Hydroponics Daily

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily, where Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the fascinating world of extra floral nectaries. Discover the botanical wonders of these small but mighty glands that secrete sugar-rich nectar and play a crucial role in plant defense and pest management. Learn how these glands, found on over 4,000 plant species including okra, sunflowers, and beans, attract beneficial insects like ants, ladybirds, and parasitic was...

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily, your ultimate guide to soilless cultivation, hosted by Dr. Russell Sharp. This episode dives into the fascinating world of gibberellins—plant hormones that play crucial roles in seed germination, stem elongation, flowering, and fruit development. Discover the history of gibberellins, from their early 20th-century discovery in Japan to their current applications in controlled environment agriculture. Le...

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp explores the fascinating world of Ferris wheel hydroponic systems, an innovation spearheaded by Dyson Farming in the UK. Known for their cutting-edge technology in household appliances, Dyson is now making waves in agriculture by integrating their engineering expertise into vertical farming. Discover how their Ferris wheel system is redefining strawberry cultivation, promising...

Welcome to an exciting joint podcast episode, hosted by Dr. Russell Sharp, featured on both Hydroponics Daily and Cereal Killers. This episode delves into the fascinating world of chelation, a crucial process for maintaining nutrient availability in plant cultivation, both in soilless and traditional farming.

Discover the intricacies of chelating micronutrients like iron, manganese, zinc, and copper, and the importance of choosing ...

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily, where we dive deep into the world of nanofertilizers in hydroponics. Join Dr. Russell Sharp as we explore the fascinating realm of particles sized from 1 to 100 nanometers and their potential to transform soilless cultivation.

This episode investigates how nanofertilizers enhance nutrient uptake efficiency, offering controlled release and greater root absorption. Discover the promising compounds like n...

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the innovative world of growing moss hydroponically, a fascinating crossover between plant biology and modern indoor farming techniques. Learn about the "Moss in Prisons" project, a unique initiative aimed at engaging prisoners in sustainable moss cultivation, offering insights into the slow growth of moss and its environmental significance.

Discover how moss, ofte...

In this episode Dr. Sharp explores the unusual topic of growing weeds — specifically black grass — using hydroponics.

Key Points:

• Why Grow Black Grass?

  • Black grass is the #1 arable weed in the UK, especially harmful to cereal crops like wheat and barley.

  • It’s resistant to herbicides and there are no GM crops in the UK to help control it.

  • Public is unaware of its impact because it doesn't affect home gardens — unlike...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Hydroponics Daily with your host, Dr. Russell Sharp. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of legumes and their potential in hydroponic systems. In this episode, we explore the complexities and benefits of growing peas, beans, and other legumes without soil. Discover how these crops are not only a source of plant-based protein but also a solution for sustainable agriculture and food se...

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp explores the exciting potential of growing potatoes without soil. With a focus on targeting listeners in Idaho, the world center for potato production, and North Dakota, the third-largest potato producer in the United States, Dr. Sharp delves into the benefits and challenges of cultivating potatoes hydroponically.

He explains the historical significance of potatoes, from the G...

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the controversial use of plastic foams as growing media in hydroponic systems. Despite their affordability, phenol formaldehyde resins come with significant environmental concerns, particularly their non-recyclability and potential to degrade into microplastics. Dr. Sharp weighs the pros and cons, comparing this material with more traditional options like cocoa and...

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp explores the controversial topic of flushing in hydroponic systems. With the sweltering UK heat as a backdrop, he delves into the reasons why growers from different backgrounds, from lettuce to legal cannabis, might choose to incorporate flushing in their practices.

Dr. Sharp explains what flushing entails: running nutrient-free water through the system to remove excess salts ...

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily! In this episode, we dive into the challenges of establishing seedlings in hydroponic systems. Explore various methods, from using mineral wool and volcanic rock to affordable DIY setups, ensuring efficient nutrient delivery and optimal growth conditions for a successful hydroponic garden. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and maximize your plant's potential in this informative session.

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In today's episode of Hydroponics Daily, host Dr. Russell Sharp dives into a controversial legal battle rocking the hydroponics world. Lighting giant Osram is making headlines for pursuing legal action not just against competitors but also against growers using LED products they believe infringe on their patents. This unexpected move has stirred significant debate and concern among the horticulture community.

The focus centers on O...

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the challenges posed by downy mildew, a common but often misunderstood threat to hydroponic growers. Downy mildew can devastate crops like lettuce, spinach, and legal cannabis, thriving in cool, humid conditions. Dr. Sharp explains how to identify this water mold, which presents as yellow spots on leaves, and provides practical advice on prevention and treatment. F...

Welcome to an intriguing episode of Hydroponics Daily, where we delve into the captivating world of plant chimeras. Inspired by Greek mythology, these unique plants combine genetic materials, like the head of a lion, body of a goat, and tail of a dragon, resulting in bizarre and picturesque botanical wonders.

Learn about the history, formation, and propagation of chimeras, including famous examples like Adam's Laburnum and Dallimor...

Welcome back to Hydroponics Daily! In this episode, we delve into the vital topic of pH in hydroponics, a subject surprisingly yet to be covered extensively in over 150 episodes. We explore the basics of pH, from the chemistry behind it to its pivotal role in nutrient availability for plants.

Discover the optimal pH range of 5.5 to 6.5 in hydroponics, where nutrients are most soluble, ensuring the health and growth of your plants. ...

Welcome to another episode of Hydroponics Daily, where Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the fascinating topic of plant variegation. Known for its unique and collectible appearance, variegation is a phenomenon cherished by houseplant enthusiasts but often shunned in outdoor gardening. In this episode, Dr. Sharp discusses the science behind variegation, including its genetic, viral, and environmental causes. He also explores the impact ...

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp delves deep into the world of root aphids, an often overlooked yet significant concern for hydroponic growers. Despite being poorly studied due to their subterranean nature, root aphids pose a unique challenge, particularly for legal cannabis cultivators in regions like Spain. Dr. Sharp explores their life cycle, why they are so difficult to diagnose and eradicate, and the imp...

Welcome back to Hydroponics Daily! In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of drones in hydroponics and horticulture, as showcased at Greentech Amsterdam. Discover how Corvus Drones and other innovators are redefining plant care with aerial technology, from monitoring germination rates to assessing environmental stress. Uncover the unexpected applications of drones, from security and greenhouse cleaning to disease detec...