I just bought a rapidtest ph meter and a rapidtest moisture meter, both are a needle gauge. Can someone please tell me the proper level for my Valencia orange and Ponkan mandrin?

Thanks.

6.5 pH is an ideal pH for citrus. Rapidtest ph meters are not the very accurate instruments. Any pH meter that would have a trustworthy accuracy will cost a MINIMUM of approximately $100.00- Millet

Thank you Millet. I can not afford that much money right now. This meter I bought is the first one I found in a store that did not use capsules. I paid $15.00 for the one I just got. If you can direct me to a better meter than what I have until I can afford the $100.00, I would appreciate it. How off do you think the meter would be, so atleast I would have a guess-timation.

Thank you.

pH meters range in cost from about $50 to well over $1000. Meters cheaper than $100 rarely have sufficient accuracy and precision and growers often toss them after one or two years of frustration. I don't know how close a rapidtest will calculate the actual pH. You can buy accurate pH solutions such as pH 7 or pH 10 and so on. With those you could test your meter and see if it reads correctly. - Millet

Disneygirl, Rapid Test meters & capsules are TOTAL JUNK! I too bought the caps. & the same meter & no matter what I tested, it all came out the same -- about 7 which is alkalin. I was lucky enough to get my money back for the meter. I took soils samples from the front - next to masonry (which should be a higher ph) & another with pure composted manure (which should be more acidic) & they both came out same. I hope someone who works for Rapid Test reads this. I can't afford $100.00 for a meter either.
I recently put pelletized lime on surface (scratched in) because it helps take up nutrients in acid soil, although it makes a more alkalin soil. Then I use miracid to fertilize ( high nitrogen for acid loving plants). I still don't know what my ph is but plants are doing ok. I'm just playing by ear (or sight).
Hey, I'm gonna be in your area on Sun. for a week at Summer Bay Resort on 192. Good luck...if you find an inexpensive ph meter, let me know! Patty

Hey you know there are alot Of Nurserys going out of Biz right now who is selling off some of there old equiptment maybe we ( a few of us can pick up some of these as a deal ?) Ebay is sometimes a blessing grins tammy

Tammy,

Any specifics on who is going out of biz?

Thanks

What brand/ model PH meter do you guys use. I need to purchase one and really would like your input as to which one you have, or wish that you had? It’s confusing with so many out on the market.
Thanks Karl

There are some fairly accurate pH papers out there. There are some with wide range capabilities like 2-12 and some with narrow ranges like 5-7. You would probably need to make a slurry and let it settle before dipping the test paper in it.

-- Skeet

I did a quick search here is a link that has both types:

http://www.sanitationtools.com/Products.asp?Product=1391&Category=72

I'm sure there are others.
--Skeet

I have been looking at these at Gemplers.
http://www.gemplers.com/a/shop/list.asp?SKW=2N2METER&c=catCTNP&UID=20060811211304781964883

Ive got some 2-12 papers, got them from a teacher supply store. It indeed shows different colors. Its not quite as accurate as the narrow range paper I used in college, but it seems to give a decent read.

I am sure Florida has a extension agent system that offers comprehensive soil tests. Here in SC, I think the fee is still $5. A call to your extension agents office should get you all of the details.

Ned

Another option besides pH meters (which can be unreliable --due to the electrodes going bad in storage even if you get a good meter) might be pH test kits that use an indicator-- Like you use for pools. There are some of those that give a pretty good color change over the 6 to 8 pH range.

Believe me after 25 yrs as a chemist, unless you are looking for precision down to the 1/100 level, good paper or indicators are accurate and reliable. To really trust a meter you need to have at least 2 and preferably 3 standard buffer solutions.

-- Skeet

The range on a pool pH test kit is 6.8 to about 8.0. It should work in the neutral range, but not in the range desires for many plants. At the office we use pH paper that tests from about 4.5 to 7.5. It comes on a roll like this: http://www.microessentiallab.com/paper/sing.html

This paper is accurate (don't look if medical stuff freaks you out): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2339722&dopt=Abstract