Hydroponics Daily

Hydroponics on Display: 8 Botanical Gardens to Visit

Dr. Russell Sharp tours botanical gardens around the world that feature hydroponic and aquaponic displays, from Pittsburgh and Dallas to Bethlehem, Malaysia, Dresden, Baghdad, and Irkutsk.
The episode highlights these sites as educational and STEM-focused exhibits, emphasizes hydroponics' water-saving benefits, and invites listeners to suggest other gardens for future episodes.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Richard Deverell
New York Botanical Garden – Jennifer Bernstein
Missouri Botanical Garden – Lúcia G. Lohmann
Singapore Botanic Gardens – Tan Puay Yok
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Simon Milne
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria – Chris Russell
Chicago Botanic Garden – Jean M. Franczyk
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden – Carl E. Lewis
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – Werner Voigt
Atlanta Botanical Garden – Mary Pat Matheson
Longwood Gardens – Paul B. Redman
Brooklyn Botanical Garden – Adrian Benepe
United States Botanic Garden – Saharah Moon Chapotin
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens – Karen R. Lawrence
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney – Denise Ora
Auckland Botanic Gardens – Jack Hobbs
UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley – Lew Feldman
UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden – Kathleen Socolofsky
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University – William (Ned) Friedman
Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania – Bill Cullina
Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix) – Ken Schutz
San Diego Botanic Garden – Ari Novy
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens – Gretchen Ostherr
Norfolk Botanical Garden – Michael Desplaines
Montgomery Botanical Center – Patrick Griffith
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens – Richard V. Piacentini
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden – Sabina Carr
Queens Botanical Garden – Evie Hantzopoulos
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden – Brian Trader
Holden Forests & Gardens (Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden) – Jill Koski
Naples Botanical Garden – Donna McGinnis
University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum – Simon Hiscock
Cambridge University Botanic Garden – Beverley Glover
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – Jennifer Rominiecki
Jardin botanique de Montréal – Anne Charpentier

Cardoon: The High‑Value Hydroponic Crop Michelin Chefs Crave

Dr Russell Sharp of Hydroponics Daily explores cardoon, a giant thistle related to globe artichoke, as a lucrative hydroponic crop ideal for small to medium grow rooms and a strong alternative to cannabis.
He outlines the crop’s fast growth and large biomass, year‑round production potential under controlled conditions, easy propagation from rhizomes, and culinary demand from Lyonnaise and Michelin‑star kitchens. He also touches on pests to watch for and practical benefits of soilless cultivation.
The episode includes practical cultivation notes and mentions Utrema’s fertilizers, biostimulants and biopesticides suited to cardoon production, plus a reminder to follow and review the podcast.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Mère Brazier – Mathieu Viannay
Takao Takano – Takao Takano
Le Neuvième Art – Christophe Roure
Ombellule – Tabata Mey & Ludovic Mey
Les Terrasses de Lyon – John Léon
L’Atelier des Augustins – Nicolas Guilloton
Prairial – Gaëtan Gentil
Au 14 Février (Vieux Lyon) – Tsuyoshi Arai
Têtedoie – Christian Têtedoie
Burgundy by Matthieu – Matthieu Girardon
Miraflores – Carlos Camino
Rustique – Maxime Laurenson
Michael Straumietis – Advanced Nutrients
Lawrence Brooke – General Hydroponics
William Texier – Terra Aquatica
Noucetta Kehdi – Terra Aquatica
William Van De Zwaan – House & Garden Nutrients
Remo Colasanti – Remo Nutrients
Sandra Colasanti – Remo Nutrients
Steven Betts – GreenPlanet Nutrients
Justin Cooper – GreenPlanet Nutrients
Jay Jackson – Advanced Hydroponics of Holland
Treg Bradley – Botanicare
Stuart Dvorin – Hydrofarm
Bill Toler – Hydrofarm
John Lindemann – Hydrofarm
Giles Gunstone – Growth Technology
Greg Jarvis – Bluelab
Jono Jones – Bluelab
Jason Ralph-Smith – AutoPot Watering Systems
Daniel Wilson – Current Culture H2O
Kip Andersen – SuperCloset
Eric Lang – ZipGrow
Nate Storey – Bright Agrotech
Kevin Jakiela – Just Vertical
Conner Tidd – Just Vertical
Ryan Chappell – Alien Hydroponics
Louis Belloin – Techponics
Adam Dixon – Phytoponics
Luke Parkin – Phytoponics
David Schmidmayr – Plagron Nutrients
Jetze De Raad – Biobizz
Luis Pinheiro – Biobizz
Robert Higgins – Emerald Harvest
Sharon Higgins – Emerald Harvest
David Pratt – Emerald Harvest
Gareth Hopcroft – Ecothrive
Noah Miller – Black Dog LED
Dima Chernobylski – GrowDirector
Taisiya Jacobson – Pure Greens
James Fleet – Bloemteknik
Ted Tanner – Growlink
David Holmes – Growlink
Idan Avitan – Growee Controls
Willy Winer – FoxFarm
Jair Velleman – Gavita
Jonathan Edwards – BudBox
Erik H. – Secret Jardin
Mike Kuma – Mills Nutrients
Steve Webb – Plant Magic
John Molyneux – Nutriculture
Mike Biggs – CX Horticulture
Kevin Richardson – Organic Plant Magic
Tony – Hydrotops
Steve Palmer – Bio Diesel Nutrients
Mandy Jarvis – Bluelab
Christian Long – Current Culture H2O
Cheryl Wilson – Current Culture H2O
Callie Seaman – Shogun Fertilisers
Matej – Shogun Fertilisers
Mark Benson – Plant Magic
John Smith – Hydroeden
Fran – Fran’s Hydroponics
Ian – Critical Mass Systems
Colin – Critical Mass Systems
John Ramsey – Biobizz

