Hydroponics Daily

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

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

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)

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

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