The Plant Propagator is responsible for the propagation, establishment, and management of plant material required to support the Botanic Gardens’ living collections, displays, conservation programmes, and horticulture operations. The role applies a range of propagation methods, including seeds, cuttings, grafting, division, and other vegetative techniques, to produce healthy and genetically appropriate plant stock.
The Plant Propagator will manage nursery areas and propagation stock, develop and refine propagation protocols for rare, endangered, and difficult-to-propagate species, and monitor plants through the different stages of establishment. The role will maintain detailed propagation records and evaluate success rates to continuously improve propagation techniques and support the long-term sustainability and conservation value of the Botanic Gardens' plant collections.
Scope of Work
Propagate plants using a range of techniques, including seeds, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering, division, and other appropriate vegetative propagation methods.
Select appropriate propagation techniques according to species characteristics, seasonal requirements, plant condition, and collection objectives.
Collect, prepare, process, and appropriately store seeds and vegetative propagation material.
Assess the quality and viability of propagation material prior to use.
Prepare appropriate propagation media and containers according to species-specific requirements.
Apply appropriate seed treatments, including scarification, stratification, soaking, or other pre-germination treatments where required.
Prepare and treat cuttings and other vegetative material to promote successful rooting and establishment.
Undertake grafting, budding, division, and other specialist propagation activities where appropriate.
Monitor germination, rooting, establishment, growth, and overall plant health throughout the propagation process.
Propagate plants using a range of techniques, including seeds, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering, division, and other appropriate vegetative propagation methods.
Select appropriate propagation techniques according to species characteristics, seasonal requirements, plant condition, and collection objectives.
Collect, prepare, process, and appropriately store seeds and vegetative propagation material.
Assess the quality and viability of propagation material prior to use.
Prepare appropriate propagation media and containers according to species-specific requirements.
Apply appropriate seed treatments, including scarification, stratification, soaking, or other pre-germination treatments where required.
Prepare and treat cuttings and other vegetative material to promote successful rooting and establishment.
Undertake grafting, budding, division, and other specialist propagation activities where appropriate.
Monitor germination, rooting, establishment, growth, and overall plant health throughout the propagation process.
Identify and address propagation problems, including poor germination, rooting failure, disease, pest infestation, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental stress.
Manage and maintain nursery and propagation areas, ensuring appropriate growing conditions, hygiene, organisation, and plant-care standards.
Manage nursery plant stock to meet the requirements of garden collections, seasonal displays, replacement planting, conservation programmes, and other horticulture activities.
Monitor and manage irrigation, humidity, shade, temperature, growing media, fertilisation, and plant nutrition within propagation and nursery areas.
Coordinate the movement of successfully propagated plants from propagation areas into nursery, greenhouse, indoor, or outdoor garden environments.
Support appropriate hardening and acclimatisation of young plants prior to establishment within garden collections.
Develop, test, document, and refine species-specific propagation protocols, particularly for rare, endangered, sensitive, and…