# Plant\_io - Plant Cultivation Kit (CE09696)

**URL:** <https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662>\
**Category:** Product Questions\
**Created:** [24 July 2023 01:27 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662 "2023-07-24T01:27:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Core](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/core/32/57_2.png) [@Core](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Core)\
**Post date:** [24 July 2023 01:27 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/1 "2023-07-24T01:27:50Z")

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This is a placeholder topic for [**“Plant\_io - Plant Cultivation Kit”**](https://core-electronics.com.au/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit.html) comments.

![](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/5ba536955e3e815f4e908e49c1dd8155/p/l/plant-io-cultivation-kit-assembled-front.jpg)

Grow and learn! An open-source DIY project kit for plant-cultivation experiments.

[**Read more**](https://core-electronics.com.au/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit.html)

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**Author:** ![Conal165237](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/conal165237/32/8717_2.png) [@Conal165237](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Conal165237)\
**Post date:** [24 July 2023 01:27 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/2 "2023-07-24T01:27:51Z")

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This is fantastic! I love the design and ease of use. I was just wondering if there is capability here to add a camera and potentially a server / dashboard for remote monitoring ?

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**Author:** ![Liam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/liam/32/3562_2.png) [@Liam](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Liam)\
**Post date:** [24 July 2023 03:45 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/3 "2023-07-24T03:45:03Z")

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Hi Conal,

Welcome to the forum!

This was actually proposed during the design 😃  
Unfortunately Microcontrollers usually arent good at running a camera, though with the new [ArduCam Mega Camera’s](https://core-electronics.com.au/arducam-mega-5mp-camera.html) its become far more accessible.  
Since everything is on a breadboard you might want to add a microSD card adapter to simplify things.

It’ll take a bit of work adding the functionality and the micropython driver isnt extensive _yet_ but definitely is possible! (Sending that large image over WiFi with a micro might be difficult - but definifely do-able @Bryce might have some insights!)  
Liam

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**Author:** ![Conal165237](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/conal165237/32/8717_2.png) [@Conal165237](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Conal165237)\
**Post date:** [26 July 2023 08:58 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/4 "2023-07-26T08:58:34Z")

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Great, thank you. As a starting point, is it possible to get this kit with a pi that would allow this in the future, like a zero with wi-fi and camera port?

That way we can get this cool kit (with some of the recommended additional sensors), then have the option for linking to a server and camera in the future?

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**Author:** ![James](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/james/32/4400_2.png) [@James](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/James)\
**Post date:** [26 July 2023 23:58 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/5 "2023-07-26T23:58:06Z")

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Hi Conal,

I suggest remixing our current kit with the added functionality of a full-size Pi. You can get Python to [talk to a Pico over serial](https://blog.rareschool.com/2021/01/controlling-raspberry-pi-pico-using.html) fairly easily, and software like [Flask](https://flask.palletsprojects.com/en/2.3.x/) can make getting Python onto the web a lot easier.

Give those a look and get back to us with any questions 🙂

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**Author:** ![Joshua135241](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/34f0e0/32.png) [@Joshua135241](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Joshua135241)\
**Post date:** [28 July 2023 00:52 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/6 "2023-07-28T00:52:45Z")

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Hi,  
Just checking if this kit comes with the Pi Pico or not. Just doesnt say it in the “Whats included” section.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![Michael](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/michael/32/3545_2.png) [@Michael](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Michael)\
**Post date:** [28 July 2023 02:50 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/7 "2023-07-28T02:50:52Z")

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Hi @Joshua135241 - welcome to the forums.

> [@Joshua135241](#):
>
> Just checking if this kit comes with the Pi Pico

Yes! It comes with a Pico H (CE08702)  
We’ll fix that

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**Author:** ![Politas](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/politas/32/3427_2.png) [@Politas](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Politas)\
**Post date:** [30 July 2023 08:12 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/8 "2023-07-30T08:12:25Z")

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What I’d really like is an alternate stand that’s laid out linearly in order to fit on a windowsill.

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**Author:** ![Robert93820](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@Robert93820](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Robert93820)\
**Post date:** [30 July 2023 09:13 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/9 "2023-07-30T09:13:32Z")

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Hi Politas  
Could be regarded as a design challenge. I am sure that others would be interested in your solution.  
Cheers Bob

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**Author:** ![Liam120347](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/liam120347/32/5003_2.png) [@Liam120347](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Liam120347)\
**Post date:** [30 July 2023 12:33 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/10 "2023-07-30T12:33:04Z")

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Hi Politas,

While its certainly possible to laser cut one you could even go lower tech and tape the reservoir to the plant pot then mount the electronics on top.

The platform was designed to fit into a standard-size box + envelope so the longer version might not be viable to create as a kit, but [the design is open source so remixing](https://github.com/CoreElectronics/CE-Makerverse-Plant_io/tree/main/platformhttps://github.com/CoreElectronics/CE-Makerverse-Plant_io/tree/main/platform) is an option if you have a program like inkscape (you’ll be able to edit the PDF).

