Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchDoes Big Money Matter? The New Economics of CEA Investing
Episode 337
Dr. Russell Sharp breaks down a candid interview with Equilibrium Capital's Dave Chen on the challenges of financing and scaling controlled environment agriculture (CEA). He covers why large capital …
Published on 1 week, 3 days ago
More Grocery Store Hacks: Growing Exotic Rhizomes for Less
Episode 336
Dr. Russell Sharp explains how to use store-bought seeds, rhizomes and tubers—like spelt, mung beans, turmeric, ginger, galangal, sweet potatoes and more—as propagation material for hydroponic crops …
Published on 1 week, 4 days ago
Predicting Cannabis Potency with Your Smartphone: Hyperspectral Breakthrough
Episode 335
Dr. Russell Sharp explores recent research showing that hyperspectral leaf scans combined with machine learning can predict cannabinoid concentrations in legal cannabis before harvest, and outlines a…
Published on 1 week, 5 days ago
How Weight-Loss Drugs Could Reshape Global Crop Demand
Episode 334
Dr. Russell Sharp explores how widespread use of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs (soon available orally) could reduce overall calorie intake and shift demand across crop types. He outlines the likely big los…
Published on 1 week, 6 days ago
Spain's Radical Plan: 20–30 Day Crop Shutdown to Kill Thrips
Episode 333
Dr. Russell Sharp explores a controversial strategy where entire growing regions pause production for 20–30 days to break pest life cycles — using crop removal, soil solarization and biological contr…
Published on 2 weeks ago
Vanilla Cultivation - Hand-Pollinated Gold
Episode 332
Dr. Russell Sharp dives into the unique world of vanilla: an orchid vine that requires delicate, manual pollination outside its native range, long development times, and careful curing. Learn why van…
Published on 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Hydroponics on the Alkaline Edge: Crops That Cope with High pH
Episode 331
Dr. Russell Sharp explores plants and crops that tolerate very alkaline soils and how that knowledge applies to hydroponic systems. The episode covers common tolerant crops (barley, sugar beet, cotto…
Published on 2 weeks, 2 days ago
Why Acid-Loving Crops Thrive at pH 5.5 in Hydroponics
Episode 330
In this short episode Dr. Russell Sharp explores which crops naturally prefer acidic conditions and explains why, when grown hydroponically, they are typically kept around pH 5.0–5.5 rather than the …
Published on 2 weeks, 3 days ago
Rockwool vs Bare-Root NFT: When to Use Growing Media
Episode 329
Host Dr. Russell Sharp explores why some hydroponic systems use large grow media slabs (like rockwool) while others rely on bare-root NFT with small plugs, explaining the advantages and drawbacks for…
Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago
Hydroponic Avocado Revolution: Mexico’s Soil-less Orchards
Episode 328
In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp of Hydroponics Daily explores the rising use of hydroponics to grow avocados in Mexico. He explains the common systems (air pots, coco, drip irrigation), the reasons…
Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago