JOB DETAILS
Elite Stock Section Grower/Virus Lab Specialist
CompanyWalters Gardens Inc
LocationZeeland
Work ModeOn Site
PostedFebruary 27, 2026
About The Company
Walters Gardens, Inc. didn’t set out to be the biggest and best in the industry. We simply wanted to provide our local growers with high quality perennials. To fulfill that dream, a small perennial farm was established by Dennis and Harriet Walters in Zeeland, Michigan in 1946, worked by just a few strong men including Dennis’ four brothers. Tall Garden Phlox, Creeping Phlox, Delphiniums, Leucanthemum, and Gaillardias were their specialties and these bare root plants were shipped out by rail, truck, and bus.
Today, Walters Gardens, Inc. has grown to be one of the nation’s largest wholesale perennial growers with a reputation for superior quality, excellent service, and cutting edge new varieties. Our company continues to be run by the Walters family, aided by over 200 dedicated employees including skilled growers and hybridizers, plant health experts, inventory managers, marketing specialists, a dedicated team of inside sales and customer service staff, and national sales representatives and brokers.
We offer over 1,000 varieties of perennials including a line of exclusive Proven Winners® Perennials, and over 100 new items are added each year. Bare root perennials are grown on 1,500 acres of land while over 500,000 square feet of modern greenhouses contain our plug growing operations. Over 18 million perennial liners are shipped to grower retailers, wholesale finish growers, landscapers, mail order companies, and more across the US and Canada.
About the Role
Description
Primary Purpose and Function
The primary purpose of this position is to manage all cutting programs in Elite Stock by planning stock needs and delivering or planting unrooted cuttings (URCs) to renew Motherstock, supply Elite Stock, and support Production supply for Walters Gardens. This role also partners with the Virus Lab Coordinator to complete weekly plant sample collection, sample processing, and virus testing. As a member of the Motherstock department, this position assists the Elite Stock Grower in maintaining healthy and well-managed TC Motherstock.
Primary Tasks for Stock Renewal:
- Schedule unrooted cuttings (URCs) from Motherstock plants for distribution to Production Stock, Elite Stock, and Motherstock.
- Communicate with the Greenhouse team regarding URC planning and planting.
- Schedule stock and move plants to ensure peak cutting availability.
- Take and stick cuttings weekly using proper sanitation protocols.
- Treat cuttings with the appropriate chemicals to ensure proper storage and rooting.
- Maintain detailed organization of each stock line to ensure true-to-type and healthy WGI production.
- Lead student and temporary workers in proper sanitation and cutting practices.
Primary Tasks in Virus Lab:
- Collect plant samples from greenhouse and field locations.
- Process plant materials in the lab using appropriate tools and equipment (e.g., scales).
- Prepare stock buffers and support general lab upkeep.
- Assist with sample preparation for external virus testing.
- Support the Virus Lab Coordinator with weekly ELISA virus testing.
Primary Tasks in Elite Stock area:
- Conduct weekly water and plant media testing.
- Distribute and count sticky cards weekly.
- Clean plants by trimming, removing debris, pruning, and deadheading.
- Move plants as needed throughout the facility.
- Step up plants into larger pots and trays.
- Follow sanitation practices for cleaning floors, equipment, and workstations.
- Assist with watering and fertilizer applications.
- Scan plants to ensure accurate location tracking.
Requirements
Skills Needed:
- Greenhouse or nursery growing experience, or an associate’s/bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences (Horticulture, Agriculture Science, Biology, Chemistry, Natural Resources, etc.) preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Teams especially).
- Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
- Fine motor skills for taking cuttings and using micropipettes.
- Ability to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments.
- Ability to frequently lift and move 10 lbs and occasionally lift and move 50 lbs.
- Willingness to apply chemicals for sanitation and plant care.
Key Skills
Plant Cutting ManagementVirus TestingSample CollectionSample ProcessingELISA TestingStock RenewalSanitation ProtocolsChemical ApplicationData OrganizationTeam LeadershipWater TestingMedia TestingPlant TrimmingLocation TrackingMicrosoft Office ProficiencyFine Motor Skills
Categories
AgricultureScience & ResearchManufacturing
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
This role manages all cutting programs in Elite Stock, planning needs and delivering unrooted cuttings to renew Motherstock, supply Elite Stock, and support Production. Additionally, the specialist partners with the Virus Lab Coordinator to conduct weekly plant sample collection, processing, and virus testing.
📋Job Type
full time
📊Experience Level
2-5
💼Company Size
98
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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