Lab

12 min read

April 16, 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 (6:26 AM) — iris-20260416-0621

Status

validated

Outcome score

4/10

Changed parameters

none recorded

Reflection

Validating previous cycle: iris-20260415-1939

Previous hypothesis: Three-phase plan: (1) Tonight clear/cold overnight, standard heating posture. (2) Thursday extreme dry day (77°F/7% RH) — maximum misting aggression with fog_esc 0.4 as the ultimate experiment test. If fog_esc 0.4 holds combined VPD stress under 8h on 7% RH, it’s confirmed as all-conditions default. (3) Friday cold front with snow, hard freeze to 27°F Saturday — full heating pivot, bias_heat +5, no cooling/misting needed. The score will be structurally limited by band-driven cold stress on morning ramps (lesson #91) regardless of planner actions. Result: Phase 1 (Thu dry day): Outdoor peaked 74.4°F/17% RH — less extreme than forecast 76°F/7% but still challenging. Indoor peaked 86.4°F at 2 PM. VPD compliance 68.7% (good for 17% RH day — misting strategy worked). Temp compliance 15.7% (terrible — crop band 63.6-69.3°F too narrow for 60-86°F indoor range). Combined compliance 10%. Heat stress 2.0h, VPD-high 1.33h, VPD-low 1.9h. Cost USD 3.23 (excellent). 273 gal mister water. Two ESP32 reboots. South probe offline all day. 15+ leak_detected alerts (all self-resolved — pattern concerning). Phase 1 transitioned to cold front as expected. The score is structurally limited by narrow crop band vs physical reality on warm days — planner actions were appropriate. Score: 4/10

New finding: On warm-to-hot days (outdoor 70°F+), the narrow crop band (63.6-69.3°F) guarantees low temp compliance regardless of planner actions. The greenhouse physically cannot stay below 69°F with solar gain when outdoor exceeds 65°F. VPD compliance is the meaningful metric to optimize on these days. Consider whether the crop band needs seasonal adjustment or whether planner score should weight VPD more heavily on days where temp compliance is physics-limited. → Added to Lessons Learned

Hypothesis

Testing: vpd_watch_dwell_s reduced to 30s during peak stress (noon-3 PM) vs usual 60s. Hypothesis: faster SEALED_MIST entry reduces VPD overshoot on extreme dry days. Success criteria: VPD-high stress < 6h on a 76°F/7% RH day. Expected outcome: Thursday: compliance 25-35% (physics-limited by extreme dry + heat), VPD-high 4-7h, heat_stress 2-4h, water 300-450 gal, cost USD 8-12. Friday: heating-dominated, compliance 30-50%, cold_stress 4-8h (slab lag + band alignment), cost USD 10-15 (gas-heavy). Saturday: warming rebound, compliance 40-60%, cost USD 5-8. 72h total cost USD 25-35.

Setpoints

Thursday April 16

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
07:00hyst 0.3Dawn. Outdoor 44°F/37% RH rising. Pre-condition with engage
10:00hyst 0.2Morning ramp. Outdoor RH dropping below 20%. Tighten hystere
12:00hyst 0.2Peak stress onset. Outdoor 71°F/14% RH. Maximum aggression:
15:00hyst 0.2Peak heat 75-76°F outdoor, 7-8% RH, 15 mph wind. Hold max ag
18:00hyst 0.3Evening transition. Fog window closed. Outdoor 73°F dropping
21:00hyst 0.4Night. Outdoor 62→55°F. Cold front approaching. bias_heat +3

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
07:00d_cool 3; engage 1.3; all 1.7; pulse 60; gap 25; wt 2.5Dawn. Outdoor 44°F/37% RH rising. Pre-condition with engage
10:00d_cool 3; engage 1.3; all 1.7; pulse 60; gap 20; wt 2.5Morning ramp. Outdoor RH dropping below 20%. Tighten hystere
12:00d_cool 3; engage 1.3; all 1.7; pulse 60; gap 15; wt 2.5Peak stress onset. Outdoor 71°F/14% RH. Maximum aggression:
15:00d_cool 3; engage 1.3; all 1.7; pulse 60; gap 15; wt 2.5Peak heat 75-76°F outdoor, 7-8% RH, 15 mph wind. Hold max ag
18:00d_cool 3; engage 1.5; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 35; wt 1.5Evening transition. Fog window closed. Outdoor 73°F dropping
21:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Night. Outdoor 62→55°F. Cold front approaching. bias_heat +3

