Prepare and establish propagation material

This standard is for those involved in carrying out the preparation and establishment of propagation material using vegetative methods.

It covers the preparation of the propagation material, establishing the propagation material in a growing environment and providing aftercare to sustain and promote plant development.

You will be working in accordance with instructions and specifications.

1. be aware of hazards associated with the activity to be carried out
2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
3. carry out all work in accordance with instructions and specifications
4. prepare, use and maintain required equipment safely and correctly
5. use the required growing medium in accordance with specifications
6. handle plant and propagation material in a manner that minimises damage and wastage and optimises growth
7. prepare and treat propagation material in accordance with specifications
8. position propagation material in the growing medium in accordance with specifications
9. establish propagation material within a suitable growing environment in accordance with specifications
10. label established propagation material in accordance with specifications
11. provide aftercare to established propagation material to sustain and promote plant development in accordance with specifications
12. maintain hygiene and biosecurity while preparing and establishing propagation material in accordance with instructions
13. dispose of or recycle waste safely and correctly in accordance with instructions
14. complete records as required by the organisation
15. carry out your work in accordance with relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and organisational policies

1. the hazards associated with the preparation and establishment of propagation material
2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
3. the importance of completing the propagation activity in accordance with specifications
4. how to prepare, use and maintain required equipment safely and correctly
5. how to prepare and treat propagation material in accordance with specifications
6. the different propagation methods including grafting, budding, layering, cuttings and division
7. how to establish propagation material in the growing media in accordance with specifications
8. the ways in which plant and propagation material should be handled
9. the types of growing environments suitable for propagation
10. methods of aftercare to sustain and promote plant development following propagation
11. the use of hormone treatments to encourage rooting
12. the stages of plant development
13. the requirements for labelling propagation material
14. the importance of maintaining hygiene and biosecurity when preparing and establishing propagation material and the methods for achieving this
15. how to handle, transport and dispose of waste in accordance with relevant legal and organisational requirements
16. the records which need to be completed in relation to preparing and establishing propagation material
17. the importance of following environmental and ecological best practice to help minimise the impact of your work on the environment
18. your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and organisational policies

A.       maintain the following equipment:

1. cutting equipment
2. containers for storage and transport of material

B.       prepare propagation material in the following ways:

1. trimming of cuttings
2. trimming of divisions
3. preparation of stocks
4. trimming of scions

C.       use the following propagation methods:

1. cuttings
2. budding
3. grafting
4. micro-propagation
5. division

D.       promote plant development using the following:

1. watering
2. temperature control
3. humidity control
4. removal of diseased material

Aftercare:

• provision of water
• provision of nutrients
• temperature control
• humidity control
• removal of diseased material
• training or trimming to promote appropriate growth formation
• sub culturing

Instructions: verbal or written.

Propagation material:

• seedlings
• rooted cuttings
• unrooted cuttings
• divisions

Preparation methods:

• trimming of cuttings
• trimming of divisions
• preparation of stocks
• trimming of scions

Specifications: drawings, schedules, method statements, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manufacturers' guidelines, organisational policies