Rapitest Electronic 4 Way Analyzer Meter Hydrofarm

This Rapitest electronic 4 way analyzer has a 3 probe design to allow the user to use one meter but to get the work of 4 meters. This meter can test soil pH, soil moisture content, fertility of the soil and the amount of light available. It has an analogue display and does not require batteries for its operation.

To measure soil PH with this meter take away the top 2 inches of the soil and then break up and crumble the soil underneath down to a depth of 5 inches. Take away any stones and organic debris which will affect the results from the meter. Wet the soil thoroughly with water to give a mud consistency. On the meter use the toggle switch to move the indicator to the PH point and then test.

To test for the light that you plant receives, select the light option on the selector switch. Hold the meter, so that the window on the top of the meter case is in the same position as the leaves on top of the plant you are testing for. Do not obstruct this window or allow any shadows from your body to interfere with it. Hold the window towards the light source of the plant and note down the reading. It is always a good idea to take 2 readings to give you a more accurate and precise reading. A to H on the reading scale indicate the quality of light that the plant is receiving. A is not good for many plants and top of the scale H can be too much light for many other different species of plants. So take your reading and compare the results with the chart and plant species and their light requirements.

To test for moisture content levels in soil you insert the probe down vertically in to the soil within the plant pot. Try to do this halfway between the edge of the pot and the stem of the plant. How far you go down with the probe in to the pot will be dependant upon the actual pot size. You probe deeper the larger the pot is. You should be aiming to probe about half way down a pot size to get a suitable reading.

When you push the probe in to the soil you will notice that the meter readings will vary as the probe goes downwards. This is because the moisture content levels are not uniform and certain types of soils do create moisture pockets. You are advised to take 2 readings in one sitting to confirm any results. Once your readings have been taken do not leave the probe in the soil. Remove it and dry and clean it.

The readings will be displayed in a numerical listing between 1 and 10. You need to check with the handbook that is supplied with the moisture meter to ascertain what the resulting number means for a specific plant.