Seeding and Propagation/Expert Profile


Ask A Question

Expertise

I have been growing plants from seeds for at least 20 years. I have grown literally hundreds of different kinds of vegetables, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, tropicals, some cacti, water plants, iris, rose, lilies, cannas, etc. I enjoy starting from seed.

Experience in the area

I've been growing my own seeds for 20 years with indoor propagation equipment I built myself. I am also an Allexperts volunteer on the perennial forum. I have completed the Master Gardener course through the Kansas State University Extension. I have experience with a wide variety of seeds and I have also read through Norm Deno's books on seed germination.

What do you like about this subject?

I get a big kick out of watching something come to life. Emerge seedlings give me a big thrill to see Nature at work.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I hope I never stop learning and that there will always be a new adventure for me around the corner.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Growing from seed is only as diffiult as your understanding or lack of understanding at how a seed works.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

GMO seeds. I'm totally anti-GMO.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

Read More Comments

    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
Mark11/07/0910101010Hi Tom, Many thanks for your speedy .....
Kerry10/27/0910101010Thanks!
Judith10/26/0910101010Thanks Tom for your speedy response! Here .....
Frank10/25/0910101010Tom's answers are a lot of help .....
Betty10/23/0910101010 

Recent Answers from Tom Alonzo

2009-11-05 Persimmon Tree - fruit not tasty:

Hi Linda, Thanx for your question. Your question is a bit outside my expertise. I'm not a fruit tree expert. However, I can refer you to an expert here on the site, Nick McCann, who is knowledgeable

2009-11-05 growing trees indoors:

Hi Mark, Thanx for your question. Rowans and oaks in general, are deciduous trees which require a cold, winter period in order to remain healthy. Trees like this go into a dormant state during the winter

2009-11-02 Cross pollination:

Hi Ronald, Thanx for your question. In general, plants that cross-pollinate will produce seed which results in a hybrid of the two. Occasionally, the seed will be sterile or the the ovaries will fail

2009-10-26 Copper Beech Seedlings:

Hi Kerry, Thanx for your question. The copper beech seedlings need to go through winter dormancy and they need to be exposed to the cold. You can either put the potted seedlings in a cold garage or

2009-10-24 rose of sharon:

Hi Lisa, Thanx for your question. Rose-of-Sharon is also botanically known as Hibiscus syriacus. It is a deciduous and hardy member of the Hibiscus family. It can be rather invasive as it reseeds prolifically

 

Ask A Question

All Answers

Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.