Hydroponics Daily

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.

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

Ersatz crops

Tim Davie

 Deborah Turness

Samir Shah

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.

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

Wegovy (also semaglutide, approved for weight loss), Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide, a dual-action drug), and Saxenda (liraglutide)

Type 2 diabetes

Whoopi Goldberg, Charles Barkley, Amy Schumer, Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, and Elon Musk

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Yara  

Oslo

Jonas Gahr Støre

Erna Solberg 

Jens Stoltenberg

Erling Haaland

Martin Ødegaard

Ole Gunnar Solskjær

John Arne Riise

Svalbard

Agrinos

Nobel Prize

Jo Nesbø

Edvard Munch

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.

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

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.

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

Tony Blair

Sadiq Khan

Nigel Farage

Kemi Badenoch

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.

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

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.

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

Azalea

Camellia

Hydrangea

Skimmia

Pieris

Skimmia

Vaccinium

Hosta

Heuchera

Astilbe

Japanese Maple Acer palmatum acer japonicum

Leonardslee Lakes

Borde Hill Garden

Sheringham Park

Botanischer Garten Bremen

Alan Titchmarsh

Chris Beardshaw

Sarah Raven

Nigel Dunnett

Joe Lamp’l

Costa Georgiadis

Peter Cundall

Kazuyuki Ishihara

Frank Ferragine

Louis Benech

Capability Brown

Gertrude Jekyll

Vita Sackville-West

Christopher Lloyd

Chelsea Flower Show

Roy Lancaster

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.

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

Joe Swift

Home Grown

Marf’s Kitchen Garden

Nettles & Petals

Tales from the potting shed Adam kirtland

NPK Hydroponics

NPK Media

Kyle Kushman

Advanced Nutrients Big Mike Straumietis