Why would Botany be useless now? Somehow I have it stuck in my head that Botany gathers mats to support CUL & ALC, the 2 crafting jobs I want to eventually acquire (errr, level cap, I may take the others to 15 for cross class skills).

I have all 3 DoL jobs around 20ish now on my main, so I can start one of my retainers on one of the three. Is it true that once equipped, gear I assign to the retainer can not be used on my main (I'd assume so, just checking to make sure)? AND are the ventures I assign to her going to be specific to acquiring ore, plants, or fish?