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 Tennessee's nursery country, Dr. Alexander explains how she's mapping the genetic diversity of oakleaf hydrangea across its six-state native range. Her team has identified six distinct genetic populations, some containing rare genes that might help plants survive drought or cold temperatures. This groundbreaking research comes at a critical time – they've discovered that urbanization has already caused these beautiful native plants to disappear from many previously recorded locations.

The economic stakes are significant. Hydrangeas represent a $155 million industry, ranking as the second best-selling woody shrub behind roses. By understanding the genetic blueprint controlling traits like plant size, flower structure, and environmental adaptations, breeders can develop improved varieties that combine beauty with resilience.

Dr. Alexander also discusses the exciting launch of "Hort Genomes" – a new initiative creating a dedicated home for specialty crop genomic data within the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. This resource will accelerate research across horticultural fields by centralizing crucial genetic information previously scattered across publications or unavailable to the scientific community.

Whether you're a backyard gardener admiring your hydrangeas or a scientist breeding the next generation of ornamental plants, this episode reveals the remarkable intersection of traditional horticulture with cutting-edge genomics that's shaping the future of our gardens.

Read the JASHS article “Precipitation, Temperature, and Population Structure Influence Genetic Diversity of Oakleaf Hydrangea Throughout Its Native Range” at https://www.doi.org/10.21273/JASHS05255-22.

Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at https://ashs.org/.
HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org.

Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember!

You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion.

Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com.

On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/.

Thank you for listening!

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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 Humphrey share perspectives on navigating everything from travel logistics to networking techniques. They reveal how to leverage the conference app to build a personalized schedule, position yourself for meaningful connections at poster sessions, and deliver polished presentations that showcase your research.

The conversation goes beyond academic presentations to highlight often-overlooked opportunities like resume reviews that provide one-on-one career guidance, competitions that can earn recognition and rewards, and the critical importance of informal gatherings where "the real science often happens."

Whether you are presenting research, seeking career opportunities, or simply looking to expand your professional network, this episode provides actionable strategies for every conference situation. The hosts emphasize that while the science is central, it's the relationships formed over beignets at Café Du Monde or during the annual 5K Fun Run that often prove most valuable to your career.

Download the ASHS conference app today, build your profile, and start planning your personalized conference experience. https://ashs.org/page/ASHSAnnualConference

Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at https://ashs.org/.
HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org.

Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember!

You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion.

Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com.

On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/.

Thank you for listening!

...

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 institutions across three continents.

The conversation reveals how formative experiences—observing agricultural practices in Patagonia, studying plant cells during recovery from a kidney infection, and adapting to a fruit and vegetable-rich diet—shaped his scientific curiosity. Dr. Leskovar pursued advanced degrees at Wageningen University, UC Davis, and the University of Florida before establishing himself as a respected researcher and center director at Texas A&M University.

From his base in the "Winter Garden of Texas," Dr. Leskovar conducts innovative research on artichokes, tomatoes, spinach, and hydroponics. His current projects showcase a commitment to practical solutions, including grafting techniques for improved tomato production, assessing cadmium levels in spinach to ensure food safety, and developing hydroponic systems that can engage students with horticultural science.

What truly distinguishes this conversation is Dr. Leskovar's vision for horticultural science globally. He articulates ambitious goals for ASHS, emphasizing the need to elevate publications, strengthen the society's brand recognition, and forge international partnerships that highlight how "what we do matters to people, matters to the environment, matters to quality of life."

Ready to discover how horticultural science shapes our world? To learn more about Dr. Leskovar's research, visit Vegetable physiology, production, quality - Texas A&M AgriLife Center at Uvalde or contact him directly at daniel.leskovar@ag.tamu.edu.

Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at https://ashs.org/.
HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org.

Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember!

You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion.

Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com.

On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/.

Thank you for listening!

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