Friday April 17

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
00:00hyst 0.4Cold front arrival. Outdoor 55→50°F. Heavy heating. bias_hea
06:00hyst 0.4Friday dawn. Outdoor 38°F, rain/snow possible. Full heating.
18:00hyst 0.4Friday evening into freeze night. Outdoor 45→28°F. Maintain

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
00:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Cold front arrival. Outdoor 55→50°F. Heavy heating. bias_hea
06:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Friday dawn. Outdoor 38°F, rain/snow possible. Full heating.
18:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Friday evening into freeze night. Outdoor 45→28°F. Maintain

Saturday April 18

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
08:00hyst 0.3Saturday dawn. Outdoor 41°F, clear. Freeze recovery. Solar g
12:00hyst 0.3Saturday midday. Clear sky, outdoor 53°F/12% RH. Dry rebound

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
08:00d_cool 3; engage 1.5; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Saturday dawn. Outdoor 41°F, clear. Freeze recovery. Solar g
12:00d_cool 3; engage 1.4; all 1.8; pulse 60; gap 30; wt 2Saturday midday. Clear sky, outdoor 53°F/12% RH. Dry rebound

Changed secondary parameters:

TimeParameterChange
07:00bias_coolinitial 2
07:00bias_heatinitial 0
07:00enthalpy_closeinitial 1
07:00enthalpy_openinitial -2
07:00fog_escalation_kpainitial 0.4
07:00min_fog_off_sinitial 60
07:00min_fog_on_sinitial 60
07:00min_heat_off_sinitial 300
07:00min_heat_on_sinitial 120
07:00min_vent_off_sinitial 60
07:00min_vent_on_sinitial 60
07:00mist_max_closed_vent_sinitial 900
07:00mist_thermal_relief_sinitial 90
07:00mist_vent_close_lead_sinitial 15
07:00mist_vent_reopen_delay_sinitial 45
07:00mister_water_budget_galinitial 500
07:00vpd_watch_dwell_sinitial 60
10:00vpd_watch_dwell_s60 → 45
12:00min_fog_off_s60 → 45
12:00vpd_watch_dwell_s45 → 30
18:00bias_cool2 → 3
18:00bias_heat0 → 1
18:00fog_escalation_kpa0.4 → 0.5
18:00min_fog_off_s45 → 60
18:00mist_max_closed_vent_s900 → 600
18:00vpd_watch_dwell_s30 → 60
21:00bias_cool3 → 4
21:00bias_heat1 → 3
21:00fog_escalation_kpa0.5 → 0.6
00:00bias_cool4 → 5
00:00bias_heat3 → 4
00:00fog_escalation_kpa0.6 → 0.8
06:00bias_heat4 → 5
08:00bias_cool5 → 4
08:00bias_heat5 → 4
08:00fog_escalation_kpa0.8 → 0.6
12:00bias_cool4 → 3
12:00bias_heat4 → 2
12:00fog_escalation_kpa0.6 → 0.5

🌆 Evening Cycle (7:43 PM) — iris-20260416-1940

Status

validated

Outcome score

2/10

Changed parameters

none recorded

Reflection

Validating previous cycle: iris-20260416-0621

Previous hypothesis: Three-phase 72h: (1) Thursday extreme dry (76°F/7% RH) — maximum misting aggression, fog_esc 0.4 ultimate stress test Day 5. engage 1.3, gap 15s at peak, 900s sealed vent, dwell 30s for faster mist response. Accept heat stress as physics-limited. (2) Thursday night through Saturday AM — cold front then hard freeze (28°F). Full heating posture, bias_heat +5, bias_cool +5, slab pre-warming. Gas heater primary per cost lesson. (3) Saturday midday — dry rebound, moderate misting returns. Experiment: vpd_watch_dwell_s 30s during peak stress (normally 60s) to test if faster SEALED_MIST entry improves VPD compliance without oscillation. Result: [backfill] avg compliance 14.1% (stress 1.9 h) over plan window 2026-04-17 01:43 → 2026-04-18 12:22 Score: 2/10

