Hydroponics Daily

Spring Onions and Hops: Revolutionizing Hydroponics in 2025

Welcome back to Hydroponics Daily. Join Dr. Russell Sharp, the inventor of liquid gold fertiliser, as he delves into the fascinating world of hydroponics and shares his focus for 2025. In this episode, Dr. Sharp unveils his plans to revolutionize the cultivation of spring onions and hops through innovative methods and cutting-edge biostimulants.
Discover how the unique chemistry of alliums can be enhanced with sulfur-rich fertilisers, and why spring onions may soon be a staple British crop grown hydroponically, eliminating the need for imports. Dr. Sharp also tackles common challenges like flaccid spring onions in the UK and offers solutions through advanced agricultural techniques.
Turning his attention to hops, Dr. Sharp shares the inspiring success story of a customer who became Hop Grower of the Year using their biostimulants. With plans to assist in propagation and optimize growing conditions, Dr. Sharp is on a mission to transform hop cultivation in the UK.
Tune in to learn more about these exciting projects and explore the promising future of hydroponics under Dr. Sharp's expertise.
 
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Reusing Growing Media

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the realm of reusing growing media. Discover the environmental and economic benefits of reusing substrates, the challenges posed by residual salts, and methods to lower electrical conductivity for healthy plant growth. Explore solutions for managing root-bound media and learn how worms and composting can transform old substrate into nutrient-rich soil. Highlighting the complexity of reusing synthetic media like rockwool, Dr. Sharp offers insights into sustainable practices and invites listeners to consider future innovations in growth media reuse.

Notching and Nicking - Mastering Plant Architecture

Welcome back to Hydroponics Daily with Dr. Russell Sharp! In this episode, we dive into the innovative techniques of notching and nicking, essential for hydroponic growers looking to optimize plant architecture. Discover how these methods can be a game-changer, especially for those cultivating auto-flowering varieties or plants where strategic growth direction is crucial.
By understanding and applying notching, you can control which branches grow and when, without sacrificing the apical bud. Learn how this approach avoids the drawbacks of traditional apical bud removal, ensuring your plants develop with increased branching opportunities and optimal exposure to light and air. Whether you're growing tomatoes or other sensitive crops, this episode is packed with insights on harnessing the power of auxin manipulation to maximize your garden's potential.
Join Dr. Sharp as he explores this modern gardening science, offering tips and tricks to transform your hydroponic setup into a flourishing, efficient paradise. Have you tried notching yet? Share your experiences and let us know how it worked for you!

Glasshouses / Greenhouses

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily with Dr. Russell Sharp as we delve into the fascinating world of glasshouses. Learn why these structures, often referred to as greenhouses, offer superior growing conditions compared to polytunnels due to their ability to better manage infrared and ultraviolet light.
Discover the advantages of controlling the environment with automated features like self-opening vents and lighting, which make glasshouses the most adaptable outdoor growing spaces. In this episode, Dr. Sharp shares insights into his own 30-year-old cedar glasshouse and explains the benefits of materials like aluminum and modern designs such as the Venlo glasshouses.
Understand how glasshouses extend the growing season and improve crop quality with added CO2 and precise heating methods. Whether using electrical heaters or innovative solutions like water-filled bottles for temperature regulation, the potential for optimized plant growth in a glasshouse is vast.

Ozone

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily with Dr. Russell Sharp, as we delve into the fascinating world of ozone—a double-edged sword in our environment. While the ozone layer high up in the stratosphere serves as our shield against harmful UV rays, its presence in the lower troposphere poses a significant threat to both human and plant health, especially in urban areas.
In this episode, Dr. Sharp discusses the unintended shift towards hydroponic farming following the ban on methyl bromide, a move that played a part in preserving the ozone layer. However, the challenges remain as urban ozone levels contribute to photochemical smog, impacting both plants and people. With insights ranging from historical figures like Margaret Thatcher to the ubiquitous yet resilient plant Buddlejia in the Doctor Who universe, Dr. Sharp sheds light on how some plants thrive despite ozone's adverse effects.
Join Dr. Sharp as he explores practical measures such as using activated charcoal filters to mitigate ozone's impact in grow rooms, particularly during warm, still urban conditions. Discover how certain plants exhibit remarkable tolerance to ozone, and learn about the innovative approaches in hydroponics that could shape our urban landscapes in the future.

Musk's involvement in hydroponics

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the intriguing involvement of Elon and Kimball Musk in the world of hydroponics. Discover how Elon's vision for Mars colonization includes underground hydroponic farming powered by solar energy, and learn about Kimball's significant contributions through his company, Square Roots.Explore the journey of Square Roots, from its inception in Brooklyn to its expansion efforts in Japan, and the challenges it faced along the way. The episode also discusses the concept of farming as a service and its implications for vertical farming and hydroponics. Additionally, uncover Kimball's collaboration with the Gates Foundation on cutting-edge research to grow crops in the dark using gene editing and acetate feedstocks.This exploration highlights the continuous innovation and dedication of the Musk brothers towards sustainable agriculture, both on Earth and potentially, on Mars.

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The Nagoya Protocol

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the Nagoya Protocol, a critical United Nations policy impacting environmental and genetic resource management. While it may sound like a thrilling spy novel, the protocol represents an effort in international legislation that mandates financial reinvestment to communities providing genetic materials, largely used by western corporations. Dr. Sharp discusses the real-world implications and challenges of implementing this policy, especially in relation to hydroponics, contrasting diverse international approaches and questioning its effectiveness in law enforcement.Through historical examples like the pharmaceutical use of Madagascan periwinkle, the episode illustrates the ethical considerations around equity and sustainability. Discover the complex dynamics between legislation and enforcement, and the ongoing discourse on fair compensation to original resource providers.

Salicylic Acid in Hydroponics

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the role of salicylic acid, a key plant hormone, in hydroponic systems. Originally extracted from willow, salicylic acid is crucial in plant defenses, helping to combat pests and pathogens. This naturally occurring compound, which can also be synthesized, activates systemic acquired resistance, making it a valuable ally for growers.Dr. Sharp explores the systemic nature of salicylic acid, highlighting its ability to move throughout the plant compared to other additives like seaweed extracts. He emphasizes its significance in managing viral threats to hydroponic crops and discusses its related compound, methyl salicylate, that mediates plant communication.Listeners are cautioned against using synthetic applications to treat existing viral infections, underscoring the importance of cleanliness and prevention. Additionally, salicylic acid's applications aren't limited to plant health; it's also prominent in skincare products.The episode concludes with insights into potential uses of salicylic acid to enhance flavor and resilience in crops, comparing its effects to known substances like aspirin. Dr. Sharp invites listeners to explore the possibilities of this versatile hormone further.

Vertical Farming

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily with Dr. Russell Sharp. In this episode, explore the innovative world of vertical farming—a method of growing crops hydroponically in stacked layers, ideal for large warehouses. Discover how LED lighting has enabled this agricultural revolution and learn about its key benefits and challenges. Dr. Sharp discusses the economic viability, automation, and pest control advantages of vertical farming, alongside recent industry trends and breakthroughs. Join the conversation and venture into the future of controlled environment horticulture.