Hydroponics Daily

Dr. Russell Sharp explores a controversial strategy where entire growing regions pause production for 20–30 days to break pest life cycles — using crop removal, soil solarization and biological controls. He compares past field-crop proposals to recent plans in Almería to tackle thrips and discusses the economic pain, possible aid, and whether coordinated shutdowns could work for other crops.

The episode weighs practical challenges, examples from rapeseed and protected crops, and asks listeners to consider if collective action can realistically eliminate stubborn pests or diseases.

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Andrés...

Dr. Russell Sharp dives into the unique world of vanilla: an orchid vine that requires delicate, manual pollination outside its native range, long development times, and careful curing. Learn why vanilla farming is labor-intensive, how hydroponic tower systems are being used, and what breeders are doing to improve resilience and pollination.

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Ice cream

Custard

Madagascar

Indonesia

Nepal

India

Dr. Russell Sharp explores plants and crops that tolerate very alkaline soils and how that knowledge applies to hydroponic systems. The episode covers common tolerant crops (barley, sugar beet, cotton, sorghum, alfalfa, buffalo/Bermuda grass) and highly tolerant species like Atriplex as a possible spinach substitute in high‑pH water.

Practical tips include expected pH ranges, when alkalinity and salinity overlap, and suggestions for experimenting with gardener's orache (Atriplex) in hydroponics. Contact the host for advice on adapting fertigation and crop choices to alkaline conditions.

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In this short episode Dr. Russell Sharp explores which crops naturally prefer acidic conditions and explains why, when grown hydroponically, they are typically kept around pH 5.0–5.5 rather than the much lower soil pH they prefer. He covers examples like blueberries, cranberries, pineapple, tea and potatoes, and explains the roles of nutrient availability, soil biology and fertilizer practicality.

Dr. Sharp also teases the next episode contrasting acid-loving (ericaceous) plants with alkaline-loving (calcicole) species.

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Host Dr. Russell Sharp explores why some hydroponic systems use large grow media slabs (like rockwool) while others rely on bare-root NFT with small plugs, explaining the advantages and drawbacks for crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and herbs.

The episode also includes a special offer: UK-based professional growers can request free samples of selected Eutrema biostimulants and biopesticides (pay £4.95 postage) via this link:

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/pesticides-organic/free-samples-for-professional-users-hidden-page/

In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp of Hydroponics Daily explores the rising use of hydroponics to grow avocados in Mexico. He explains the common systems (air pots, coco, drip irrigation), the reasons growers are switching, and the practical challenges of a perennial crop.

Key topics include temperature and frost sensitivity, drainage and Phytophthora root rot, nutrient and pH needs, the unusual A/B flowering pollination system, pruning and spacing, and the art of harvesting and ripening. The episode ends with a lighthearted AI tool demo.

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Dr. Russell Sharp explores experimental research on growing peanuts hydroponically, summarizing NASA studies and university trials using deep water culture (DWC) and nutrient film technique (NFT). He explains the peanut life cycle—flowering, peg (gynophore) formation, and pod development—and why pegging into a moist zone or specially designed trays is critical.

The episode covers nutrient needs (especially calcium), aeration, potential water savings compared with soil, and the challenges of commercial production. It highlights peanut hydroponics' experimental status, possible benefits for water-limited farming, and opportunities for custom fertilizer development.

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Dr. Russell Sharp discusses recent research (published in npj Microgravity) showing that lettuce grown on the International Space Station contains significantly less calcium and magnesium and lower antioxidant and protective compounds than Earth-grown counterparts. These nutrient changes matter for astronauts who already face bone loss, radiation stress, and digestive changes in space.

The episode explores possible causes (microgravity, humidity, lighting, fertiliser), solutions such as biofortification, bioengineering, and choosing flavonoid-rich or seed/legume crops like soybeans, and outlines future research directions for producing nutritionally adequate crops on long-duration space missions.

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Dr. Russell Shaw explores recent Japanese research showing that edamame can be successfully grown hydroponically under LED lighting, yielding stable, high-quality crops independent of season.

The indoor methods produced stronger plants, higher sugar and isoflavone levels, and suggest a way to grow nutrient-dense, protein-rich legumes in vertical farms—opening new opportunities beyond typical leafy greens.

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 Professor Toshio Sano from the Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry at Hosei University

University of Tokyo 

Wagamamas

Nobu Matsuhisa

Gord...

Dr. Russell Sharp breaks down Hydrofarm’s latest results, falling sales, large write-downs and the company’s role as a barometer for the hydroponics and legal cannabis markets.

