#DIY# How to Grow Bonsai (or Any Plant) Using Internet of Things (IOT)

Everybody loves to plant a Bonsai, a small tree in a pot, the problem is its maintenance ,Whenever we go out of town for few days, we always used to worry about our plants as they need water on regular basis, To solve this problem we have come up with the solution which is able to monitor the amount of water content in the soil and you can switch the motor to water the plant from anywhere in the world using internet of things.we will go step by step to design this complete project.

Step 1: What Is Bonsai ?

The word “Bon-sai” (often misspelled as bonzai or banzai) is a Japanese term which, literally translated, means “planted in a container”. This art form is derived from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, part of which was then redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

wikipedia

Step 2: Tips on Growing Indoor Bonsai for the First Time

Bonsai experience

Grow and care for a bonsai tree

Caring for bonsai trees is something which also requires a little knowledge and experience; some trees are hardy and can survive a winter outside whilst others will need a more protected environment. Other important considerations in bonsai gardening relate to the tools that you need to do the work. It is very important that you have the right equipment. Whilst a basic set of tools is not particularly expensive the correct equipment is essential if you are to make your new hobby a success.
With the right tools and a little training, you can quickly learn enough to start shaping your own bonsai trees. The shape of the tree is crucial and there are a number of different recognized styles that you can use for your plant. It is always a source of great enjoyment when over time you see your tree slowly but surely taking on the shape you had envisaged for it. A true reward for your developing bonsai gardening skills. The presentation of a bonsai tree is absolutely vital and to this end, you do need to ensure that your tree is displayed in the most suitable container. There are a huge variety of containers available and you should always be searching for something that will complement and enhance your tree; something that will allow your living art to shine. The scope of this introduction article is obviously very limited and you will need to look into bonsai gardening more deeply to decide if it is really for you. However, I do hope that I have managed to raise some enthusiasm in the reader for at least taking the next step to finding out a little more about Bonsai gardening. A couple of plants, the right tools, a carefully chosen container and some loving attention over a period of time can combine to produce an exquisite item that will add a touch of beauty and graceful style to any garden.

Because indoor bonsai tree care can be such a difficult process I have decided to share my three best bonsai gardening tips.
Without proper care and attention, bonsai trees are prone to dying which is a rather unfortunate for the grower and the tree itself. Many people have different views on the proper way to care for bonsai trees and today I am going to tell you the five top indoor bonsai care tips around. By using the advice provided you will be able to grow great looking bonsai trees and prevent yourself from becoming a "bonsai gardening statistic". The tips I am about to share with you are of course reasonably basic, however, they are extremely effective at encouraging the growth of bonsai trees. Without using these tips it is nearly impossible to grow a good tree as they are the basic things every bonsai tree requires in order to develop. In a way indoor bonsai care is a bit like building a house - you need firm foundations before you can complete the rest of the construction. The following indoor bonsai care tips are a firm foundation for growing great trees.

Don't Over-water and Don't Under-water

Watering is easily one of the most important elements in indoor bonsai care. Too little water and the tree will dehydrate and die, too much water and you will literally drown the tree. After many years experience of growing bonsai trees I have found that watering is the number one problem most people (especially beginners face) To ensure that you are correctly watering your bonsai tree you should wait for the soil to start drying out (don't let it completely dry though!) Next, water the plant until excess water seeps out of the bottom of the pot. Don't water the bonsai again until the soil starts to dry out. I have found that this is easily the best way to water a bonsai tree as it is nearly impossible to either over-water or under-water the tree. By following this process you will find that the tree is neither dehydrated or over-hydrated which are two of the leading reasons why bonsai trees die.

Root Pruning and Branch Pruning

To master the art of indoor bonsai tree care you must be able to prune properly. Pruning is done two different ways - "root pruning" and "branch pruning". Root pruning should be done at the start of spring and only when the bonsai's roots have become grounded in the pot. Simply select the roots you want to keep and get rid of the bad ones. Branch pruning should also occur near the start of spring. Pick the branches that you wish to keep and careful remove the others. Proper pruning is one of the most important factors in indoor bonsai tree care and without properly mastering this you won't be able to progress onto things like sculpting your bonsai tree into different shapes.

