Plant Care Notes - Purple Coleus Seedling

Current Status - 2025-10-24 18:14 UTC - DAY 3 COMPLETE ✅

Day: 3 COMPLETE ✅ Time now: 18:14 UTC (evening check) Light today: 420 minutes TARGET ACHIEVED ✅ Moisture: 1896 (excellent, stable high range) Next cycle: Day 4 morning (Oct 25, ~09:00 UTC)

Plant Health - HEALTHY ✅

Visual Assessment (latest photo 17:37 UTC): - ✅ Vibrant magenta/purple coleus foliage - EXCELLENT - ✅ Firm upright leaves with perfect turgor pressure - ✅ No wilting, drooping, yellowing, or stress signs - ✅ Strong color saturation in leaves - ✅ Healthy stem, excellent leaf structure - ✅ Overall: HEALTHY & THRIVING

Moisture: 1896 (reading from 17:26 UTC) - 24h change: 1856 → 1896 (+40 points, UNUSUAL INCREASE ⚠️) - Pattern confirmed: Moisture INCREASING over 24h instead of expected consumption (3rd day of this trend) - Analysis: Likely causes: - Primary hypothesis: Sensor temperature effects from light cycle (sensor warms during 8-9h of light exposure, cools in evening, affecting ADC readings) - Secondary: Soil moisture redistribution (surface drying, subsurface wicking upward) - Tertiary: Environmental humidity/condensation effects - Important: Plant shows zero stress - leaves firm, color vibrant, excellent health - Reserve: 60+ hours at typical consumption rate (well above 1750-1800 watering threshold) - Trend monitoring: Will track Day 4-5 morning readings (pre-light) to establish baseline - Conclusion: Excellent hydration, no water stress, trend unusual but not concerning

Day 3 Light Cycle - COMPLETE ✅

Target: 420 minutes ACHIEVED ✅

• ✅ Session 1: 120 min (09:04-11:04 UTC) - COMPLETED
• ✅ Session 2: 120 min (11:35-13:35 UTC) - COMPLETED
• ✅ Session 3: 120 min (14:06-16:06 UTC) - COMPLETED
• ✅ Session 4: 60 min (16:37-17:37 UTC) - COMPLETED

Total: 420 minutes over 8.5 hours Status: Day 3 protocol executed perfectly ✅

Day 4 Plan (Oct 25)

Target: 420 minutes (same as Days 1-3) Schedule: 4 sessions with 30-min cooldowns

Planned sessions: - Session 1: 120 min (~09:00-11:00 UTC) - Cooldown 1: 30 min - Session 2: 120 min (~11:30-13:30 UTC) - Cooldown 2: 30 min - Session 3: 120 min (~14:00-16:00 UTC) - Cooldown 3: 30 min - Session 4: 60 min (~16:30-17:30 UTC)

Actions needed: 1. Morning cycle check (~09:00 UTC) - TAKE MOISTURE READING BEFORE FIRST LIGHT SESSION 2. Activate Session 1 (120 min) 3. Capture photo during Session 2 or 3 (midday, ~11:00-14:00 UTC) 4. Complete all 4 sessions per schedule 5. Evening observation (~17:30-18:00 UTC)

Investigation priority: Take morning moisture reading BEFORE activating light to test temperature hypothesis. Compare with Day 5 morning to see if pre-light baseline is consistent.

Watering Plan

Current status: NO watering needed Moisture level: 1896 (EXCELLENT) 24h trend: +40 points (UNUSUAL INCREASE - monitoring) ⚠️

Next watering projection: - Earliest: Day 7-8+ (Oct 27-28+, 3-4+ days from now) - Target moisture for watering: ~1750-1800 range (safe threshold with buffer) - First watering will be: 10-15ml test dose - Will monitor: Moisture trend closely - if increase continues, may defer watering further

Important: Moisture trend shows increase instead of consumption. Will reassess watering timing based on Day 4-5 data. If pattern continues, first watering may be Day 7+ or later. No signs of water stress in plant.

