Studying horticulture?

I posted in Botany and was advised given my interest that horticulture would be more suitable for me. Here is some of what I posted:





I'm really starting to love plants and have such a great facination and admiration for them. What interests me is their productive role in our enviroment ( not interested in enviromental issues) such as providing us with food, medicines and their natural healing properties. I have read a little on ethnobotany and find it facinating but don't wish to specialize in it. Also their uses in the skin care/beauty/aromatherapy industry.





I also would be interested in learning anything about their aesthetic beauty ie why they are different colours, why they produce fragances. Their secret little world like their senstivity to stimuli and of course the usual stuff like breading and gentetics. I have no interest in planting and landscaping.





Would horticulture be better for me? What did you learn about in your course?

Studying horticulture?
So you like cars, but wouldn't want to be a mechanic? My dear, you answered your own question. "I have no interest in planting and landscaping." Define horticulture. Read about the classes taken by the student above.


The study of horticulture would bore you to tear %26amp; would be a waste of your time and that of those teaching you. Maybe as a passing minor, but no way should you give any thought as a major.


You touched on many different fields of intrest. But the only ones you gave a no doubt, thumbs down to (enviroment %26amp; planting and landscaping) are the main back bones of any horticulture course of study.


The things you seem most interested in have little to do with the actual study of horticulture in itself. I know from my many years as both student %26amp; teacher that your heart and intrests would be misdirected should you go in this direction.


Go back %26amp; do some more homework in the areas you seem to enjoy. I'm sure you will find a more suitable direction for your energies.


Be happy.
Reply:I received a B.S. in Horticulture from Temple University, and I am currently working on my M.S. in Horticulture at Penn State University.





During my undergrad studies I learned alot about how plants function and how they can be used for landscapes and gardening. My classes involved botany, plant physiology, plant genetics, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, entomology, plant identification, plant ecology, greenhouse operation, plant care, and landscape design.





In my grad studies I am focusing on conifer production.





From the interests you have described, I think you are best suited to take a horticulture major with a focus in botany or plant physiology. Most of the topics you have discussed fall in the botany or physiology categories. Many horticulture programs focus primarily on information to be used in landscaping or gardening, which doesn't sound like the focus you're looking for.





Studying plants is great! I would recommend it : )
Reply:I would advise you to call the appropriate departments of universities of your choice, explain exactly the things you have described above and ask their advice on the best option to cater for your needs.
Reply:From your description, it doesn't sound like horticulture is for you. Definitely look into plant physiology, which is the study of function in plants (photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, etc.) Botany (study of plants) would also be great because it goes more into cells and what they do, genetics would also be very helpful since that will help you to understand why plants are the way they are. Genetics also helps you understand how plants are selected for different traits (like fragrance, flower color, even insect resistance).





In my horticulture courses and experiences, I did a lot of gardening, learned many planting techniques, propagation, plant identification, garden design, etc...





Research what it is you are looking to do. Some of the answers recommended contacting a local university, I would definitely do that. They can help you and lead you in the right direction and also let you know which courses you could take!





Have fun!
Reply:I have a B.S. in Horticulture. I minored in Science and Technology. I took classes in plant physiology, breeding techniques, morphology, mycology and pathology, genetics, plant tissue culture, etc, etc, etc.


My fav courses were mycology/pathology and plant tissue culture because i got to see first hand the way plant cells respond to different stimuli. I was able to culture and grow my very own plants from protoplasm; an amazing thing to watch, though mostly its is under a microscope. I also helped cultivate some new varieties of lilies as a special studies class with my Horticulture Advisor.


You can take a lot of the same if not similar courses in the Botany field. There are different types of horticulture: Ornamental Horticulture, Landscape Horticulture, etc.


I would suggest you check out the course listings for each major at the universities you are interested in attending. Remember you can choose a lot of courses yourself. Your entire college career is not laid out in black and white in front of you from day one. You have choices in most every aspect of either major.


Ultimately it is your decision, but I hope you weigh both options carefully before coming to a decision. And don't forget.....


there's always Grad School, where you can, and are expected to, narrow the focus of your studies.