Add note about airflow

content/Airflow.md

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+Title: Airflow
+Date: 2023-03-07
+Category: Notes
+Summary: Point a fan at indoor hydroponic plants once they develop their true leaves.
+
+Airflow across plants is important because it helps with [transpiration][1], the process of water movement through a plant and evaporation off its leaves. The water is used to move minerals up the plant from its roots. Quoting Wikipedia:
+
+> In still air, water lost due to transpiration can accumulate in the form of vapor close to the leaf surface. This will reduce the rate of water loss, as the water potential gradient from inside to outside of the leaf is then slightly less. The wind blows away much of this water vapor near the leaf surface, making the potential gradient steeper and speeding up the diffusion of water molecules into the surrounding air. Even in wind, though, there may be some accumulation of water vapor in a thin boundary layer of slower moving air next to the leaf surface. The stronger the wind, the thinner this layer will tend to be, and the steeper the water potential gradient.
+
+A lack of airflow can cause [mineral deficiencies][2] which is why it's recommended to point a fan at plants grown hydroponically.
+
+The plant can't do anything to fix too little airflow, but can close [stomas][3] to correct for too much airflow. The exception to this is with young shoots which have a cuticle layer on their leaves. The waxy layer prevents stoma regulation, so pointing a fan at shoots may dry them out.
+
+
+[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpiration
+[2]: https://hortamericas.com/blog/science/how-to-avoid-calcium-deficiency-in-controlled-environment-food-crops/
+[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoma

content/Helios Alpha.md

@@ -32,6 +32,6 @@ Cover the lid with two strips aluminium foil to prevent light from passing into
 
 Insert the six net cups into the six holes. Place the lid back on the tote and position it under the grow lights.
 
-Point a fan towards where the plants will grow. This is important indoors to enable water transpiration so the leaves don't get mineral deficiencies. Plug the fan in but keep it off until the starters have grown their "true leaves".
+Point a fan towards where the plants will grow. [[Airflow |Airflow is important]] indoors to enable water transpiration so the leaves don't get mineral deficiencies. Plug the fan in but keep it off until the starters have grown their "true leaves".
 
 Plug the power strip into the outlet timer and adjust it for 16 hours on, 8 hours off. The specific timing will depend on the plant.