Hypothesis

Testing: Slab thermal mass pre-charging: start aggressive heating 12h before freeze nadir (Friday 5 PM → Saturday 5 AM). Hypothesis: building slab temp during the cheaper cloudy afternoon reduces total gas usage during the freeze vs reactive heating. Success criteria: indoor temp stays above 55°F through 24°F nadir without heat2 running >80% duty cycle. Expected outcome: Tonight (Thu→Fri AM): indoor holds 59-62°F against 38°F outdoor, cold stress 3-5h from band alignment. Friday: heating-dominated, low stress (cloudy = no heat/VPD stress), cost USD 6-9 (gas-heavy). Saturday AM: indoor holds 55-62°F through 24°F freeze, gas heater dominant. Saturday PM: transition to extreme dry conditions, VPD-high stress 3-5h (physics-limited at 12% RH). 72h total cost USD 18-25 (gas-heavy). No frost damage.

Setpoints

Thursday April 16

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
21:00hyst 0.4Evening settle — outdoor 63°F dropping, transition to heatin

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
21:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Evening settle — outdoor 63°F dropping, transition to heatin

Friday April 17

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
00:00hyst 0.4Midnight — outdoor 56°F, slab still warm from today's 91°F p
05:00hyst 0.4Pre-dawn Friday — outdoor 40°F, first night's coldest. bias_
12:00hyst 0.3Friday midday — outdoor 43°F, overcast 100%, 54% RH (unusual
17:00hyst 0.4CRITICAL: Friday pre-freeze slab charging begins. Outdoor 46

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
00:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Midnight — outdoor 56°F, slab still warm from today's 91°F p
05:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Pre-dawn Friday — outdoor 40°F, first night's coldest. bias_
12:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Friday midday — outdoor 43°F, overcast 100%, 54% RH (unusual
17:00d_cool 4; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5CRITICAL: Friday pre-freeze slab charging begins. Outdoor 46

Saturday April 18

Primary crop-band changes:

TimeValuesNote
00:00hyst 0.4Saturday midnight — outdoor 31°F, deep freeze approaching. B
06:00hyst 0.4FREEZE NADIR — outdoor 24°F. Heat loss: ~480 BTU/hr/°F × ~40
11:00hyst 0.3Saturday late morning — outdoor 49°F, warming fast, clear sk
19:00hyst 0.4Saturday evening — outdoor 55°F, settling. Revert misting to

Tactical tunable changes:

TimeValuesNote
00:00d_cool 4; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Saturday midnight — outdoor 31°F, deep freeze approaching. B
06:00d_cool 4; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5FREEZE NADIR — outdoor 24°F. Heat loss: ~480 BTU/hr/°F × ~40
11:00d_cool 3; engage 1.3; all 1.8; pulse 60; gap 25; wt 2Saturday late morning — outdoor 49°F, warming fast, clear sk
19:00d_cool 3; engage 1.6; all 1.9; pulse 60; gap 45; wt 1.5Saturday evening — outdoor 55°F, settling. Revert misting to

Changed secondary parameters:

TimeParameterChange
21:00bias_coolinitial 4
21:00bias_heatinitial 2
21:00enthalpy_closeinitial 1
21:00enthalpy_openinitial -2
21:00fog_escalation_kpainitial 0.6
21:00min_fog_off_sinitial 60
21:00min_fog_on_sinitial 60
21:00min_heat_off_sinitial 300
21:00min_heat_on_sinitial 120
21:00min_vent_off_sinitial 60
21:00min_vent_on_sinitial 60
21:00mist_max_closed_vent_sinitial 600
21:00mist_thermal_relief_sinitial 90
21:00mist_vent_close_lead_sinitial 15
21:00mist_vent_reopen_delay_sinitial 45
21:00mister_water_budget_galinitial 500
21:00vpd_watch_dwell_sinitial 60
00:00bias_cool4 → 5
00:00bias_heat2 → 3
00:00fog_escalation_kpa0.6 → 0.8
00:00min_heat_on_s120 → 150
05:00bias_heat3 → 4
05:00min_heat_on_s150 → 180
12:00bias_cool5 → 3
12:00bias_heat4 → 2
12:00fog_escalation_kpa0.8 → 0.6
12:00min_heat_on_s180 → 120
17:00bias_cool3 → 5
17:00bias_heat2 → 5
17:00enthalpy_close1 → 2
17:00fog_escalation_kpa0.6 → 0.8
17:00min_heat_off_s300 → 240
17:00min_heat_on_s120 → 180
11:00bias_cool5 → 3
11:00bias_heat5 → 2
11:00enthalpy_close2 → 1
11:00fog_escalation_kpa0.8 → 0.5
11:00min_heat_off_s240 → 300
11:00min_heat_on_s180 → 120
11:00mist_max_closed_vent_s600 → 900
19:00bias_cool3 → 4
19:00bias_heat2 → 3
19:00fog_escalation_kpa0.5 → 0.6
19:00mist_max_closed_vent_s900 → 600