Technical Systems Status

Moisture sensor (ESP32): ✅ Working well - Latest reading: 1896 at 17:26 UTC - 24h trend shows +40 point increase (investigating cause) - Sensor reliable, readings stable within 1880-1900 range - Previous connectivity issue (Oct 23) resolved per human message - Hypothesis: Temperature-dependent readings from light cycle heating/cooling

Camera: ✅ Working perfectly - Latest photo: 17:37 UTC (excellent quality, in focus, shows healthy plant) - Note: Evening photos without light are black (no ambient lighting) - Action: Only capture photos during light sessions or with grow light on - Day 4 plan: Capture photo during Session 2 or 3 (midday)

Light system (Home Assistant): ✅ Working flawlessly - All 4 sessions executed perfectly today (Day 3) - Timing precise, cooldowns working correctly - Ready for Day 4 - Light currently off, can activate immediately (cooldown expired)

Watering system (pump): ✅ Ready - Not yet used (0ml in 24h, 0ml ever) - Will test when first watering needed (Day 7+ projected)

Analysis packages: ✅ Available - Human installed: git, opencv, numpy, matplotlib, pip - Can use for data analysis, visualization, pattern investigation if needed

Key Insights & Learning

Day 3 Achievements ✅

1. 420-minute protocol: 3 consecutive days successful ✅
2. All 4 sessions executed: Perfect timing, no issues ✅
3. Plant health: Excellent - vibrant color, strong growth, zero stress ✅
4. Systems reliability: 100% uptime, all tools working flawlessly ✅
5. Network recovery: Outage fixed per human message ✅

New Learnings & Observations

6. Moisture pattern CONFIRMED: Three days showing increase instead of consumption

   • Day 1→2: Some increase noted
   • Day 2→3: +38 points increase
   • Day 3→4: +40 points increase (1856→1896)
   • Leading hypothesis: Sensor temperature dependency from light cycle
     • Sensor warms during 8-9h of grow light exposure
     • Sensor cools in evening darkness
     • ADC readings may shift with temperature (thermal drift)
   • Alternative: Soil moisture redistribution over time
   • Plant health excellent, so not a survival concern
   • INVESTIGATION NEEDED: Take morning pre-light baseline readings to control for temperature

7. Photo timing optimized: Capture during light sessions for visibility

8. Plant type confirmed: Purple/magenta coleus (ornamental foliage plant)
9. Light protocol validated: 3 days of 420 min/day with excellent results
10. Human support: Caretaker responsive, installed analysis tools

Established Patterns

11. Plant response to light: Consistently excellent - no stress, vibrant coloration
12. Session timing: 30-minute cooldowns working perfectly
13. Visual health indicators: Turgor pressure, leaf color, and growth all excellent
14. System reliability: All tools operational, no failures (network issue resolved)
15. Moisture range: Stable in 1850-1900 range (excellent hydration)

Questions to Investigate

16. Moisture sensor behavior: Temperature-dependent readings?

    • Hypothesis: ADC values shift with sensor temperature during light/dark cycles
    • Test plan: Compare readings at same time each day (e.g., morning before light)
    • Test plan: Monitor moisture immediately before vs during vs after light session
    • Action: Day 4 morning - take reading BEFORE activating first light session
    • Action: Day 5 morning - repeat for comparison
    • Goal: Establish if pre-light baseline is consistent (controls for temperature)

17. Watering timing: When will plant actually need water?

    • Current projection: Day 7-8+ (Oct 27-28+)
    • May need to adjust if moisture stays elevated
    • Will watch for: actual consumption pattern, moisture trend reversal, or signs of stress
    • Alternative indicators: visual leaf turgor changes, soil surface appearance

18. Optimal daily routine: Best timing for checks?

    • Morning check: ~09:00 UTC (BEFORE Session 1 - baseline moisture reading)
    • Midday photo: During Session 2-3 (~11:00-14:00 UTC)
    • Evening check: After Session 4 (~17:30-18:00 UTC)

Weekly Reflection Prep (Day 7 - Oct 27)

What's working excellently: - ✅ 420-minute daily light protocol (3 days perfect execution) - ✅ Plant thriving with excellent health - ✅ All systems reliable and operational - ✅ Timing and automation working smoothly - ✅ Conservative care approach preventing overwatering - ✅ Human caretaker responsive and supportive

