Orchid Education?

[troy1191]

Hi everyone!

I'm a sophomore (will be a Junior in January) in my Plant, Soil, Insect science degree with a concentration in Horticulture and I'm thinking about the future and I could use some help!

After I finish this degree I want to go on to graduate school and I REALLY want my education to focus on orchid culture/production/research/anything basically. I'm struggling to figure out what schools (if any) offer anything like this in, preferably, a masters program. I'm sure someone here has some good advice.

For reference I'm going to Umass Amherst and would prefer to stay in the US if possible!

Thanks so much!
-Troy

[Bud]

A doctoral student in ecology and evolutionary biology, Kathryn Theiss, is one of 20 environmental scholars chosen as 2009 Switzer Environmental Fellows at University of Connecticut.

Theiss has spent years monitoring the decline of two rare orchid species in Madagascar and analyzing the threats to their habitat.

There is also a good program at Umass Amherst biology department...but you need to land yourself a masteral in Botany there and do a thesis on orchids to be able to get a grant to further your research on a Phd on orchids....many grants are available....you just have to look for it

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by troy1191

Hi everyone!

I'm a sophomore (will be a Junior in January) in my Plant, Soil, Insect science degree with a concentration in Horticulture and I'm thinking about the future and I could use some help!

After I finish this degree I want to go on to graduate school and I REALLY want my education to focus on orchid culture/production/research/anything basically. I'm struggling to figure out what schools (if any) offer anything like this in, preferably, a masters program. I'm sure someone here has some good advice.

For reference I'm going to Umass Amherst and would prefer to stay in the US if possible!

Thanks so much!
-Troy

I have only one cautious question - what are the employment prospects after obtaining such a degree? Have you checked with the potential employers? Have anyone expressed their interest?

Best of wishes,

[Leafmite]

What exactly do you hope to do with them? If you wish to open a nursury and do your own flasking, becoming an 'exchange worker' to one of the big nursuries in Holland is a good way to learn the trade. Getting a doctorate in botony and becoming a professor often involves travel to study plants, collecting plants (legally), and studying them in the greenhouse. One of our OS members was a botony professor but though he worked with many orchids, he also worked with other plants as well. He often brings orchids to our meetings no one has ever seen before.
Good luck!!!

[cbuchman]

Some networking that might be helpful in proving additional information/guidance:
> Contact Smith Greenhouse management (I'm a Smith graduate .
> Contact Longwood Gardens /Smithsonian/and other institutions such as the that have renowned orchid collections.

I'd recommend networking into the orchid community to for guidance and to see if you can work with them to gain more knowledge - perhaps a stipend too while you're in school

And good luck!