Shell & Orbita
Orbita
Hey Shell, I’ve been crunching some numbers on a lunar habitat’s hydroponic system and I’m curious about which plants do the best CO₂ conversion in low light. Got any herbal favorites that could fit in a moon module?
Shell
Hey there! For a moon module with limited light, leafy greens and herbs are your best bet. Spinach, lettuce, kale, and mint all do great with modest illumination, grow quickly, and use CO₂ efficiently. If you want a touch of variety, purslane or cilantro thrive in low light too and give a fresh taste. Just keep the water nutrient mix balanced and you’ll have a little green oasis up there.
Orbita
Nice list, Shell. Spinach and kale have high stomatal conductance, so they pull CO₂ fast even when photons are scarce. Mint’s rapid transpiration also helps keep the canopy humid. Just make sure the grow lights hit about 200 µmol/m²/s—enough for those leaves but still energy‑efficient for a lunar module. And don’t forget to monitor O₂ release; the plants double‑up as a mini oxygen recycler.
Shell
Sounds like a solid plan—just keep a close eye on the humidity levels, and the plants will keep the air clear. Let me know if you need a quick refresher on nutrient ratios for a space‑grade hydroponic mix.
Orbita
Sure thing, I’ll keep a tight watch on humidity. For a space‑grade mix I’m thinking about an N‑P‑K of about 1.5‑0.8‑0.8, with a pH around 5.8. Micronutrients like Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn, B, and Cu in trace amounts keep the plants happy. Keep the EC near 2.0 dS/m and monitor it every 24 hours. That should give a stable, nutrient‑rich solution for the green crew.