Horticultural Technicians

Nursery-operation and floriculture technicians may advance to a management position in a garden center, greenhouse, flower shop, or other related retail business. These managers are responsible for the entire operation of a retail or wholesale outlet or a specific department of one. They maintain inventories, deal with customers and suppliers, hire, train, and supervise employees, direct advertising and promotion activities, and keep records and accounts. Technicians also advance to work as horticultural inspectors. Inspectors typically work for state or federal government agencies to examine plants, especially those that may be transported across state lines or those that are about to come into the United States. They look for insects and diseases, quarantine infested or sick plants, and see that forbidden plants are not brought across state or national borders. Arboriculture technicians find opportunities as garden superintendents, tree surgeons, and park supervisors. Turfgrass, or lawn care, technicians may advance to such positions as grounds superintendent, commercial sod grower, consultant, or park/golf course supervisor.

With additional experience and education (usually a degree from a four-year institution), some floriculture and nursery-operation technicians become horticulturists, either at a research facility or a large firm. Horticulturists conduct experiments and investigations into problems of breeding, production, storage, processing, and transit of fruits, nuts, berries, vegetables, flowers, bushes, and trees. They develop new plant varieties and determine methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, and harvesting.

Many advancement opportunities in this field require technicians to start their own businesses. This requires sufficient funds and the willingness to commit one's own financial resources to career development.