Plants, People, Science

A great public garden can change your whole day and sometimes your whole life. We sit down with Seth Hamby, Director of Living Collections at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, to talk about the real work behind a place that feels effortless to visitors: the plant records, the people, the science, and the stories that turn a landscape into a living collection.  We trace Seth’s path into horticulture t...

Many horticulture students feel like they have to choose early: academia or industry, teaching or “real world” work, research or marketing. We wanted to test that assumption, so we sat down with Dr. Alicain Carlson from Syngenta Flowers, a cut flower scientist who built a career that blends floriculture research, technical problem-solving, leadership, and science-backed marketing. Alicain is curre...

Most of us think new crop horticulture cultivars are invented behind closed doors, then handed to farmers as a finished product. We wanted to explore that assumption, so we sat down with Dr. Ambar Carvallo Lopez, currently a Post Doctoral Research Associate at the University of British Columbia and an ASHS award-winning author and plant breeder whose work shows how research progresses when growers...

A sunrise ride to an apple orchard changed everything for Dr. Gina Fernandez—and it might change how you think about berries. We sit down with the NC State distinguished professor and berry breeder to trace the path from cold-hardy apple rootstocks in Minnesota, to thornless blackberries in Arkansas, to a career defining strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries across the Southeast. Along the w...

Think a great wine grape can’t survive where winters drop to minus forty? We sit down with breeder Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti from North Dakota State University to unpack how a young industry, a focused research program, and some stubborn optimism produced two new cultivars built for the northern plains. From the early days of variety trials and policy hurdles to the release of Dakota Primus an...

We sit down with our podcast teammate Lena Wilson—fresh off a first-place PhD Graduate Student Poster Competition win—to unpack what it takes to thrive at a major scientific conference, from crafting a clear two-minute story to turning a poster row into a collaboration engine.  Lena takes us inside a week in New Orleans at her first ASHS Annual Conference. We trade practical tactics for session pl...

Dr. Chad Miller from Colorado State University shares his innovative approach to teaching horticulture through a classroom trade show format that transforms traditional plant identification courses into engaging, multidimensional learning experiences. As the 2024 ASHS Outstanding Undergraduate Educator award winner, he discusses how he combines plant knowledge with professional skill development t...

The science behind your garden hydrangeas involves far more than just planting and watering. Dr. Lisa Alexander, a research geneticist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, takes us on a fascinating journey from her first days pollinating chestnut trees in a 70-foot bucket truck to her current work revolutionizing hydrangea breeding at the National Arboretum. Working from the heart of Tenne...

Unlock the secrets to making the most of the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference with insider tips from seasoned attendees. As the 2025 New Orleans conference approaches (July 28-August 1), discover strategies that transform overwhelming events into career-defining opportunities. Veteran conference-goer Curt Rom (46 conferences and counting!) and graduate student Samson Hu...

A simple microscope gift during a childhood illness sparked a lifelong passion for horticulture that would take Dr. Daniel Leskovar from Argentina to leadership in American plant science. As the current President of the American Society for Horticultural Science, Dr. Leskovar shares the remarkable journey that began with his father's work in hop production and led him through prestigious inst...

Dr. Kirk Pomper, a Professor of Horticulture at Kentucky State University, is an expert on the pawpaw. He takes us on a journey through the lush history and remarkable qualities of this native North American fruit. With its unique tropical notes the pawpaw stands out as both a horticultural gem and a culinary curiosity. Together, we unravel the complexities of cultivating pawpaws, exploring everyt...

Unlock the secrets of sustainable agriculture with us as we welcome Dr. Carl Motsenbocker from Louisiana State University. Discover how his work in local foods and sustainable farming is reshaping horticultural education and community connections. We'll guide you through the discussions at the 2024 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, where we gained insights into the...

In a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Mengmeng Gu from Colorado State’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, we explore the broader implications of resilience and the belief that failure is not the end. This engaging dialogue delves into how these concepts are not only vital in horticultural science but also in personal growth and development. Tune in for an episode filled...