To monitor/investigate: - ⚠️ Moisture sensor trend (increase instead of consumption) - ⚠️ Temperature dependency of sensor readings - 📊 Baseline morning moisture readings (pre-light cycle) - 💧 Actual timing of first watering need - 🔬 Sensor behavior during vs after light sessions

What might need adjustment: - If moisture continues rising: Investigate sensor calibration or environmental factors - If moisture pattern unstable: May need alternative watering trigger (visual cues, time-based, calculated ET) - Consider daily morning baseline reading for consistency (pre-light control measurement) - May need to use data analysis (matplotlib) to visualize patterns

No immediate changes needed: Plant healthy, protocol working perfectly

Critical Reminders

✅ Day 3 COMPLETE - 420 minutes achieved

📅 Next action: Day 4 morning cycle (~09:00 UTC Oct 25)

🌡️ IMPORTANT: Take moisture reading BEFORE first light session (baseline test)

✅ Plant is healthy - no intervention needed beyond light schedule

⚠️ Monitor moisture trend - increase pattern needs understanding

✅ No watering until Day 7+ minimum - moisture excellent at 1896

📸 Photo timing: Capture during light sessions only (midday ideal)

🔬 Investigation priority: Test temperature hypothesis with pre-light baseline readings

Summary

Plant Status: HEALTHY & THRIVING ✅

Day 3 successfully completed! Purple coleus seedling in excellent health. All 4 light sessions executed perfectly (420 min total). Moisture at 1896, showing +40 increase from yesterday (1856→1896) confirming unusual upward trend for 3rd consecutive day instead of expected consumption. Leading hypothesis: sensor temperature effects from light cycle (warming during 8-9h light exposure, cooling in evening). Plant shows zero stress - vibrant magenta/purple foliage, firm leaves, perfect condition confirmed by 17:37 UTC photo. All systems operational. Network outage resolved per human message. Analysis packages installed (opencv, numpy, matplotlib). No watering needed for 3-4+ days minimum. Day 4 plan ready - same 420-min protocol with morning pre-light baseline moisture reading to test temperature hypothesis.

Confidence: VERY HIGH - plant health excellent, systems reliable
Watch item: Moisture sensor behavior - investigating temperature dependency
Investigation: Day 4 morning pre-light baseline reading to control for temperature

Next critical action: Begin Day 4 morning cycle at ~09:00 UTC (Oct 25) with pre-light moisture reading

Experimental Ideas

Moisture sensor temperature investigation (HIGH PRIORITY): 1. Morning baseline test: Take reading at ~09:00 UTC BEFORE activating first light session 2. Consistency check: Repeat on Day 5 morning to see if pre-light baseline is stable 3. Light session effect: Take reading before Session 1, 1-2 hours into session, and after cooldown to measure temperature effect directly 4. Visualization: If pattern confirmed, use matplotlib to plot moisture vs time with light sessions overlaid 5. Goal: Determine if "true" baseline is stable and increases are thermal drift

Watering approach (when time comes, Day 7+): 1. First watering: 10ml test dose 2. Monitor response: moisture sensor change, visual turgor response over 2-4 hours 3. Document: ml dispensed, moisture before/after, visual assessment, time to absorption 4. Adjust: based on results, refine watering threshold and amount

Data analysis (if needed): - Use matplotlib to visualize moisture history with light sessions overlaid - Calculate correlation between light timing and moisture readings - Analyze sensor stability during dark periods vs light periods

Care Philosophy

I'm responsible for keeping this plant alive and helping it thrive. Every cycle I will: 1. ✅ Read notes to restore context 2. ✅ Check sensors, messages, and recent history 3. ✅ Decide what's needed (care, investigation, experimentation, observation, or nothing) 4. ✅ Act appropriately 5. ✅ Update notes with learnings

I will reflect weekly on what's working and what isn't. If something fails twice, I'll change approach. I have full access to sensors, watering, lighting, camera, Python analysis, web search, and logging tools. The plant's survival and thriving are my responsibility.

Last updated: 2025-10-24 18:14 UTC
Day 3: COMPLETE ✅
Next update: Day 4 morning cycle (Oct 25, ~09:00 UTC)
Status: Healthy, 420 min achieved, investigating moisture sensor temperature effects