HACK! Grow Your Own Predatory Mites: Slash Your Pest Control Costs

Dr. Russell Sharp shares a practical hack to dramatically reduce pesticide and biocontrol costs by culturing predatory mites on bran or pollen. This method lets growers seed a small container with purchased predatory mites, grow their prey mites on a feedstock, and maintain a self-sustaining predatory population to protect crops.
Key steps and precautions: buy untreated bran from an animal feed store, seed a small sealed container with purchased mites, keep warm with slight moisture, rotate harvests (use ~80% for release, keep ~20% to restart), and avoid storing bran near human food or large open volumes to prevent infestations. Works for leaf and soil predators and can be scaled from houseplants to large farms.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/pesticides-organic/lime-sulphur/
Roland De Jonghe – Biobest Group
Silvia Todorova – Anatis Bioprotection
Claude Robert – Anatis Bioprotection
Don Elliott – Applied Bio-nomics
Brian Spencer – Applied Bio-nomics
José Vanzeler de Melo – Agronologica
Patrick Charlot – Bioline AgroSciences
David Ben-Zvi – BioBee Sde Eliyahu
Moshe Sagiv – BioBee Sde Eliyahu
Arnold Yasin – BioBee Sde Eliyahu
Octávio Peres Neto – Biotrop
Fábio Passos – Biotrop
Fernando Reis – Biotrop
Keith Jones – Certis Biologicals
Robert G. Bouseman – Certis Biologicals
Nicolas Gombault – M2i Life Sciences
Philippe Guerret – M2i Life Sciences
Marc Guillon – M2i Life Sciences
Ted C. Jones – BioWorks
Lorin R. Buhle Jr. – BioWorks
Peter Quiring – A&L Biologicals
Adrian Van Wyk – Real IPM Kenya
Louise Labuschagne – Real IPM Kenya
Paulo J. Freitas – Bug Agentes Biológicos
Ruy F. Sampaio – Bug Agentes Biológicos
Eric Johnson – Beneficial Insectary
Doug Morrison – Beneficial Insectary
Bill Grant – Rincon-Vitova Insectaries
Patricia H. Hunt – Rincon-Vitova Insectaries
Andreas Zimmermann – Andermatt Biocontrol
Martin Andermatt – Andermatt Biovet
Klaus Wyss – Biotop
Axel Decourtye – Biotop
Hans Peter Naef – Biohelp
Jürgen Schmutterer – Biohelp
Marcelo Poletti – Promip
Ricardo Machione – Promip
Ricardo Madureira – Koppert Biological Systems Brazil
Fernando de Oliveira – Koppert Biological Systems Brazil
Ken Ricker – Natural Insect Control
Jim Bruce – Natural Insect Control
Gavin F. Copping – Biological Services
John Fien – Biological Services
Mark Brownbridge – BioFungitek
Phil Garrity – BioFungitek
Christian Koch – E-nema
Ralf-Udo Ehlers – E-nema
Ravi K. Starzl – AEF Global
Robert Masella – AEF Global
Shachar Zehavi – Groundwork BioAg