Applying Fertilizer and Soil

Another problem many beginners face with indoor bonsai tree care is picking and applying correct fertilizers and soil. Picking the right soil is vital for indoor bonsai care - after all, half of the tree is covered by soil. To pick the right type of soil you should visit your nearest garden centre (or bonsai specialist if there's one in your area) and tell them what exact type of bonsai tree you have. They will help you find the right soil for your needs. Also, remember to buy the highest quality soil you can as this makes a massive difference. Spending an extra $5 a bag on higher quality soil is definitely worth it in the long run! To correctly pick fertilizer you should ensure that you purchase a high-quality, water-soluble fertilizer that contains a good variety of nutrients. Fertilizers should only be applied during the growing season and must be applied only when the soil is wet or they loose their effect.

Choosing The Right Environment To Encourage Growth

This final tip is one of the most important factors in correct indoor bonsai care. You should place your bonsai in an area that receives plenty of sunlight (by a window is a natural choice for most but ensure that the windowsill is wide enough to hold the pot properly so that it doesn't get knocked over by mistake) Make sure that the room is neither too warm nor too cold (room temperature works well if the tree is given a good source of light but this can vary species to species) Also, make sure that the room is reasonably humid so the soil doesn't dry out too quickly.

Indoor bonsai care can be quite a difficult process to say the least.

Without proper care and attention bonsai trees are prone to dying which is a rather unfortunate for the grower and the tree itself. Many people have different views on the proper way to care for bonsai trees and today I am going to tell you the five top indoor bonsai care tips around. By using the advice provided you will be able to grow great looking bonsai trees and prevent yourself from becoming a "bonsai gardening statistic". The tips I am about to share with you are of course reasonably basic, however, they are extremely effective at encouraging the growth of bonsai trees. Without using the five tips it is nearly impossible to grow a good tree as they are the basic things every bonsai tree requires in order to develop.

In a way indoor bonsai care is a bit like building a house - you need firm foundations before you can complete the rest of the construction. The following five indoor bonsai care tips are a firm foundation for growing great trees.

How To Water A Bonsai Tree

Picking The Right Soil

Picking the right soil is vital for indoor bonsai care - after all, half of the tree is covered by soil. To pick the right type of soil you should visit your nearest garden centre (or bonsai specialist if there's one in your area) and tell them what exact type of bonsai tree you have. They will help you find the right soil for your needs. Also, remember to buy the highest quality soil you can as this makes a massive difference. Spending an extra $5 a bag on higher quality soil is definitely worth it in the long run!

How To Apply Fertilizer Correctly

Incorrect application of fertilizer is quite a big problem for those new to indoor bonsai care. On many occasions I have even seen beginner bonsai growers pick insoluble fertilizers and then wonder why their tree wound up dying a few weeks down the track. Bonsai trees need to be given a water soluble fertilizer either once or twice a month during the growing season only. Also, the fertilizer must only be applied when the soil is wet or you will see no result from the fertilizer. Buying a high quality fertilizer is also worth the extra cost so visit your local gardening centre and inquire about the various types of water-soluble fertilizer they have. If you try one type of fertilizer and it doesn't work then wait until the next growing season to try a different fertilizer - don't mix and match unless it is absolutely necessary.

How To Prune A Bonsai Tree

Pruning is another vital part of indoor bonsai care. The process of pruning is done in two different ways ("branch pruning" and "root pruning") You should branch prune at the start of spring and carefully remove all the branches on the tree except those that you wish to keep. Root pruning is similar but should only occur when the bonsai's roots have bound themselves inside the pot. It is absolutely critical to learn the basic process of bonsai tree pruning before you try and sculpt your tree into various shapes so make sure you get this basic stuff right! By following these vital indoor bonsai tree care tips you will be able to grow amazing bonsai trees and avoid annoyances like having your trees die. I must stress that these are the foundations of proper indoor bonsai tree care - you cannot progress to any of the "fun stuff" (sculpting etc.) without first mastering these basic principles!

Step 3: Why Need Wireless Watering System ?