Join us for a rich discussion with our distinguished guest, Ryan Contreras, a leading expert in ornamental horticulture from Oregon State University. Ryan shares his incredible journey from the fields of eastern North Carolina to becoming a renowned professor, revealing pivotal moments and key mentorships that shaped his career. Step into the world of invasive plant species and biotechnology with...

What if the key to unlocking your garden's full potential lies in a light spectrum most people overlook? Discover the untapped power of far-red radiation in horticulture as we bring you a vibrant discussion straight from the ASHS 2022 Workshop, "What Is Far-Red Light's Role in Plant Science?" Join co-host Sam Humphrey in a fantastic conversation with Dr. John Ertle, who shares...

How much do you really know about the light that nurtures your plants? In this enlightening episode of Plants, People, Science, hosts Curt Rom and Samson Humphrey take you on a journey through the multifaceted world of light's influence on horticulture. They start with their own personal experiences with sunlight and artificial light, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion with Dr. Erik...

Spring has sprung in the world of horticulture, and as Mother's Day nears, we welcome Dr. John Dole, a Professor of Horticultural Science from North Carolina State University. His current research activities focus on cut flowers, including new cultivar evaluations, production, postharvest, and marketing analysis.  Dr. Dole opens our eyes to the science of cut flower production, the crucial po...

Embark on an intoxicating voyage through the storied groves of apple history and the intricate science of cider with Dr. Greg Peck from Cornell's School of Integrative Plant Science. Prepare your palate for a revelation as we uncover why cider apples bear little resemblance to their grocery store relatives, and how a symphony of tannins, sugars, and acidity beautifully ferment into the cider...

We usher in a new era of the Plants People Science podcast with Curt Rom of the University of Arkansas joining Sam Humphrey as a Co-Host for Season 2. Rom's wealth of knowledge, from his roots as an undergraduate research assistant to his career in teaching and research, is set to invigorate our discussions with fresh insights. This episode introduces Curt with a discussion of his academic jo...

In the second part of our two-part series on strawberries, and the final episode of Season 1, Sam talks with Dr. Jayesh Samtani, an Associate Professor and Small Fruit Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech. As an extension specialist, he does a lot of work connecting with growers and other extension agents, in Virginia and numerous other states. He also runs a research program, which has covered a...

In the first part of this two-part series on strawberries, Sam and Lara interview Dr. Gerald Holmes, director of the Strawberry Center at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He discusses the challenges that growers face, the costs of producing and harvesting strawberries, the factors that influence the flavor of the berries, and the future of the industry. To learn more abo...

In this episode of Plants, People, Science , Sam and Lara talk with Dr. Teresita D. Amore, Associate Researcher in the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She discusses her orchid and anthurium breeding program, the traits that growers and designers are looking for, the rewarding aspects of her job, and what led to her career. To see Dr. Amore'...

In the first part of this two part episode on horticultural therapy, Sam and Lara talk to Dr. Candice Shoemaker, Professor Emeritus of Horticulture and Human Health at Kansas State University. Dr. Shoemaker talks about the varied and winding path that eventually led to her career in horticultural therapy, explains the basics and history of the field, and describes the benefits of receiving horticu...

In the second part of the Plants, People, Science Horticultural Therapy discussion, Lara follows up on the topic with horticultural therapist Abby Jaroslow who leads the horticultural therapy program at the Alice & Herbert Sachs Therapeutic Conservatory at MossRehab Einstein Medical Center in Elkins Park, PA and is also an instructor at the New York Botanical Gardens. She works with individual...

In this live episode of Plants, People, Science , Sam and Lara interview Dr. Sandra B. Wilson, a Professor in the Department of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida, to discuss her research, her career, and her advice for young researchers. The featured article is available on the ASHS HortScience electronic journal website at https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16123-21 . To learn...