The episode explores Hydrofarm’s brand portfolio, financial challenges, restructuring efforts and what the company’s struggles might mean for the wider hydroponic sector going forward.

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nasdaq, new york stock exchange, london stock exchange

Dr. Russell Sharp explores the role of titanium in plant health; what it is, how it’s used (chelated salts, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, foliar and root applications), and why it’s attracting interest in the biostimulant world.

Although titanium is not an essential nutrient, low doses have sometimes boosted chlorophyll, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake and stress tolerance; effects depend strongly on species, particle form, application method and the plant’s iron and nutrient status.

However, titanium shows a hormetic response: low doses can help but higher doses cause chlorosis, necrosis and growth suppression, with no clear safe t...

Dr. Russell Sharp explores the promise of direct air capture (DAC) as a way to enrich CO2 for hydroponic and greenhouse crops without burning fossil fuels. He discusses a Japanese company (Seibu Gaiken) running successful trials that showed average yield increases of about 20%, and compares DAC to other CO2 sources like breweries and biogas.

The episode highlights key caveats: DAC’s climate benefit depends on clean energy, units are currently large-scale, and they change heat management compared with gas burners. Dr. Sharp invites listener experience and feedback on whether vertical farms or large greenhouses will adopt this te...

Dr. Russell Sharp explores lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta) as an underrated hydroponic crop, highlighting its unique botanical lineage, high nutrient content, and suitability for cold or unheated systems where traditional lettuce and other warm crops struggle.

The episode covers practical benefits—reduced soil contamination, potential premium market value, and successful DWC trials—as well as challenges like delicate leaves, fungal susceptibility, bolting in heat, and the need for optimized nutrition and handling.

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Ersatz crops

Tim Davie

 Deborah Turness

Samir...

Host Dr. Russell Sharp discusses Eli Lilly's recent purchase of a greenhouse site in Katwijk, Netherlands, and explores possible links to botanical sourcing and GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs. He outlines how the $3 billion investment raises questions about future use, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, botanical ingredients, and impacts on horticulture.

The episode also touches on historical examples of plant‑derived medicines, the Nagoya Protocol on sharing benefits from genetic resources, and the wider implications for food demand and greenhouse agriculture. Tune in to hear the latest developments and what to watch for next.

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Dr. Russell Sharp discusses cold root stress in hydroponics, how it causes desiccation and nutrient uptake problems, and practical mitigations like raising plants or grafting.

He reviews new research showing increased plant sterols can boost cold tolerance in tomatoes, and teases a follow-up story about Eli Lilly buying a Dutch greenhouse.

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Univerity of Barcelona

Dr. Russell Sharp reviews two recent failures in soilless agriculture: Swiss aeroponics firm CleanGreens went bankrupt after a promised CHF 50M investment failed to materialize, and Growy Singapore—an 8,000 m² vertical farm taken over from a US operator—entered liquidation within a year due to high costs and insufficient local investment despite government support.

The episode looks at what went wrong, the impact on employees and technology, and notes Growy's Amsterdam site remains operational. Tune in for a concise breakdown and a preview of tomorrow’s episode on a cold-tolerant tomato variety.

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Dr. Russell Sharp examines whether warm‑climate perennials like avocados can be grown economically indoors in cold countries. He reviews a Norwegian research trial using waste heat, cheap hydroelectric power, LED greenhouses, and micropropagation to produce local avocados, and discusses pollination, growth timelines, and energy costs.

The episode weighs the trade-offs between long production times and local quality/supply benefits, shares practical hydroponic lessons, and invites listeners to share unusual crops they’ve grown.

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Yara  

Oslo

Jonas Gahr Støre

Er...

Dr. Russell Sharp exposes claims that fertilizers contain 60–90+ elements, showing many listed elements are impossible, radioactive, or toxic and explaining that plants only need a small set of essential nutrients.

He evaluates sea-mineral and rock dust products, warns listeners to question extravagant element lists, and urges asking manufacturers to provide an exact element breakdown.

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Dr. Russell Sharp examines Sensai Farms, Larry Ellison’s high‑profile hydroponic project in Hawaii, funded with hundreds of millions but hampered by cost overruns, design flaws, failing AI and robots, and unreliable power systems.

The episode covers how these problems drove up production costs, affected local access to affordable produce, and forced Sensai to pivot from large‑scale growing to licensing its technology, raising questions about tech solutions in agriculture.

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Tony Blair

Sadiq Khan

Nigel Farage

Kemi Badenoc...

Dr. Russell Sharp highlights the eye-catching new pumpkin variety "Thriller": a dual-purpose edible and decorative squash with orange interior and green-striped exterior, set for commercial release in 2026.

