Well, I was fortunate to know Gary Baker and Will Chantry. Very prominent in the orchid world. They were pioneers in breeding many genera and after they passed away I volunteered for the new owner. I started by weeding and potting and turned to dividing. After many years I would be I would be in charge of shows, ordering plants and talking to customers(which she hated) besides the potting and shuffling of plants for better growing areas.

So, I learned a ton of info on just about every genera out there. How they reacted to pesticides and fertilizers from organic manure to man made stuff. Bug problems and what plants looked like after bugs feasted. Light conditions and cold and heat tolerances.

Another advantage with working with a nursery that did it's own crosses were what plants genes were recessive and such. It was quite interesting. I felt I learned more in those 10 years than I could have learned in a lifetime of gowing by myself.