Hydroponics Daily

Dr. Russell Sharp explains how to keep hydroponic solutions pH-stable, the role of balanced nitrates and ammonium, and how chemical buffers prevent pH swings.

The episode also covers other pH drivers, including microbial activity, sugary additives, water hardness and plant exudates, and offers practical tips for consistent fertigation management.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Howard M. Resh – CuisinArt Hydroponic Farm

Neil Willey – University of the West of England, Bristol

Chungui Lu – Anglia Ruskin University

Tony Ryan – University of Sheffield

Eleni Stavrinidou – Linköping University

Desire Djidonou – Texas A&M University–Commerce

Genhua Niu – Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Shuyang Zhen – Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Omar Almaghrabi – Plant Factory Cornwall

Paul Myers – Farm Urban

Jens Thomas – Farm Urban

Irving Fain – Bowery Farming

Stuart Oda – Alesca Life

Kimbal Musk – Square Roots

Tobias Peggs – Square Roots

Sriram Gopal – Future Farms

Tristan Fischer – Fischer Farms

Gary Grinspan – Future Crops

Adam Dixon – Phytoponics

Louis Belloin – Techponics

Vivek Raj – Panama Group

Kevin Jakiela – Just Vertical

Robert Carlson – Growspace Farm

Gary Lazarski – MightyVine

Geoffrey Smith – Growponics

Ryan Chappell – Alien Hydroponics

Vijwal Vas – Green Monkey Farms

Calvin Aranha – Krop AI

Dara Govand Sherwani – Cihan University – Erbil

Ted Caplow – New York Sun Works

Alex Fisher – Saturn Bioponics

David Rosenberg – AeroFarms

Arama Kukutai – Plenty

Viraj Puri – Gotham Greens

Eric Haley – Gotham Greens

Kate Hofman – GrowUp Farms

Mike Hedges – GrowUp Farms

Erez Galonska – Infarm

Osnat Michaeli – Infarm

Guy Galonska – Infarm

Brad McNamara – Freight Farms

Jon Friedman – Freight Farms

Taisiya Jacobson – Pure Greens

Robert Colangelo – Green Sense Farms

Paul Sellew – Little Leaf Farms

Neil Mattson – Cornell University Controlled Environment Agriculture

A.J. Both – Rutgers University

Murat Kacira – University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center

Chieri Kubota – The Ohio State University Controlled Environment Agriculture

Mark Lefsrud – McGill University

Erik Runkle – Michigan State University

Roberto Lopez – Michigan State University

Ricardo Hernández – North Carolina State University

Gene Giacomelli – University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center

Lingying Zhao – The Ohio State University

Noah Langenfeld – Utah State University Crop Physiology Laboratory

Jacob Nickles – University of Sheffield

Dylan Gwynn-Jones – Aberystwyth University

John Doonan – National Plant Phenomics Centre

Mark Kroggel – The Ohio State University

Satoru Tsukagoshi – Chiba University

Toyoki Kozai – Japan Plant Factory Association

Henry Gordon-Smith – Agritecture

Rob Laing – Farm.One

Steven Dring – Growing Underground

Richard Ballard – Growing Underground

Michael DeGiglio – Village Farms International

Casey Houweling – Houweling’s Tomatoes

Eddy Badrina – Eden Green Technology

Eric Lang – ZipGrow

Eric Bergeron – ZipGrow

Alex Tyink – Fork Farms

Nona Yehia – Vertical Harvest

Caroline Croft Estay – Vertical Harvest

Penny McBride – Vertical Harvest

Jonathan Webb – AppHarvest

Mike Zelkind – 80 Acres Farms

Tisha Livingston – 80 Acres Farms

David Farquhar – Intelligent Growth Solutions

Bruce Bugbee – Utah State University Crop Physiology Lab

Nate Storey – Plenty

Caleb Harper – MIT Media Lab Open Agriculture Initiative

Eri Hayashi – Japan Plant Factory Association

Sonia Lo – Crop One Holdings

Paul Lightfoot – BrightFarms

Leo F.M. Marcelis – Wageningen University & Research

Eiji Goto – Chiba University

Na Lu – Chiba University

Michiko Takagaki – Chiba University

Shigeharu Shimamura – Mirai Co.

