Plant Propagator - Botanic Gardens

About the role

The Plant Propagator supports the Botanic Gardens' living collections, displays, conservation programmes and horticulture operations by propagating, establishing and managing plant material. The role covers seeds, cuttings, grafting, division and other vegetative techniques, and develops and refines propagation protocols for rare, endangered and difficult-to-propagate species.

Key responsibilities

• Propagate plants using seeds, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering and division, selecting methods according to species and collection objectives
• Collect, prepare, process and store seeds and vegetative material, and assess their quality and viability
• Prepare species-specific propagation media and containers, and apply seed treatments such as scarification, stratification and soaking
• Treat cuttings and other vegetative material to promote rooting and establishment
• Monitor germination, rooting, establishment, growth and plant health, and identify and address problems such as disease, pests and nutrient deficiencies
• Manage nursery and propagation areas, including irrigation, humidity, shade, temperature, growing media, fertilisation and plant nutrition
• Manage nursery stock for garden collections, displays, replacement planting and conservation programmes, and coordinate the movement of plants into nursery, greenhouse or garden environments
• Support hardening and acclimatisation of young plants
• Develop, test and document species-specific propagation protocols and run propagation trials
• Maintain detailed records, nursery stock inventories and provenance data, and implement nursery hygiene, biosecurity and Integrated Pest Management

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Botany, Plant Sciences, Plant Biology or a related discipline
• Minimum 5+ years of professional experience in plant propagation and nursery horticulture
• Demonstrated experience propagating plants by multiple methods, including seeds and cuttings
• Experience managing nursery areas and plant stock, and maintaining detailed propagation records
• Previous experience in a botanic garden, nursery, arboretum, conservation facility or similar is preferred

Required skills

• Seed germination, dormancy-breaking treatments and seedling establishment
• Grafting, budding, layering and division
• Managing irrigation, humidity, temperature, shade, growing media and plant nutrition
• Plant health monitoring and Integrated Pest Management
• Specialist training or certification in plant propagation, nursery management or seed technology is advantageous