Hydroponics Daily

How Weight-Loss Drugs Could Reshape Global Crop Demand

Dr. Russell Sharp explores how widespread use of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs (soon available orally) could reduce overall calorie intake and shift demand across crop types. He outlines the likely big losers (corn/maize, soybeans, sugar, palm oil) and relative winners (pulses, fibre‑rich fruits and vegetables, premium proteins), as well as crops likely to remain stable (rice, wheat, tubers) and non‑food crops largely unaffected.
The episode discusses implications for hydroponics and horticulture, potential changes in the food and leisure industries, and cautions about drug side effects and broader societal impacts.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
Liraglutide Victoza,  Saxenda 
Semaglutide, Ozempic, WegovyTirzepatide Mounjaro 
Robbie Williams, Greggs the baker, McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, Chick-fil-a, chipotle, beyond meat, impossible foods, subway, waitrose, tesco, sainsbury's, asda, aldi, lidl, hyrox, crossfit, turf games, park run, personal trainers, david lloyd gyms, jd sports, jd gyms, virgin active, vitality insurance, 

Spain's Radical Plan: 20–30 Day Crop Shutdown to Kill Thrips

Dr. Russell Sharp explores a controversial strategy where entire growing regions pause production for 20–30 days to break pest life cycles — using crop removal, soil solarization and biological controls. He compares past field-crop proposals to recent plans in Almería to tackle thrips and discusses the economic pain, possible aid, and whether coordinated shutdowns could work for other crops.
The episode weighs practical challenges, examples from rapeseed and protected crops, and asks listeners to consider if collective action can realistically eliminate stubborn pests or diseases.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Iker Casillas, lamine yamal, 

Vanilla Cultivation - Hand-Pollinated Gold

Dr. Russell Sharp dives into the unique world of vanilla: an orchid vine that requires delicate, manual pollination outside its native range, long development times, and careful curing. Learn why vanilla farming is labor-intensive, how hydroponic tower systems are being used, and what breeders are doing to improve resilience and pollination.
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Ice cream
Custard
Madagascar
Indonesia
Nepal
India

Hydroponics on the Alkaline Edge: Crops That Cope with High pH

Dr. Russell Sharp explores plants and crops that tolerate very alkaline soils and how that knowledge applies to hydroponic systems. The episode covers common tolerant crops (barley, sugar beet, cotton, sorghum, alfalfa, buffalo/Bermuda grass) and highly tolerant species like Atriplex as a possible spinach substitute in high‑pH water.
Practical tips include expected pH ranges, when alkalinity and salinity overlap, and suggestions for experimenting with gardener's orache (Atriplex) in hydroponics. Contact the host for advice on adapting fertigation and crop choices to alkaline conditions.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 

Why Acid-Loving Crops Thrive at pH 5.5 in Hydroponics

In this short episode Dr. Russell Sharp explores which crops naturally prefer acidic conditions and explains why, when grown hydroponically, they are typically kept around pH 5.0–5.5 rather than the much lower soil pH they prefer. He covers examples like blueberries, cranberries, pineapple, tea and potatoes, and explains the roles of nutrient availability, soil biology and fertilizer practicality.
Dr. Sharp also teases the next episode contrasting acid-loving (ericaceous) plants with alkaline-loving (calcicole) species.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Rockwool vs Bare-Root NFT: When to Use Growing Media

Host Dr. Russell Sharp explores why some hydroponic systems use large grow media slabs (like rockwool) while others rely on bare-root NFT with small plugs, explaining the advantages and drawbacks for crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and herbs.
The episode also includes a special offer: UK-based professional growers can request free samples of selected Eutrema biostimulants and biopesticides (pay £4.95 postage) via this link:
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/pesticides-organic/free-samples-for-professional-users-hidden-page/

Hydroponic Avocado Revolution: Mexico’s Soil-less Orchards

In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp of Hydroponics Daily explores the rising use of hydroponics to grow avocados in Mexico. He explains the common systems (air pots, coco, drip irrigation), the reasons growers are switching, and the practical challenges of a perennial crop.
Key topics include temperature and frost sensitivity, drainage and Phytophthora root rot, nutrient and pH needs, the unusual A/B flowering pollination system, pruning and spacing, and the art of harvesting and ripening. The episode ends with a lighthearted AI tool demo.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
 Claudia Sheinbaum, Chicharito, Raúl Jiménez

Hydroponic Peanuts: Can We Grow Them Without Soil?

Dr. Russell Sharp explores experimental research on growing peanuts hydroponically, summarizing NASA studies and university trials using deep water culture (DWC) and nutrient film technique (NFT). He explains the peanut life cycle—flowering, peg (gynophore) formation, and pod development—and why pegging into a moist zone or specially designed trays is critical.
The episode covers nutrient needs (especially calcium), aeration, potential water savings compared with soil, and the challenges of commercial production. It highlights peanut hydroponics' experimental status, possible benefits for water-limited farming, and opportunities for custom fertilizer development.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Planters, Jimmy Carter, 

The International Space Station has a big Hydroponic Headache!

Dr. Russell Sharp discusses recent research (published in npj Microgravity) showing that lettuce grown on the International Space Station contains significantly less calcium and magnesium and lower antioxidant and protective compounds than Earth-grown counterparts. These nutrient changes matter for astronauts who already face bone loss, radiation stress, and digestive changes in space.
The episode explores possible causes (microgravity, humidity, lighting, fertiliser), solutions such as biofortification, bioengineering, and choosing flavonoid-rich or seed/legume crops like soybeans, and outlines future research directions for producing nutritionally adequate crops on long-duration space missions.
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Tim Peake, Helen Sharman, Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, Yuri Gagarin, John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin, Valentina Tereshkova, Blue Origin, SpaceX, Elon Mush, Jeff Bezos, Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Star Trek

Growing Edamame Indoors: Japan's Hydroponic Breakthrough

Dr. Russell Shaw explores recent Japanese research showing that edamame can be successfully grown hydroponically under LED lighting, yielding stable, high-quality crops independent of season.
The indoor methods produced stronger plants, higher sugar and isoflavone levels, and suggest a way to grow nutrient-dense, protein-rich legumes in vertical farms—opening new opportunities beyond typical leafy greens.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
 
 Professor Toshio Sano from the Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry at Hosei University
University of Tokyo 
Wagamamas
Nobu Matsuhisa
Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal, Mary Berry, Nigella Lawson, Tom Kerridge, and Rick Stein