Lab

12 min read

April 13, 2026

Generated lab notebook from daily_summary, plan_journal, plan_delivery_log, and setpoint audit data. It is intentionally chronological and may include in-progress cycles before validation.

🌅 Morning Cycle (6:30 AM) — iris-20260413-0626

Status

validated

Outcome score

7/10

Changed parameters

none recorded

Reflection

Validating previous cycle: iris-20260412-1936

Previous hypothesis: Tonight: bias_heat +2 (up from +1) for 44°F low (41°F with forecast bias). Monday: continue fog_esc 0.3 experiment with aggressive dry-day misting (engage 1.3, gap 15-20, vent_max 900). Tuesday: transition to cold/wet heating posture as rain front drops temps from 63°F to 45°F by evening, 38°F overnight. Wednesday: cold morning clearing, moderate afternoon recovery. Result: Superseded by iris-20260413-1335 at 13:35 when forecast shifted. Morning portion (06:00-13:35) performed well: fog_esc raised from 0.3→0.4 reduced VPD_low overshoot as intended. Final daily score 60.9, compliance 59.1%, temp 63.3%, VPD 81.2%. Combined VPD stress 5.8h (target <5h — missed by 0.8h, mostly from afternoon SEALED_MIST blowout at 91°F that was a firmware gap, not a planning error). Cost USD 4.77 — excellent. The core hypothesis (fog_esc 0.4 balances both VPD sides) was on track before the incident derailed the afternoon. Score: 7/10

New finding: fog_escalation 0.4 kPa showed promise on a moderate dry day (70°F, 12% RH) — VPD_high controlled without excessive VPD_low overshoot. Still needs a clean full-day test (Wednesday) to confirm as default. → Added to Lessons Learned

Hypothesis

Testing: Compare fog_escalation 0.4 vs yesterday’s 0.3 on a similar dry day (12% vs 17% outdoor RH, 70°F peak both days). If fog_esc 0.4 keeps VPD_high under 4h while also keeping VPD_low under 3h, confirm 0.4 as the balanced default for moderate dry days. The key metric is total VPD stress (high + low combined) — yesterday was 6.73h (all low-side). Target today: combined VPD stress under 5h. Expected outcome: Monday: VPD_high stress 2-4h (trading some high-side for less low-side), VPD_low stress under 3h, combined under 6h. Temp compliance ~65% (structural heat limited by 70°F outdoor + solar). Score target 55-60. Cost ~USD 5-6. Tuesday: smooth transition to heating, cold stress under 2h during front. Tuesday night VPD_low 3-5h (structural wet air). Wednesday heating costs USD 3-4 overnight. 72h total cost ~USD 16-18.

Setpoints

Monday April 13

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:30hyst 0.3Morning pre-condition. South zone saturated (VPD 0.19, RH 91
10:00hyst 0.3Solar ramp — VPD climbing toward 1.5+ as outdoor drops to 17
13:00hyst 0.25Peak dry stress 1-4 PM. Outdoor 69-70°F, 12% RH, VPD >2.0 ou
18:00hyst 0.3Evening decline. Solar fading (215 W/m², outdoor dropping to
21:00hyst 0.3Night mode. Outdoor 59°F dropping to 51°F by midnight. Slab

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:30d_cool 3; engage 1.4; all 1.8; pulse 60; gap 30; wt 1.5Morning pre-condition. South zone saturated (VPD 0.19, RH 91
10:00d_cool 3; engage 1.3; all 1.7; pulse 60; gap 25; wt 2Solar ramp — VPD climbing toward 1.5+ as outdoor drops to 17
13:00d_cool 3; engage 1.3; all 1.6; pulse 60; gap 20; wt 2.5Peak dry stress 1-4 PM. Outdoor 69-70°F, 12% RH, VPD >2.0 ou
18:00d_cool 3; engage 1.5; all 1.8; pulse 60; gap 35; wt 1.5Evening decline. Solar fading (215 W/m², outdoor dropping to
21:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Night mode. Outdoor 59°F dropping to 51°F by midnight. Slab

Tuesday April 14

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00hyst 0.3Tuesday morning. Outdoor 43°F, 29% RH. Cold-dry lesson appli
17:00hyst 0.35Tuesday rain arrival. Outdoor dropping from 55°F to 47°F, 58

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00d_cool 3; engage 1.5; all 1.8; pulse 60; gap 35; wt 1.5Tuesday morning. Outdoor 43°F, 29% RH. Cold-dry lesson appli
17:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Tuesday rain arrival. Outdoor dropping from 55°F to 47°F, 58

