Are you interested in connecting with Horticulture industry experts? Enrol now for Cert III Horticulture July intake. Last week students toured several nurseries, starting with Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery, a major supplier for Bunnings and independent retailers. As the students have been studying the Manage Nursery Plants unit, this visit provided a valuable opportunity to see the inner workings of a professional nursery.
Lauren, a dedicated Mansfield’s employee, led the group though the intricates of the plant propagation process. Students observed workers taking cuttings, applying rooting hormone, and placing them in soil-filled fabric containers. These were then moved to a temperature-controlled greenhouse to develop roots before being transitioned outdoors under shade cloth for repotting and further growth.
Brey from the tissue culture lab discussed plant propagation and the importance of biosecurity, while Lauren explained Mansfield’s water filtration and recycling system. After the nursery tour, the group visited Plantmark, a wholesale nursery in Langwarrin, where they explored a vast selection of plants and learned about wholesale operations. Their final stop was GardenWorld in Keysborough, known for its unique and exotic plants, including bonsai, succulents, orchids, and carnivorous species.
By day’s end, the students returned to BCAL, having gained valuable industry insights and an enjoyable learning experience.