The main problem which everyone is facing without any proper solution to water a plant is shown in small film.I hope you will enjoy it, take it as a fun.

Step 4: Things Required

1) Esp8266-12E Buy

2) 7805IC Amazon

3) Bridge Rectifier Amazon

4) Relay 5v Ebay

5) Copper Clad Board Amazon

6) 3.3v ic SMD Buy

7) FTDI converter Amazon

8) Ferrous Chloride Buy

9) Level pipe Buy

10) water pump Buy

11) Resistors(330ohm,10k,1k) and capacitors(0.1uF,100uF,1000uF)...!(i used some SMD resistors and Led, just to make board small )

Step 5: Demo Video

Watch this video of complete working of a Plant watering system.

Step 6: Have a Look at the Board

There are so many GPIO pins are left empty, we can use those for adding sensors or any display.

Step 7: ESP8266-12E BOARD

PCB DESIGNING STEPS IN MY OTHER INSTRUCTABLE

I used CD marker to mark the Track of the circuit board, then I dipped the board into the ferrous chloride solution, see my old Instructables for complete details.

Create your own circuit board based on your requirement,my board has 4main circuit , 1)5v regulator 2)3.3v regulator which is required for esp8266 module ,4)relay module use transistor as switching device

To build PCB

1) scrub copper clad board

2) Draw circuit diagram

3)prepare ferrous chloride solution

4)Dip board into it ,for about 40mins.

5) take it out and scrub it using brush.

6)Drill it using 0.8mm bit.

7) solder all components.

8) update esp8266 Firmware ,using firmware uploading software.

9) upload code using Arduino,using FTDI convertor.

10) your board is now completed, thank you.

Step 8: Soldering Esp8266-12 to the PCB

I used resistors legs to connect Esp8266 and PCB then I soldered on both sides, you can use any single strand wire to do that, it will be fine.

Step 9: Circuit Diagram of Esp8266 12e Board

Step1: Select 3.3v jumper on FTDI converter

Step2: Connect Rx-TX and TX to RX of Esp8266 and FTDI

Step3: Connect FTDI cable to the laptop and check the COM port allocated.

Step4: open NODE MCU FIRMWARE FLASHER

Step5: Select the Binary file which is Downloaded before which is the Firmware of Nodemcu Download

Step6: open the Arduino IDE and Upload Blynk Program.

nodemcu_float_0.9.6-dev_20150704.bin
Download

Step 10: Uploading Code !

Step 11: Coding Arduino

copy your Auth Token of Blynk android application and enter your SSID and Password of your WIFI network.

#define BLYNK_PRINT Serial    // Comment this out to disable prints and save space
#include <BlynkSimpleEsp8266.h>
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
// You should get Auth Token in the Blynk App.
// Go to the Project Settings (nut icon).
char auth[] = "paste Auth token of blynk app here";
// Your WiFi credentials.
// Set password to "" for open networks.
char ssid[] = "wifiname";
char pass[] = "password";
void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Blynk.begin(auth, ssid, pass);
}
void loop()
{
  Blynk.run();
}

ESP8266_Standalone2.ino
Download

Step 12: 3.3v Regulator Design

3.3v Regulator for ESp8266-12E

since I wanted to make board smaller I used SMD version of a 3.3v regulator, this is a fixed version of it, you may buy adjustable version also later by changing the resistor we can bring output to 3.3v.

Step 13: CONTROLLING WATER PUMP USING RELAY

Connect the Motor to the 5V Relay with 9V battery.

Step 14: Blynk

Step1: add Blynk library to Arduino IDE link

Step2: upload program to the Esp8266-12e

Step3: download Blynk android application Blynk (or on Play store)

Step4: copy auth token and paste it on your program.

Note:here Auth token is unique for every project.make sure you are using same proj page for the code you upload on esp8266 board.

Step 15: Watering the Bonsai Tree !

The most important part of taking care of your Bonsai trees is watering. How often a tree needs to be watered depends on several factors (like species of tree, the size of the tree, the size of the pot, time of year, soil-mixture and climate), indicating that it is impossible to say how often you should water Bonsai. However, understanding a few basic guidelines will help you to observe when a tree needs to be watered.

