iti 12 April 2025

ITI Floriculture & Landscaping Trade Syllabus

The ITI "Floriculture & Landscaping" trade is a one-year vocational training program under the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS), governed by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). This course equips trainees with skills in growing and managing flowering and ornamental plants, designing landscapes, and maintaining gardens for residential, commercial, and public spaces. The syllabus integrates theoretical knowledge, practical horticultural skills, and employability training to prepare students for roles such as floriculturists, landscapers, nursery managers, or garden maintenance workers in horticulture firms, landscaping companies, or as self-employed professionals.

Course Overview

  • Duration: 1 year (2 semesters, each 6 months)
  • NSQF Level: Level 4
  • Eligibility: Minimum 10th grade pass (or equivalent)
  • Objective: To train individuals in floriculture techniques, landscape design, and garden maintenance to create aesthetically pleasing and sustainable green spaces.

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

1. Trade Theory (Theoretical Knowledge)

Covers foundational concepts in floriculture and landscaping.

  • Semester 1
    • Introduction to Floriculture & Landscaping
      • Overview of the floriculture and landscaping industry: scope, trends, opportunities.
      • Role of a floriculturist and landscaper: plant cultivation, garden design, maintenance.
      • Types of plants: ornamental, flowering, foliage, seasonal, perennial.
    • Plant Science Basics
      • Plant morphology: structure of roots, stems, leaves, flowers.
      • Soil types: sandy, clay, loamy – properties, suitability for plants.
      • Plant propagation: seeds, cuttings, grafting, layering techniques.
    • Tools and Equipment
      • Gardening tools: spades, trowels, pruners, watering cans, sprayers.
      • Equipment: lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, drip irrigation systems.
      • Maintenance: cleaning, sharpening, and storing tools safely.
    • Floriculture Techniques
      • Cultivation of flowers: roses, marigolds, chrysanthemums, orchids.
      • Greenhouse management: temperature, humidity, light control.
      • Nursery management: seedling care, potting, transplanting.
    • Landscape Design Basics
      • Principles of design: balance, symmetry, focal points, color harmony.
      • Types of landscapes: formal, informal, urban, rural gardens.
      • Site analysis: assessing soil, climate, topography for landscaping.
    • Safety and Hygiene
      • Workplace safety: handling sharp tools, chemicals, heavy equipment.
      • Personal hygiene: protective clothing, gloves, hand washing.
      • Environmental safety: safe use of pesticides, fertilizers, waste disposal.
  • Semester 2
    • Advanced Floriculture
      • Commercial flower production: cut flowers, potted plants, export standards.
      • Pest and disease management: identifying, controlling insects, fungi, viruses.
      • Post-harvest handling: flower storage, packaging, transportation.
    • Advanced Landscaping
      • Landscape planning: designing parks, residential gardens, corporate campuses.
      • Hardscaping: pathways, fountains, pergolas, retaining walls.
      • Softscaping: lawns, shrubs, trees, ground covers for aesthetics.
    • Irrigation and Water Management
      • Irrigation systems: drip, sprinkler, manual watering techniques.
      • Water conservation: mulching, rainwater harvesting, xeriscaping.
      • Drainage systems: preventing waterlogging in gardens.
    • Plant Nutrition and Soil Management
      • Fertilizers: organic (compost, manure), inorganic (NPK) – application methods.
      • Soil testing: pH, nutrient levels, improving soil fertility.
      • Composting: creating and using compost for sustainable gardening.
    • Professional Skills
      • Client consultation: understanding landscape preferences, budgets.
      • Entrepreneurship: starting a nursery, landscaping business, or flower shop.
      • Market trends: demand for eco-friendly gardens, vertical gardens, native plants.

2. Trade Practical (Hands-On Skills)

Focuses on practical floriculture and landscaping techniques.

