Podcast

Hydroponics Daily

Home & Garden, Leisure, Life Sciences, Science

Daily clips of hydroponic science throughout the whole of 2025

Presented by Dr Russell Sharp

Brought to you by the team behind Gold Leaf - seed to harvest with just one bottle of feed.

For more information please visit our website - https://eutrema.co.uk

Episodes
368
Releases
Daily
Typical length
8 min
On air since
2025
Latest episode
1 day ago

Episodes

368 episodes, newest first

  1. The best new product, why it could be better, why it won't, and it looks like a toilet seat

    Episode 382

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp reviews the Maxi Bright Maxi LED Pro TS 40W horseshoe under-canopy light, calling it the best product he has seen this year and explaining how individual under-pot lighting can boost photosynthesis, improve transpiration and reduce fungal risks.

    He proposes a potential upgrade—combining the horseshoe LED with a horseshoe dripper to warm roots and cool LEDs—then explains why cost and safety (mixing water and electrics) make that unlikely.

    Russell contrasts this standout product with a recently over-engineered launch, invites listener feedback, and points listeners to Hydro Bros' social channels for demos and to utreema.co.uk for more information.
    https://eutrema.co.uk/

    10 min
  2. Eutrema Ltd: Grower - First Innovation

    Episode 381

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp, founder of Eutrema Limited, explains the company's grower-first approach, serendipitous innovation, and the development of truly unique plant science products.

    The episode covers Eutrema’s focus on sustainable, biorational solutions -like fully soluble liquid gypsum and concentrated salicylic acid, transparent formulations, and direct access to expert support.

    Listeners also learn about free resources, podcasts, and how buying from Eutrema supports British innovation.

    https://eutrema.co.uk/

    7 min
  3. Fertiliser Time Bomb: gas, geopolitics & carbon taxes threatening 2027 Prices

    Episode 380

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp ranks and explains the major threats to fertilizer and pesticide prices in the UK looking toward 2027, covering energy costs, geopolitical risks, supply bottlenecks, and regulatory changes.

    The episode highlights rising natural gas and oil prices, sulphur and phosphate shortages, Russia and Middle East tensions, the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism, potential sanctions on suppliers, and proposed harmonised regulations that could harm smaller biostimulant and hydroponic businesses.

    Listeners will learn how these factors could drive up input costs, reduce product choice, squeeze farm margins, and feed into higher food and turf-care prices — plus what to watch for in the coming months.

    https://eutrema.co.uk/

    16 min
  4. The Periodic Table of Plant Health — Decode Your Crop's Nutrient Needs

    Episode 379

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp walks through the "Periodic Table of Plant Health," explaining macronutrients, micronutrients, non-mineral and non-essential elements, and common deficiency symptoms for hydroponic crops.

    He also describes practical solutions, timing advice, free A4/A1 posters and sample swag available from Eutrema to help growers diagnose and manage plant nutrition more effectively.

    https://eutrema.co.uk/plant-health-periodic-table-poster/

    35 min
  5. Inside Our New Patented Root Stimulant: A Phosphite Alternative

    Episode 378

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp discusses recent weather impacts on crops and lawns, a Black Friday humic acid offer (use code HUMIC15), and updates from Utrema on product compatibility tools and trade show plans.

    The main focus is a new food‑grade root stimulant being developed to replace potassium phosphite: how it works, plans to patent it, and the testing program across at least nine plant species including greenhouse split‑pot trials and future field trials.

    Listeners are invited to request small samples, follow progress on compatibility and tank‑mix data, and watch for upcoming trial results and product launch details.

    21 min
  6. Are your microbes dead? Free new service from Eutrema

    Episode 377

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp explains why Eutrema no longer sells microbial products — from short shelf life and supply-chain dilution to competition with contaminated products — and why regulation alone won’t fix the industry.

    He also announces a free testing service at Eutrema HQ in Lutterworth to verify whether microbial products contain the live, correct organisms claimed, and reminds listeners that Eutrema manufactures its own unique fertilizers and biostimulants.

    https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/pesticides-organic/chitosan-biofungicide/

    4 min
  7. Insider Advice for Hydroponic Product Startups

    Episode 376

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp of Eutrema shares practical advice for anyone launching a hydroponic product, covering market realities, product differentiation, and regulatory pitfalls.

    Key takeaways: the UK market is quiet, focus on unique solutions, be prepared to say no, manage marketing spend, understand regulations, protect your business by bootstrapping, and treat grow shop owners as vital partners.

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

    15 min
  8. UK Fertiliser Rules Could Wipe Out Small Hydro Brands — What You Need to Know

    Episode 375

    Show notes

    Hello and welcome back to Hydroponics Daily. Dr. Russell Sharp breaks down the new UK fertiliser and biostimulant consultation that could force costly registrations, third‑party efficacy testing and ingredient disclosure, risking many small brands and shrinking product ranges.

    He explains the likely impact on hydroponics, lawn care and agriculture, why larger multinationals may benefit, how Utrema expects to cope, and urges listeners to respond to the consultation.

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

    11 min
  9. Taming Bitterness: How Hydroponics Could Create Milder Veggies

    Episode 374

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp explores how breeders, genetic tools (including CRISPR) and environmental controls in hydroponics can reduce strong or bitter flavours in vegetables.

    He highlights examples—low‑sulphur Brussels sprouts and onions, milder marrows/zucchini, soap‑free coriander, low‑oxalate spinach, less‑phenolic eggplant and sweeter lettuce—and points to hydroponic fertilizer strategies and business opportunities for growers and breeders.

    https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/soil-conditioners/liquid-gypsum/

    Christoph Matthes — Kultursaat e.V.
    Nigel Kingston — Syngenta Seeds
    Kevin Dudley — Cloughjordan Community Farm
    Pat Malone — Cloughjordan Community Farm
    Alfred Breed (Senior) — Mertoun Gardens
    David Cain — International Fruit Genetics (IFG)
    Rob Johnston Jr. — Johnny’s Selected Seeds
    V. Ognev — Agrofirm Poisk
    N. Geraskina — Agrofirm Poisk
    Frits Herlaar — Rijk Zwaan

