What does a Horticulturalist do?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
A horticulturalist, more correctly known as a horticulturist, performs research which is designed to promote efficiency in the growth, harvest, and storage of crops. In addition, horticulturalists also work with ornamental plants, trees, vines, and so forth, developing new plant varieties, innovative landscaping techniques, and gardening styles for all climates. A horticulturalist can choose among a number of areas of focus, ranging from viticulture, the production of grapes, to entomology, studying insects which have an impact on crops.
In the world of commercial agriculture, horticulturalists develop new strains of plants which boast improved yields. They may work with a specific plant to develop a breed which is easier to harvest, or which stores better than other plant varieties. Horticulturalists also research postharvest physiology, looking at how well plants keep, and methods which could be used to improve the storage life for commercially popular crops.
A horticulturalist can also develop new ways to use plants, along with new plant breeds. Pomologists, for example, work with fruits, developing interesting hybrids and cross-breeds, while olericulture focuses on vegetables. A horticulturalist who works on crops for mass-production may think about issues like disease-resistance, making things convenient for harvesting equipment, or insect and animal pests. Horticulturalists who focus on crops for smaller-scale production may focus on preserving and improving heritage crops, or publicizing the importance of maintaining crop diversity.
The study of horticulture isn't all about food. Some horticulturalists specialize in ornamental plants like flowers, shrubs, and trees, and others work in the field of landscaping. A landscape horticulturalist may develop low-water landscaping for drought-stricken regions, for example, or focus on landscaping with native plants in a particular region to promote the maintenance of native species. Landscape horticulture can also involve considerations like pest resistance, the look and feel of a garden, and the connection between people and the natural environment.
Someone who wants to become a horticulturalist should have a passion for and an interest in plants. Typically work in this field requires a bachelor's degree in horticulture, at a minimum, and some horticulturalists pursue advanced studies in specific fields within the larger framework of horticulture. Horticulturalists should also plan on being able to work outdoors and cooperating with researchers in a wide variety of disciplines on projects which can range from creating genetically engineered plants to restoring wetlands.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
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![A horticulturalist might work to develop new banana plants.]()
By: tungphotoA horticulturalist might work to develop new banana plants. -
![A horticulturalist works with plants.]()
By: DLeonisA horticulturalist works with plants. -
![Horticulturists study the growth and harvest of plants such as flowers.]()
By: Ivonne WierinkHorticulturists study the growth and harvest of plants such as flowers. -
![A horticulturist may work in a greenhouse environment.]()
By: chungkingA horticulturist may work in a greenhouse environment. -
![A horticulturalist may be hired for landscaping in areas with frequent droughts.]()
By: sakuraA horticulturalist may be hired for landscaping in areas with frequent droughts. -
![An aspiring horticulturalist should have a passion for and interest in plants.]()
By: pashyksvAn aspiring horticulturalist should have a passion for and interest in plants.
Discussion Comments
I disagree. The definition of horticulture should be distinct from agriculture. To say horticulturists research and propagate *crops* implies agriculture.
Historically, if a society practices horticulture as a form of subsistence, they maintain plants they use or practice light human intervention, like moving a century plant closer to habitation, or using controlled burns to promote the kind of new growth needed for making baskets. Horticulture also needn't be about food, medicine or utilities.
Ornamental gardeners are horticulturists of a kind, as are people who work in conservation and restoration. Whereas with agriculture, the emphasis is on high yield and surplus of food, namely crops, usually mono-crops.
I had no idea that horticulture paves the way for the larger agriculture industry. I have, however, benefited from the creativity of the field. I purchased and planted a single tree that yielded peaches, plums, loquats and nectarines.
Did you know that the word "horticulture" usually refers to small-scale growing of plants? Agriculture, horticulture's commercial-sized cousin, takes many of its cues from horticulturists. Horticulture is a kind of buffer between agriculture and experimental growing; horticulturists try things on a small scale to be sure that they work before agriculturists spend a lot of time and money on the same techniques. Agriculture has a much higher success rate this way, because their techniques are already tried and true.
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