Grafting curiosities

Welcome back to Hydroponics Daily! In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of grafting, where innovation meets horticulture. Discover the concept of a "family tree" with diverse apple varieties grafted onto a single tree, ensuring a good pollen donor and maximizing variety. We explore the widespread practice of grape grafting in vineyards, crucial for overcoming root diseases like phylloxera.

Learn about top-working with cherries, where ornamental foliage is grafted onto sturdy rootstocks, popular in cultural festivals. We discuss intriguing experiments like grafting hops and cannabis, highlighting the complexities of interstocks for incompatible varieties. Discover how hot pipe grafting and electrical conductivity are employed to improve grafting success rates.

Uncover the vibrant world of grafted cacti, a unique aesthetic choice available in stores. We discuss grafting curiosities, like the parescia, a cold-tolerant plant from the cactus family, and why euphorbias can't be merged with cacti.

Finally, we touch on the rare and extraordinary occurrences of chimeras in plants, where genetically distinct cell lines merge, creating unique flora. Tune in to explore these grafting marvels and more!

In this insightful episode of Hydroponics Daily, host Russell Sharp delves into the crucial role of calcium in plant nutrition, particularly within hydroponic systems. As a secondary macronutrient, calcium is vital for the strength and growth of plant cell walls and is an essential player in cell division and signaling. Russell outlines the common problem of calcium deficiency, which often manifests as necrotic tissue in young plants, leading to issues such as "dead heart" in lettuce and blossom end rot in tomatoes. Despite appearances, these problems are typically caused not by a lack of calcium but by inconsistent water availability and environmental factors. Listeners will gain insights into maintaining calcium levels and learn the art of balancing water management to prevent deficiencies. Russel debunks common misconceptions related to one-part fertilizers and highlights the importance of selecting the right nutrients to ensure healthy, thriving plants in any hydroponic setup.

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