Manage and develop processes relating to care, conditioning, stock rotation, buying, policies and procedures for fresh botanical materials

This standard is about managing and developing process relating to caring for, conditioning, stock rotation, buying and policies and procedures for fresh botanical materials.  Fresh botanical materials could include flowers, foliage and berried materials.

This will involve planning and managing the process for checking fresh botanical materials for pests, diseases, damage or deterioration, conditioning, storing and implementing stock rotation systems.

This standard also covers purchasing of new stock, in line with business needs, with consideration of future requirements and wastage protocols.

When undertaking all work the impact on the environment should be considered.

This standard is suitable for an Advanced Florist.

1. Manage the selection and preparation of the tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for conditioning fresh botanical materials
2. Identify Genus, species and cultivar when checking the type, quantity and quality of the fresh botanical materials against invoices/delivery notes and report any problems when necessary to the           wholesaler/supplier
3. Manage the post-harvest life span of fresh botanical materials
4. Control environmental conditions for a range of botanical materials to ensure longevity
5. Manage, develop and implement the processes of checking the fresh botanical materials for evidence of pests, diseases, damage or deterioration
6. Confirm that relevant methods for unpacking boxed, bunched and poisonous/irritant plant materials are used
7. Manage, develop and implement the processes of caring for, conditioning and storing fresh botanical materials to optimise their saleability
8. Manage the implementation of staff training on the correct conditioning and storage techniques and processes for preparing fresh botanical materials
9. Confirm that fresh botanical materials are handled in a way which minimises wastage, damage and contamination
10. Implement a stock rotation and storage plan that optimises the life span of fresh botanical materials and assists with planning the buying of new stock
11. Manage stock levels within a floristry business and plan the buying of new stock in line with business needs with consideration of future requirements and wastage protocols
12. Manage compliance with organisational waste manage systems
13. Confirm that hygiene and bio-security are managed in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organisation and any relevant legislation
14. Manage, develop and implement organisational health safety policies in line with relevant legislation

1. The types of tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for conditioning fresh botanical materials
2. The use of correct botanical nomenclature and common names of fresh botanical materials, including Genus, species and cultivar/variety
3. The supply chain of fresh botanical materials in the floristry industry
4. The natural seasonality of botanical materials and the current commercial availability
5. The post-harvest life span of fresh botanical materials and how external factors can influence this
6. Plant processes and how they inform the care and storage of plants and flowers
7. The common indicators of pests and diseases and how to manage, develop and implement the processes for dealing with pest and diseases
8. The different methods to use when unpacking boxed, bunched or poisonous/irritant plant materials
9. The types of irritant and poisonous botanical materials and how they should be handled
10. How to manage, develop and implement the processes of caring for, conditioning and storage of fresh botanical materials in an order sequence, prioritising materials according to their botanical care requirements
11. How to manage the implementation of staff training on the correct conditioning and storage techniques and processes for preparing fresh botanical materials
12. How to ensure fresh botanical materials are handled in a way which minimises wastage, damage and contamination
13. How to manage, develop and implement a stock rotation and storage plan which will optimise the life span of fresh botanical materials
14. The types of stock rotation systems for fresh botanical materials and how to manage them
15. How to manage incoming stock and how to raise any issues with wholesalers/suppliers
16. How to manage the buying of new stock in line with business requirements
17. How to manage the disposal of waste materials in a sustainable way, following any relevant legislation and policies and procedures of the organisation
18. How to manage hygiene and bio-security in accordance with any relevant legislation and the policies and procedures of the organisation
19. How to manage, develop and implement health and safety policies in line with relevant legislation

Manage the conditioning of an extensive range of fresh botanical material:

1. Foliage
2. Berries

3. Flowers

4. Grass

Manage the conditioning fresh botanical materials for design and sale using the following conditioning equipment:

1. Scissors
2. Knives
3. Secateurs
4. Flower food
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
6. Containers

Fresh Botanical material: Plants, cut flowers, cut foliage. 

Nomenclature: How botanical materials are identified using their Genus, species and cultivar/variety.

Senescence: The process of how botanical material mature once cut.

Conditioning - Preparing fresh materials prior to use to ensure they last as long as possible

Environmental conditions: light, humidity, temperature, water, nutrients