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Halloween pumpkins

Squashes and gourds

Hampton Court Flower Show

Soil Ninja

The Plant Rescuer 

Tony Le Briton

Dr. Russell Sharp explains why plants like rhododendrons and other ornamentals sometimes flower in autumn — a phenomenon called precocious flowering caused by stress or unseasonal warmth. He outlines how this early bloom reduces spring displays and can ruin fruit crops.

The episode discusses implications for hydroponic and indoor growers (especially strawberries and perennial crops), the need for cold treatment in some species, and practical considerations for vertical farming and controlled environments.

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Azalea

Camellia

Hydrangea

Skimmia

Pieris

Dr. Russell Sharp explores whether ferns are a viable hydroponic crop, covering their limited edibility, high value as houseplants, and conservation concerns from historic "fern mania."

The episode explains fern biology and propagation—spores, gametophytes, divisions and micropropagation—plus humidity, foliar uptake, and practical hydroponic considerations for successful cultivation.

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Joe Swift

Home Grown

Marf’s Kitchen Garden

Nettles & Petals

Tales from the potting shed Adam kirtland

NPK Hydroponics

NPK Media

Kyle Ku...

Dr. Russell Sharp explores Harvest London’s open, glass-walled hydroponic farm at Canary Wharf—an accessible vertical farm supplying leafy greens and microgreens to local restaurants and food stalls. The multi-tier, pesticide-free system is visible to the public, making hydroponics educational and tangible for visitors.

The episode highlights how public display boosts trust and perceived value, the site’s strict biosecurity and clean operations, and why integrating visible farms into food halls can be more effective than hidden rooftop setups.

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Harvest London

Canary...

Russell introduces his hydroponics-themed Top Trumps card pack covering 32 pests, diseases and physiological issues, scored by damage, commonness, difficulty to treat and "bounce-back" ability. He outlines plans to print the cards, asks for feedback on entries, and notes podcast milestones and resources at eutrema.co.uk.

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Donald Trump

Melania Trump

Baron Trump

Chelsea physic garden

Kew gardens

Royal botanical gardens edinburgh

Brooklyn botanical gardens

RHS Wisley

RHS bridgewater

t...

Dr. Russell Sharp explains how stomata—tiny pores on leaves controlled by guard cells—regulate gas exchange and water loss, why their opening matters for photosynthesis, and how stomatal conductance is measured and used to assess plant stress.

He also shares a simple, practical method for growers: the clear nail varnish peel technique to capture leaf impressions and view stomata under a microscope, plus notes on measuring limitations and applications for hydroponic systems.

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Chelsea Flower Show

Monstera

Philodendron

Autof...

Dr. Russell Sharp explains hardwood cuttings for deciduous woody perennials, why they’re useful in autumn and winter, and how they’re easier and cheaper than softwood cuttings. He covers methods—using sand, perlite or a heated propagator, basal heat, rooting hormone, tips for hydroponic transfers, species that root well (willow, mulberry, hydrangea, dogwood), and how to avoid problems like pythium. Practical advice for propagating and transitioning cuttings into hydroponic systems.

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Dr. Russell Sharp reviews Lettuce Grow, a celebrity-backed company (founded in 2019) that sells stylish, kitchen-scale hydroponic stands and kits like the Farmstand. He covers design, multi-layer systems, recirculating pumps, and accessories aimed at home growers.

The episode discusses seedlings, fertilizers (A/B and one-part options), expected yields, pricing and usability for beginners, and why Lettuce Grow appeals as a direct-to-consumer, design-focused hydroponics brand.

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Dr. Russell Sharp explains how EC meters work, what they’re useful for and their key limitations — including temperature sensitivity, inability to distinguish ion types, and poor detection of many organic inputs like Liquid Gold (Gold Leaf).

Practical tips: always measure EC and pH in your actual water after adding the manufacturer’s recommended dose, flush runoff to prevent salt build‑up, and only use generic EC charts for standard mineral feeds — not for novel or organic fertilisers.

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In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp discusses an Israeli study showing that diindolemethane (DIM), a compound formed when we digest cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, can inhibit Streptococcus mutans growth and disrupt dental plaque.

The episode covers how DIM could be used in future oral-care products or encouraged through diet, touches on brassica benefits for soil and hydroponics, and notes related trade and supply updates affecting produce transport.

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Dr. Russell Sharp discusses manufacturing chitosan biofungicide and announces a lab breakthrough creating a biodegradable alternative to Osmocote, driven by concerns over microplastics and corporate practices.

The episode covers trials showing hemp matting outperforms coco coir for microgreens, a failed cardboard grow‑media test, resilient ebb-and-flood clay bead trials, and planning considerations for a hydroponic shipping container.