    Hoza Zaden — Hoza Zaden
    Allium Seeds UK — Allium Seeds UK
    Bejo Zaden — Bejo
    De Groot en Slot — De Groot en Slot
    Nunhems — BASF Vegetable Seeds
    Seminis — Bayer Crop Science
    Syngenta Vegetable Seeds — Syngenta
    Rijk Zwaan — Rijk Zwaan
    Enza Zaden — Enza Zaden
    Sakata Seed Corporation — Sakata
    Takii & Co. — Takii
    Tokita Seed — Tokita Seed
    Hazera — Limagrain
    HM.CLAUSE — Limagrain
    Vilmorin-Mikado — Limagrain
    Clause Tezier — Limagrain
    Gautier Semences — Gautier Semences
    Tozer Seeds — Tozer Seeds
    Pop Vriend Seeds — Pop Vriend Seeds
    KWS Vegetables — KWS SAAT SE
    East-West Seed — East-West Seed
    Known-You Seed — Known-You Seed
    Advanta Seeds — UPL
    Namdhari Seeds — Namdhari Seeds
    Mahyco Vegetable Seeds — Mahyco
    Nippon Norin Seed — Nippon Norin Seed Co.
    Mikado Kyowa Seed — Mikado Kyowa Seed
    Kaneko Seeds — Kaneko Seeds
    NongWoo Bio — NongWoo Bio
    Asia Seed — Asia Seed Co., Ltd.
    Dongbu Farm Hannong Seed — Nongwoo Bio Group
    Sakata Korea — Sakata Seed Corporation
    Sakata EMEA — Sakata Seed Corporation
    Sakata Vegetables Europe — Sakata Seed Corporation
    Enza Zaden Research — Enza Zaden
    Rijk Zwaan Research — Rijk Zwaan
    Bejo Research — Bejo
    Syngenta Seeds Research — Syngenta
    Takii Europe — Takii
    Takii Japan — Takii
    Hazera Netherlands — Limagrain
    Vilmorin SA — Limagrain
    HM.CLAUSE USA — Limagrain
    Clause (France) — Limagrain
    Groupe Florimond Desprez — Florimond Desprez
    Nickerson-Zwaan — Limagrain
    Hollar Seeds — Hollar Seeds
    American Takii — Takii
    PanAmerican Seed — Ball Horticultural Company
    Ball Seed Vegetable Program — Ball Horticultural Company
    Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — Rare Seeds (Baker Creek)
    W. Atlee Burpee — Burpee
    Park Seed — Park Seed
    Harris Seeds — Harris Seeds
    Seedway — Seedway
    Territorial Seed Company — Territorial Seed
    High Mowing Organic Seeds — High Mowing Organic Seeds
    Vitalis Organic Seeds — Enza Zaden
    Bingenheimer Saatgut — Bingenheimer Saatgut AG
    Sativa Rheinau — Sativa Rheinau AG
    Reimer Seeds — Reimer Seeds
    Ferry-Morse — Central Garden & Pet
    Botanical Interests — Epic Gardening
    Seeds of Change — Seeds of Change
    Thompson & Morgan — Thompson & Morgan
    Mr Fothergill’s — Mr Fothergill’s Seeds
    Kings Seeds — Kings Seeds
    Suttons Seeds — Suttons Seeds
    Dobies — Dobies
    D.T. Brown — D.T. Brown
    Eden Brothers — Eden Brothers
    Johnny’s Selected Seeds — Johnny’s Selected Seeds
    Adaptive Seeds — Adaptive Seeds
    Real Seeds — The Real Seed Company
    Franchi Sementi — Franchi Sementi
    Semenzaio Artigianale Italiano — SAIS S.p.A.
    CN Seeds — CN Seeds
    Unwins — Unwins Seeds
    Maraldi Sementi — Maraldi Sementi
    Semo (Czech Republic) — SEMO a.s.
    MoravoSeed — MoravoSeed
    Vesco Seeds — VESCO Seeds
    Beidahuang Seed — Beidahuang Group
    Winall Seed — Winall Hi-Tech Seed
    Yuan Longping High-Tech — Longping High-Tech
    China National Seed Group — China National Seed Group (CNSGC)
    Bayer Vegetable Seeds — Bayer Crop Science
    BASF Vegetable Seeds — BASF
    Limagrain Vegetable Seeds — Limagrain
    KWS Saat — KWS SAAT SE
    Enza Zaden USA — Enza Zaden
    Rijk Zwaan USA — Rijk Zwaan

    7 min
  10. The Top 10 Most Poisonous Plants You Might Grow (but hey, "they're natural")

    Episode 373

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp closes out Hydroponics Daily’s 2025 run with a compact guide to the most toxic plants. He explains why “natural” or “plant‑derived” doesn’t mean safe and shares examples of species that can cause severe harm.

    The episode lists the top poisonous plants to watch for, such as hemlock, giant hogweed, deadly nightshade, Brugmansia, monk’s hood, yew, oleander, castor bean, water hemlock and foxglove, plus practical safety warnings for growers and gardeners.

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

    Tony Knight — Colorado State University
    Richard Walter — Colorado State University
    James Pfister — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Bryan Stegelmeier — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Michael Ralphs — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Dale Gardner — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Kip Panter — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Benedict Green — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Kermit Price — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Clinton Stonecipher — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory

    Kevin D. Welch — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Daniel Cook — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Scott Larsen — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Jennifer Colvin — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Tracy McCluskey — USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
    Lynn James — USDA-ARS
    Stephen B. Lee — USDA-ARS
    Derek Bailey — USDA-ARS
    Michael H. Smith — USDA-ARS
    Daniel R. Gardner — USDA-ARS

    Elizabeth A. Dauncey — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
    Nicola Bates — Veterinary Poisons Information Service
    Sally Bradberry — National Poisons Information Service
    Simon Thomas — National Poisons Information Service
    Allister Vale — National Poisons Information Service
    Michael J. Balick — New York Botanical Garden
    Lewis S. Nelson — Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
    Richard D. Shih — Weill Cornell Medicine
    Noah Whiteman — University of California, Berkeley
    Sonny Larsson — Uppsala University

    Sarah Lister — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
    Ahna Brutlag — Pet Poison Helpline
    Justine Lee — Pet Poison Helpline
    Tina Wismer — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
    Steven Hansen — Pet Poison Helpline
    Timothy J. Evans — University of Illinois
    Rebecca H. McClanahan — University of California, Davis
    Philippa A. Smith — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
    Eimear M. Nic Lughadha — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
    William Milliken — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

    Edward P. Krenzelok — Pittsburgh Poison Center
    Robert S. Hoffman — NYU Grossman School of Medicine
    William Banner — Oklahoma Center for Poison & Drug Information
    Paul M. Wax — UT Southwestern Medical Center
    Henry A. Spiller — Kentucky Poison Control Center
    Mary Ann McGregor — Texas Poison Center Network
    Kurt A. Kleinschmidt — Texas Poison Center Network
    Donna L. Seger — Tennessee Poison Center
    Christine Murphy — National Capital Poison Center
    Gwen Wurm — Oregon Poison Center

    David Trinklein — University of Missouri Extension
    Karen Funkenbusch — University of Missouri Extension
    Ralph Whitesides — Utah State University Extension
    Corey Ransom — Utah State University
    Bret A. Scasta — University of Wyoming
    Keith Johnson — Purdue University Extension
    Debra Hagstrom — University of Illinois Extension
    Tom Dudek — University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
    Maryline Seigler — University of Florida
    Stephen L. Welsh — Brigham Young University

    Craig A. Schmutz — University of Saskatchewan
    David W. Hulbert — University of Queensland
    Caroline Veresoglou — Freie Universität Berlin
    Daniel J. Kliebenstein — University of California, Davis
    Mark A. D. Goodwin — University of Georgia
    James A. Duke — USDA
    Julia F. Morton — University of Miami
    Lawrence Kaplan — University of Massachusetts Boston
    Peter A. Cock — Australia (Plant Toxins Research)

    Robyn M. Gleadow — Monash University
    Ian E. Cock — RMIT University
    Philippa M. Forrester — University of Sydney
    Mary T. Fletcher — The University of Queensland
    Robert J. Petroski — University of Queensland
    John M. Coleman — CSIRO
    Ralph D. Tanner — CSIRO
    Andrew W. Poulsen — CSIRO
    John A. Sutherland — University of Adelaide
    Peter J. McGee — University of New England

    Bryan G. Fry — The University of Queensland
    Alan L. Hart — University of Oxford
    Mark W. Gurnell — University of Cambridge
    David J. Watson — University of Tasmania
    Ian D. Rae — Monash University
    John M. Jacobsen — Montana State University
    Wendy C. Weedon — University of Florida

    Karin L. Wieringa — Wageningen University & Research
    Rohan A. Davis — The University of Queensland
    Vicki A. L. Mellick — University of New South Wales
    Paul G. Jones — University of Reading
    Nigel J. C. Veitch — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
    Monica F. M. Gruber — University of Bristol
    Anne Osbourn — John Innes Centre
    Michael Heinrich — UCL School of Pharmacy
    Christine A. Smart — Cornell University

    14 min
  11. Biofortify Your Greens: Iodine, Selenium & Hydroponic Nutrition

    Episode 372

    Show notes

    Host Dr. Russell Sharp of Hydroponics Daily explains how hydroponic fertigation and his product Gold Leaf (Liquid Gold in the UK) can be used to biofortify edible crops with nutrients like iodine, selenium, iron, zinc and silicon.