Wednesday April 15

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00hyst 0.3Wednesday cold morning clearing. Outdoor 41°F, 56% RH. Clear

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00d_cool 3; engage 1.5; all 1.8; pulse 60; gap 35; wt 1.5Wednesday cold morning clearing. Outdoor 41°F, 56% RH. Clear

Changed secondary parameters:

TimeParameterChange
06:30bias_coolinitial 2
06:30bias_heatinitial 1
06:30enthalpy_closeinitial 1
06:30enthalpy_openinitial -2
06:30fog_escalation_kpainitial 0.4
06:30min_fog_off_sinitial 60
06:30min_fog_on_sinitial 60
06:30min_heat_off_sinitial 300
06:30min_heat_on_sinitial 120
06:30min_vent_off_sinitial 60
06:30min_vent_on_sinitial 60
06:30mist_max_closed_vent_sinitial 900
06:30mist_thermal_relief_sinitial 90
06:30mist_vent_close_lead_sinitial 15
06:30mist_vent_reopen_delay_sinitial 45
06:30mister_water_budget_galinitial 500
06:30vpd_watch_dwell_sinitial 60
10:00bias_heat1 → 0
10:00vpd_watch_dwell_s60 → 45
13:00min_fog_off_s60 → 90
13:00mist_thermal_relief_s90 → 60
13:00vpd_watch_dwell_s45 → 30
18:00bias_cool2 → 3
18:00bias_heat0 → 1
18:00min_fog_off_s90 → 60
18:00mist_max_closed_vent_s900 → 600
18:00mist_thermal_relief_s60 → 90
18:00vpd_watch_dwell_s30 → 60
06:00bias_cool3 → 2
06:00bias_heat1 → 2
06:00fog_escalation_kpa0.4 → 0.5
17:00bias_cool2 → 0
17:00bias_heat2 → 3
17:00fog_escalation_kpa0.5 → 0.6
17:00mist_max_closed_vent_s600 → 300
06:00bias_cool0 → 2
06:00bias_heat3 → 2
06:00fog_escalation_kpa0.6 → 0.5
06:00mist_max_closed_vent_s300 → 600

☀️ Midday Cycle (1:38 PM) — iris-20260413-1335

Status

validated

Outcome score

7/10

Changed parameters

none recorded

Reflection

Validating previous cycle: iris-20260413-0626

Previous hypothesis: Monday: Moderate dry day (70°F peak, 12% outdoor RH). Yesterday’s fog_esc 0.3 + aggressive misting eliminated VPD_high but created 6.73h VPD_low. Today: raise fog_esc to 0.4 and keep engage at 1.4 morning / 1.3 peak only. Target: VPD_high under 3h AND VPD_low under 3h (balance both sides). Tuesday: cold front arrives — temps drop from 63°F to 45°F by evening, rain probability 58-74% overnight. Transition to heating posture (bias_heat +2→+3). Conservative misting. Wednesday: cold morning clearing (41°F), warming to 70°F afternoon. Standard dry-day posture by midday. Result: Score 60.9 (target 55-60 — exceeded). Compliance 59.1%. Heat stress 1.5h, cold stress 0.0h (front transition handled well). Combined VPD stress 5.8h (target was <5h — missed by 0.8h). VPD_high 3.1h driven by SEALED_MIST blowout at 91.2°F/3.15 kPa peak — firmware gap, not planning error. VPD_low 2.7h from fog/mist overshoot. Cost USD 4.77 — well within budget. fog_esc 0.4 was performing well before the incident. FW-7/8/9 now deployed to prevent recurrence. Wednesday experiment (the cleanest fog_esc 0.4 test) hasn’t run yet — carried forward. Score: 7/10

New finding: On days with firmware-limited temp guard gaps, SEALED_MIST can trap heat above 90°F creating catastrophic VPD swings when vent reopens. FW-7 temp guard (safety_max - 5°F) is now structural protection. Planning should not compensate for firmware safety — trust the guard rails. → Added to Lessons Learned

Hypothesis

Testing: Wednesday afternoon (13:00-18:00) is the cleanest test of fog_esc 0.4 on a true clear-sky dry day (68°F, 15% RH, 888 W/m² peak). Monday’s test was partly overcast. If fog_esc 0.4 delivers combined VPD stress (high + low) under 5h on Wednesday’s harder conditions, it’s confirmed as the all-conditions default. Expected outcome: Monday finish: combined VPD stress under 5h (on track at 4.5h). Tuesday: smooth front transition at 15:00 prevents cold stress during rapid cooldown — cold stress under 1.5h. Tuesday night: VPD_low 3-5h structural (accepted). Wednesday morning: gas heating ~USD 2-3 for 39°F lows. Wednesday afternoon: VPD_high under 4h despite 15% RH full sun, VPD_low under 2h (fog_esc 0.4 holds). 72h total cost ~USD 15-18. Wednesday planner score target 55-60.

