Hydroponics Daily

Free Hydroponics Samples — Review on Apple Podcasts to Claim Yours

Dr. Russell Sharp invites listeners to Hydroponics Daily to get a free sample in exchange for an Apple Podcasts review — just screenshot your review and email it to him to claim a product.
Available samples include humic acid concentrate, dechlorinator, Sticky Fingers cleaner and Clear Mist humidifier treatment; international listeners can still participate with shipping arranged when the host visits their country. Short-term offer; terms may apply.
https://eutrema.co.uk/

Growing Crops on Mars: Hydroponics Beyond Earth

In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp explores the practical science of growing crops on Mars — water sources and site choices, lighting and power options, and why indoor, LED‑lit hydroponics (NFT, aeroponics) is most likely.
He examines Martian regolith as a potential grow medium (nutrient content, perchlorates and removal methods), atmospheric challenges, closed‑loop recycling, automation and 3D‑printed systems.
The episode closes with priority crop choices (potatoes, leafy greens, microgreens, herbs), psychological needs for colonists, and the importance of robust, fail‑safe farm design for long‑term habitation.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Beat the Bloom: Practical Algae Control for Hydroponic Reservoirs

Dr. Russell Sharp of Eutrema Limited breaks down why algae is a problem in hydroponic and greenhouse reservoirs—how it competes for nutrients and oxygen, clogs lines, and risks crop and food-safety issues. He compares small-scale cleaning methods with the challenges of large-volume systems.
The episode outlines chemical sterilisation options (hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, chlorine dioxide), what to avoid (copper, bleach, quats), and non-chemical solutions like ultrasound, UV/ozone and Eutrema’s chitosan flocculant for removing algal biomass. 
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/pesticides-organic/chitosan-biofungicide/

Who’s Steering Hawthorne? The Mysterious Buyout of Scotts’ Hydroponics Empire

This episode of Hydroponics Daily unpacks the rise of Hawthorne Horticulture, a Scotts Miracle-Gro subsidiary (Hagedorn family) that bought major hydroponic brands like Gavita, General Hydroponics and Botanicare, and the controversies that followed.
We explore post-lockdown decline, Scotts’ strategy to move Hawthorne off its balance sheet into an opaque independent partner (now Hawthorne Collective), questions about who now runs it, legal disputes around lighting, environmental concerns, and what this means for the hydroponics industry.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/organic-fertilisers/seaweed-extract-cold-processed/

Belgium's Hydroponic Leek Leap: 3,000 m² Farm in Ypres

Dr. Russell Sharp explores a new 3,000 m² commercial hydroponic leek facility in Ypres, Belgium, developed by Agro Reo, Hydromasters and Endura with VLEA and EU support.
The outdoor deep-water system promises faster cycles, reduced soil-borne disease, closed-loop water and automated harvesting, enabling soil-free exports and competition with traditional field-grown leeks.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/biostimulants/sea-silica-silicon-fertiliser/

Game-Changer for Growers? Nordetect’s Handheld Nutrient Tester

Dr. Russell Sharp reviews Nordetect’s upcoming handheld tester that measures nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur in fertigation streams using a patented agrochip plus spectrophotometry, delivering lab-level results in about three minutes instead of days.
https://www.nordetect.com/
The episode explains how the device could enable real-time nutrient monitoring, integrate with specialist software, help growers verify fertilizer claims, and potentially expose diluted or mislabelled products; it is not yet on sale but personalised demos are available.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/organic-fertilisers/seaweed-extract-cold-processed/

When Automation Fails: Heatwave Scorches Greenhouse Grapes & Orchids

Dr. Russell Sharp discusses how environmental automation can help grow rooms and greenhouses — and what happens when it breaks. He recounts a Dutch grape nursery where vent failures during a heatwave pushed temperatures over 50°C (122°F), ruining about 95% of the harvest, and an orchid grower who lost roughly 75% of his crop after a power outage disabled vents and shade systems.
The episode underlines the need for fail-safes, backup power, and contingency planning for automated systems, and notes the human and financial toll on growers, as well as potential mitigation steps like alternative revenue streams and resilient infrastructure.

Bee UNFRIENDLY Plants: when flowers turn toxic

Dr. Russell Sharp explores the surprising world of bee-unfriendly plants — species whose nectar or flower structure can harm bees or taint honey. Examples discussed include rhododendron and Kalmier (gravinotoxin), the strawberry tree (arbutin), tulips and lime (toxic sugars), nicotine-laced tobacco, and double/ornamental flowers that block pollinators.
The episode also considers theories for why plants produce toxic nectar (defense, limiting nectar intake, or intoxicating pollinators) and highlights wind-pollinated and ancient beetle-pollinated plants that offer little to bees.
Takeaway: if you want to protect pollinators or honey quality, be mindful of what you plant and prioritize diverse, bee-friendly species — and remember native wild bees matter too.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/organic-fertilisers/seaweed-extract-cold-processed/

Live Births in Plants: The Strange Science of Vivipary

Dr. Russell Sharp explains vivipary, a rare form of plant propagation where seeds germinate while still attached to the parent plant, producing plantlets that drop off ready to grow.
The episode covers causes (low ABA/high moisture), examples (mangroves, Kalanchoe, alliums, carnivorous plants, tomatoes, cannabis), differences from false vivipary, and practical implications for hydroponic growers.
 
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/organic-fertilisers/seaweed-extract-cold-processed/

Sea Urchin Biostimulants: A New Trend for Hydroponics?

Dr. Russell Sharp explores recent research into biostimulants made from sea urchins—created to reduce urchin overpopulation in kelp forests and potentially used in hydroponics.
The episode compares sea urchin products to traditional seaweed extracts, discusses variable growth results (lettuce trials), sustainability and regulatory concerns, and concludes seaweed extracts currently outperform sea urchin biostimulants for plant growth.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/organic-fertilisers/seaweed-extract-cold-processed/