    The episode covers practical benefits, higher micronutrient content, potential shelf-life and quality improvements, and serious cautions, especially selenium toxicity, stressing professional handling and precise dosing.

    Listeners learn why hydroponics makes targeted nutrient enrichment easier than soil, which crops have been shown to respond (lettuce, basil), and how biofortification might impact human nutrition and future dietary needs.

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

    Howarth E. Bouis — International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) / HarvestPlus

    Amy Saltzman — HarvestPlus

    Wolfgang H. Pfeiffer — HarvestPlus / CGIAR

    J.V. Meenakshi — IFPRI

    Ekin Birol — IFPRI / HarvestPlus

    Edward A. Boy — HarvestPlus

    Dean A. Boy — HarvestPlus

    Daniel Asare-Marfo — IFPRI / HarvestPlus

    Erick Boy — HarvestPlus

    Jan W. Low — International Potato Center (CIP)

    Robert O.M. Mwanga — International Potato Center (CIP)

    Maria I. Andrade — International Potato Center (CIP)

    Hugo Campos — International Potato Center (CIP)

    Graham Thiele — International Potato Center (CIP)

    Marcin G. Wirth — ETH Zürich

    Ines Slamet-Loedin — International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

    B.P. Mallikarjuna Swamy — International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

    Rainer Schulin — ETH Zürich

    Roslyn B. Gleadow — Monash University

    Christine H. Foyer — University of Birmingham

    Ismail Cakmak — Sabanci University

    Güzel Velu — CIMMYT

    Iván Ortiz-Monasterio — CIMMYT

    R.P. (Ravi) Singh — CIMMYT

    Velu Govindan — CIMMYT

    Yuri (Y.) Hao — CIMMYT

    Manish Roorkiwal — ICRISAT

    Rajeev K. Varshney — CSIRO / formerly ICRISAT

    Hari D. Upadhyaya — ICRISAT

    Rajeev Gupta — CSIRO

    Michael J. Welch — Cornell University

    Ross M. Welch — Cornell University

    Robin D. Graham — University of Adelaide

    Richard D. Thompson — ETH Zürich

    Philip J. White — The James Hutton Institute

    Martin R. Broadley — University of Nottingham

    Steven P. McGrath — Rothamsted Research

    Andy R. Smith — University of Cambridge

    Cathie Martin — John Innes Centre

    Lionel J. Dupont — INRAE

    Victor Raboy — USDA-ARS

    Paul M. Hasegawa — Purdue University

    Jian-Kang Zhu — Purdue University

    David E. Salt — University of Nottingham

    Nicolaus von Wirén — Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)

    Ute Krämer — Ruhr University Bochum

    Hakan Wallin — Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

    M.S. (Mike) Griffiths — University of York

    Elad Tako — Cornell University

    Julia F. Kotzé — University of Pretoria

    Richard P. Glahn — USDA-ARS

    Raymond P. Glahn — USDA-ARS

    James P. Li — University of Minnesota

    Tom L. Sleper — University of Missouri

    Dean DellaPenna — Michigan State University

    Robert A. McClung — Carnegie Mellon University

    Peter Beyer — University of Freiburg

    Ingo Potrykus — ETH Zürich

    Paola Carillo — University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”

    Roberto Papa — Marche Polytechnic University

    Cristóbal Uauy — John Innes Centre

    Nigel G. Halford — Rothamsted Research

    Peter R. Shewry — Rothamsted Research

    Alison J. Smith — University of Cambridge

    Catherine J. Dixon — University of Leeds

    Darren J. Plett — CSIRO Agriculture and Food

    Mark Tester — University of Adelaide

    Jana K. Scharfenberg — University of Hohenheim

    Ivan Baxter — Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

    Brian Larkins — University of Arizona

    Torbert Rocheford — Purdue University

    Regina A. Feil — University of Bonn

    Karl-Josef Dietz — Bielefeld University

    Hans-Peter Braun — Leibniz University Hannover

    Elizabeth A. Ainsworth — USDA-ARS / University of Illinois

    Donald R. Ort — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Krishna K. Niyogi — University of California, Berkeley

    Sabeeha S. Merchant — University of California, Berkeley

    Joanna Barłóg — Poznań University of Life Sciences

    Mariola K. Kozak — Warsaw University of Life Sciences

    Ramesh V. Sunkar — Oklahoma State University

    Amitava Roy — Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

    K.V. Prasad — Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR)

    K.C. Bansal — National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI)

    Usha Kiran — NABI

    Ramesh Chand — Banaras Hindu University

    A.K. Singh — Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR)

    A. Raman — Punjab Agricultural University

    B.S. Gill — Texas A&M University

    Ravi Singh — CIMMYT

    Mahmoud S. Hussein — University of Guelph

    Youbin Zheng — University of Guelph

    Rowan F. Sage — University of Toronto

    Bernard R. Glick — University of Waterloo

    Leon V. Kochian — Cornell University

    Jason P. Wallace — University of Georgia

    Maria C. Gelli — University of Florida

    Adam J. Boggs — University of California, Davis

    James V. Anderson — USDA-ARS

    Bruce Bugbee — Utah State University

    7 min
  12. Don't Get Ripped Off: How to Choose Microbial Biostimulants

    Episode 371

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp explains how to choose and use microbial biostimulants for hydroponics, focusing on production/expiry dates, manufacturer credibility, and the trade-offs between liquid and powder formulations.

    He recommends trusted suppliers (Legume Technology, Omex/Biomex, Symbiom, Koppert's Trianum P), suggests starting with Bacillus blends and Trichoderma, and advises using seaweed extracts, humic acids and mild fertilizers to feed, not kill, microbes.

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

    Ben Lugtenberg — Leiden University

    Jos M. Raaijmakers — Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)

    Corné M. J. Pieterse — Utrecht University

    Paola Bonfante — University of Turin

    Ian R. Sanders — University of Lausanne

    Toby Kiers — Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

    Uta Paszkowski — University of Cambridge

    Marcel G. A. van der Heijden — Agroscope

    Jan Jansa — Agroscope

    Marc-André Selosse — Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (Paris)

    Francis Martin — INRAE (France)

    Jonathan D. Leake — University of Sheffield

    David J. Read — University of Sheffield

    Katie J. Field — University of Sheffield

    David Johnson — University of Aberdeen

    Mark Brundrett — University of Western Australia

    Sally E. Smith — University of Adelaide

    Suzanne Simard — University of British Columbia

    Nancy C. Johnson — Northern Arizona University

    Matthias C. Rillig — Freie Universität Berlin

    Katharine A. Horton — University of Canterbury

    Michael J. Ryan — University of Sydney

    Caroline P. P. N. “Caro” Veresoglou — Freie Universität Berlin

    Tim Daniell — The James Hutton Institute

    David E. Crowley — University of California, Riverside

    Egbert Schwartz — University of Arizona

    Sharon L. Doty — University of Washington

    Fitri A. Widiastuti — Bogor Agricultural University

    Bernard R. Glick — University of Waterloo

    Everlon C. Rigobelo — São Paulo State University (UNESP)

    Harsh P. Bais — University of Delaware

    Indranil Mukherjee — Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

    Dilfuza Egamberdieva — Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ)

    Naveen K. Arora — Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University

    Rainer Borriss — Humboldt University of Berlin

    Blanca B. Landa — Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (CSIC, Spain)

    Philippe Lemanceau — INRAE

    Christophe Prigent-Combaret — Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

