Ivyna & FixItFox
I’ve been tinkering with a small self‑watering succulent terrarium and thought a few of your gadgets could make it even smarter—what do you think about adding a moisture sensor and a tiny pump to keep the soil just right?
Sure thing, but I’m not saying you can just drop a sensor and a pump in and call it a day. The sensor needs to sit right where the roots can feel it—no floating in the middle of the pot. And the pump has to be tiny enough that it won’t blow the whole terrarium away with a sneeze. I’d wire the sensor to a microcontroller, hook it up to a relay that triggers the pump, and use a delay so you’re not jacking the soil up and down all the time. If you get the timing wrong, you’ll end up with a soggy mess that’s as useful as a wet sponge. Just remember to keep the whole setup small; the more components you add, the more likely the plant’s going to feel like a science experiment gone wrong. Good luck, and watch that humidity—if you over‑water, the roots might stage a revolt.