PH/Moisture meter

[AKButch]

I was at Lowe's today getting some top soil so I can start some of my Chinese seeds. I was told they are slow growers so even tho it won't be until June before I can even think of moving them outdoors, guess I can start them on their way.

Lowe's has this two pronged Moisture / PM meter that sounds pretty good if you read about it on the package so I'm wondering is it's worth getting one or is it just B.S./hype for getting another 20 bucks out of me.

Thanx . . . Butch

[thepodpiper]

In my opinion and there will be lots who swear by them they are a waste of money. If you are growing seedlings to put outside you will only have them in a 4" maybe 6 " pots and it is pretty easy to tell if they need water in a small pot especially if you are using a soiless (SP) mix. In a 4" pot using soiless mix when it is light as a feather it needs water. Watering peppers can be a tricky thing but you have to know that they can wilt and look almost dead, give it water and it will come back.

Dale

[gardenkiller]

I will agree here about not needing them for seedlings, but they are great in the summer if you use pots. I weight the bottoms of my pots so I am unable to tell by weight if they need water. The surface can look dry as a bone but the root zone is still OK, which you can find out with the meter. However, twenty bucks is a little much, picked mine up for about 5.

[GrumpyBear]

i got mine for seven, i think its useful but not twenty bucks useful. a lot of times i was gonna water but checked and found it was still dry-moist so i left it another couple days, plus i grow a whole heck of a lot of other plants so...

[LUCKYDOG]

Its good if you are going hyro with Ph meter

[POTAWIE]

Those meters are usually cheap and unreliable. I'd pay the extra for a good Ph meter and wouldn't worry about the moisture metre too much.

[AKButch]

I will agree here about not needing them for seedlings, but they are great in the summer if you use pots. I weight the bottoms of my pots so I am unable to tell by weight if they need water. The surface can look dry as a bone but the root zone is still OK, which you can find out with the meter. However, twenty bucks is a little much, picked mine up for about 5.

I will be using 4-5 gallon pot's for the majority of my plants so it might be good to have one around.

i got mine for seven, i think its useful but not twenty bucks useful. a lot of times i was gonna water but checked and found it was still dry-moist so i left it another couple days, plus i grow a whole heck of a lot of other plants so...

They (Lowe's) had some of the single probe type moisture meters also for 7 bucks. I have this personal thing against buying crap made in China and unfortunatly, the moisture only meters were made in China. I would just as soon do without one if all they have is inferior "China made chit" I also put notes in the suggestion boxes complaining about this but I'm sure it falls on deaf ears. Just one of my "Pet Peeves" :banghead:

That is the main reason I have never shopped and never will shop at Wall-Mart!

Those meters are usually cheap and unreliable. I'd pay the extra for a good Ph meter and wouldn't worry about the moisture metre too much.

What is a good brand to purchase? Where did you get it? Will probably have to order one but might be able to find one if I wait until spring when the few local greenhouses here get stocked up. Right now it's the dead of winter here so not much if anything going on.

[POTAWIE]

Look online for PH metres, or in hydro shops. There are many types depending on $$ and needs, and you should calibrate them frequently for accurate results

[thepodpiper]

[quote=AKButch;53478]

That is the main reason I have never shopped and never will shop at Wall-Mart!

Thank you !!!!!!!!!!

Dale

[GrumpyBear]

[COLOR=navy]
They (Lowe's) had some of the single probe type moisture meters also for 7 bucks. I have this personal thing against buying crap made in China and unfortunatly, the moisture only meters were made in China. I would just as soon do without one if all they have is inferior "China made chit" I also put notes in the suggestion boxes complaining about this but I'm sure it falls on deaf ears. Just one of my "Pet Peeves :banghead:

That is the main reason I have never shopped and never will shop at Wall-Mart

mines two prongs and it tells both, i got it at crappy tire but it is made in china which i don't really mind b/c i figure i'll wait until i have money to have scruples, although i also despise walmart. the only time in the last ten years i've gone to walmart was when my mom needed duct tape at nine o'clock on a sunday...

[sdw79]

Yea the 7 dollar one from Lowes sucks, you can put it in a glass of water and it will only read about a 7 on a scale to 10. So I took it back and got another one, same thing, these are junk.