Organise the preparation and establishment of propagation materials

This standard is for those who organise the preparation and establishment of propagation materials using vegetative methods. You will have responsibility for organising the preparation of the propagation materials, establishing the propagation materials in a growing environment and providing aftercare to sustain and promote plant development.

This standard covers the co-ordination of your own workload, in some instances it may involve co-ordinating the work of teams.

You will have considerable knowledge of plant growth and development.

1. assess the risks associated with the site and the required propagation activity 2. organise the establishment and communication of working methods for preparing and establishing propagation materials 3. identify and establish the availability of resources required for the preparation and establishment of propagation materials 4. confirm that suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn 5. check that equipment is used and maintained in a safe and correct condition 6. confirm that hygiene and biosecurity are maintained in accordance with organisational practices 7. check that the required growing media have been prepared in accordance with specifications 8. check that the plant and propagation materials are of a suitable quality and are prepared and treated to meet the specification requirements 9. check that the plant and propagation materials are handled in a manner which minimises damage and wastage and optimises growth 10. check that propagation establishment methods meet specifications 11. check that propagation materials are provided with a suitable growing environment 12. organise and prepare a suitable programme of aftercare which sustains and promotes plant development 13. organise the processing of recycling or disposal of waste in accordance with relevant legal and organisational requirements 14. complete records as required by relevant legislation and the organisational requirements 15. confirm that work is carried out in accordance with relevant environmental and health and safety policies and risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and organisational policies

1. how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with preparing and establishing propagation materials 2. how to identify and organise the availability of resources for carrying out preparation and establishment of propagation materials 3. the types of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity 4. the equipment required for the propagation activity and how to confirm that it is used and maintained in a safe and correct condition and stored securely 5. methods of maintaining hygiene and biosecurity and the reasons why it is important 6. the relevant legal and organisational requirements for the handling, transporting and disposal of waste 7. how to organise the propagation activity to meet the specifications 8. how to recognise plant and propagation materials that do not meet specifications or are not of suitable quality and what action to take 9. appropriate methods used for preparing different types of plant and propagation materials 10. the importance of handling plant and propagation materials correctly 11. the role of hormone treatments to encourage rooting or meristem development 12. how timing is important for successful propagation 13. appropriate methods used for the establishment of different types of propagation materials 14. environmental conditions required for plant growth 15. stages of plant development 16. methods of providing aftercare which sustains and promotes plant development 17. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done 18. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them 19. the importance of following environmental and ecological best practice to help minimise the impact of your work on the environment  20. confirm that work is carried out in accordance with relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and organisational policies

A. use the following equipment and materials when organising the preparation and establishment of propagation materials:

1. cutting equipment

2. containers for storage and transport of material

B. check that the propagation materials have been prepared in the following ways:

1. trimming of cuttings

2. splitting of divisions

3. preparing of stocks

4. preparing scions

C. ensure the following propagation methods are used:

1. cuttings

2. budding

3. grafting

4. micro-propagation

5. division

6. layering

D. complete the following activities to sustain and promote plant development after propagation and during weaning:

1. watering

2. temperature control

3. humidity control

4. removal of material damaged by pests or diseases

5. training or trimming to promote appropriate growth formation

6. subculturing (micro-propagation)

7. ventilation 

E. keep the following records:

1. propagation activities

2. success rates

Aftercare:

• provision of water

• provision of nutrients

• temperature control

• humidity control

• removal of diseased material

• training or trimming to promote appropriate growth formation

• subculturing

Instructions: verbal or written.

Propagation materials:

• 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