ABOUT HEDRICK KWAN, Plant Visionz (AU)

Plants are not boring green things

Plants are my passion and sharing how to look after them to others

Hedrick’s zeal in sharing his knowledge about plants stems from his love for plants (especially orchids) and teaching. He is skilled and experienced at both.

DIVERSE HORTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Hedrick caught orchid fever when he stumbled on a Dendrobium growing in the driveway of his family home. He was 21 at that time. With his Diploma in Biotechnology from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, this new passion spurred him on to acquire an Honours Degree in Horticulture from the University of Queensland. Here, he specialised in nursery production and many aspects of orchid culture.

He started adding practical skills to this knowledge by doing manual work as an intern at orchid nurseries and a vegetable farm in Australia. Since returning to Singapore, he’s accumulated a wealth of experience in the horticultural arena including being a Curator at Mandai Orchid Garden and Nursery Manager at a landscape company.

Hedrick was the main coordinator and builder on the following award-winning projects:

• Best of Show and Gold Award: Landscape Gardens with designer Joe Palimeno (USA), Singapore Garden Festival, 2012. ( See video here)

• Gold Award: Educational Display with assembly artist Mark Kauffman (Canada/Singapore) and Alice Mendoza (Singapore), Singapore Garden Festival, 2010

• Bronze Award: Landscape Gardens under Designer Ben Hoyles (NZ), Singapore Garden Festival, 2008

• Silver and Bronze Award: Student Mentorship Programme with Dunman High School, East Zone Science Competition, 2011 where Hedrick was the supervisor.  Year 2011

Hedrick has won the following awards for growing orchids:

• Bronze Medal: Renanthera Singaporeans, 20th World Orchid Conference, Singapore, 2011

• 3rd prize Ribbon: Laeliacattleya Mini Purple, 20th World Orchid Conference, Singapore, 2011

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Hedrick’s teaching experience includes a stint as a relief Science Teacher at Bedok South Secondary School, and as a Life Science Teacher at Andrew & Grace Home.

In the past, he’s also conducted recycling, gardening and orchid classes for schools that have included Raffles Junior College, Dunman High School, and Katong Convent School.

In  early 2016, Hedrick has attained a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. The dream to be a qualified vocational trainer is finally achieved after 11 long years since graduation.