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Orchid moisture meters

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself' started by Janice barkan, Nov 10, 2021.

  1. Nov 10, 2021 #1
    Janice barkan

    Janice barkan New Member

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    Hi. My name is jan Barkan I am new to the forum. Started about a year ago with orchids and am addicted. I am looking for a good moisture meter. The momet was recommended to be but it’s nowhere to be found. Can anyone he.p or recommend one that when inserted will actually go down to the roots?
     
  2. Nov 10, 2021 #2
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Welcome to the forum!
    I've been growing orchids for 40 years and have never had a moisture meter. I'm not aware of any growers that I know who use one. If you have a plastic tag in the pot, you can pull it out and see the reflection of the water on the plastic to find the moisture level. For most plants I will wait until there is just a bit of moisture showing at the very bottom. Others need to be evenly moist and some need to dry for several days before watering again. If you pick up a pot when the medium is wet, it will be much heavier that when it is dry. With a bit of experience you can get a very good idea of when it is time to water by the weight of the pot.
     
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  3. Nov 11, 2021 #3
    Gerrit

    Gerrit Well-Known Member

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    All my orchids are in transparent pots. Easy to check but I don't like the sight of it so I've put these pots in a stone pot. Also prevents them from tipping over.
     
  4. Nov 11, 2021 #4
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Handheld soil moisture meters mostly rely on a clear, linear electrical conduction path between electrodes. When pressed into soil, the material right next to the probe provides that path.

    Orchid potting media, being much coarser that soil, does not provide that, so the unit won’t work properly.
     
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  5. Nov 22, 2021 #5
    pattersoncamille

    pattersoncamille New Member

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    Hello! I'm glad to join your community!
     
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  6. Nov 22, 2021 #6
    naoki

    naoki Well-Known Member

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    In addition to what Marni mentioned, you could put a stick in the pot (or a bamboo skewer). When you pull it out and touch it, you can feel it to be cooler when there is still some moisture.
     
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