knives, potting machines and secateurs
• K 5 field management practices such as cultivating, harrowing and discing
• K 6 operation of field equipment such as u-blades, tree spades, root pruners, cultivators, harrows, land discs and spray equipment
• K 7 storage facilities such as cold rooms, refrigerators and freezers
• K 8 pruning techniques
• K 9 methods for shaping plant materials
• K 10 growing media characteristics such as porosity, water holding capacity, uniformity and weight
• K 11 plant culture specific to container grown plant materials to avoid issues such as spiralling and pot-bound roots
• K 12 jurisdictional regulations pertaining to the movement and quarantine of identified species
• K 13 production scheduling for inventory management
• K 14 propagation materials such as rooting hormones, fungicide and growing media
• K 15 manual and mechanical transplanting methods
• K 16 containers such as wire baskets, fibre and plastic pots
• K 17 growing media and soil amendment practices
• K 18 plant growing requirements such as nutrients, light and water
• K 19 pest identification and treatment methods such as biological and low-impact chemical controls
• K 20 plant growth limiting factors such as over-watering, and physical and environmental damage
• K 21 sampling and testing methods
• K 22 plant identification and nomenclature
• K 23 jurisdictional regulations
• K 24 species and cultivars and their growing regime
• K 25 timing of harvest related to plant physiology
• K 26 standards and quality of products
• K 27 product storage requirements
• K 28 packing materials such as boxes, nursery carts, pallets and trays
• K 29 monitoring devices
• K 30 field tools and equipment
• K 31 storage and sanitation of tools
• K 32 IPM

Sub-task E-15.01 Propagates field and container crops. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-15.01.01 harvest and divide roots, tubers, bulbs and corms to produce additional plants
• E-15.01.02 take cuttings, graft scion wood and buds to selected rootstocks and stems
• E-15.01.03 maintain propagated material until viable for transplanting, harvesting and growing-on to marketable size
• E-15.01.04 label plants with propagation information such as row marking and tagging
• E-15.01.05 prepare fields and beds for activities such as lining-out, pot-in-pot and seeding
• E-15.01.06 plant out field materials such as liners, whips, roots and bulbs
• E-15.01.07 direct-seed using mechanical field seeding equipment for crops such as nursery sod, herbaceous and woody plants
• E-15.01.08 select suitable growing media for container-grown plant materials based on variety of plant
• E-15.01.09 transplant container crops from plant formats such as liners, rooted cuttings, plugs and roots

Sub-task E-15.02 Transplants field and container crops. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-15.02.01 select most viable and true-to-type stock for transplanting
• E-15.02.02 select containers according to intended use
• E-15.02.03 select growing media according to species requirements and containers
• E-15.02.04 plant according to container, species requirements and presentation
• E-15.02.05 irrigate to species requirements to promote optimum growth and development
• E-15.02.06 place plants in optimum growing environment
• E-15.02.07 prune selectively to compensate for transplanting shock
• E-15.02.08 label plants for species and date of transplanting

Sub-task E-15.03 Grows field and container crops. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-15.03.01 collect field data such as fertilizer applications, treatments, temperatures, cropping schedules and inventory management to transmit to record keeping
• E-15.03.02 maintain and monitor irrigation requirements to optimize plant health and development
• E-15.03.03 apply interventions such as pH adjustments, nutrient adjustments and watering levels to optimize plant health and development
• E-15.03.04 apply interventions such as pruning, mowing, hormone growth application and temperature, fertility and water adjustments to ensure proper health and development rate
• E-15.03.05 monitor crops to identify signs of nutritional and physiological disorders, and apply corrective actions
• E-15.03.06 monitor growing media fertility levels using methods such as soil and tissue samplings, testing and analyzing to determine corrective actions
• E-15.03.07 winterize and protect field and container crops using procedures such as installing snow fences, heeling in nursery stock, utilizing shelter houses and applying animal repellents
• E-15.03.08 perform spring maintenance activities such as removal of protective materials, spacing out containers, pruning, plant culling and checking labels
• E-15.03.09 stake plant materials
• E-15.03.10 mulch fields

Sub-task E-15.04 Harvests field and container crops. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-15.04.01 identify and dig harvest-ready plant materials using tools and equipment such as tree spades and mechanical diggers
• E-15.04.02 select suitable root containment products for trees and shrubs such as containers, baskets, and balled and burlap (B&B)
• E-15.04.03 select container grown plant materials for potting-on, potting-up and filling orders
• E-15.04.04 select appropriate growing medium
• E-15.04.05 transplant plants for growing-on or sale
• E-15.04.06 wash and divide bare root plant materials including perennials, vines, shrubs and trees for activities such as cold storage, potting-up, replanting and filling orders
• E-15.04.07 lift, cut, roll sod crop using mechanical sod cutters and palletize
• E-15.04.08 collect seeds, roots, corms, bulbs, and cuttings for propagation
• E-15.04.09 grade plant materials according to size, conditions and industry standards
• E-15.04.10 protect roots from desiccation and frost damage
• E-15.04.11 inspect plant material before shipping to ensure it is free of diseases and insects
• E-15.04.12 label plants for marketing, species, cultural practices and retail price
• E-15.04.13 prepare harvested plants for staging area ensuring they are groomed, clean and pruned

Sub-task E-15.05 Ships field and container crops. (NOT COMMON CORE)

Key Competencies

• E-15.05.01 assemble products in staging or marshalling area according to order specifications
• E-15.05.02 select plants and label orders using recognized handling techniques
• E-15.05.03 protect and package orders for transport using identified packing materials such as boxes, nursery carts, pallets and trays
• E-15.05.04 install monitoring devices such as recording thermometers to ensure optimum climate during shipping
• E-15.05.05 advise management on status of orders
• E-15.05.06 select and use equipment such as forklifts, loaders and tractors to load plant materials onto transportation
• E-15.05.07 secure and cover loads using materials such as tarps, security straps and nets
• E-15.05.08 select and use equipment such as flat deck trucks and spider lifts to load and ship sod to customer