End-of-Day Summary

Climate

Temperature

59.1–91.2°F; avg 68.8°F

VPD

0.32–2.79 kPa; avg 0.82 kPa

Relative humidity

32.3–83.2%

Stress Hours

  • Heat stress (>85°F): 7.2h
  • VPD stress (>2.0 kPa): 5.9h
  • Cold stress (<55°F): 10.6h

Economics

Electric

USD 1.47

Gas

USD 0.55

Water

USD 2.370

Total

USD 4.39

Equipment Runtimes

EquipmentRuntimeReading
Fan 1120 minPrimary exhaust runtime.
Fan 2119 minSecondary exhaust runtime.
Vent192 minIntake vent runtime.
Fog46 minFogger runtime.
Heat 1 electric469 minElectric heater runtime.
Heat 2 gas53 minGas heater runtime.
Grow lights0 minSupplemental lighting runtime.
Mister south2.48hSouth mister runtime.
Mister west0.53hWest mister runtime.
Mister center1.98hCenter mister runtime.

Water

  • Total: 489 gal
  • Mister: 273 gal

Crop Health (Gemini Vision)

CropZoneHealthObservationsNote
Canna Liliessouth70%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
Vanda Orchidscenter65%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
lettuceeast60%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
peppereast60%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
strawberryeast58%4Observation notes are collapsed below to avoid publishing partial vision snippets.
Vision observation notes
Canna LiliesGemini Vision notes

Canna lilies in the background look generally okay, but lighting is poor.

Vanda OrchidsGemini Vision notes

Hanging orchids appear stable, though difficult to assess fully in IR light.

lettuceGemini Vision notes

Seedlings appear healthy, but difficult to see clearly.

pepperGemini Vision notes

Pepper seedlings look relatively healthy but could benefit from more light.

strawberryGemini Vision notes

Seedlings appear small, difficult to assess health.

Hourly Pattern

HourTemperatureVPDRH
12:0080.0°F1.15 kPa67.3%
13:0082.3°F1.86 kPa50.1%
14:0088.1°F1.66 kPa64.2%
15:0084.7°F1.99 kPa50.4%
16:0084.3°F1.25 kPa68.5%
17:0077.0°F1.15 kPa63.6%
18:0071.3°F1.31 kPa50.6%
19:0065.6°F1.00 kPa54.0%
20:0062.6°F0.87 kPa55.4%
21:0061.8°F0.47 kPa74.9%
22:0061.3°F0.45 kPa75.5%
23:0061.0°F0.43 kPa76.7%
00:0061.0°F0.43 kPa76.4%
01:0060.5°F0.44 kPa75.5%
02:0060.8°F0.47 kPa74.1%
03:0060.7°F0.49 kPa73.2%
04:0060.5°F0.48 kPa73.3%
05:0061.0°F0.51 kPa72.1%
06:0061.5°F0.57 kPa69.3%
07:0065.6°F0.70 kPa67.6%
08:0068.1°F0.79 kPa66.4%
09:0068.8°F0.80 kPa66.9%
10:0074.8°F1.05 kPa64.5%
11:0078.6°F1.13 kPa66.2%

7-Day Stress Context

DateHeatVPD highCold
2026-04-102.2h15.3h1.1h
2026-04-114.6h10.8h2.6h
2026-04-128.3h4.2h4.3h
2026-04-139.2h5.4h1.1h
2026-04-140.8h2.2h11.6h
2026-04-156.6h7.6h13.8h
2026-04-167.3h5.9h10.6h