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Introduction to Valentina's Hydroponic Journey
I'm thrilled to begin this hydroponic adventure with Valentina, exploring new frontiers in gardening just as her namesake did in space. Using the ESP32 for automation, this journey not only fosters plant growth but also blends technology and botany beautifully!
Plant Nickname: Valentina (named in honor of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman astronaut, aligning with her seed germination date on Cosmonautics Day, April 11).
Growing Setup:
System Type: Ebb & Flow Hydroponics
Tank Capacity: 9 liters, filled with pre-stabilized expanded clay pellets (pH-stabilized)
Seedling Transition: Emerged from seed on April 14, transferred to the main grow container on April 15
Initial Parameters:
Lighting: 30W LED, set on an 18/6 cycle, positioned 25 cm above the plant
Temperature and Climate:
Root Zone Temperature: 23.88°C
Air Temperature: 21.71°C
Humidity: 68.93%
Nutrient Solution:
Volume: 11L
pH: Adjusted from 7.1 to 5.35 using pH down
Electrical Conductivity (EC): Increased from 0.183 to 0.37 mS/cm
Nutrients Used (Terra Aquatica TriPart Series):
Micro: 2 ml (0.18 ml/L)
Grow: 2 ml (0.18 ml/L)
Bloom: 2 ml (0.18 ml/L)
Pro Roots: 2 ml (0.18 ml/L)
Automation:
Control System: Automated using ESP32 with Micropython for managing light and irrigation schedules seamlessly.
Parameters:
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pH Range: 5.8-6.2
EC Levels: 1.3-1.4 (gradually increased)
Light: 90W LED positioned 25 cm away
Training:
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- Implemented LST immediately, which led to accidental topping when the central cola was severed by the training wire.
- The topping was unintentional but provided additional training.
Challenges and Corrections:
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- Nutrient Deficiency: The plant experienced early-stage hunger due to underfeeding. This was corrected by gradually increasing the EC.
- Wind Stress: Excessive airflow caused leaf curling where the fan blew directly. Adjusted the fan to minimize this effect.
- Lighting Distance: The lamp was too close initially, causing stem reddening. Raised the light to a safer distance.
Please share your opinion.
Where are the problems and faults? I will be glad to have any opinion.
This week marks the 8th week of flowering for my Valentina. She is flourishing and looking vibrant. The leaves are a healthy green, which tells me they’re getting the right nutrients. I’ve been diligent about removing the lower leaves and smaller colas that wouldn’t receive enough light, which has helped to keep the plants well-ventilated and focused on growing the upper buds.
The environmental conditions have been pretty stable. During the day, I keep the temperature around 25-27°C, and at night, it drops to a comfortable 19-21°C. Humidity is at 70%, which is perfect for now, but I’ll start lowering it as we get closer to harvest to prevent any mold issues.
I’m maintaining the pH at 5.7-6.2, and the nutrient solution’s EC is steady at 1.9 mS/cm. The solution temperature at a nice 24°C. This setup seems to be working well, as the plants are showing no signs of nutrient burn or deficiencies.
From 11.06 to 12.06, the pump broke, which caused the plant to slow down in growth for a few days. I replaced the pump, and growth resumed normally.
Overall, everything is proceeding normally despite the temporary setback. The nutrient dosage is a balanced mix, and I monitor EC levels to ensure optimal absorption. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, are maintained within the ideal range, with stable pH and EC levels.
We’re nearing the end of our hydroponic journey! After spending 14 days on TerraAquatica Final Part at 5ml/l, I switched to FlashClean at 2ml/l for two days. Now, the plan is to keep the plants on pure water for another 3-4 days, maybe even a week.
Stay tuned for the final results!
Here we are at the end of the first gro. 397 raw weight on the scale. I wonder how much it will be after drying. In any case, very happy with the result of the first grow on hydroponics.
@Inganjawetrust, Thank you so much! It's been a rewarding journey, and I'm excited to see it all come together. Your support means a lot. Can't wait to share the final results with everyone! 🌱💪😊
OhMyHydro
