Questions and advice needed for soilless

[savoy]

I ordered it. The reviews said flimsy construction breaks easy when you pull it out, but it sounded like the reviewers were going around their yards sticking it in packed earth. I'm not too concerned with fluffy peat and perlite.

I'm sure its in the instructions, but I'm assuming I pour a little phed water in the container then test, I can't imagine its very effective in dry medium?

 

[GoAuto6]

this one here ......
Control Wizard Accurate pH 8 Soil pH and Moisture Meter 12" Probe Lawn &

 

[savoy]

Looks like it from a different angel, the one I bought didn't have the control wizard in the name, looks identical though

 

[savoy]

Hey Muddy, I'm smoking the last of my cured bud while watching muddy waters and the rolling stones on PBS right now.
Cheers brother

 

[low_and_slow]

Weird, my SS#4 has always been spot-on 6.3...

 

[savoy]

I'm not very confident about this soil probe. It came, and seems to want to tell me that all my soil in 6 plants, and the three I'm about to transplant to is a ph 6.5, with low moisture, even though I just watered a few of them.

I took a break and cleaned it off, now its saying the transplant pots are ph 6 with high moisture (which should be right). Its also telling me all 6 of my other plants are like a 6.75 ph, the moisture comparatively seems right. I still don't trust these readings. I'd buy that the ph is on the high side in those examples, but not all the same and not that high.

I get different readings if I put it in a few inches vs as deep as it will go in my pots (which still leaves a few inches not in the soil)

I know how funny this post sounds btw but if someone can tell me how to use this thing it'd be great. The directions were vague and a little Chinese.

 

[Muddy]

No, these are fine units, I wouldn't recommend them if they weren't. I had my first one for 2 years and would still be using it now had I not dropped it. I saw that same review you did where they complained about it. Based on my experience with the Accurate 8, I just dismissed it.

Yes, the soil should be moist to get accurate readings. I usually water/feed, wait 1 or 2 days for the pH to stabilize, then check. Also, it takes about 10 minutes for the reading to stabilize. If you don't wait, you won't get an accurate reading. Also, make sure you clean the probe between readings. The little cleaning pad that comes with it won't last long. I find a Scotch greeny pad or a piece of 0000 steel wool work fine. I wipe it off with a rag or paper towel, then clean it with steel wool before taking the next reading. I would also recommend taking 3 readings per pot and averaging them.

 

[savoy]

How deep is it necessary to go? I'm a little sheepish about messing up the roots. I'll have to keep tabs over the next few days between my hanna liquid meter and this.

 

[Muddy]

I like to get mine at least 4 or 5 inches deep, if not a bit more. I don't worry much about the roots. The point on the end of the probe will separate the roots and not cause much damage. To get an accurate reading you really do need to be well into the root ball.