Don Taylor – AmplifiedAg

Ellen Van de Velde – Ghent University

Andrew Hare – Vertical Roots

Matt Daniels – Vertical Roots

Maarten Vandecruys – Urban Crop Solutions

Tom Debusschere – Urban Crop Solutions

Milan Kluko – Green Spirit Farms

Bill Toler – Hydrofarm

John Lindeman – Hydrofarm

Jean-Pierre Coene – Urban Crop Solutions

Dr. Russell Sharp explores how the weight of hydroponic systems affects portability, stability, thermal buffering and practical uses—from classrooms and balconies to cruise ships and space missions.

He compares lightweight NFT setups (easy to move, low structural load) with heavy DWC reservoirs (thermal stability, theft resistance, backup water) and offers examples to help growers decide which approach fits their situation.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Carnival Corporation & plc

Royal Caribbean Group

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH)

MSC Group (MSC Cruises)

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (Disney Cruise Line)

Genting Hong Kong (defunct but previously major)

Virgin Voyages (Virgin Group / Bain Capital)

TUI Group

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Saga Cruises

Viking Cruises

Azamara (Sycamore Partners)

Celestyal Cruises

P&O Ferries / P&O Cruises Australia (various ownership historically)

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (Marriott International)

Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC)

Marella Cruises (TUI Group)

Star Clippers

Ponant (Artémis Group)

Silversea Cruises (owned by Royal Caribbean Group)

Seabourn (Carnival Corporation)

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (NCLH)

Oceania Cruises (NCLH)

Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Royal Caribbean International

Celebrity Cruises

Silversea Cruises

TUI Cruises (joint venture)

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (via TUI JV)Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

Princess Cruises

Holland America Line

Seabourn

Cunard Line

Costa Cruises

AIDA Cruises

P&O Cruises (UK)

P&O Cruises Australia

MSC Cruises

Explora Journeys

Disney Cruise Line

Viking Cruises

Virgin Voyages

Azamara

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Saga Cruises

Marella Cruises

Celestyal Cruises

Ponant

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Star Clippers

Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC

Dr. Russell Sharp of Hydroponics Daily explores how fast food chains, from McDonald’s to Subway and Taco Bell, consume enormous volumes of fresh produce and the opportunities this creates for hydroponic growers.

The episode covers surprising consumption figures, examples of high-demand chains, tips on targeting alternative buyers beyond supermarkets, and a note on Eutrema Ltd’s expansion to sell fertilisers directly in Ireland.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

McDonald’s – Richard McDonald, Maurice McDonald

Burger King – Keith J. Kramer, Matthew Burns

KFC – Harland Colonel Sanders

Subway – Fred DeLuca, Peter Buck

Domino’s Pizza – Tom Monaghan, James Monaghan

Pizza Hut – Dan Carney, Frank Carney

Taco Bell – Glen Bell

Wendy’s – Dave Thomas

Starbucks – Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, Gordon Bowker

Dunkin’ – William Rosenberg

Popeyes – Al Copeland

Chick-fil-A – S. Truett Cathy

Chipotle Mexican Grill – Steve Ells

Five Guys – Jerry Murrell, Janie Murrell

Dairy Queen – John Fremont McCullough, Alex McCullough, Sherb Noble

Jack in the Box – Robert O. Peterson

Carl’s Jr. / Hardee’s – Carl Karcher (Carl’s Jr.), Wilber Hardee (Hardee’s)

Little Caesars – Mike Ilitch, Marian Ilitch

Papa John’s – John Schnatter

Tim Hortons – Tim Horton, Ron Joyce

A&W – Roy W. Allen, Frank Wright

Jimmy John’s – Jimmy John Liautaud

Panera Bread – Ronald M. Shaich, Louis Kane, Ken Rosenthal

Sonic Drive-In – Troy N. Smith Sr.