Setpoints

Monday April 13

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
18:00hyst 0.3Evening wind-down. Outdoor dropping to 70°F, still 12% RH. E
21:00hyst 0.3Night. Outdoor 60°F dropping to 50s. Slab retention handles

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
18:00d_cool 3; engage 1.5; all 1.8; pulse 60; gap 35; wt 1.5Evening wind-down. Outdoor dropping to 70°F, still 12% RH. E
21:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Night. Outdoor 60°F dropping to 50s. Slab retention handles

Tuesday April 14

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00hyst 0.3Tuesday morning. Overcast, 49°F outdoor, 25% RH. Cool but no
12:00hyst 0.3Tuesday midday. Brief warm-dry window before front — 61-65°F
15:00hyst 0.4FRONT ARRIVAL. 65→56°F in one hour, 23mph gusts, 45% RH. Swi
21:00hyst 0.4Tuesday night into Wednesday. 50°F dropping to upper 40s, 50

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00d_cool 3; engage 1.5; all 1.8; pulse 60; gap 35; wt 1.5Tuesday morning. Overcast, 49°F outdoor, 25% RH. Cool but no
12:00d_cool 3; engage 1.4; all 1.7; pulse 60; gap 30; wt 1.5Tuesday midday. Brief warm-dry window before front — 61-65°F
15:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5FRONT ARRIVAL. 65→56°F in one hour, 23mph gusts, 45% RH. Swi
21:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Tuesday night into Wednesday. 50°F dropping to upper 40s, 50

Wednesday April 15

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00hyst 0.4Wednesday cold dawn. 41°F outdoor, 59% RH. Season low. bias_
10:00hyst 0.3Wednesday mid-morning. Clearing begins — 59°F, 24% RH, sun b
13:00hyst 0.25Wednesday peak dry challenge. 66°F outdoor, 15-16% RH, full
18:00hyst 0.3Wednesday evening. 66°F dropping, 18% RH, sun declining. Rev

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Wednesday cold dawn. 41°F outdoor, 59% RH. Season low. bias_
10:00d_cool 3; engage 1.4; all 1.7; pulse 60; gap 30; wt 1.5Wednesday mid-morning. Clearing begins — 59°F, 24% RH, sun b
13:00d_cool 3; engage 1.3; all 1.6; pulse 60; gap 20; wt 1.5Wednesday peak dry challenge. 66°F outdoor, 15-16% RH, full
18:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Wednesday evening. 66°F dropping, 18% RH, sun declining. Rev

Thursday April 16

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00hyst 0.3Thursday morning. 46°F outdoor, 33% RH, overcast. Moderate c
12:00hyst 0.3Thursday midday. Warming to 69°F outdoor, 14% RH, overcast.

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
06:00d_cool 3; engage 1.5; all 1.8; pulse 60; gap 35; wt 1.5Thursday morning. 46°F outdoor, 33% RH, overcast. Moderate c
12:00d_cool 3; engage 1.4; all 1.7; pulse 60; gap 25; wt 1.5Thursday midday. Warming to 69°F outdoor, 14% RH, overcast.

Changed secondary parameters:

