Seed Starting
Seed starting is a fundamental skill in the horticulture industry that involves growing plants from seeds in controlled conditions before moving them to their final growing location. This process is essential for nurseries, garden centers, and agricultural businesses to produce healthy plants and ensure successful growing seasons. It's similar to running a plant nursery but focuses specifically on the crucial early stages of plant growth. People who specialize in seed starting know how to create ideal growing conditions, manage temperature and lighting, and troubleshoot common issues that affect young plants.
Examples in Resumes
Managed Seed Starting operation producing over 10,000 seedlings annually for commercial greenhouse
Developed improved Seed Starting techniques that increased germination success rate by 30%
Supervised team of 5 in Seed Starting department for major plant nursery
Typical job title: "Propagation Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Propagation Specialists
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you set up a large-scale seed starting operation from scratch?
Expected Answer: A senior professional should discuss facility design, equipment needs, staffing requirements, scheduling systems, and quality control measures. They should also mention budget considerations and efficiency optimization.
Q: How do you handle pest or disease outbreaks in a seedling production facility?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of prevention methods, early detection, containment strategies, and treatment options while maintaining production schedules and minimizing losses.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when creating a seed starting schedule?
Expected Answer: Should explain considerations like growing season timing, customer demands, growth rates of different plants, space management, and labor availability.
Q: How do you determine the optimal growing conditions for different types of seeds?
Expected Answer: Should discuss various factors like temperature, humidity, light requirements, and soil conditions for different plant types, showing practical experience with multiple species.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic requirements for successful seed germination?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basics of moisture, temperature, light, and soil requirements for basic seed starting, demonstrating fundamental understanding of the process.
Q: How do you identify common problems in seedling development?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe basic issues like damping off, poor germination, or environmental stress symptoms, and suggest simple solutions.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic seed sowing techniques
- Understanding of watering needs
- Basic plant identification
- Following growing schedules
Mid (2-5 years)
- Managing growing environments
- Troubleshooting growth issues
- Record keeping and inventory management
- Understanding different propagation methods
Senior (5+ years)
- Large-scale production management
- Staff training and supervision
- Quality control implementation
- Production scheduling and forecasting
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with actual seed starting
- Lack of knowledge about basic plant care
- Poor understanding of sanitation importance
- Unable to identify common plant problems
