Plant Propagator

About the Role

Eram Talent is seeking a Plant Propagator for a contract position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role is central to supporting the Botanic Gardens' living collections, displays, conservation programs, and horticulture operations through expert plant propagation and management. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of experience in plant propagation.

Role Overview

The Plant Propagator is responsible for the propagation, establishment, and management of plant material. This involves applying a range of propagation methods, including seeds, cuttings, grafting, division, and other vegetative techniques, to produce healthy and genetically appropriate plant stock. The role also includes managing nursery areas, refining propagation protocols for challenging species, and monitoring plant establishment.

Key Responsibilities

• Propagate plants using various techniques such as seeds, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering, and division.
• Select appropriate propagation techniques based on species characteristics, seasonal requirements, and collection objectives.
• Collect, prepare, process, and store seeds and vegetative propagation material.
• Assess the quality and viability of propagation material and prepare suitable propagation media and containers.
• Apply appropriate seed treatments and prepare vegetative material to promote successful rooting and establishment.
• Undertake specialist propagation activities including grafting, budding, and division.
• Monitor germination, rooting, establishment, growth, and overall plant health, addressing any propagation problems.
• Manage and maintain nursery and propagation areas, ensuring optimal growing conditions, hygiene, and plant-care standards.
• Manage nursery plant stock to meet the requirements of garden collections, displays, and conservation programs.
• Monitor and manage irrigation, humidity, shade, temperature, growing media, and plant nutrition.
• Coordinate the movement of propagated plants to various garden environments and support their hardening and acclimatization.
• Develop, test, document, and refine species-specific propagation protocols, especially for rare or difficult species.
• Conduct propagation trials to improve success rates and collaborate with specialists to identify propagation priorities.
• Support ex situ conservation and collection-development programs.
• Maintain detailed records of propagation activities, methods, source material, and success rates.
• Maintain accurate nursery stock inventories and update relevant databases.
• Implement nursery hygiene, sanitation, plant-health, and biosecurity procedures, supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Maintain propagation tools, equipment, facilities, and work areas in a clean, safe, and operational condition.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, environment, biosecurity, and horticulture operating procedures.

Experience and Qualifications

• A minimum of 5-10 years of experience in plant propagation.
• Demonstrated expertise in a range of propagation methods, including seeds, cuttings, grafting, and other vegetative techniques.
• Experience in managing nursery areas and propagation stock.
• Ability to develop and refine propagation protocols for diverse plant species.
• Proficiency in maintaining detailed propagation records and evaluating success rates.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong understanding of plant physiology and horticulture principles.
• Ability to identify and address propagation problems effectively.
• Excellent organizational skills for managing nursery areas and stock.
• Attention to detail in record-keeping and protocol development.
• Collaborative approach to working with curators, botanists, and other specialists.

Work Environment

This is a contract position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, within a dynamic environment focused on the conservation and management of botanic collections.