Gauri Chabbra
A couple of days ago, as I was reading one of the leading newspapers, I came across news clipping that there was a flower exhibition in Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana. Flowers of spring – is the phrase that came to my mind and that set me thinking- over all these years the art of growing and marketing flowers has come a long way – from an avocation to a vocation.
Commonly called as floriculture, the study of growing and marketing flowers and foliage plants also includes cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for sale or for use as raw materials in cosmetic and perfume industry and the pharmaceutical sector. The persons associated with this field are called floriculturists. In India, Floriculture industry comprises flower trade, production of nursery plants and potted plants, seed and bulb production, micro propagation and extraction of essential oils.
Getting in:
Most colleges do not conduct a separate course for floriculture at the under-graduate level, but treat it as part of the academic curriculum of agriculture.
Thus, Floriculture is not available as a subject at the undergraduate level. If you wish to join the floriculture stream you should enroll for an undergraduate course in Agriculture i.e. B.Sc. Agriculture. The basic eligibility criterion for a B.Sc. in Agriculture is 10+2 with sciences including Physics and Biology. For an M.Sc, you must have a B.Sc. in Agriculture or a related subject.M.Sc. in Horticulture offers specializations in floriculture, and pomology, cultivation of fruits. For Ph.D. the basic eligibility criterion is a Master’s degree in the related discipline.
An undergraduate course in agriculture may take anything from 3-4 years for completion. An M.Sc is usually a two year course. The duration of Diploma and Certificate courses varies according to the schedule of the Universities and Institutes offering such courses.
Institute Scape:
Some of the institutions providing courses in floriculture are:
* Allahabad School of Agriculture
* Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana offering a post graduates degree.
Certificate Courses are offered by:
* North-Eastern Hill University, Centre for Distance Education,Meghalaya
* Nalanda Open University, Patna.
Career Pathways:
Floriculture offers a broad spectrum of career options to choose from. It varies from farm managers, plantation experts and supervisors,and project coordinators. Research and teaching are some other avenues of employment in the field. A combined knowledge of floriculture with management enables you to getmarketing positions with organizations involved in the processing and marketing of flowers and flowering plants. Floriculture products for different ventures is emerging as a potential segment of this field. Besides, you can work as consultant, landscape architect with proper training. In case you have a business acumen, you can also work as an entrepreneur and offer employment to others.Those with PhD in floriculture can get placed with reputed Research & Development cells of companies and corporate houses.
In addition to these careers which involve research and actual growing of crops, floriculture also provides service career opportunities which include such jobs as floral designers, groundskeepers, landscape designers, architects and horticultural therapists. Such jobs require practitioners to deal directly with clients.
Floral Designers
Floral designers, also known as florists, arrange, cut and dry flowers to create eye-pleasing displays such as corsages, centerpieces, wreaths and bouquets used for gift baskets and holiday, wedding and funeral displays.As floral designers, you may work for boutique floral shops or large wholesale distributors. You may also create and deliver custom orders for grocery stores and Internet sites. You may also help treat, raise and care for the greenery and flowers in the shop working for retail outlets or may own businesses. Floral designers may increase job opportunities by completing a certificate program in floriculture.
Floral Production Managers
Floral production managers, sometimes known as nursery managers, plan and coordinate flower and plant production in a nursery, greenhouse or garden center. These professionals use their knowledge in floriculture and horticulture to determine which plants would grow best in a given environment. You may also be required to review inventories, sales and manage floral staff.
Floral Sales Representatives
Floral sales representatives’ call on customer accounts, such as floral shops or garden centers, in order to sell flowers, arrangements and other products. Sales representatives are responsible for keeping abreast of trends and products in floriculture and generating new customers. You may be called upon to travel to the client’s location and guide about latest trends in floral designs.
Floral Department Supervisor:
Floral department supervisors oversee sales, operations and scheduling within the floral departments of grocery stores and businesses, as well as flower shops. In addition to management duties, they design floral arrangements, stock products, interact with customers and process orders.
Prospective floral department supervisors typically start their careers in part-time sales, deliveries or administrative positions within floral departments. Experienced floral designers typically train applicants until they can work independently. Individuals with prior floral experience may begin as customer service representatives or management trainees. Entry-level positions allow aspiring floral department supervisors to become familiar with trends in floral designs, selling techniques and scheduling. New hires may also be trained on setting departmental goals for floral sales and operations. Experienced employees may take on more challenging roles, like assisting with marketing campaigns, setting up information sessions for prospective customers and sourcing products from vendors, before applying for managerial positions.
Rose Culturist:
Rose Culturists plant,cultivate, market and improve different species of roses. As a floriculturist you may keep plants healthy and display roses for maximum aesthetic effect.= and be proficient in a specialty of ornamental horticulture, are expert in all aspects of cultivating roses, including the appropriate seasons to plant roses, the types of soil useful for growing them and the proper methods of watering, fertilizing and harvesting.
Green House Supervisors:
You can also work at greenhouses and nurseries to oversee and supervise the production of flowers that are sold for replanting in private, public and corporate gardens. They may also be contracted to directly supervise planting. You would be required to work in close association with landscape architects and contractors manage the planting and cultivation of flowers. Besides, you may be required to till the soil, select specific varieties and control pests. In addition to being an expert on the care of cultivation of flowers, knowledge of landscape practices is essential. Because of the high visibility of the work, you should possess strong communications and public relations skills.
Teaching and Research:
Those with a P.HD degree go in for teaching and research at colleges and universities. To teach and conduct research in floriculture at the college level, a minimum of a master’s degree is required, with evidence that are making progress toward a doctorate.
Thus, those of you who want to bring about a sprinkling of spring may opt for a career in floriculture…
Follow our WhatsApp channel