    Sonia Compant — AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

    Kornelia Smalla — Julius Kühn-Institut

    Angela Sessitsch — AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

    Gustavo Santoyo — Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo

    Roberto Kolter — Harvard Medical School

    Jeffrey L. Dangl — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Paul Schulze-Lefert — Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research

    Marcel Dicke — Wageningen University & Research

    Wietse de Boer — Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)

    Linda Thomashow — USDA-ARS (Pullman)

    David M. Weller — USDA-ARS (Pullman)

    Cheryl B. Anderton — Washington State University

    Gary E. Harman — Cornell University

    Matteo Lorito — University of Naples Federico II

    Sheridan L. Woo — University of Naples Federico II

    Christian P. Kubicek — TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology)

    Irina S. Druzhinina — TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology)

    Enrique Monte — University of Salamanca

    Charles M. Kenerley — Texas A&M University

    Sam E. Gryzenhout — University of the Free State

    László Kredics — University of Szeged

    Gábor Szakács — Budapest University of Technology and Economics

    B. A. Horwitz — Weizmann Institute of Science

    Alfredo Herrera-Estrella — LANGEBIO (CINVESTAV, Mexico)

    Alfredo Herrera-Estrella (Plant–microbe) — Irapuato Unit, CINVESTAV

    Antonietta “Tetta” Vinale — University of Naples Federico II

    Massimo Zaccardelli — CREA (Italy)

    Francesco S. “F.” Camera — University of Padua

    Antonio Di Pietro — University of Córdoba

    Fernando C. “F.” López-Bucio — Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo

    Pedro A. H. M. Bakker — Utrecht University

    Jasper F. van der Putten — Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)

    Giles E. D. Oldroyd — University of Cambridge

    Maria J. Harrison — Boyce Thompson Institute

    Jean-Michel Ané — University of Wisconsin–Madison

    Carla M. “C.” R. Carvalho — University of São Paulo

    Paola Angelini — University of Perugia

    Andrea Genre — University of Turin

    Guillaume Béguiristain — INRAE

    Marc-Henri Lebrun — INRAE

    José M. “J.” Alvarez — University of Granada

    Paola Grenni — Water Research Institute (CNR, Italy)

    Anissa Poleatewich — Mycorrhizal Applications (Plant Health Care)

    Martin Trépanier — Premier Tech

    Maya Dayan — DYNOMYCO

    Moran Topf — DYNOMYCO

    Inge Hanssen — DCM (Group De Ceuster)

    Rob Cannings — Plant Health Care

    Pam Marrone — Marrone Bio Innovations

    Mark A. Sadowsky — University of Minnesota

    James M. Tiedje — Michigan State University

    Jo Handelsman — University of Wisconsin–Madison

    Patrick A. H. M. Bakker — Utrecht University

    Brajesh K. Singh — Western Sydney University

    Umer Chaudhry — CSIRO Agriculture and Food

    Rana Munns — CSIRO Agriculture and Food

    Michael R. McNear Jr. — University of Delaware

    Louise E. Egerton-Warburton — California State University, San Bernardino

    Thomas R. Horton — SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

    Katharine A. “K.” Treseder — University of California, Irvine

    John D. Bever — University of Kansas

    Gregory P. Cheatham — University of Georgia

    8 min
  13. Why Pumpkins Trap Forever Chemicals — and How Hydroponics Helps

    Episode 370

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp explores research showing that squashes, pumpkins and other cucurbits can absorb persistent hydrophobic pollutants (PCBs, dioxin-like compounds, organochlorine pesticides and furans) because a specific plant protein binds these chemicals and transports them into the fruit.

    The episode covers the health and food-safety implications, the potential to breed low-accumulating varieties or use phytoremediation, and why growing these crops hydroponically is a safer alternative to avoid soil-borne, long-lasting pesticides.

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

    Todd C. Wehner — North Carolina State University
    Warren Barham Henderson — North Carolina State University
    Sam Jenkins — North Carolina State University
    Chris Hernandez — University of New Hampshire
    A. F. Yeager — University of New Hampshire
    Elwyn Meader — University of New Hampshire
    J. Brent Loy — University of New Hampshire
    Cecilia E. McGregor — University of Georgia
    Pamela D. Roberts — University of Florida
    Rebecca Grumet — Michigan State University
    Zhangjun Fei — Boyce Thompson Institute
    Yiqun Weng — USDA-ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit (Madison, WI)
    Jim Myers — Oregon State University
    Chuck Bornt — Cornell Cooperative Extension
    Margaret Tuttle McGrath — Cornell University
    Michael Mazourek — Cornell University
    Jocelyn (Joss) Rose — Cornell University
    Neil Mattson — Cornell University
    Alan G. Taylor — Cornell University
    Elizabeth Maynard — Purdue University
    Rosie Lerner — Purdue University
    Katie Parker — University of Illinois Extension
    Bruce Bugbee — Utah State University
    Mark Brand — University of Connecticut
    Gerald Berkowitz — University of Connecticut
    Vance Whitaker — University of Florida
    Craig Schluttenhofer — Central State University
    Dan Putnam — University of California, Davis
    Brad Hanson — University of California, Davis
    Rebecca Sideman — University of New Hampshire
    Louise Russell — The James Hutton Institute
    David Simpson — NIAB EMR
    Howard Griffiths — University of Cambridge
    Tracy Lawson — University of Essex
    Erik H. Murchie — University of Nottingham
    Malcolm Hawkesford — Rothamsted Research
    Yiguo Hong — University of Worcester
    Owen Atkin — Australian National University
    Susanne von Caemmerer — Australian National University
    Graham Farquhar — Australian National University
    Rana Munns — CSIRO
    Robert D. Furbank — CSIRO
    Noel Cogan — Agriculture Victoria Research
    German Spangenberg — Agriculture Victoria Research
    Simone Rochfort — Agriculture Victoria Research
    Mathew A. Gilliham — University of Adelaide
    Peter Langridge — University of Adelaide
    Ute Roessner — University of Melbourne
    Mark Lefsrud — McGill University
    Adam Dale — University of Guelph
    Rowan F. Sage — University of Toronto
    Andrew Jamieson — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Kentville)
    Hugh Daubeny — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Summerland)
    Kim Lewers — USDA-ARS
    James Luby — University of Minnesota
    John R. Clark — University of Arkansas
    Patrick Conner — University of Georgia
    David Suchoff — North Carolina State University
    Jason Griffin — Kansas State University
    Zelalem Mersha — Virginia State University

    7 min
  14. Hydroponics Wrapped 2025: Triumphs & Tough Lessons

    Episode 369

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp reviews Hydroponics Daily in 2025, highlighting the top podcast episodes, surprising listener interests (pH, nutrient lockup, microgreens), event highlights, product plans, and both wins and challenges from the year.

    He also covers industry news, unusual stories like illegal grows, predictions for 2026, and plans to shift the podcast format while continuing to support growers and new products.

