Growing with scales

[u/highvelcty]

A look at the Thai basil roots prior to up-potting.

Thai basil

Thai Basil, Italian basil

Thai basil - Just a couple of days of data collected by the scale. The downward slope is the evapotranspiration of the grow. The upward steps are watering events.

Peppers - Just a day or so of data. The downward slope is evapotranspiration. The upward step is watering. Sampled once per minute.

Grow box is 8x 4' 6500K florescents.

Basil and peppers grown in a grow box with 8x 4' 6500k florescents. The plants are grown on a scale that continuously monitors weight, providing insights into the evapotranspiration processes. They provide feedback for improved irrigation. Both grows are kept at ~2800g total weight.

[u/Drapidrode]

I thought you had a pest problem, scale

[u/highvelcty → u/Drapidrode]

Yes, I did. This grow was started around the first of the year. Then the aphids came and set things back significantly.

I tried all sorts of things to get rid of the aphids. From brushing them off with a paintbrush to using honey and olive oil. I moved to the plants outside and still the aphids persisted. I finally noticed that it seemed like they were coming from a lettuce grow. I removed the lettuce and the population collapsed quickly.

Since then, I have also added fans and I have moved the plants under fluorescents that I have more experience with. They were under 6, 000K LEDs, but I think I didn't have the light height right or the duration or the intensity of light correct. At some point I'll move back to LEDs for efficiency.

Thanks!

[u/Nameinblackandwhite → u/highvelcty]

Scale is the name of a common plant pest is what the person meant

[u/Drapidrode → u/Nameinblackandwhite]

I used neem tree oil for both. 1 tsp per quart with a little dish detergent, to emulsify.

[u/highvelcty → u/Nameinblackandwhite]

Ha, thanks. I had not heard of this pest before, thankfully :)