In-N-Out Burger – Harry Snyder, Esther Snyder

Culver’s – George Culver, Ruth Culver, Craig Culver

Wingstop – Antonio Swad, Bernadette Fiaschetti

Shake Shack – Danny Meyer

Nando’s – Fernando Duarte, Robert Brozin

Pret A Manger – Jeffrey Hyman; Julian Metcalfe, Sinclair Beecham

Greggs – John Gregg

Wagamama – Alan Yau

Costa Coffee – Bruno Costa, Sergio Costa

Hungry Jack’s – Jack Cowin

Red Rooster – Peter Kailis, Theo Kailis

Oporto – António (Antonio) Cerqueira

Grill’d – Simon Crowe

Guzman y Gomez – Steven Marks, Robert Hazan

Zambrero – Sam Prince

Lord of the Fries – Mark Koronczyk, Amanda Leigh Walker

Jollibee – Tony Tan Caktiong

Leon – John Vincent, Henry Dimbleby, Allegra McEvedy

Vapiano – Kent Hahne, Gregor Gerlach, Klaus Rader, Mark Korzilius

Telepizza – Leopoldo Fernández Pujals

Nordsee – Adolf Vinnen

MOS Burger – Satoshi Sakurada

Boost Juice – Janine Allis

Muffin Break – Bob Nelson

Pie Face – Wayne Homschek, Betty Fong

Hell Pizza – Warren Powell, Callum Davies, Stuart McMullin

Dr. Russell Sharp makes the case for bootstrapping hydroponic businesses instead of taking big external investment, arguing that self-funding preserves control, motivation, creativity and long-term sustainability.

He explains how serendipitous innovation, family-owned advantages, and low-cost organic marketing let smaller operations grow responsibly and adaptively, offering practical examples and encouraging listeners to consider independent, profit-driven paths to scale.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Dave Chen

Rory Sutherland Ogilvy 

Gantt Charts

Dragon's Den

Shark Tank

Listing on Stock Market PLC

Alan Sugar The Apprentice 

Adam Neumann WeWork

Elizabeth Holmes

Steve Jobs

Paul Graham Y Combinator 

Warren Buffett

Peter Thiel 

Dr. Russell Sharp breaks down a candid interview with Equilibrium Capital's Dave Chen on the challenges of financing and scaling controlled environment agriculture (CEA). He covers why large capital requirements, post‑COVID funding shifts, and supermarket relationships make leafy‑green CEA a high‑risk, high‑scale business.

The episode also explores niche crop opportunities, the power of cooperatives and branding, and the "holy trinity" of operator, grower and retail partner needed to succeed — plus how Eutrema can help with fertilisers and biostimulants for CEA growers.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Little Leaf, Revol Greens, and Perfection Fresh

Hortidaily

Horticulture Week

Dr. Russell Sharp explains how to use store-bought seeds, rhizomes and tubers—like spelt, mung beans, turmeric, ginger, galangal, sweet potatoes and more—as propagation material for hydroponic crops and microgreens.

He covers practical tips (avoid roasted seeds, look for buds, and watch for disease risks), nutrient considerations for rhizomes, and money-saving business ideas such as producing sweet potato slips.

The episode balances low-cost DIY propagation techniques with cautions about viruses, aflatoxins and when to prefer certified seed stock.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Jamaican Sprinters

Chinese Yams

Sweet Potato

Taro

Eddoe

Turmeric

Ginger

Dr. Russell Sharp explores recent research showing that hyperspectral leaf scans combined with machine learning can predict cannabinoid concentrations in legal cannabis before harvest, and outlines a new technique that could let standard smartphone cameras act like hyperspectral sensors using a reference card and software.

The episode covers practical applications for growers and breeders; from pre‑selling crops and ensuring hemp THC compliance to rapidly screening seedlings, and considers how these tools could be brought together in a future smartphone app.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/biostimulants/slugger/

Compolytics

fan leaf hyperspectral reflectance (FLHR)

University of Adelaide's Dr Aaron Phillips

Purdue University researcher Young Kim

Semin Kwon of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering 

James Hutton Institute Dundee

Dr. Russell Sharp explores how widespread use of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs (soon available orally) could reduce overall calorie intake and shift demand across crop types. He outlines the likely big losers (corn/maize, soybeans, sugar, palm oil) and relative winners (pulses, fibre‑rich fruits and vegetables, premium proteins), as well as crops likely to remain stable (rice, wheat, tubers) and non‑food crops largely unaffected.

The episode discusses implications for hydroponics and horticulture, potential changes in the food and leisure industries, and cautions about drug side effects and broader societal impacts.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Liraglutide Victoza,  Saxenda 

Semaglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy

Robbie Williams, Greggs the baker, McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Chick-fil-a, chipotle, beyond meat, impossible foods, subway, waitrose, tesco, sainsbury's, asda, aldi, lidl, hyrox, crossfit, turf games, park run, personal trainers, david lloyd gyms, jd sports, jd gyms, virgin active, vitality insurance, 

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.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Iker Casillas, lamine yamal, 

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.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Ice cream

Custard

Madagascar

Indonesia

Nepal

India