Hydroponics Daily

Houseplants - care at home & opportunities for commercial cultivation

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily with Dr. Russell Sharp. In this episode, Dr. Sharp dives into the world of houseplants, offering valuable advice for everyone from beginners to experienced growers. Learn how to avoid the most common mistakes, such as overwatering, and discover tips for thriving houseplants even in winter. Dr. Sharp also discusses the fascinating world of rare and variegated houseplants and shares insights for those looking to cultivate houseplants commercially. Tune in for expert advice on nutrients, pest control, and creating optimal conditions for your indoor garden.
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Did IKEA's fail at hydroponics?

Welcome back to Hydroponics Daily with Dr. Russell Sharp, the inventor of Gold Leaf fertilizer. In today's episode, Dr. Sharp explores IKEA's foray into the world of hydroponics with their 2016 launch of hydroponic equipment, including the VÄXER unit. Despite high hopes for promoting home-grown vegetables, the venture was short-lived. Dr. Sharp shares personal experiences using IKEA's kits, highlighting their quality and affordability. While the hydroponic units brought unlikely customers into IKEA, questions remain about their ultimate success. Discover why Dr. Sharp wishes for a revival of these units and the potentially missed opportunity of incorporating Gold Leaf fertilizer.
 
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Sticky Solutions: the Science Behind Traps

In this insightful episode, Dr. Russell Sharp discusses the intricacies of pest control using various types of sticky traps. Discover how yellow traps play a pivotal role in attracting and controlling aphids and other flying pests due to their color, which signals plant sickness to these insects.
Dr. Sharp delves into the chemistry behind the stickiness, highlighting a particular substance known as polybutene, famous for being one of the stickiest synthetic compounds. Learn about the practical applications of these traps in greenhouses and the surprising difficulties faced during their manufacturing process.
The episode further expands on the use of different colored traps for diverse pests and explores fascinating innovations and setbacks in the development of new trapping technologies. Whether it's combating thrips with blue traps or monitoring wireworms and slugs in agricultural settings, Dr. Sharp illustrates the diverse applicability and challenges within the realm of pest trapping.
Listen in for expert insights and inventive strategies that make up this crucial aspect of pest management, a must-hear for anyone engaged in plant care or agriculture.
 
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Inlet Filters- The Unsung Hero of Hydroponics?

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily, where today's brief episode delves into the importance of inlet filters in your grow room. While outlet filters are commonly used to control odors, inlet filters play a crucial role in keeping out unwanted pests and some diseases. Discover why positioning your inlet ducting high can prevent pests that can't fly very high, and learn about the simple solution of using a mesh filter made from tights to block insects.
Moreover, explore how an inlet filter can prevent pest-transferred viruses from entering your grow room, ensuring a healthier environment for your plants. However, for spores, pollen, and mildew, more stringent measures might be necessary. Tune in for practical tips to maintain a pest-free hydroponic system and consider additional features for future-proofing your setup.
 
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How I invented Gold Leaf

Join Dr. Russell Sharp on "Hydroponics Daily" as he takes us through the fascinating journey of how he invented Gold Leaf, or Liquid Gold, revolutionizing the world of hydroponic fertilizers. This innovative product, developed out of sheer determination and serendipitous innovation, simplifies the growing process for beginners and experts alike by offering a comprehensive one-part fertilizer solution. Discover how Dr. Sharp overcame industry skepticism and numerous formulation challenges to create a highly concentrated, pH-perfect fertilizer that dechlorinates automatically and enhances plant growth with every essential nutrient. Learn about the unique properties of Gold Leaf that set it apart from conventional fertilizers and its rising popularity in the ever-evolving market. Whether you are an experienced grower or just starting, this episode reveals the remarkable story of persistence, science, and the drive to make a positive environmental impact with reduced plastic use.

Manipulating Sex in Plants

In this captivating episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp dives into the fascinating world of plant sexuality and how it can be manipulated for better crop production. As spring arrives, it's a busy time for hydroponic enthusiasts seeking the perfect fertilizer. Dr. Sharp shares his experiences with plant sex changes, discussing everything from cucumbers and pumpkins to cannabis. Discover the surprising effects of environmental factors, chemicals, and even electrocution on plants and learn about unique species like the bloody arum and the challenge of conserving rare cycads. With anecdotes from Dr. Sharp's research adventures in China and Northern California, this episode blends science with adventure for hydroponics enthusiasts worldwide.
 
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser

Plant Sexuality

On today's episode of Hydroponics Daily, join Dr. Russell Sharp as we delve into the captivating world of plant sexuality. Explore the evolutionary adaptations leading to male and female plants, and how these mechanisms prevent inbreeding depression. Discover the intriguing dynamics of dioecious and monoecious plants, and their significance in horticulture. Uncover the surprising connections between plant reproduction, pollination, and even horticultural practices involving drones and synthetic hormones. From hops to kiwis, and ginkgo to holly, learn about the diverse strategies plants use to thrive and the role of human intervention in cultivating specific outcomes. Tune in for an informative journey through the lens of hydroponics.
 
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Pollination: Beyond Bees and Flowers

Welcome back to another episode of Hydroponics Daily with Dr. Russell Sharp. Today's discussion centers around the intricate world of pollination, a subject rich with fascinating stories and vital for our understanding of plant reproduction. Dr. Sharp explains pollination as the simple transfer of pollen from the male to the female parts of flowers, emphasizing its role in the wider context of the plant kingdom.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Sharp dispels myths about the indispensability of bees, arguing that other animals like birds, moths, and even flies also play crucial roles in this process. He delves deeper into the various methods of pollination used by different crops, from self-pollinating tomatoes to apples that require cross-pollination and pollinizers.
This episode also explores intriguing facts about pollination, such as its impact on fruit quality and how some crops, like cucumbers and pineapples, actually benefit from avoiding this process altogether. Tune in to learn more about the quirks of pollination and its significance in agriculture and horticulture.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 

Growing Record Breaking Giant Vegetables

Join us in this exciting episode of Hydroponics Daily as we explore the world of giant vegetable growing. Discover the challenges and triumphs of cultivating oversized produce, such as potatoes, carrots, and pumpkins. Learn from personal experiences and gain insights into the methods and nutrients essential for success, including the use of hydroponic systems and sponsors' contributions. We also delve into the historical contexts from the UK and the US and highlight resources and competitions that nurture this intriguing horticultural hobby.

Decoding Sustainable Farming: Organic, Biodynamic, Vegan, and Beyond

Welcome back to Hydroponics Daily! In this episode, we dive into various environmentally friendly methods of cultivation and explore terms that often cause confusion. We discuss the principles of organic farming, highlighting differences between various regulatory standards globally. Learn about vegan fertilizers and the challenges they face in delivering essential macronutrients. We also demystify biodynamics, permaculture, and homeopathic fertilizers, addressing their practical implications and scientific criticisms.
Moreover, we examine regenerative and biorational agricultural practices, focusing on the restoration of soil health and the use of biology-friendly additives. Discover how regenerative methods are gaining traction in Europe and North America, and the nuances between organic and hydroponic crops in different regions. Tune in for an insightful discussion and feel free to share your thoughts or experiences, especially if you're from countries or states where we are seeking to grow our listener base.