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

    Larry Smart — Cornell University
    Virginia Moore — Cornell University
    Christine Smart — Cornell University
    Alan Taylor — Cornell University
    (Jocelyn) Joss Rose — Cornell University
    Glenn Philippe — Cornell University
    Neil Mattson — Cornell University
    Nick Kaczmar — Cornell University
    Lynn Sosnoskie — Cornell University
    Yu Jiang — Cornell University
    Chang Chen — Cornell University
    Alireza (Ali) Abbaspourrad — Cornell University
    Bruno Xavier — Cornell University
    Roger Morse — Cornell University
    Olga Padilla-Zakour — Cornell University

    Gerald Berkowitz — University of Connecticut
    Mark Brand — University of Connecticut

    Bruce Bugbee — Utah State University

    Jose Franco Da Cunha Leme Filho — Southern Illinois University Carbondale

    Carla Garzon — Delaware Valley University

    Youbin Zheng — University of Guelph

    Marco Todesco — University of British Columbia

    Dan Putnam — University of California, Davis
    Robert B. Hutmacher — University of California, Davis
    Charlie Brummer — University of California, Davis
    Daniel Pap — University of California, Davis
    Brad Hanson — University of California, Davis
    Sara Light — University of California, Davis
    Maya Hotz — University of California, Davis
    Kadie Britt — University of California, Riverside
    Mahboubeh Dehnavi — University of California, Davis

    Nicole Gauthier — University of Kentucky
    Bob Pearce — University of Kentucky
    Raul Villanueva — University of Kentucky

    Whitney Cranshaw — Colorado State University

    Ismail Dweikat — University of Nebraska–Lincoln

    Timothy Coolong — University of Georgia

    David Suchoff — North Carolina State University

    Jason Griffin — Kansas State University

    Mitchell Dale Richmond — University of Tennessee

    Zelalem Mersha — Virginia State University
    Shilpi Chawla — Virginia State University
    Elizabeth Geyer — Virginia State University
    Ramesh Dhakal — Virginia State University
    Shuxin Ren — Virginia State University

    Rufus Akinrinlola — University of Tennessee
    Zachariah Hansen — University of Tennessee

    Alyssa Collins — Penn State Extension

    Raul Cabrera — Rutgers University
    Tom Gianfagna — Rutgers University
    John McLaughlin — Rutgers University
    Jim Simon — Rutgers University
    Andrew Wyenandt — Rutgers University

    Noel Cogan — Agriculture Victoria Research
    Aaron Elkins — Agriculture Victoria Research
    German Spangenberg — Agriculture Victoria Research
    Simone Rochfort — Agriculture Victoria Research
    Ashley Isbel — Agriculture Victoria Research
    Vilnis Ezernieks — Agriculture Victoria Research

    Antony (Tony) Bacic — La Trobe University
    Mathew G. Lewsey — La Trobe University

    Peter Duggan — CSIRO
    Stuart Gordon — CSIRO

    Andrew Fuller — Bridge Farm Bioscience
    Ray Marriott — Bridge Farm Bioscience

    Craig Schluttenhofer — Central State University

    Mark Lefsrud — McGill University

    Nitin Mantri — RMIT University

    16 min
  15. Coffee, Caffeine & Your Plants: Friend or Foe?

    Episode 368

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp examines the effects of coffee and tea on plants, explaining how caffeine and other compounds (tannins, organic acids, sugars) can act as low-dose biostimulants but become inhibitory or toxic at higher doses. He covers root drench vs foliar applications, allelopathy, impacts on microbes and pests, and how repeated use can harm photosynthesis, nutrient uptake and root health.

    Practical takeaways: occasional small amounts may help rooting, but regularly pouring leftover caffeinated drinks on houseplants can cause overwatering, chemical stress, microbial shifts and long-term damage—so avoid routine use and be cautious if trying coffee grounds as pest deterrents.

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

    Joanne Chory — Salk Institute (USA)

    Mark Estelle — University of California San Diego (USA)

    Steve Kay — University of Southern California (USA)

    Krishna K. Niyogi — University of California Berkeley (USA)

    Bob B. Buchanan — University of California Berkeley (USA)

    Chris R. Somerville — University of California Berkeley (USA)

    Julin N. Maloof — University of California Davis (USA)

    Pamela A. Ronald — University of California Davis (USA)

    Daniel J. Kliebenstein — University of California Davis (USA)

    Justin O. Borevitz — University of California Berkeley (USA)

    Natasha Raikhel — University of California Riverside (USA)

    Julia Bailey-Serres — University of California Riverside (USA)

    Siobhan Brady — University of California Davis (USA)

    Michael F. Thomashow — Michigan State University (USA)

    Sheng Yang He — Michigan State University (USA)

    Brad Day — Michigan State University (USA)

    Federica Brandizzi — Michigan State University (USA)

    Jian-Kang Zhu — Purdue University (USA)

    Scott Poethig — University of Pennsylvania (USA)

    Zhenbiao Yang — University of California Riverside (USA)

    Dominique Bergmann — Stanford University (USA)

    Sharon R. Long — Stanford University (USA)

    Wolf B. Frommer — Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (USA)

    Martin Yanofsky — University of California San Diego (USA)

    Joseph R. Ecker — Salk Institute (USA)

    Detlef Weigel — Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen (USA)

    Xuelin Wu — University of Maryland (USA)

    Kent D. Chapman — University of North Texas (USA)

    Donald R. Ort — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA)

    Stephen P. Long — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA)

    Elizabeth A. Ainsworth — USDA-ARS (USA)

    Rebecca Bart — Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (USA)

    Blake C. Meyers — Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (USA)

    Jim Giovannoni — Cornell University (USA)

    Tom Brutnell — Cornell University (USA)

    Christine Foyer — University of Birmingham (UK)

    Philip Poole — University of Oxford (UK)

    Andrew Fleming — University of Sheffield (UK)

    Alistair M. Hetherington — University of Bristol (UK)

    Carolin Müller — University of Freiburg (UK)

    Ian Graham — University of York (UK)

    Philip Mullineaux — University of Essex (UK)

    John P. Carr — University of Cambridge (UK)

    Cathie Martin — John Innes Centre (UK)

    Pernille Brodersen — University of Exeter (UK)

    Jill Harrison — University of Bristol (UK)

    Ottoline Leyser — University of Cambridge (UK)

    Jim Haseloff — University of Cambridge (UK)

    Dale Sanders — John Innes Centre (UK)

    R. George Ratcliffe — University of Oxford (UK)

    Charles Godfray — University of Oxford (UK)

    Liam Dolan — University of Oxford (UK)

    James U. U. (Jim) Whelan — University of Western Australia (Australia)

    Barry J. Pogson — Australian National University (Australia)

    Owen Atkin — Australian National University (Australia)

    Susanne von Caemmerer — Australian National University (Australia)

    Graham Farquhar — Australian National University (Australia)

    Sally Aitken — University of British Columbia (Canada)

    Carl J. Douglas — University of British Columbia (Canada)

    Justin P. K. L. (Justin) Borevitz — Australian National University (Australia)

    Marilyn Ball — Australian National University (Australia)

    Rana Munns — CSIRO (Australia)

    Mark Tester — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Australia)

    James Whelan — La Trobe University (Australia)

    Jeremy Timmis — University of Adelaide (Australia)

    Peter Langridge — University of Adelaide (Australia)

    Mathew A. Gilliham — University of Adelaide (Australia)

    Ute Roessner — University of Melbourne (Australia)

    Robert D. Furbank — CSIRO (Australia)

    David J. Beerling — University of Sheffield (UK)

    Howard Griffiths — University of Cambridge (UK)

    Rowan F. Sage — University of Toronto (Canada)

    Lewis Ziska — Columbia University (USA)

    Lisa A. Donovan — University of Georgia (USA)

    Robert A. Bressan — Purdue University (USA)

    Erik H. Murchie — University of Nottingham (UK)

    Tracy Lawson — University of Essex (UK)

    Steven M. Driever — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA)

    Yunde Zhao — University of California San Diego (USA)

    Keiko Torii — University of Washington (USA)

    Jen Sheen — Harvard Medical School (USA)

    Xing Wang Deng — Yale University (USA)

    Bonnie Bartel — Rice University (USA)

    Jianhua Zhu — University of Maryland (USA)

    José R. Dinneny — Stanford University (USA)

    David W. Ehrhardt — Carnegie Institution for Science (USA)

    Sabeeha S. Merchant — University of California Berkeley (USA)

    Susan S. Golden — University of California San Diego (USA)

    Shauna Somerville — University of California Berkeley (USA)

    Dolf Weijers — Wageningen University (UK)

    Anne Osbourn — John Innes Centre (UK)

    Mike Roberts — Lancaster University (UK)

    Robyn M. Gleadow — Monash University (Australia)

    Brett Neilan — University of New South Wales (Australia)

    Justin O’Sullivan — University of Auckland (New Zealand)

    Richard Macknight — University of Otago (New Zealand)

    Malcolm Hawkesford — Rothamsted Research (UK)

    Marcel Salathé — University of British Columbia (Canada)

    Stéphane Rolland — McGill University (Canada)

    Owen K. Atkin — Australian National University (Australia)

    7 min
  16. Cotton Candy Grapes — Naturally Flavoured?

