My name’s Chris and I’ve been messing about with plants since sometime in the 1980s. Like many people, I started out with the typical windowsill cactus collection. I was keen on science at school, especially anything relating to living things.

I studied for a degree in botany and zoology at the University of Reading during the 1990s and after a short break from academia I returned and gained a PhD in plant anatomy and microscopy. After this I worked for several years in a hands-on horticultural role in the experimental grounds and glasshouses of the School of Plant Sciences at the university.

I eventually returned to my roots in science, first at the university, then in R&D in the agriculture sector. I’ve worked as a microscope expert helping researchers in biology, food science and archaeology, and many other fields of study. I’ve also done a lot of work using electron microscopes to examine crop plants and fungal diseases, amongst other things.

I now garden a plot in the south of the UK, where I grow a fairly eclectic collection of plants. I mostly grow ornamental things, although I do dabble with a bit of fruit and veg growing.

I’m a longtime member of the Royal Horticultural Society (the RHS), and I hold a couple of their qualifications (the RHS General Certificate and RHS Advanced Certificate). I’m a frequent visitor to various RHS shows.