How often should I water?
As mentioned above, how often Bonsai trees need to be watered depends on too many factors to give exact guidelines. Instead, you need to learn to observe your trees and know when they need to be watered. The following general guidelines will help you to get Bonsai watering right: Water your trees when the soil gets slightly dryThis means you should not water your tree when the soil is still wet but only when it feels slightly dry; use your fingers to check the soil at around 0.4’’ (one centimeter) deep. Once you get more experienced you will be able to see (instead of feel) when a tree needs watering.Never water on a routineKeep observing your trees individually, instead of watering them on a daily routine, until you know exactly what you are doing.Use the right soil-mixtureThe soil-mixture greatly influences how often trees need to be watered, for most Bonsai trees a mixture of akadama, pumice and lava rock mixed together in a ratio of ½ to ¼ to ¼ should be fine. However, use a mixture that retains more water (by using more akadama, or even potting compost) when you cannot water your trees that regularly. Read the Bonsai soil mixtures article for more information.

When?
It doesn't really matter at what time you water a Bonsai. Some advice to avoid watering (with very cold water) during the afternoon, when the soil has been warmed up by the sun and will cool down rapidly when using cold water. Though this can be taken into consideration, it should always be clear that you should water your tree no matter what time it is, as soon as the soil gets slightly dry!

How to water Bonsai trees? As explained previously, water when the soil gets slightly dry. When the tree does require water, though, it needs thorough soaking so the entire root system is wetted. To do so, keep watering until water runs out of the drainage holes, and possibly repeat the process a few minutes later. Water a tree from above using a watering can with a fine nozzle; this will prevent the soil from being washed away. Using collected rain water is better (as it doesn’t contain added chemicals), but when this is not readily available there is no problem in using normal tap water. There are also automated watering systems, but these are often quite costly, so we built the cheap solution.

Step 16: Future Work !

Adding Bosch BMP280 and BME680 environmental sensors to measure Barometric pressure ,temperature, gas resistance ,which can use used to grow coffee, tea, and other plants.

These data's can be helpful for Horticulture researchers and scientists.

By adding more no of relays can help to control Water pumps, from any part of the world wirelessly.

Adding BME680 from BOSCH SENSORTEC to the Project

#include "bme680.h"
#define BLYNK_PRINT Serial    
#include 
#include 
char auth[] = "47blynkauthtoken57";// copy auth token of blynk android app here 
char ssid[] = "wifiname";
char pass[] = "password";
Bme680 gasSensor;
uint32_t lastRead = 0;
void setup() {
  /* Initialize the peripherals */
   // Serial.begin(9600);
  Blynk.begin(auth, ssid, pass);
  Serial.begin(115200);
  I2C.begin(2, 0); // Specific for the ESP8266, D4-SDA, D3-SCL
  Serial.println();
  /* Initialize the BME680 object */
  if (gasSensor.begin() != BME680_OK)
    while (1); // Stall if the sensor is not found
  gasSensor.setSensorConfig(); // Set the default configuration
  gasSensor.triggerMeasurement(); // Trigger a measurement
  Serial.println("Temperature(°C), Pressure(hPa), Humidity(%rH), Gas resistance(ohms)");
}
void loop() {
  /* Read data at 1.56Hz */
  if ((millis() - lastRead) > 640) {
    lastRead = millis();
    Blynk.run();
    /* Get data from the sensor */
    gasSensor.getData();
    float t1 = gasSensor.temperature / 100.0;
    
    Blynk.virtualWrite(0, t1);
//    /* Stream out the data */
//    Serial.print(gasSensor.temperature / 100.0); // Temperature in °C
//    Serial.print(", ");
//    Serial.print(gasSensor.pressure / 100.0); // Pressure in hPa 
//    Serial.print(", ");
//    Serial.print(gasSensor.humidity / 1000.0); // Humidity in %rH
//    Serial.print(", ");
//    Serial.println(gasSensor.gasResistance); // Gas resistance in Ohms
    /* Trigger the next measurement */
    gasSensor.triggerMeasurement();
  }
}