Range of Variables The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available |
What production requirements may impact on the growing-on program? | Production requirements may include budget, plant species, plant characteristics, growth habits and cultural requirements, growing environment, the purpose or intended use of the plants, materials, after-care, and timelines for the growing-on program. |
What factors may limit the growing-on program? | Limiting factors may include market fluctuation, budget, and availability of stock or materials, service or equipment failure, infection and personnel problems. |
What nursery plants may apply to growing-on operations? | Nursery plants may include seedlings, bulbs, divisions, containerised plants, field-grown plants, flowering plants, foliage plants, grafted plants, tissue culture plants and stock plants. |
What OHS hazards may be identified in the work area? | Hazards may include hazardous chemicals; potentially hazardous pot media, composts and organic products; water, dust and splashed or windborne inoculum; manual handling, moving equipment and vehicles, sharp hand tools, noise, pests, and slippery or uneven surfaces. |
What environmental implications are likely to be considered when planning a growing-on program? | Environmental considerations may include drainage and the effective management of high nutrient effluent situations, the safe disposal of unused growing media and treatment materials, chemicals and chemical containers, and the control of contaminants from soil, water or vegetable matter. |
What materials, tools andequipment may be required for growing-on activities? | Materials, tools and equipment may include pots and containers, plant supports, ties, secateurs, knives and other cutting instruments, shovel, trowel, bins, trailers, wheelbarrow, trolley, mechanical trolley, small tractors, rubbish bins, potting machine, and media mixing equipment. |
What environmental parameters may be relevant to this unit? | Environmental parameters may include temperature, humidity, light, moisture, atmospheric gases and airflow. |
What growing media requirements may need to be determined in order to meet plant needs? | Growing media requirements may need to be determined using recognised testing procedures for pH, drainage, aeration, salinity, nitrate levels and water repellence to ensure that it meets the needs of the growing-on plan. Media components may include sand, potting mix, gravel, gro-wool, sawdust, pine bark, perlite, vermiculite, foam, peat, amendments, nutrients, ameliorants, ash, rice hulls, sphagnum moss, scoria, commercial mixes, and water (hydroponics). Mixing of growing media components and disinfestation may also be required. |
What treatments are likely to be carried out? | Treatments may include environmental intervention in controlled environment structures, chemical intervention such as fertiliser, pest controls, and growth regulators, and mechanical intervention such as root and foliage pruning, formative pruning and staking. |
What hygiene requirements may apply to industry best practice? | Hygiene requirements may include removing all dirt and organic matter from production surfaces, tools and equipment, disinfecting production surfaces, tools and equipment, disinfestation and removal of plant and media waste, hand washing, footbaths, access restrictions, and handling practices which minimise cross contamination. |
What customer specifications need to be checked before plants are dispatched? | Customer specifications may be verbal or written and include detailed descriptions of required plant attributes such as species, size, shape, colour, shipping quality; delivery details such as labelling, time and place, and any other special conditions. |
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet. |
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