    Episode 367

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp explores the story behind cotton candy grapes, explaining how they were created through patient, traditional plant breeding rather than artificial flavouring or genetic modification. He describes the selection process, the natural flavour compounds involved, and the decade-long effort by breeders to bring this unique-tasting fruit to market.

    The episode also looks at research into breeding strawberries and other fruits for distinctive flavours, the role of modern genomic tools in speeding selection, and how these novel varieties could intersect with hydroponic and vertical farming systems.

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

    Sun World — John Harley

    International Fruit Genetics — David Cain

    SNFL — Jean-Luc Stalon

    Bloom Fresh — Chris Davey

    ARRA — Stefano Di Michele

    Sheehan Genetics — David Sheehan

    Grapa Varieties — Luca Fini

    Great Growers Partnerships — Jim Beagle

    Vine Genetics — Paul Boss

    CSIRO — Anthony Borneman

    USDA-ARS Parlier — David Ramming

    USDA-ARS Geneva — Bruce Reisch

    Cornell Grapes — Bruce Reisch

    UC Davis Viticulture & Enology — Andy Walker

    UC Riverside Grapes — Pat Brown

    Washington State University Grapes — Markus Keller

    Oregon State University Grapes — Patty Skinkis

    Michigan State University Grapes — Paolo Sabbatini

    University of Minnesota Fruit Breeding — James Luby

    University of Arkansas Grapes — John Clark

    University of Georgia Grapes — Patrick Conner

    Texas A&M Viticulture — Lorenzo Rossi

    North Carolina State Muscadine Breeding — Renee Threlfall

    Florida A&M Grape Breeding — Jeff Wasielewski

    Florida UF/IFAS Grapes — Peter Cousins

    Agroscope Grapevine Breeding — Andreas Hund

    INRAE Grapevine Breeding — Patrice This

    IFV — Thierry Lacombe

    University of Bordeaux Vine & Wine — Eric Boissenot

    UTAD — Henrique Ribeiro

    Instituto Superior de Agronomia — Antero Martins

    CREA Viticulture — Stefano Poni

    Fondazione Edmund Mach — Marco Stefanini

    Geilweilerhof — Reinhard Töpfer

    Hochschule Geisenheim — Hans Reiner Schultz

    Wädenswil Viticulture — Jürg Linde

    University of Milan Viticulture — Attilio Scienza

    University of Turin Viticulture — Anna Schneider

    University of Adelaide Viticulture — Paul Dry

    AWRI — Rob Walker

    University of Stellenbosch Viticulture — Gert Nieuwoudt

    ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij — Danie Myburgh

    Volcani Center Grapevine — Eyal Tanne

    INIAV — Antero Martins

    Embrapa Uva e Vinho — Murillo de Albuquerque Regina

    INTA — Walter Biasi

    Universidad Nacional de Cuyo Viticulture — Laura Catena

    Catena Institute of Wine — Alejandro Vigil

    University of Chile Viticulture — Patricio Hinrichsen

    Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Viticulture — José Bordeu

    Driscoll’s — Steve Nelson

    Plant Sciences — Doug Shaw

    Berry Genetics — Kirk Larson

    Lassen Canyon Nursery — Patrick Phillips

    California Berry Cultivars — Doug Shaw

    USDA-ARS Strawberry Corvallis — Kim Lewers

    UC Davis Strawberry Breeding — Doug Shaw

    UC ANR — Mark Bolda

    UF Strawberry Breeding — Vance Whitaker

    University of Arkansas Strawberry Breeding — John Clark

    North Carolina State Strawberry Breeding — Gina Fernandez

    Michigan State University Strawberry Breeding — Chad Finn

    Cornell Strawberry Breeding — Marvin Pritts

    Oregon State University Strawberry Breeding — Chad Finn

    Washington State University Strawberry Breeding — Chuck Brun

    University of Minnesota Strawberry Breeding — Jim Luby

    University of Wisconsin Strawberry Breeding — Craig Chandler

    Penn State Strawberry Breeding — Marvin Pritts

    Rutgers Strawberry Breeding — James Polashock

    University of Maryland Strawberry Breeding — Chris Walsh

    University of Massachusetts Strawberry Breeding — Jaime Pinero

    University of New Hampshire Strawberry Program — Becky Sideman

    Agriculture Canada Kentville — Andrew Jamieson

    University of Guelph Berry Breeding — Adam Dale

    Summerland Research — Hugh Daubeny

    NIAB EMR — David Simpson

    East Malling Strawberry Breeding — David Simpson

    James Hutton Institute — Louise Russell

    Wageningen Berry Breeding — Arnaud Wybouw

    Skierniewice Institute of Horticulture — Agnieszka Masny

    IVIA — José Luis García-Baudín

    CSIC Berries — Pedro Martínez-Gómez

    INRAE Strawberry Breeding — Béatrice Denoyes

    CIV Strawberry Breeding — Stefano Tartarini

    CREA Fruit Research — Daniele Bassi

    Mazzoni Group — Luca Mazzoni

    New Fruits — Francesco Baruzzi

    Sant’Orsola — Renzo Zighera

    Fresh Forward — Geert de Weger

    Hansabred — Hans-Peter Hansen

    ABZ Seeds — Andreas Buitelaar

    Limgroup — Theo de Ruiter

    Flevo Berry — Jan van de Weg

    Planasa — Emilio Marin

    BerryWorld Varieties — Nick Marston

    Eurosemillas — Javier Cano

    Viveros California — José María López

    Fresas Nuevos Materiales — Antonio López-Aranda

    Ohalo Genetics — Nadav Cohen

    Embrapa Strawberry Program — Fernando Antunes

    9 min
  17. Amazon’s Fake Plants: The Shocking Rise of AI-Generated Seed Scams

    Episode 366

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp exposes a growing problem of fake plant listings and AI-generated seed scams on Amazon and other marketplaces, showing how buyers are being misled by impossible varieties (like bright blue hostas) and foreign drop-shippers.

    He explains how to protect yourself—check seller and nursery credentials, prefer reputable nurseries or local stores—and shares a real seed mix-up story to contrast honest mistakes with deliberate fakes.

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

    More reputable growers and seed sellers:

    Burpee — W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

    Ferry-Morse — Ferry-Morse Seed Co.

    Botanical Interests — Botanical Interests, Inc.

    Seed Needs — Seed Needs LLC

    Outsidepride — Outsidepride, Inc.

    Eden Brothers — Eden Brothers Seed Co.

    Harris Seeds — Harris Seeds

    Park Seed — Park Seed Co.

    Renee’s Garden — Renee’s Garden Seed Co.

    Seeds of Change — Seeds of Change, Inc.

    High Mowing Organic Seeds — High Mowing Seed Co.

