College Catalog

The Plant Production Emphasis curriculum involves the greenhouse, nursery, and field production of horticulture plants from the initial propagation, by seed or assorted plant parts, to the finished landscape or retail product. Sustainability from an environmental and economic perspective is highlighted. Classroom and laboratory instruction include plant structure, physiology and growth, plant growing structures and environments, production tools, equipment and materials, sustainability, and techniques of production. Depending on the electives chosen, students prepare for careers in all phases of the plant production industry, including woody landscape plants and herbaceous plants used in the landscape, greenhouse, floriculture, and vegetable trade. In addition to vast career opportunities, graduates may transfer into advanced-degree programs at other colleges and universities.

Career Opportunities

Careers in the following segments of the plant production or "green" industry are available to the graduate: landscape design and installation; floral shop and garden center manager; horticultural product marketing and merchandising; plant propagator; lead grower; lab technician; greenhouse and nursery production specialist of annuals, perennials, tropical, and woody plants; arborist/tree care specialist; landscape foreman/supervisor; landscape management; estate gardener; field manager; irrigation technician; horticulture product buyer; horticulturist with an institutional or government agency.

Recommended High School Subjects

Four years of English, two years of algebra, and two years of science.

Remediation Strategies

All students must remediate by the end of the first year. The order of remediation will be math, reading, and English.

Transfer Procedures

This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits.htm ). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:

• demonstrate the safe and effective use of hand tools, power equipment, and heavy equipment common to the ornamental horticulture and landscape industry.
• summarize and apply knowledge in the use of plant growth media, soil amendments, and fertilizers.
• demonstrate a responsible and professional attitude in relationships with employers, colleagues, and clients through various courses, labs, and on-the-job work experience.
• summarize and apply a basic knowledge of various careers within the ornamental horticulture industry.
• apply basic knowledge of botany to ornamental horticulture products and services.
• identify various trees, shrubs, tropicals, and herbaceous plants; summarize each plant's functional horticultural use and maintenance.
• identify and evaluate horticultural problems caused by insects, diseases, and physiopaths; plan for proper control of these problems by developing a plant health care/integrated pest management plan.
• apply skills in pruning, fertilizing, and spraying for managing landscapes and ornamental plants in commercial production.
• develop production schedules and outline production of commercial plants in nursery and/or greenhouse operations.
• use computers and the Internet as business/project management tools and information resources for managing growing environments.
• develop an understanding of sustainability and its application and practices in landscaping and plant production.

Specifically, graduates of the Plant Production Emphasis should be able to:

• summarize the various types of horticulture growing structures, materials, and equipment common to the horticulture plant production industry.
• describe the proper operation of growing structure environmental systems and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages in the production of horticultural crops.
• use and evaluate various asexual and sexual techniques for propagating plants.
• outline the management requirements of a containerized plan production operation, including record keeping and employee-employer relations.
• demonstrate the skills required in growing, merchandising, and marketing a containerized ornamental crop.

Curriculum

Additional Information

The Landscape/Horticulture Technology program is recognized by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).