Exploring the Horticulture Field General Horticulture AGGHPS12 A

Exploring the Horticulture Field General Horticulture AG-GH-PS-12

A Brief History � began in 377 -288 B. C. when Greek horticulturalist Theophrastus speculated that the roots of plants absorb nutrients � In the 1700 s, Swedish Botanist C. V. Linnaeus developed a system for naming plants (binomial nomenclature) � Beginning in 1843, Gregor Mendel started the basis for genetics with his pea plant experiments.

What is Horticulture? � Includes the cultivation, processing, and sale of fruits, nuts, vegetables, ornamental plants, and flowers. � Latin “hortus” meaning ‘garden’ and “culture” meaning ‘to grow’

The horticulture industry consists of four major divisions: � Pomology › The science and practice of growing, harvesting, handling, storing, processing, and marketing tree fruits � Olericulture › The science and practice of growing, harvesting, storing, and marketing vegetables

Ornamental Horticulture � The growing and using of plants for their beauty � Divided into two areas: › Floriculture › Landscape Horticulture

� Floriculture › The science and practice of growing, harvesting, storing, designing, and marketing flowering and foliage plants � Landscape & Nursery Industry › The science and practice of propagating, growing, installing, maintaining, and using grasses, annual plants, shrubs, and trees in the landscape

Flowering & Foliage Plants � Cut flowers, flowering potted plants, foliage plants, and bedding plants are produced by greenhouse growers � What is a foliage plant? › Plants grown for their colored leaves and stems › Offices and businesses use these plants to create an attractive interior environment

Cut Flowers vs. Flowering Plants � Cut Flowers › Sold to florists › Made into bouquets › Sold to the public � Flowering Potted Plants › Sold in the containers in which they are grown › Used to plant in yards › In home decorations

Specialized Areas � Seed Production › The science and practice of producing, processing, and selling high-quality seed crops for use in growing a wild range of horticulture crops that grow true from seed � Related Occupations › Those areas that provide products and services necessary in the production of horticulture crops

Landscape Horticulture � It is producing and using plants to make outdoor environments more appealing � Shrubs and ornamental trees are grown in nurseries before being transplanted �A landscaper designs, plans, installs plants, and maintains plants in the outdoor environment

Horticulture in Georgia Total Value in 2008: $3. 1 Billion � Vegetables - $849 � Fruit - $141 million � Blueberries - $61 million � Vidalia Onions - $139 million � Peaches - $49 million � Watermelon - $118 � Greenhouse - $261 million � Landscape - $800 � Pecans - $125 million � Nursery - $290 million

Jobs in Horticulture � Greenhouse � Grounds Maintenance Employee � Gardener � Nursery Employee Center Employee � Golf Course Employee � City, State, or National Park Employee

Factors to Consider before Selecting a Career � Will the job be challenging? � What types of duties does the work involve? � What skills does the job require? � Are jobs in the field available?

Jobs the requires work with hands or tools and done outside � Greenhouse Worker � Bedder � Propagator � Pruner � Tree Surgeon � Grounds Keeper � Turf Worker � Landscape Gardener � Greens Keeper � Small Fruit Grower � Orchardist � Farm Chemical Sales � Vegetable Crop Grower � Nursery Grower Worker

Jobs that may require advanced training Architect � Researcher � Teacher � Office Supervisor � Plant Breeder � Plant Disease Specialist � Sales Person � Nursery Manager � Greenhouse Manager � Pest Control Specialist � Garden Center Manager � Landscape Contractor � Pesticide Specialist � Consultant � Landscape