Additional notes include observations on Israeli agricultural land ownership, a European HGV driver shortage, an anecdote about Dr. Dre and 'chronic', and a promise to highlight positive hydroponic work from Israel in a future episode.

https://eu...

Dr. Russell Sharp examines Liebig’s Law of the Minimum and explains why the simple barrel analogy can mislead hydroponic growers. He highlights interacting nutrients, dynamic environmental changes, physiological adaptation, thresholds and non-linear responses.

The episode explores alternative frameworks—Shelford’s tolerance, multiple limitation hypotheses, dynamic system models and ecological stoichiometry—that better reflect real-world crop nutrition.

Practical takeaways: use Liebig’s law only as a teaching tool, avoid overfertilizing, and consider nutrient interactions and changing conditions when managing soilless systems.

Link to our Periodic Table of Plant Health: https://eutrema.co.uk/plant-heal...

Dr. Russell Sharp explores the forgotten technique of root pruning and how trimming roots helps control shoot vigour in both hydroponic and soil-grown plants.

The episode explains practical uses—bonsai, nursery stock, ornamental trees, and mother plants—container options like air pots, propagation tips with root cuttings, and precautions about pathogen risk.

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Dr. Russell Sharp explains root cuttings — what they are, which plants respond well (eg. sassafras, paulownia/foxglove trees, aralia, clematis, hops), and why they’re useful for removing pests or reverting mature plants to juvenile growth.

He also gives practical tips: when to plant vertically or horizontally, why you should avoid rooting hormones, risks like loss of variegation and reduced hardiness in the mother plant, and why root cuttings could be a game‑changer for hop propagation.

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Dr. Russell Sharp rips into the horticultural and agricultural press for ignoring major public-interest stories—accusing industry influence, highlighting ICL’s controversial products, the spread of microplastics from controlled-release fertilizers, and attempts to sell carcinogenic metal-based fertilizers.

The episode argues for tougher investigative journalism and promotes hydroponics as a cleaner, soil-free alternative; listeners are invited to share tips and reactions.

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This episode explores the pros and cons of introducing hydroponic systems in schools, highlighting educational benefits like hands-on science, engineering, chemistry and business learning, as well as practical challenges such as cost and staffing.

It also covers year-round growing, cross-curricular links, community partnerships, green walls and career pathways in ag‑tech and vertical farming.

https://eutrema.co.uk/plant-health-periodic-table-poster/

This episode explores plasma-activated water (PAW): how ionized gas (like lightning) can be used to create reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that supply plant-available nitrogen and act as a natural sanitizer for hydroponic systems.

We cover potential benefits (reduced synthetic nitrogen use, biofilm and pythium suppression, no toxic residue), practical approaches, current research and real-world trials, plus limitations such as dosing control, decay of reactive species, equipment costs and energy demands.

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This episode explains why ladybirds (ladybugs) are often poor biological control agents in hydroponic systems: adults tend to fly away, larvae may not eat aphids effectively or can die, they can clog filters, and invasive or disease issues can arise.

Alternatives are discussed, including lacewings, predatory mites (which can be sustained with pollen), parasitoid wasps, entomopathogenic fungi, and other IPM strategies, plus considerations about cost, availability, and storage.

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Dr. Russell Sharp investigates whether mushrooms can be grown without soil—covering liquid mycelium cultures, industrial mycelium bioreactors, and the limits of inert hydroponic media like rockwool. He explains that mycelium can be expanded in nutrient broths, but most mushrooms still need a solid organic substrate (straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds) to form fruiting bodies.

The episode also discusses pests (fungus gnats), contamination risks, practical starter options (oyster mushrooms on pasteurized straw), and emerging applications for liquid-grown mycelium such as alternative proteins and flavourings.

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Dr. Russell Sharp breaks down the three main types of surfactants (anionic, cationic, non‑ionic), how they’re used to re-wet hydrophobic grow media, and their roles as adjuvants and insecticidal soaps. He warns against sodium-based products like sodium lauryl sulfate and recommends sodium-free alternatives, highlighting Eutrema’s clay drainer, yucca extract, and non-sodium insecticidal soap.

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Dr. Russell Sharp tours Growy’s Amsterdam vertical farm, exploring their unique fermented starch acetate growing media, automated gutter system with robots for seeding, irrigation and harvest, and energy‑efficient features like water‑cooled LEDs and heat recovery.

The episode covers production figures (60 kg/m²/yr lettuce, 40 herbs, 35 microgreens), long shelf life, supply‑chain integration, crop challenges (spinach and basil), global expansion plans, and potential future mushroom projects.

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