    Sow Right Seeds — Sow Right Seeds

    HOME GROWN — Homegrown Garden

    Open Seed Vault — Open Seed Vault

    Survival Garden Seeds — Survival Garden Seeds

    Mountain Valley Seed Company — Mountain Valley Seed Company

    David’s Garden Seeds — David’s Garden Seeds

    Everwilde Farms — Everwilde Farms, Inc.

    Southern Exposure Seed Exchange — Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

    Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.

    Territorial Seed Company — Territorial Seed Company

    Johnny’s Selected Seeds — Johnny’s Selected Seeds

    Livingston Seed — Livingston Seed Company

    Lake Valley Seed — Lake Valley Seed Company

    Seed Savers Exchange — Seed Savers Exchange

    Annie’s Heirloom Seeds — Annie’s Heirloom Seeds

    Indigo Instruments (Sprout People) — The Sprout People

    Handy Pantry — Handy Pantry

    True Leaf Market — True Leaf Market

    NatureZ Edge — NatureZ Edge

    Islas Garden Seeds — Islas Garden Seeds

    Organo Republic — Organo Republic

    Sereniseed — Sereniseed

    CZ Grain — CZ Grain

    Gardeners Basics — Gardeners Basics

    The Dirty Gardener — The Dirty Gardener

    Marde Ross & Company — Marde Ross & Company

    Food to Live — Food to Live

    NOW Foods — NOW Health Group, Inc.

    Frontier Co-op — Frontier Cooperative

    Starwest Botanicals — Starwest Botanicals, Inc.

    Nature Jims Sprouts — Nature Jim’s Sprouts

    Sproutman — Sproutman Publications

    Back to the Roots — Back to the Roots, Inc.

    Tumbleweed Plant Co. — Tumbleweed Plant Co.

    Costa Farms — Costa Farms, LLC

    Proven Winners — Proven Winners North America, LLC

    Altman Plants — Altman Plants

    LiveTrends — LiveTrends Design Group

    Shop Succulents — Shop Succulents

    Succulent Studios — Succulent Studios

    The Sill — The Sill, Inc.

    Hirt’s Gardens — Hirt’s Gardens

    American Plant Exchange — American Plant Exchange

    Plants for Pets — Plants for Pets

    Brighter Blooms — Brighter Blooms Nursery

    Perfect Plants — Perfect Plants Nursery

    Nature Hills Nursery — Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

    Bloomify — Bloomify

    House Plant Shop — House Plant Shop

    JM Bamboo — JM Bamboo

    Florida Foliage — Florida Foliage

    Green Promise Farms — Green Promise Farms

    Rooted (Rooted Plants) — Rooted

    Easy to Grow — Easy to Grow Bulbs

    Van Zyverden — Van Zyverden, Inc.

    Holland Bulb Farms — Holland Bulb Farms

    Breck’s — Breck’s

    Colorblends — Colorblends Wholesale Flowerbulbs

    Eden Brothers Bulbs — Eden Brothers

    Gurney’s — Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Co.

    Stark Bro’s — Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co.

    Spring Hill Nurseries — Spring Hill Nurseries

    Wayside Gardens — Wayside Gardens

    White Flower Farm — White Flower Farm

    Monrovia — Monrovia Nursery Company

    Logee’s — Logee’s Plants for Home & Garden

    Wellspring Gardens — Wellspring Gardens

    Brighter Gardens — Brighter Gardens

    Blue Ribbon Plants — Blue Ribbon Plants

    Green Escape — Green Escape

    Golden Gate Palms — Golden Gate Palms

    FastGrowingTrees.com — Fast Growing Trees, LLC

    Brussel’s Bonsai — Brussel’s Bonsai Nursery

    Eastern Leaf — Eastern Leaf, Inc.

    Seedville USA — Seedville USA

    Seeds2Go — Seeds2Go

    Nature’s Blossom — Nature’s Blossom

    Garden Republic — Garden Republic

    The Old Farmer’s Almanac Seed — Old Farmer’s Almanac

    Purely Organic Products — Purely Organic Products

    Nature’s Way Seeds — Nature’s Way Seeds

    The Clayton Farm — The Clayton Farm

    Ferry-Morse Home Gardening — Ferry-Morse Seed Co.

    Bonnie Plants — Bonnie Plants, LLC

    D. Hill Nursery — D. Hill Nursery

    Greenhouse PCA — Greenhouse PCA

    California Tropicals — California Tropicals

    Humble Roots — Humble Roots

    Green 4 Ever — Green 4 Ever

    6 min
  18. Plant Melatonin: Supercharge Roots and Stress Tolerance in Hydroponics

    Episode 365

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp explains how melatonin — a molecule known for human sleep and stress regulation — is produced by plants and acts as a powerful antioxidant and growth regulator. In hydroponics it can enhance root growth, improve stress tolerance under high light or unstable conditions, delay leaf senescence, and support photosynthesis and secondary metabolite production.

    Applied as a foliar spray, seed priming, or added to nutrient solutions at micromolar concentrations, melatonin is water-soluble and allows precise dosing in soilless systems. Research shows benefits in crops like tomato and lettuce, with increased root-to-shoot ratios and higher antioxidant levels under stress.

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

    Russel Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Rakesh K. Singh — Banaras Hindu University

    Nasser Al-Aghbar — King Abdulaziz University

    Rajeev K. Varshney — International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

    Chao Zhao — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Wei Wei — Zhejiang University

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Russel J. Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Sergiu F. Chivu — University of Bucharest

    Guang-Yu Chen — Zhejiang University

    Xing-Guo Lu — South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences

    Shuang-Qing Peng — South China Agricultural University

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Russel Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Wei Meng — Zhejiang University

    Natalia Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Chunhua Zhao — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Javier Martinez — University of Granada

    Ana Cano — University of Granada

    Russel J. Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Debabrata Chattopadhyay — Bose Institute

    Fanyue Meng — Zhejiang University

    Chao Zhao — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Bin Xu — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Wei Wei — Zhejiang University

    Maria Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Sergey Kvetnoy — Russian Academy of Sciences

    Jian-Kang Zhu — University of California, Riverside

    Chunhua Zhao — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Xiaohong Zhu — South China Botanical Garden

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Russel Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Iwona Zielenkiewicz — Polish Academy of Sciences

    Yali Zhang — Zhejiang University

    Fang Fang — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Xinyue Wang — South China Botanical Garden

    Sonia Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Gonzalo Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Javier Martinez — University of Granada

    Ana Cano — University of Granada

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Russel Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Yi Li — Zhejiang University

    Chunhua Zhao — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Wei Wei — Zhejiang University

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Russel J. Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Rajeev K. Varshney — ICRISAT

    Rafael Guerrero — University of Granada

    Juan Pablo Martínez — University of Granada

    Natalia Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Chunhua Zhao — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Wei Wei — Zhejiang University

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Russel Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Javier Martinez — University of Granada

    Ana Cano — University of Granada

    Chao Zhao — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Fang Fang — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Xinyue Wang — South China Botanical Garden

    Maria Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Sergey Kvetnoy — Russian Academy of Sciences

    Jian-Kang Zhu — University of California, Riverside

    Fanyue Meng — Zhejiang University

    Guang-Yu Chen — Zhejiang University

    Shuang-Qing Peng — South China Agricultural University

    Debabrata Chattopadhyay — Bose Institute

    Iwona Zielenkiewicz — Polish Academy of Sciences

    Yali Zhang — Zhejiang University

    Xiaohong Zhu — South China Botanical Garden

    Fang Fang — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Yi Li — Zhejiang University

    Rafael Guerrero — University of Granada

    Juan Pablo Martínez — University of Granada

    Russel Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Javier Martinez — University of Granada

    Ana Cano — University of Granada

    Natalia Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Maria Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Chao Zhao — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Wei Wei — Zhejiang University

    Chunhua Zhao — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Guang-Yu Chen — Zhejiang University

    Fanyue Meng — Zhejiang University

    Sergey Kvetnoy — Russian Academy of Sciences

    Jian-Kang Zhu — University of California, Riverside

    Debabrata Chattopadhyay — Bose Institute

    Iwona Zielenkiewicz — Polish Academy of Sciences

    Fang Fang — Nanjing Agricultural University

    Xinyue Wang — South China Botanical Garden

    Yi Li — Zhejiang University

    Rafael Guerrero — University of Granada

    Juan Pablo Martínez — University of Granada

    Russel Reiter — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Dun-Xian Tan — University of Texas Health Science Center

    Javier Martinez — University of Granada

    Ana Cano — University of Granada

    5 min
  19. Are Soilless Crops Artificially Flavoured? Hydroponics Myth Busted

    Episode 364

    Show notes

    Host Dr. Russell Sharp tackles a Twitter claim that hydroponic crops lack micronutrients and are artificially flavoured, explaining why those assertions are incorrect and how micronutrient levels can be measured (e.g., atomic absorption spectroscopy).