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**Author:** ![Jarrah255746](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@Jarrah255746](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jarrah255746)\
**Post date:** [31 August 2023 01:43 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/11 "2023-08-31T01:43:41Z")

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Having issues getting the pump to respond to any code, soil moisture sensor works fine. Can manually power the pump with 6v and it works, just no response via PPM. Have checked pinout and cabling and all fine, but no response, does anyone have any thoughts?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![James](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/james/32/4400_2.png) [@James](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/James)\
**Post date:** [31 August 2023 01:58 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/12 "2023-08-31T01:58:09Z")

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Hi Jarrah, welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear your driver board is giving you trouble! Could you please share a photo of how you have everything hooked up? We may spot something!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jarrah255746](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@Jarrah255746](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jarrah255746)\
**Post date:** [31 August 2023 02:31 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/13 "2023-08-31T02:31:09Z")

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![Screenshot 2023-08-31 115713](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/core_electronics/original/2X/7/7fa56561d3d4b0523c6826f8b3e76f277f03a60f.jpeg)  
Hey James,

Thanks for the quick response! Let me know if you need any more pictures

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**Author:** ![Liam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/liam/32/3562_2.png) [@Liam](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Liam)\
**Post date:** [4 September 2023 01:29 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/14 "2023-09-04T01:29:01Z")

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Hi Jarrah,

Thanks for sending that photo! I can confirm that everything looks good.  
If you have a multimeter handy, it might also be worth checking the continuity from pin 12 to the pumps green wire.

Here’s some code that you can use to test the pump:

```auto
import machine
import utime

pwm1 = machine.PWM(machine.Pin(12))
pwm1.freq(50)

min_s = 1300
max_s = 8500

mid_p = int((max_s - min_s)/2)

def map_range(x, in_min, in_max, out_min, out_max):
    mapped = (x - in_min) * (out_max - out_min) / (in_max - in_min) + out_min
    return int(max(min(mapped, out_max), out_min))

def servo_wrapper(val):
    return map_range(val, 0, 180, 1500, 8000)

while True:    
    for i in range(0,180,5):
        pwm1.duty_u16(servo_wrapper(i))
        utime.sleep(0.2)
    for i in range(180,0,-5):
        pwm1.duty_u16(servo_wrapper(i))
        utime.sleep(0.2)

```

How did you power the pump with 6V directly?

Keen to get to the bottom of this one!  
Liam

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jarrah255746](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@Jarrah255746](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jarrah255746)\
**Post date:** [5 September 2023 03:53 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/15 "2023-09-05T03:53:33Z")

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Hey Liam,

Don’t have a multimeter on me, but tested with by swapping the cable with the one for the moisture sensor, moisture sensor still worked fine with cable intended for the pump.  
I tested the pump directly by connecting the battery pack that was provided to the pump(I have an ardiuno starter kit laying around and that has some breadboard jumper wires), and that ran fine.  
Also attempted to directly use the PICO pinout without the makerverse board on the off chance the connection wasn’t right there, this also proved unsuccessful!  
I’ve also tried running your code and not had any luck, I am using Thonny, and have the Plant\_io python on the Pico, and am connected to the Pi.

Thanks for the assistance,  
Jarrah

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Liam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/liam/32/3562_2.png) [@Liam](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Liam)\
**Post date:** [5 September 2023 05:56 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/16 "2023-09-05T05:56:15Z")

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Hi Jarrah,

Thanks for running through those troubleshooting steps!

Since it sounds like the pump is faulty could you please send through a reply to your order confirmation email with a link to this forum topic and we’ll get it sorted out ASAP!

Liam

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jarrah255746](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@Jarrah255746](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jarrah255746)\
**Post date:** [5 September 2023 06:07 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/17 "2023-09-05T06:07:01Z")

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Thanks heaps, I’ve emailed back 😃  
Cheers,  
Jarrah

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ciriaco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@Ciriaco](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Ciriaco)\
**Post date:** [5 September 2023 06:16 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/18 "2023-09-05T06:16:19Z")

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> [@Core](#):
>
> Grow and learn! An open-source DIY project kit for plant-cultivation experiments.
> 
> [**Read more**](https://core-electronics.com.au/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit.html)

Great device! I think you need a light sensor here so that water is added during the daytime when photosynthesis is active.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Liam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/liam/32/3562_2.png) [@Liam](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Liam)\
**Post date:** [5 September 2023 06:48 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/19 "2023-09-05T06:48:38Z")

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Hi Ciriaco,

Since there is a PiicoDev port included you can add any of the sensors and integrate your own control schemes!

> **[PiicoDev Australia](https://core-electronics.com.au/piicodev.html)**
>
> PiicoDev hardware has been designed from the ground-up with rapid prototyping and maker education in mind. As community educators ourselves, we have baked ideas into PiicoDev that ensure every home project, school activity and makerspace workshop is...

Liam

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Robert93820](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@Robert93820](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Robert93820)\
**Post date:** [5 September 2023 06:59 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/plant-io-plant-cultivation-kit-ce09696/17662/20 "2023-09-05T06:59:49Z")

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Hi Liam

> [@Liam](#):
>
> Since it sounds like the pump is faulty

Don’t know about that

> [@Jarrah255746](#):
>
> I tested the pump directly by connecting the battery pack that was provided to the pump(I have an ardiuno starter kit laying around and that has some breadboard jumper wires), and that ran fine.

This sounds like the pump worked OK when connected directly to battery  
Wires crossed up here somewhere.  
Cheers Bob

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