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.

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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

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.

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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

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

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

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

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.

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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/

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/