The science behind pH perfect hydroponic solutions

Dr. Russell Sharp explains how to keep hydroponic solutions pH-stable, the role of balanced nitrates and ammonium, and how chemical buffers prevent pH swings.
The episode also covers other pH drivers, including microbial activity, sugary additives, water hardness and plant exudates, and offers practical tips for consistent fertigation management.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
Howard M. Resh – CuisinArt Hydroponic Farm
Neil Willey – University of the West of England, Bristol
Chungui Lu – Anglia Ruskin University
Tony Ryan – University of Sheffield
Eleni Stavrinidou – Linköping University
Desire Djidonou – Texas A&M University–Commerce
Genhua Niu – Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Shuyang Zhen – Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Omar Almaghrabi – Plant Factory Cornwall
Paul Myers – Farm Urban
Jens Thomas – Farm Urban
Irving Fain – Bowery Farming
Stuart Oda – Alesca Life
Kimbal Musk – Square Roots
Tobias Peggs – Square Roots
Sriram Gopal – Future Farms
Tristan Fischer – Fischer Farms
Gary Grinspan – Future Crops
Adam Dixon – Phytoponics
Louis Belloin – Techponics
Vivek Raj – Panama Group
Kevin Jakiela – Just Vertical
Robert Carlson – Growspace Farm
Gary Lazarski – MightyVine
Geoffrey Smith – Growponics
Ryan Chappell – Alien Hydroponics
Vijwal Vas – Green Monkey Farms
Calvin Aranha – Krop AI
Dara Govand Sherwani – Cihan University – Erbil
Ted Caplow – New York Sun Works
Alex Fisher – Saturn Bioponics
David Rosenberg – AeroFarms
Arama Kukutai – Plenty
Viraj Puri – Gotham Greens
Eric Haley – Gotham Greens
Kate Hofman – GrowUp Farms
Mike Hedges – GrowUp Farms
Erez Galonska – Infarm
Osnat Michaeli – Infarm
Guy Galonska – Infarm
Brad McNamara – Freight Farms
Jon Friedman – Freight Farms
Taisiya Jacobson – Pure Greens
Robert Colangelo – Green Sense Farms
Paul Sellew – Little Leaf Farms
Neil Mattson – Cornell University Controlled Environment Agriculture
A.J. Both – Rutgers University
Murat Kacira – University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center
Chieri Kubota – The Ohio State University Controlled Environment Agriculture
Mark Lefsrud – McGill University
Erik Runkle – Michigan State University
Roberto Lopez – Michigan State University
Ricardo Hernández – North Carolina State University
Gene Giacomelli – University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center
Lingying Zhao – The Ohio State University
Noah Langenfeld – Utah State University Crop Physiology Laboratory
Jacob Nickles – University of Sheffield
Dylan Gwynn-Jones – Aberystwyth University
John Doonan – National Plant Phenomics Centre
Mark Kroggel – The Ohio State University
Satoru Tsukagoshi – Chiba University
Toyoki Kozai – Japan Plant Factory Association
Henry Gordon-Smith – Agritecture
Rob Laing – Farm.One
Steven Dring – Growing Underground
Richard Ballard – Growing Underground
Michael DeGiglio – Village Farms International
Casey Houweling – Houweling’s Tomatoes
Eddy Badrina – Eden Green Technology
Eric Lang – ZipGrow
Eric Bergeron – ZipGrow
Alex Tyink – Fork Farms
Nona Yehia – Vertical Harvest
Caroline Croft Estay – Vertical Harvest
Penny McBride – Vertical Harvest
Jonathan Webb – AppHarvest
Mike Zelkind – 80 Acres Farms
Tisha Livingston – 80 Acres Farms
David Farquhar – Intelligent Growth Solutions
Bruce Bugbee – Utah State University Crop Physiology Lab
Nate Storey – Plenty
Caleb Harper – MIT Media Lab Open Agriculture Initiative
Eri Hayashi – Japan Plant Factory Association
Sonia Lo – Crop One Holdings
Paul Lightfoot – BrightFarms
Leo F.M. Marcelis – Wageningen University & Research
Eiji Goto – Chiba University
Na Lu – Chiba University
Michiko Takagaki – Chiba University
Shigeharu Shimamura – Mirai Co.
Don Taylor – AmplifiedAg
Ellen Van de Velde – Ghent University
Andrew Hare – Vertical Roots
Matt Daniels – Vertical Roots
Maarten Vandecruys – Urban Crop Solutions
Tom Debusschere – Urban Crop Solutions
Milan Kluko – Green Spirit Farms
Bill Toler – Hydrofarm
John Lindeman – Hydrofarm
Jean-Pierre Coene – Urban Crop Solutions