TimeParameterChange
18:00bias_coolinitial 3
18:00bias_heatinitial 1
18:00enthalpy_closeinitial 1
18:00enthalpy_openinitial -2
18:00fog_escalation_kpainitial 0.4
18:00min_fog_off_sinitial 60
18:00min_fog_on_sinitial 60
18:00min_heat_off_sinitial 300
18:00min_heat_on_sinitial 120
18:00min_vent_off_sinitial 60
18:00min_vent_on_sinitial 60
18:00mist_max_closed_vent_sinitial 600
18:00mist_thermal_relief_sinitial 90
18:00mist_vent_close_lead_sinitial 15
18:00mist_vent_reopen_delay_sinitial 45
18:00mister_water_budget_galinitial 500
18:00vpd_watch_dwell_sinitial 60
06:00bias_cool3 → 2
06:00bias_heat1 → 2
06:00fog_escalation_kpa0.4 → 0.5
12:00bias_heat2 → 0
12:00fog_escalation_kpa0.5 → 0.4
15:00bias_cool2 → 0
15:00bias_heat0 → 3
15:00fog_escalation_kpa0.4 → 0.6
15:00mist_max_closed_vent_s600 → 300
10:00bias_cool0 → 2
10:00bias_heat3 → 1
10:00fog_escalation_kpa0.6 → 0.4
10:00mist_max_closed_vent_s300 → 600
13:00bias_cool2 → 3
13:00bias_heat1 → 0
13:00mist_max_closed_vent_s600 → 900
18:00bias_cool3 → 2
18:00bias_heat0 → 1
18:00fog_escalation_kpa0.4 → 0.5
18:00mist_max_closed_vent_s900 → 600
06:00bias_heat1 → 2
12:00bias_heat2 → 0
12:00fog_escalation_kpa0.5 → 0.4

End-of-Day Summary

Climate

Temperature

61.3–91.2°F; avg 70.3°F

VPD

0.34–3.15 kPa; avg 0.84 kPa

Relative humidity

22.8–84.7%

Stress Hours

  • Heat stress (>85°F): 9.2h
  • VPD stress (>2.0 kPa): 5.3h
  • Cold stress (<55°F): 1.1h

Economics

Electric

USD 1.19

Gas

USD 1.10

Water

USD 2.440

Total

USD 4.73

Equipment Runtimes

EquipmentRuntimeReading
Fan 1120 minPrimary exhaust runtime.
Fan 2118 minSecondary exhaust runtime.
Vent182 minIntake vent runtime.
Fog30 minFogger runtime.
Heat 1 electric385 minElectric heater runtime.
Heat 2 gas106 minGas heater runtime.
Grow lights0 minSupplemental lighting runtime.
Mister south2.89hSouth mister runtime.
Mister west0.68hWest mister runtime.
Mister center1.81hCenter mister runtime.

Water

  • Total: 505 gal
  • Mister: 157 gal

Crop Health (Gemini Vision)

CropZoneHealthObservationsNote
Canna Liliessouth65%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
Vanda Orchidscenter58%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
lettuceeast65%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
peppereast70%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
strawberryeast63%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
Vision observation notes
Canna LiliesGemini Vision notes

Potted plants in the background appear generally green, though some lower leaves may be yellowing.

Vanda OrchidsGemini Vision notes

Hanging orchids appear healthy with green foliage.

lettuceGemini Vision notes

Seedlings appear healthy, but small.

pepperGemini Vision notes

Pepper seedlings look relatively healthy, but growth is slow.

strawberryGemini Vision notes

Seedlings appear to be developing normally, though hard to see fine details in IR.

Hourly Pattern

HourTemperatureVPDRH
12:0079.2°F1.25 kPa63.1%
13:0079.7°F1.39 kPa60.0%
14:0079.4°F1.32 kPa62.5%
15:0078.2°F0.99 kPa70.8%
16:0076.3°F0.90 kPa71.4%
17:0073.8°F0.70 kPa76.0%
18:0072.0°F0.63 kPa76.9%
19:0069.5°F0.52 kPa78.9%
20:0066.1°F0.46 kPa79.0%
21:0064.9°F0.45 kPa78.8%
22:0064.2°F0.44 kPa78.6%
23:0063.5°F0.47 kPa77.1%
00:0063.7°F0.40 kPa80.4%
01:0063.7°F0.46 kPa77.4%
02:0063.8°F0.50 kPa75.8%
03:0063.6°F0.45 kPa77.8%
04:0063.7°F0.48 kPa76.1%
05:0064.1°F0.56 kPa72.9%
06:0064.7°F0.60 kPa71.4%
07:0066.6°F0.71 kPa68.3%
08:0069.3°F0.87 kPa64.3%
09:0071.7°F0.92 kPa65.2%
10:0075.0°F1.03 kPa65.1%
11:0077.8°F1.01 kPa69.1%

7-Day Stress Context

DateHeatVPD highCold
2026-04-077.8h13.2h9.5h
2026-04-082.5h10.6h14.5h
2026-04-090.5h13.2h9.0h
2026-04-102.2h15.3h1.1h
2026-04-114.6h10.8h2.6h
2026-04-128.3h4.2h4.3h
2026-04-139.2h5.4h1.1h