    He reviews research on manipulating flavor through nutrient levels, light, and biostimulants, notes the limited and mixed evidence, and concludes there is no solid proof of intentional artificial flavouring in hydroponic produce; soilless systems can match or even enhance some flavour-related compounds.

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

    Gary Reineccius — University of Minnesota
    Andrew Taylor — University of Nottingham
    Russell Keast — Deakin University
    Charles Spence — University of Oxford
    Harrison Schmitt — Virginia Tech
    Morten Møller — University of Copenhagen
    John Hayes — Penn State University
    Qian Janice Wang — Aarhus University
    Marcia Pelchat — Monell Chemical Senses Center
    Barry Smith — University of London

    Linda Bartoshuk — University of Florida
    Paul Breslin — Monell Chemical Senses Center
    Danielle Reed — Monell Chemical Senses Center
    Barry Green — Monell Chemical Senses Center
    Thomas Hummel — Technical University of Dresden
    Alan Hirsch — Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
    Susan Schiffman — Duke University
    Molly Birnbaum — Freelance Food Writer
    Harold McGee — Freelance Food Writer
    Kantha Shelke — Corvus Blue

    Tim Hanni — Master of Wine Institute
    Geoffrey Talavera — Freelance Flavor Consultant
    Peter Schieberle — Technical University of Munich
    Thomas Hofmann — Technical University of Munich
    Corinna Dawid — Technical University of Munich
    Veronika Somoza — University of Vienna
    Morten Andersen — University of Copenhagen
    Christophe Lavalle — AgroParisTech
    Stéphane Guichard — INRAE
    Thierry Thomas-Danguin — INRAE

    Erich Leitner — Graz University of Technology
    Hans-Georg Schmarr — University of Hohenheim
    Elke Pawelzik — University of Göttingen
    Michael Witting — Helmholtz Zentrum München
    Ralf Zimmermann — University of Rostock
    Francesco Capozzi — University of Bologna
    Giovanni Capuano — University of Naples Federico II
    Maurizio Servili — University of Perugia
    Rosa Lo Scalzo — CREA Italy
    Paolo Masella — University of Parma

    Fidel Toldrá — Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos
    María Dolores del Castillo — Spanish National Research Council
    Dolores Coreta-Gomis — University of Valencia
    Juan Fernández-García — University of Granada
    Ana Bayarri — University of Valencia
    Marta Corredig — Aarhus University
    Marina Heinonen — University of Helsinki
    Anu Hopia — University of Turku
    Kees de Graaf — Wageningen University & Research
    Gerry Barker — University of Leeds

    Jean-Marie Lehn — Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
    Wilfried Meyerhof — German Institute of Human Nutrition
    Maik Behrens — German Institute of Human Nutrition
    John Prescott — University of Otago
    Anna M. Di Monaco — University of Naples Federico II
    Catherine Barry — University College Dublin
    Aurelio Lopez-Malo — Universidad de las Américas Puebla
    Rosario Zamora — Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia
    Isabel Hernando — Polytechnic University of Valencia
    Dolores Torres — University of Zaragoza

    Jean-Pierre Cotter — International Organization of the Flavor Industry
    Robert Hall — Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association
    Hervé This — AgroParisTech
    Arielle Johnson — Independent Flavor Researcher
    Dave Arnold — Museum of Food and Drink
    Ali Bouzari — Pilot R&D
    Peter Barham — University of Bristol
    François Chartier — INRAE
    Gérard Trystram — AgroParisTech

    5 min
  20. UK Energy Shock: 94% Rise in Standing Charges Threatens Vertical Farms

    Episode 363

    Show notes

    Dr. Russell Sharp examines a warning from the UK Urban AgriTech group that a planned 94% increase in electricity network standing charges from April 2026 could dramatically raise operating costs for vertical farms and greenhouses, risking business failures, reduced domestic produce and higher food prices.

    The episode explains how horticulture is excluded from the energy-intensive industries exemption, compares UK energy costs with EU competitors, and outlines how razor-thin margins make indoor growers particularly vulnerable; calling for urgent policy review and industry engagement.

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

    Leo Marcelis — Wageningen University & Research
    Erik Runkle — Michigan State University
    Neil Mattson — Cornell University
    Bruce Bugbee — Utah State University
    Roberto Lopez — Michigan State University
    Chieri Kubota — Ohio State University
    Youbin Zheng — University of Guelph
    Toyoki Kozai — Chiba University
    Genhua Niu — Texas A&M AgriLife Research
    A.J. Both — Rutgers University

    Peter van Weel — Wageningen University & Research
    Eugene Jones — University of Arizona
    Cary Mitchell — Purdue University
    Klaus Stanghellini — Wageningen University & Research
    Bert van Ruijven — Wageningen University & Research
    Frank Kempkes — Wageningen University & Research
    Ep Heuvelink — Wageningen University & Research
    Silvia Pampuri — Wageningen University & Research
    Simon Pearson — University of Lincoln
    David Llewellyn — Harper Adams University

    Paul Hadley — University of Reading
    Jeremy Burdon — Harper Adams University
    Mark Else — Cranfield University
    Graham Wallace — James Hutton Institute
    James Locke — USDA Agricultural Research Service
    Dewayne Ingram — University of Kentucky
    Michelle Jones — Ohio State University
    Kevin Folta — University of Florida
    Michele Montero — University of Almería
    Juan Fernández — University of Almería

    Kees van der Velden — Wageningen University & Research
    Artemis Koukounaras — Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
    Giacomo Tosti — University of Bologna
    Rita Maggini — University of Pisa
    Paolo Sambo — University of Padua
    Lorenzo Pardossi — University of Pisa
    Alessandro Ferrante — University of Milan
    Gabriele Costa — University of Bologna
    Luigi De Bellis — University of Salento
    Francesco Orsini — University of Bologna

    Michael Struik — Wageningen University & Research
    Andrew Neilson — University of Nottingham
    Zhenhua He — University of Florida
    Haijun Liu — Zhejiang University
    Yuanhui Zhang — University of Illinois
    Qingwu Guan — Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
    Xiuming Hao — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Bob Hansen — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Xiaohong Yang — Nanjing Agricultural University
    Jianjun Chen — University of Florida

    Pramod Pandey — University of Illinois
    Arun Kumar — Indian Agricultural Research Institute
    Sanjay Kumar — Indian Institute of Horticultural Research
    Rajesh Kumar — Punjab Agricultural University
    Hiroshi Shimizu — Kyoto University
    Masaharu Kitano — Kyushu University
    Yasushi Ishigami — University of Tokyo
    Toshihiko Kozai — Chiba University
    Keisuke Omasa — University of Tokyo
    Hirokazu Takahashi — Tohoku University

    7 min