Light vs Heavy Hydroponics: Why System Weight Matters

Dr. Russell Sharp explores how the weight of hydroponic systems affects portability, stability, thermal buffering and practical uses—from classrooms and balconies to cruise ships and space missions.
 
He compares lightweight NFT setups (easy to move, low structural load) with heavy DWC reservoirs (thermal stability, theft resistance, backup water) and offers examples to help growers decide which approach fits their situation.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
Carnival Corporation & plc
Royal Caribbean Group
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH)
MSC Group (MSC Cruises)
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (Disney Cruise Line)
Genting Hong Kong (defunct but previously major)
Virgin Voyages (Virgin Group / Bain Capital)
TUI Group
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Saga Cruises
Viking Cruises
Azamara (Sycamore Partners)
Celestyal Cruises
P&O Ferries / P&O Cruises Australia (various ownership historically)
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (Marriott International)
Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC)
Marella Cruises (TUI Group)
Star Clippers
Ponant (Artémis Group)
Silversea Cruises (owned by Royal Caribbean Group)
Seabourn (Carnival Corporation)
Regent Seven Seas Cruises (NCLH)
Oceania Cruises (NCLH)
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Silversea Cruises
TUI Cruises (joint venture)
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (via TUI JV)Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Seabourn
Cunard Line
Costa Cruises
AIDA Cruises
P&O Cruises (UK)
P&O Cruises Australia
Royal Caribbean Group
MSC Cruises
Explora Journeys
Disney Cruise Line
Viking Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Azamara
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Saga Cruises
Marella Cruises
Celestyal Cruises
Ponant
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Star Clippers
Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC

How McDonald's and Fast Food Drive Hydroponics

Dr. Russell Sharp of Hydroponics Daily explores how fast food chains, from McDonald’s to Subway and Taco Bell, consume enormous volumes of fresh produce and the opportunities this creates for hydroponic growers.
The episode covers surprising consumption figures, examples of high-demand chains, tips on targeting alternative buyers beyond supermarkets, and a note on Eutrema Ltd’s expansion to sell fertilisers directly in Ireland.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
McDonald’s – Richard McDonald, Maurice McDonald
Burger King – Keith J. Kramer, Matthew Burns
KFC – Harland Colonel Sanders
Subway – Fred DeLuca, Peter Buck
Domino’s Pizza – Tom Monaghan, James Monaghan
Pizza Hut – Dan Carney, Frank Carney
Taco Bell – Glen Bell
Wendy’s – Dave Thomas
Starbucks – Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, Gordon Bowker
Dunkin’ – William Rosenberg
Popeyes – Al Copeland
Chick-fil-A – S. Truett Cathy
Chipotle Mexican Grill – Steve Ells
Five Guys – Jerry Murrell, Janie Murrell
Dairy Queen – John Fremont McCullough, Alex McCullough, Sherb Noble
Jack in the Box – Robert O. Peterson
Carl’s Jr. / Hardee’s – Carl Karcher (Carl’s Jr.), Wilber Hardee (Hardee’s)
Little Caesars – Mike Ilitch, Marian Ilitch
Papa John’s – John Schnatter
Tim Hortons – Tim Horton, Ron Joyce
A&W – Roy W. Allen, Frank Wright
Jimmy John’s – Jimmy John Liautaud
Panera Bread – Ronald M. Shaich, Louis Kane, Ken Rosenthal
Sonic Drive-In – Troy N. Smith Sr.
In-N-Out Burger – Harry Snyder, Esther Snyder
Culver’s – George Culver, Ruth Culver, Craig Culver
Wingstop – Antonio Swad, Bernadette Fiaschetti
Shake Shack – Danny Meyer
Nando’s – Fernando Duarte, Robert Brozin
Pret A Manger – Jeffrey Hyman; Julian Metcalfe, Sinclair Beecham
Greggs – John Gregg
Wagamama – Alan Yau
Costa Coffee – Bruno Costa, Sergio Costa
Hungry Jack’s – Jack Cowin
Red Rooster – Peter Kailis, Theo Kailis
Oporto – António (Antonio) Cerqueira
Grill’d – Simon Crowe
Guzman y Gomez – Steven Marks, Robert Hazan
Zambrero – Sam Prince
Lord of the Fries – Mark Koronczyk, Amanda Leigh Walker
Jollibee – Tony Tan Caktiong
Leon – John Vincent, Henry Dimbleby, Allegra McEvedy
Vapiano – Kent Hahne, Gregor Gerlach, Klaus Rader, Mark Korzilius
Telepizza – Leopoldo Fernández Pujals
Nordsee – Adolf Vinnen
MOS Burger – Satoshi Sakurada
Boost Juice – Janine Allis
Muffin Break – Bob Nelson
Pie Face – Wayne Homschek, Betty Fong
Hell Pizza – Warren Powell, Callum Davies, Stuart McMullin