  • Semester 1
    • Plant Propagation Practice
      • Sowing seeds: preparing seedbeds, trays for flowers like marigolds.
      • Taking cuttings: roses, hibiscus for vegetative propagation.
      • Practicing grafting/layering: ornamental plants, fruit trees.
    • Nursery Management
      • Preparing potting mixtures: soil, sand, compost ratios.
      • Transplanting seedlings: from trays to pots or garden beds.
      • Maintaining nursery beds: watering, shading, weeding.
    • Flower Cultivation
      • Growing seasonal flowers: petunias, zinnias, sunflowers in beds/pots.
      • Managing greenhouses: controlling light, humidity for orchids, lilies.
      • Pruning and staking: supporting flower plants for healthy growth.
    • Basic Landscaping
      • Designing small gardens: layouts for home lawns, flower beds.
      • Planting shrubs and trees: spacing, depth, alignment for aesthetics.
      • Creating borders: using edging plants, stones, or bricks.
    • Tool Handling
      • Using gardening tools: digging, pruning, leveling soil.
      • Operating equipment: lawnmowers, sprayers for garden maintenance.
      • Cleaning and storing tools: ensuring longevity and safety.
    • Project Work
      • Developing a small flower garden: from seed sowing to blooming.
      • Documenting plant growth, care techniques, and outcomes.
  • Semester 2
    • Advanced Floriculture
      • Cultivating commercial flowers: roses, carnations for market sale.
      • Controlling pests/diseases: applying organic/inorganic treatments.
      • Harvesting and packing flowers: preparing bouquets, floral arrangements.
    • Advanced Landscaping
      • Designing complex landscapes: parks, office gardens with themes.
      • Installing hardscapes: pathways, benches, water features in mock setups.
      • Planting large-scale gardens: trees, lawns, seasonal flower beds.
    • Irrigation and Maintenance
      • Setting up drip irrigation: for flower beds, ornamental plants.
      • Maintaining lawns: mowing, aerating, fertilizing for healthy growth.
      • Managing water features: cleaning ponds, fountains in gardens.
    • Soil and Nutrition Management
      • Testing soil samples: pH, nutrient content in practical setups.
      • Applying fertilizers: compost, chemical fertilizers to plants.
      • Creating compost pits: recycling garden waste for organic manure.
    • Client-Based Tasks
      • Simulating client projects: designing gardens per specifications.
      • Maintaining existing gardens: pruning, weeding, replanting.
      • Preparing cost estimates: for landscaping, nursery services.
    • Project Work
      • Designing and implementing a complete landscape (e.g., residential garden).
      • Presenting a portfolio with designs, plant choices, and maintenance plans.

3. Workshop Calculation and Science

Provides mathematical and scientific support for floriculture and landscaping tasks.

  • Semester 1
    • Arithmetic: calculating seed quantities, fertilizer doses, garden areas.
    • Measurements: estimating plant spacing, soil volumes, irrigation needs.
    • Botany: plant physiology, photosynthesis, nutrient absorption basics.
  • Semester 2
    • Calculations: costing nursery operations, landscape projects.
    • Geometry: designing garden layouts, calculating bed dimensions.
    • Science: soil chemistry, pest biology, water retention properties.

4. Engineering Drawing

Focuses on technical drawing for landscape designs.

  • Semester 1: Sketching garden layouts, flower bed patterns, nursery plans.
  • Semester 2: Preparing detailed diagrams for complex landscapes (e.g., parks, campuses).

5. Employability Skills

Enhances job readiness and soft skills.

  • Semester 1
    • Communication skills: discussing plant choices, designs with clients.
    • Time management: completing planting, maintenance tasks on schedule.
    • Basic IT skills: recording nursery data, project plans.
  • Semester 2
    • Entrepreneurship: planning a nursery or landscaping business.
    • Teamwork: collaborating with gardeners, designers, suppliers.
    • Customer service: addressing client queries, ensuring satisfaction.

Assessment and Certification

  • Examinations: Conducted semester-wise with theoretical and practical components.
  • Certification: Successful candidates receive the National Trade Certificate (NTC) from NCVT, recognized nationally and internationally.
  • Evaluation: Based on floriculture skills, landscaping quality, theoretical knowledge, and project work.

Career Opportunities

  • Employment: Floriculturist, landscaper, nursery manager, garden maintenance worker in horticulture firms, landscaping companies, or municipal gardens.
  • Self-Employment: Starting a nursery, flower shop, or landscaping service.
  • Further Studies: Diploma in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, or Agri-Business.

Note

  • This syllabus aligns with the latest NCVT guidelines and may vary slightly based on institutional or state-specific requirements.
  • For the most current version, refer to the Directorate General of Training (DGT) or consult your local ITI.

Trade Type

  • 6 views