Hydroponics Daily

Meet 'Thriller' — The Pumpkin That Looks Like It's Ripped Open

Dr. Russell Sharp highlights the eye-catching new pumpkin variety "Thriller": a dual-purpose edible and decorative squash with orange interior and green-striped exterior, set for commercial release in 2026.
 
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Halloween pumpkins
Squashes and gourds
Hampton Court Flower Show
Soil Ninja
The Plant Rescuer 
Tony Le Briton
 
 

Why Is My Rhododendron Flowering in Autumn? The Truth About Precocious Blooming

Dr. Russell Sharp explains why plants like rhododendrons and other ornamentals sometimes flower in autumn — a phenomenon called precocious flowering caused by stress or unseasonal warmth. He outlines how this early bloom reduces spring displays and can ruin fruit crops.
The episode discusses implications for hydroponic and indoor growers (especially strawberries and perennial crops), the need for cold treatment in some species, and practical considerations for vertical farming and controlled environments.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Azalea
Camellia
Hydrangea
Skimmia
Pieris
Skimmia
Vaccinium
Hosta
Heuchera
Astilbe
Japanese Maple Acer palmatum acer japonicum
Leonardslee Lakes
Borde Hill Garden
Sheringham Park
Botanischer Garten Bremen
Alan Titchmarsh
Chris Beardshaw
Sarah Raven
Nigel Dunnett
Joe Lamp’l
Costa Georgiadis
Peter Cundall
Kazuyuki Ishihara
Frank Ferragine
Louis Benech
Capability Brown
Gertrude Jekyll
Vita Sackville-West
Christopher Lloyd
 
Chelsea Flower Show
Roy Lancaster

Ferns in Hydroponics: From Victorian Mania to Modern Houseplant Gold

Dr. Russell Sharp explores whether ferns are a viable hydroponic crop, covering their limited edibility, high value as houseplants, and conservation concerns from historic "fern mania."
The episode explains fern biology and propagation—spores, gametophytes, divisions and micropropagation—plus humidity, foliar uptake, and practical hydroponic considerations for successful cultivation.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Joe Swift
Home Grown
Marf’s Kitchen Garden
Nettles & Petals
Tales from the potting shed Adam kirtland
NPK Hydroponics
NPK Media
Kyle Kushman
Advanced Nutrients Big Mike Straumietis

Minecraft and Vertical Farms: Harvest London's Canary Wharf Operation

Dr. Russell Sharp explores Harvest London’s open, glass-walled hydroponic farm at Canary Wharf—an accessible vertical farm supplying leafy greens and microgreens to local restaurants and food stalls. The multi-tier, pesticide-free system is visible to the public, making hydroponics educational and tangible for visitors.
The episode highlights how public display boosts trust and perceived value, the site’s strict biosecurity and clean operations, and why integrating visible farms into food halls can be more effective than hidden rooftop setups.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Harvest London
Canary Wharf
Canada Square
Pear Tree Kitchen
Pizza Pilgrims
Chelsea Physic Garden

Hydroponic Top Trumps

Russell introduces his hydroponics-themed Top Trumps card pack covering 32 pests, diseases and physiological issues, scored by damage, commonness, difficulty to treat and "bounce-back" ability. He outlines plans to print the cards, asks for feedback on entries, and notes podcast milestones and resources at eutrema.co.uk.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Donald Trump
Melania Trump
Baron Trump
Chelsea physic garden
Kew gardens
Royal botanical gardens edinburgh
Brooklyn botanical gardens
RHS Wisley
RHS bridgewater
tender shoot garden club
Indy Rana
tender shoot garden club greenfulness

Secrets of Stomata: How Plants Balance Water and CO2

Dr. Russell Sharp explains how stomata—tiny pores on leaves controlled by guard cells—regulate gas exchange and water loss, why their opening matters for photosynthesis, and how stomatal conductance is measured and used to assess plant stress.
He also shares a simple, practical method for growers: the clear nail varnish peel technique to capture leaf impressions and view stomata under a microscope, plus notes on measuring limitations and applications for hydroponic systems.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
 
Chelsea Flower Show
Monstera
Philodendron
Autoflowers
Photoperiod
Autoflower
Alan Titchmarsh
Monty Don
Rachel De Thane
James Wong
Gardeners World
Horticulture Week
Gardeners Question Time
RHS Royal Horticultural Society
Garden Organic
Joe Swift
Soil Association 
Organic Farmers & Growers
Hampton Court Flower Show
 
 

Hardwood Cuttings: Cheap, Simple & Often Overlooked

Dr. Russell Sharp explains hardwood cuttings for deciduous woody perennials, why they’re useful in autumn and winter, and how they’re easier and cheaper than softwood cuttings. He covers methods—using sand, perlite or a heated propagator, basal heat, rooting hormone, tips for hydroponic transfers, species that root well (willow, mulberry, hydrangea, dogwood), and how to avoid problems like pythium. Practical advice for propagating and transitioning cuttings into hydroponic systems.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Inside Lettuce Grow: Zooey Deschanel’s Stylish Home Hydroponics

Dr. Russell Sharp reviews Lettuce Grow, a celebrity-backed company (founded in 2019) that sells stylish, kitchen-scale hydroponic stands and kits like the Farmstand. He covers design, multi-layer systems, recirculating pumps, and accessories aimed at home growers.
The episode discusses seedlings, fertilizers (A/B and one-part options), expected yields, pricing and usability for beginners, and why Lettuce Grow appeals as a direct-to-consumer, design-focused hydroponics brand.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

The limitations of EC meters: what they can, and can't, tell you

Dr. Russell Sharp explains how EC meters work, what they’re useful for and their key limitations — including temperature sensitivity, inability to distinguish ion types, and poor detection of many organic inputs like Liquid Gold (Gold Leaf).
Practical tips: always measure EC and pH in your actual water after adding the manufacturer’s recommended dose, flush runoff to prevent salt build‑up, and only use generic EC charts for standard mineral feeds — not for novel or organic fertilisers.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/

Eat Your Way to Healthier Teeth: Israeli Study Finds Brassicas Fight Cavities

In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp discusses an Israeli study showing that diindolemethane (DIM), a compound formed when we digest cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, can inhibit Streptococcus mutans growth and disrupt dental plaque.
The episode covers how DIM could be used in future oral-care products or encouraged through diet, touches on brassica benefits for soil and hydroponics, and notes related trade and supply updates affecting produce transport.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/