Bootstrapping Your Hydroponic Start Up: Keep Control, Innovation, Motivation and Fun

Dr. Russell Sharp makes the case for bootstrapping hydroponic businesses instead of taking big external investment, arguing that self-funding preserves control, motivation, creativity and long-term sustainability.
He explains how serendipitous innovation, family-owned advantages, and low-cost organic marketing let smaller operations grow responsibly and adaptively, offering practical examples and encouraging listeners to consider independent, profit-driven paths to scale.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
Dave Chen
Rory Sutherland Ogilvy 
Gantt Charts
Dragon's Den
Shark Tank
Listing on Stock Market PLC
Alan Sugar The Apprentice 
Adam Neumann WeWork
Elizabeth Holmes
Steve JobsTravis KalanickAdam NeumannAndrew MasonJack DorseyNoah GlassJerry YangEduardo SaverinMartin EberhardParker Conrad
Paul Graham Y Combinator 
Warren BuffettCharlie MungerBenjamin GrahamPeter LynchRay DalioGeorge SorosCarl IcahnJohn TempletonPhilip FisherStanley Druckenmiller
Peter Thiel 
 

Does Big Money Matter? The New Economics of CEA Investing

Dr. Russell Sharp breaks down a candid interview with Equilibrium Capital's Dave Chen on the challenges of financing and scaling controlled environment agriculture (CEA). He covers why large capital requirements, post‑COVID funding shifts, and supermarket relationships make leafy‑green CEA a high‑risk, high‑scale business.
The episode also explores niche crop opportunities, the power of cooperatives and branding, and the "holy trinity" of operator, grower and retail partner needed to succeed — plus how Eutrema can help with fertilisers and biostimulants for CEA growers.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Little Leaf, Revol Greens, and Perfection Fresh
Hortidaily
Horticulture Week
 

More Grocery Store Hacks: Growing Exotic Rhizomes for Less

Dr. Russell Sharp explains how to use store-bought seeds, rhizomes and tubers—like spelt, mung beans, turmeric, ginger, galangal, sweet potatoes and more—as propagation material for hydroponic crops and microgreens.
He covers practical tips (avoid roasted seeds, look for buds, and watch for disease risks), nutrient considerations for rhizomes, and money-saving business ideas such as producing sweet potato slips.
The episode balances low-cost DIY propagation techniques with cautions about viruses, aflatoxins and when to prefer certified seed stock.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Jamaican Sprinters
Chinese Yams
Sweet Potato
Taro
Eddoe
Turmeric
Ginger
 

Predicting Cannabis Potency with Your Smartphone: Hyperspectral Breakthrough

Dr. Russell Sharp explores recent research showing that hyperspectral leaf scans combined with machine learning can predict cannabinoid concentrations in legal cannabis before harvest, and outlines a new technique that could let standard smartphone cameras act like hyperspectral sensors using a reference card and software.
The episode covers practical applications for growers and breeders; from pre‑selling crops and ensuring hemp THC compliance to rapidly screening seedlings, and considers how these tools could be brought together in a future smartphone app.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/biostimulants/slugger/
 
Compolytics
fan leaf hyperspectral reflectance (FLHR)
University of Adelaide's Dr Aaron Phillips
Purdue University researcher Young Kim
Semin Kwon of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering 
James Hutton Institute Dundee