I think it takes just a bit too long to unlock the "true" automation, the automatic nutrients. The water generation is unlocked at a good point, but the nutrients are four times more expensive. To keep up with growth before then, you've got to constantly click the expedition button for upwards of half an hour (if you're also picking up expedition and growth speed upgrades,) which really kills the "constant power growth" fantasy that the upgrade text keeps talking about. It's also super tedious.