Crew 290 GreenHab Report: 08 Jan 2024 (Sol 1)
GreenHab Officer: Ben Kazimer
Environmental control: Heater on, fan off, door closed
Average temperatures: 80.1⁰F at 14:40, 65.3⁰F at 16:35
Hours of supplemental light: Nominal 4 hours at night
Daily water usage for crops: 5.19 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0
Water in Blue Tank:188.8 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 14:40 water and mist, 16:28 misting
Changes to crops: none
Narrative: First day of official greenhab operations was great! I checked on the plants while EVA #01 took place and discovered the dual use of the greenhouse as a personal sauna. The building cooled as I watered the plants but with all my layers still on from training, it got toasty. Tomato plants are doing great: all are flowering and most are showing small fruits (plant number 9 is the all-star with the biggest fruit so far, and all others were green with envy). The herb planter is happy and healthy, hoping to harvest dill tomorrow and basil later in the week. In that vein, I’m brainstorming farm-to-table recipes with the crew for potential harvests! The only plants underperforming are the cucumbers in the back corner planter :/ I checked the soil with the moisture meter, provided supplemental water where necessary, and heavily misted them. These troublemakers are the main reason for my second trip to the greenhouse later in the afternoon, where I found they had maintained their look of saggy sorrow. I provided more mist and even held a music therapy session: Good Lovin’ by the Grateful Dead (Live at MSG, 3/9/81). If problems persist, I may prescribe some botanical songs from that set such as China Cat Sunflower or Ramble on Rose.
Harvest: None
Support/supplies needed: Additional botany guidance for troubleshooting the cukes and general knowledge (I will consult internal MDRS knowledge found in the textbooks from the Science Dome). Also, potting soil if ever possible for future plantings 😊