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The internet is a minefield of questionable plant hacks, rage bait, and—sigh—banana water. Good thing The Plant Prof is here to shed some science on the matter.
Vikram Baliga, a.k.a. The Plant Prof, is a professor of horticulture and the host of the podcasts Planthropology and Deep Roots. He is that rare being in the world of science: an academic who has also honed the skill of communicating with non-academic audiences. As he says, public taxes pay for science research. The public deserves good, true scientific information.
Today’s conversation ranges across education and misinformation in the digital age, the evolution of science, and the importance of experimentation. Then we get practical with tips on compost tea, a nuanced discussion on using synthetic or organic fertilization methods, and garden hacks that actually work. Of course, we also have to take a few minutes to get excited about Vikram’s information–packed children’s book, Plants to the Rescue: The Plants, Trees, and Fungi that are Solving Some of the World’s Biggest Problems. Have a listen; class is in session!
Find Vikram Online at:
- The Planthropology Podcast
- Deep Roots Podcast
- Texas Tech Davis College of Ag Natural Resources website
- YouTube
- Bluesky
- X
Vikram’s Book:
Plants to the Rescue , published by Neon Squid Books
Timestamps
00:14 Intro
00:30 Meet Vikram Baliga, The Plant Prof
02:33 Vikram’s Podcasts: The Planthropology Podcast and Deep
Roots
03:37 The Challenge of Public Science Communication
10:42 Plants don’t read our textbooks.
12:20 Plants Always Win Stole its Name from Planthropology Merch
13:04 The Evolution of Science and the Freedom to Experiment
15:56 Vikram’s Home Fertilizer Hack Experiments: Rice Water, Banana Water, Oatmeal, Cinnamon, etc.
18:36 How to Make Compost Tea
21:22 Synthetic Commercial Fertilizers vs. Organic Fertilizers for Containers, Planters, and Gardens
30:48 Vikram’s New Kids’ Book: Plants to the Rescue
36:50 Gardening Hacks that Actually Work
40:04 Things That Make Your Gardening Life Easier
40:41 That Time Sean Hacked his Leg Open
42:32 The Best Way to Grow a Garden is In Community
44:52 Find Vikram Online
45:43 Outro and Contact Us