Hydroponics Daily

Fruit Attraction 2025: Hydroponics Discoveries and Industry Surprises

Dr. Russell Sharp reports from Fruit Attraction in Madrid, sharing key hydroponics and fresh-produce industry discoveries from the trade show.
Main takeaways: large distributors dominated the show with impressive stands, biostimulant firms remain small, and a noticeable presence of vegan and microbial fertiliser companies. Hydroponic systems and lighting were scarce compared to field-grown fruit technology.
Other notes include concerns about plastic-coated granular fertilisers and cobalt-containing products, interesting innovations such as microalgae biostimulants and a handheld fruit-ripeness scanner, and the underrepresentation of UK exhibitors.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Why Is West Virginia Missing from the Hydroponics Map?

Dr. Russell Sharp investigates why West Virginia seems to have low interest in hydroponics, examining factors like GDP, geography, cannabis laws, and local market access.
The episode highlights existing efforts — NASA-funded programs at West Virginia University, community college courses, Mocks Farm, and Blue Acre Aquaponics — and discusses grants, production methods, and opportunities for local growth.
https://eutrema.co.uk/claim-your-free-turf-brochure/

T6P: The Next Big Biostimulant?

Dr. Russell Sharp explores trehalose‑6‑phosphate (T6P) as an emerging biostimulant, its role in controlling sucrose signals, and the promising academic data—especially in wheat—showing yield and stress‑tolerance benefits.
The episode compares two commercial players (SugarRox and Unium), discusses intellectual property and market positioning, and considers the challenges of turning trial results into farmer adoption and profitable businesses.
https://eutrema.co.uk/category/biostimulants/

Growing Mistletoe Without Soil: The Strange 1991 Hydroculture Patent

Dr. Russell Sharp explores a curious 1991 patent by Gunther Mayer that claims mistletoe can be propagated in hydroponic baths using sap from host plants, noting the scant details (sap extraction, preservation, and CO2 use) and that the patent was later withdrawn.
The episode also touches on commercial parasitic crops like sandalwood, the challenges and potential of soilless cultivation, and invites listeners to share any experience growing parasitic plants hydroponically.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Glowing Soybeans and Bee Lifesavers: News Roundup

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, we discuss two notable agtech developments relevant to growers: InnerPlant's CropVoice—genetically engineered soybeans that light up when infected to provide early disease alerts—and GreenLight Bioscience's RNA-based treatment Noarroa, which targets varroa mites in honeybee colonies and offers extended protection. We explore implications for hydroponic and pollinated crops and point listeners to AgTech Digest for more industry news.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Endophytes: The Hidden Microbes Inside Plants

Dr. Russell Sharp explores endophytes—beneficial microbes that live inside plant tissues—explaining how they can boost stress tolerance, aid nutrient uptake, and protect against pests. He discusses notable companies, commercial challenges, safety concerns, and why endophyte products have seen mixed success in agriculture.
Listeners will learn about practical limitations for adoption, differences from other microbial products, and the economic and regulatory realities shaping the endophyte market.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Legal cannabis: Why it is not inevitable that outdoor cultivation will become the norm

Dr. Russell Sharp reacts to a LinkedIn post arguing for a return to outdoor soil-grown cannabis, and explains why hydroponics and controlled indoor cultivation remain vital. He discusses sticky trichomes attracting dust, the risk of pollen contamination (including deliberate male plants placed upwind), and the economic and quality implications for legal cannabis growers.
The episode weighs practical pros and cons of outdoor versus indoor growing, highlights real-world threats to crop integrity, and invites listener feedback on whether outdoor cultivation can truly replace soilless systems.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Banana Trunks to Grow Bags: The Future of Sustainable Hydroponic Media

Dr. Russell Sharp explores a new grow media made from banana plant trunks developed by Banana Bloom/Southeastern Fiber. The episode covers the material's hydrophilic re-wetting ability, durability, water-holding capacity, and potential as a mix with other media. Benefits include using an agricultural waste product, lower carbon footprint compared with cocoa, and reduced need for chemical processing. Dr. Sharp also clarifies this product is a growing media—not a fertilizer—and discusses practical uses and limitations for hydroponic systems.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Arsenic on the Menu: Is Your Rice Making You Sick?

Dr. Russell Sharp explores how arsenic gets into rice and some seaweeds, the health risks including cancer and developmental effects, and why levels vary by grain type and growing region.
He offers practical steps to reduce exposure—rinse and cook rice in excess water (about 6:1), prefer basmati/jasmine or alternative grains like quinoa and millet, and for hydroponic growers ensure good root aeration to limit heavy-metal uptake.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 

Enzymes on Plants. What the heck?

Dr. Russell Sharp investigates enzyme-based hydroponic products like Plagron's Green Sensation, questioning ingredient lists and the claim that sprayed enzymes break down plant cell walls.
He explains where enzymes are actually useful (breaking down dead roots and improving media nutrient availability), outlines stability limits (UV and temperature), suggests microbes or composting as better alternatives, and teases tomorrow's episode on arsenic in rice.
https://eutrema.co.uk/plant-health-periodic-table-poster/