Hydroponics Daily
Daily clips of hydroponic science throughout the whole of 2025 Presented by Dr Russell Sharp Brought to you by the team behind Gold Leaf - seed to harvest with just one bottle of feed.
Episodes
Dr. Russell Sharp exposes a growing problem of fake plant listings and AI-generated seed scams on Amazon and other marketplaces, showing how buyers are being misled by impossible varieties (like bright blue hostas) and foreign drop-shippers.
He explains how to protect yourself—check seller and nursery credentials, prefer reputable nurseries or local stores—and shares a real seed mix-up story to contrast honest mistakes with deliber...
Dr. Russell Sharp explains how melatonin — a molecule known for human sleep and stress regulation — is produced by plants and acts as a powerful antioxidant and growth regulator. In hydroponics it can enhance root growth, improve stress tolerance under high light or unstable conditions, delay leaf senescence, and support photosynthesis and secondary metabolite production.
Applied as a foliar spray, seed priming, or added to nutrien...
Host Dr. Russell Sharp tackles a Twitter claim that hydroponic crops lack micronutrients and are artificially flavoured, explaining why those assertions are incorrect and how micronutrient levels can be measured (e.g., atomic absorption spectroscopy).
He reviews research on manipulating flavor through nutrient levels, light, and biostimulants, notes the limited and mixed evidence, and concludes there is no solid proof of intentiona...
Dr. Russell Sharp examines a warning from the UK Urban AgriTech group that a planned 94% increase in electricity network standing charges from April 2026 could dramatically raise operating costs for vertical farms and greenhouses, risking business failures, reduced domestic produce and higher food prices.
The episode explains how horticulture is excluded from the energy-intensive industries exemption, compares UK energy costs with ...
In this episode we examine why carnivorous plants and bonsai often struggle in coco grow media — coco (coir) can contain high sodium and is frequently buffered with calcium nitrate, resulting in elevated calcium and nitrogen compared with peat.
The host suggests a fix: use raw high-sodium coco and flush it with Liquid Gypsum (calcium sulfate) to remove sodium without adding nitrogen, creating a peat-free grow medium suited to carni...
In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp explains how dosatrons work and compares practical alternatives for run‑to‑waste hydroponic systems, including Venturi injectors, electric metering pumps, and simple fertigation tanks. He outlines the pros and cons of each option — cost, accuracy, power needs, maintenance, and scale — and covers considerations about recirculation, environmental impact, and regulatory risk. Ideal for growers choosin...
Hello there, and welcome back to Hydroponics Daily, your go-to podcast for everything soilless cultivation. I am your host, Dr. Russell Sharp, the founder of Eutrema Limited, a company that makes truly unique fertilizers, biostimulants, and biopesticides that you won't find anywhere else. The technology is completely unique. And today, the topic of the podcast is what I would do if I was faced with a virus in my crop. Specifically ...
Dr. Russell Sharp explores the growing interest in perennial arable crops like Kernza, perennial rice and sorghum, explaining their environmental benefits, current commercial status, and the agronomic challenges they face.
The episode also discusses breeding and gene-editing opportunities to improve yield and resilience, and considers how perennial grains might fit into hydroponic and niche high-value markets.
Dr. Russell Sharp explains how Dosatrons (water-powered dosing pumps) mix concentrated fertilizer like Gold Leaf/Liquid Gold into fertigation systems, describing the piston-driven mechanism, proportional injection, and why it maintains a constant concentration despite flow changes.
The episode covers practical setup tips for off-grid hydroponics — solenoids, drippers, solar pumps, and how a Dosatron enables accurate, electricity-fr...
Dr. Russell Sharp of Hydroponics Daily breaks down the truth behind "cut-and-come-again" vegetables and viral social media hacks, explaining which crops genuinely regrow and which claims are misleading.
Learn which leafy herbs and greens can be harvested multiple times, why most bulky vegetables won’t produce a marketable second crop, and when starting fresh is a better option for consistent yields.
Dr. Russell Sharp explores advanced preservation methods for flower crops; from freeze-drying and glycerin sap replacement to citric acid treatments used for hops,cand how these techniques can create premium, display-ready products for shops, dispensaries, and e-commerce.
This episode offers practical ideas for ornamentals and specialty growers looking to add high-value, long-lasting products to their lineup.
Dr. Russell Sharp outlines the key 2026 dates affecting hydroponic growers (equinoxes, longest day) and recommends major trade shows and conferences worldwide — from IPM Essen and Fruit Logistica to Greentech Amsterdam, Indoor AgCon and MJBizCon.
He also highlights UK and crop-specific events, tips for timing indoor grows, and invites listeners to suggest other shows for an updated diary.
Dr. Russell Sharp discusses the struggle of the UK and European hydroponic sector, focusing on recent enforcement in the Netherlands over continuous in-line dosing of hydrogen peroxide. He explains why regulators flagged the practice, the science behind peroxide breakdown, and his frustration with overly rigid enforcement.
Russell also offers practical advice: avoid continuous peroxide dosing to protect roots and yields, keep syste...
Dr. Russell Sharp discusses e-commerce strategies for hydroponic businesses, advising against competing in commodity leafy greens and recommending niche, high‑value preserved products like freeze‑dried herbs, pickles, and gourmet fermented goods.
He outlines marketing channels (social ads, trade shows, brand storytelling), logistics considerations (cold chain vs preserved goods), alternatives like ornamentals and cut flowers, and c...
Dr. Russell Sharp explains why bootstrapping is the best route for many hydroponic ventures, emphasizing unique products, testing market demand, and protecting cash flow.
He warns against offering customer credit—suggesting pro forma payments and using strong order books to secure bank loans if scaling is needed—plus practical tips for long-term sustainability.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-ferti...
Dr. Russell Sharp breaks down how water is controlled in hydroponic systems: pressure‑regulated drippers set the flow rate, spikes only deliver the water, and solenoid valves control timing. He explains why pipe size matters little, how blockage and water hardness affect drippers, and why pH or RO water are common choices.
This short episode also previews dosing and fertigation meters to be covered next, and offers practical tips f...
Dr. Russell Sharp explores Egypt’s push into large-scale greenhouse and hydroponic production, driven in part by the military, and compares it to Morocco’s desalination-led expansion of fresh produce. The episode covers greenhouse construction, water supply challenges, berry and high-value crop ambitions, and how military involvement affects local agriculture and supply chains.
It examines implications for food security, competitio...
Dr. Russell Sharp explains why you should drastically reduce or stop fertilizing perennial crops during winter dormancy or cold storage. Plants take up little or no nutrients in cold conditions, and added nitrogen—especially ammonium—can convert to toxic nitrites that harm cellular respiration, photosynthesis and root health.
He recommends dialling fertiliser back to near zero during dormancy, avoiding ammonium-based formulations i...
In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp explores leasing and rental business models for hydroponic systems—ranging from small kitchen towers to commercial vertical farms—covering potential revenue streams, financing advantages, turnkey options for growers, and the practical risks involved.
He highlights examples from the industry, discusses who benefits from rentals, and invites listeners to share their experiences or case studies.
Dr. Russell Sharp of Utrema discusses a striking Facebook post—an AI image of rat droppings on an NFT lettuce system—and asks whether rodents are a real threat in hydroponics.
The episode covers the main risks rodents pose: disease transmission (salmonella, leptospirosis, hantavirus), contamination of recirculating fertigation solutions, crop damage, and quality/safety losses.
Practical control advice is offered using an integrated...
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