Hydroponics Daily

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.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
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
 
 

Hydrofarm: A Reality Check for the Hydroponics Industry

Dr. Russell Sharp breaks down Hydrofarm’s latest results, falling sales, large write-downs and the company’s role as a barometer for the hydroponics and legal cannabis markets.
The episode explores Hydrofarm’s brand portfolio, financial challenges, restructuring efforts and what the company’s struggles might mean for the wider hydroponic sector going forward.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
nasdaq, new york stock exchange, london stock exchange

Titanium & Plant Health: Miracle Micronutrient or Risky Gamble?

Dr. Russell Sharp explores the role of titanium in plant health; what it is, how it’s used (chelated salts, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, foliar and root applications), and why it’s attracting interest in the biostimulant world.
Although titanium is not an essential nutrient, low doses have sometimes boosted chlorophyll, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake and stress tolerance; effects depend strongly on species, particle form, application method and the plant’s iron and nutrient status.
However, titanium shows a hormetic response: low doses can help but higher doses cause chlorosis, necrosis and growth suppression, with no clear safe thresholds—so the episode warns against using titanium fertilizers and recommends correcting core nutrient imbalances first.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Robocop, suncream, sunscreen, hip replacements, SR-71 Blackbird, Lockheed A-12 archangel, William Gregor, mannacan, 

Direct Air Capture for CO2 in Hydroponics

Dr. Russell Sharp explores the promise of direct air capture (DAC) as a way to enrich CO2 for hydroponic and greenhouse crops without burning fossil fuels. He discusses a Japanese company (Seibu Gaiken) running successful trials that showed average yield increases of about 20%, and compares DAC to other CO2 sources like breweries and biogas.
The episode highlights key caveats: DAC’s climate benefit depends on clean energy, units are currently large-scale, and they change heat management compared with gas burners. Dr. Sharp invites listener experience and feedback on whether vertical farms or large greenhouses will adopt this technology first.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 

Lamb's Lettuce: Hydroponic Gold, not just for Winter

Dr. Russell Sharp explores lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta) as an underrated hydroponic crop, highlighting its unique botanical lineage, high nutrient content, and suitability for cold or unheated systems where traditional lettuce and other warm crops struggle.
The episode covers practical benefits—reduced soil contamination, potential premium market value, and successful DWC trials—as well as challenges like delicate leaves, fungal susceptibility, bolting in heat, and the need for optimized nutrition and handling.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Ersatz crops
Tim Davie
 Deborah Turness
Samir Shah
Mary Keen
 
 

Eli Lilly's $3 BILLION Greenhouse Bet: Is Hydroponics the Next Pharma Frontier?

Host Dr. Russell Sharp discusses Eli Lilly's recent purchase of a greenhouse site in Katwijk, Netherlands, and explores possible links to botanical sourcing and GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs. He outlines how the $3 billion investment raises questions about future use, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, botanical ingredients, and impacts on horticulture.
The episode also touches on historical examples of plant‑derived medicines, the Nagoya Protocol on sharing benefits from genetic resources, and the wider implications for food demand and greenhouse agriculture. Tune in to hear the latest developments and what to watch for next.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
Wegovy (also semaglutide, approved for weight loss), Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide, a dual-action drug), and Saxenda (liraglutide)
Type 2 diabetes
Whoopi Goldberg, Charles Barkley, Amy Schumer, Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, and Elon Musk

Cold Roots, Chilled Yields: Diagnosing Root Cold Stress in Hydroponics

Dr. Russell Sharp discusses cold root stress in hydroponics, how it causes desiccation and nutrient uptake problems, and practical mitigations like raising plants or grafting.
He reviews new research showing increased plant sterols can boost cold tolerance in tomatoes, and teases a follow-up story about Eli Lilly buying a Dutch greenhouse.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
Univerity of Barcelona

Bankruptcy in Soilless Farming: Clean Greens and Growy Singapore Fall

Dr. Russell Sharp reviews two recent failures in soilless agriculture: Swiss aeroponics firm CleanGreens went bankrupt after a promised CHF 50M investment failed to materialize, and Growy Singapore—an 8,000 m² vertical farm taken over from a US operator—entered liquidation within a year due to high costs and insufficient local investment despite government support.
The episode looks at what went wrong, the impact on employees and technology, and notes Growy's Amsterdam site remains operational. Tune in for a concise breakdown and a preview of tomorrow’s episode on a cold-tolerant tomato variety.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Can Norway Grow Avocados? Inside the Hydroponic Experiment

Dr. Russell Sharp examines whether warm‑climate perennials like avocados can be grown economically indoors in cold countries. He reviews a Norwegian research trial using waste heat, cheap hydroelectric power, LED greenhouses, and micropropagation to produce local avocados, and discusses pollination, growth timelines, and energy costs.
The episode weighs the trade-offs between long production times and local quality/supply benefits, shares practical hydroponic lessons, and invites listeners to share unusual crops they’ve grown.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Yara  
Oslo
Jonas Gahr Støre
Erna Solberg 
Jens Stoltenberg
Erling Haaland
Martin Ødegaard
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
John Arne Riise
Svalbard
Agrinos
Nobel Prize
Jo Nesbø
Edvard Munch