How long does it take for the reading to stabilize and can you leave it in the ground for outside plants?
1455767
This meter is quite instantaneous. You watch the needle move quickly as you go from "dry" on one end, to "wet" depending on your soil. The tips are where the probes are helping to eliminate guess work at different depths, too. I value my tool too much to leave it in the ground, plus it might corrode. My guess is that you'll like this tool so much, it will go in the "good" tool caddy.
1455768
In my experience it is done taking the reading in around 20 - 30 seconds but I didn't have a good experience as my readings were all wrong. I know this because every plant I put it in even the crusty dirt plants got the same "wet" reading. I returned mine and am using the finger method which is 100% more accurate and free! You aren't supposed to leave it in the plant.
1455769
The reading is almost immediately and seems accurate so far. I have two of these on my outside plants but they are in pots. I think the ground would be different since it is a larger area, maybe for a quick check if you put it near a plant on the ground but I wouldn't leave it in the ground.
1455770
Stabilizes immediately for moisture and light; I got 2 & neither will work at all for pH... I wouldn't leave it outside; it's not very sturdy.
1861106
Not to sure. Depending on your settings (temp & light, moisture), it can anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Your best bet is to ask a nursery owner.Robert
2006331
It is not meant to stay in the plant pot. It is for testing the soil only to see if it needs to be watered. If it has disintegrated, throw it away and get another. They are reasonable. But use it as a tester only!
2207024
looking online it states you do not want to do anything to the ground or sprayed area for 7 days. After the 7 days you can work the soil and plant as needed.
571175
I've had mine for about 4 mos and it is a great plant, however needs a lot of attention. Recommend that you don't put it outside right away as it will die in extreme climate changes. I would put it where it's mildly warm and move it back and forth from outside to inside for a good month and then have it outside for longer periods of time until you know it can handle the heat and humidity. Mine didn't like the hot outdoors so had to bring it inside for longer periods of time. It is too late in the season to have it outside so I will wait until Spring/Summer to try to have it planted outside permanently. I've had mine for about 4 mos and it is a great plant, however needs a lot of attention. Recommend that you don't put it outside right away as it will die in extreme climate changes. I would put it where it's mildly warm and move it back and forth from outside to inside for a good month and then have it outside for longer periods of time until you know it can handle the heat and humidity. Mine didn't like the hot outdoors so had to bring it inside for longer periods of time. It is too late in the season to have it outside so I will wait until Spring/Summer to try to have it planted outside... » Read More I've had mine for about 4 mos and it is a great plant, however needs a lot of attention. Recommend that you don't put it outside right away as it will die in extreme climate changes. I would put it where it's mildly warm and move it back and forth from outside to inside for a good month and then have it outside for longer periods of time until you know it can handle the heat and humidity. Mine didn't like the hot outdoors so had to bring it inside for longer periods of time. It is too late in the season to have it outside so I will wait until Spring/Summer to try to have it planted outside permanently. « Show Less
547998
I'm only using it for display, lined up on a high shelf in my bookcase. So, durability hasn't been an issue. However, the pots are clay, so I wouldn't expect them to hold up outside in a breeze, if they were to hit something.
1034426
I bought mine specifically for outdoor use. My two shelves have served as mobile plant stands on my decks for several years, with no apparent damage of any kind noted thus far. We average ~50 inches of rain each year, 10 or so days over 100 degrees and another 20 or so where it's below freezing. Plus my shelves get dripped on all the time by the runoff when I water the potted plants they're holding. I use them as mobile greenhouses during the winter, stringing old Christmas lights on the racks (attached to a thermostat that turns them on at 34 degrees), covered with clear plastic to help hold the heat in (but allow the sunlight through). Works great! I bought mine specifically for outdoor use. My two shelves have served as mobile plant stands on my decks for several years, with no apparent damage of any kind noted thus far. We average ~50 inches of rain each year, 10 or so days over 100 degrees and another 20 or so where it's below freezing. Plus my shelves get dripped on all the time by the runoff when I water the potted plants they're holding. I use them as mobile greenhouses during the winter, stringing old Christmas lights on the racks (attached to a thermostat that turns them on at 34 degrees), covered with clear plastic to help... » Read More I bought mine specifically for outdoor use. My two shelves have served as mobile plant stands on my decks for several years, with no apparent damage of any kind noted thus far. We average ~50 inches of rain each year, 10 or so days over 100 degrees and another 20 or so where it's below freezing. Plus my shelves get dripped on all the time by the runoff when I water the potted plants they're holding. I use them as mobile greenhouses during the winter, stringing old Christmas lights on the racks (attached to a thermostat that turns them on at 34 degrees), covered with clear plastic to help hold the heat in (but allow the sunlight through). Works great! « Show Less
1710493
It depends on how much water you originally put in the actual plant. You should water the plant every well first, then add the globe and it can last up to 2 weeks.If the plant is dry.... the globe will empty almost immediately.
1281079
For most plants it will hold enough water for a week. Maybe in the hottest part of the summer you might want to check after 5 days.Depends a lot on type of plant. Snake plants will last a week with some left over but vine type will drink faster. Personally, I can't live without them.I don't have to worry,no over watering or under.They do it themselves.Hope this helps.
353805
It depends. In the ground blind we find that the battery holds out for about 6 hours. In a tree stand however it's a little less. You can still count on about 4 hours though.
269064
The solar cell is for that instant, need multiple readings you would average yourself. I would also caution you the pins do not have a great deal of resistance to pushing them into the soil.
229135
I suppose in theory, yes. But this is not a rugged device and it has garden hose connections. You would have to convert from hose threads to pipe threads and then plumb in this device. But I don't think it will hold up over time. And, I believe it has a battery, so if the battery runs out, you will lose the reading. And, you would have to constantly replace batteries. This device is really intended for short term use by irrigation system designers to determine flow rates. I would look for a better solution if I were you.
1446111
Just put it on a shelf or hang under one and give it a little time to stabilize at the temperature oft he box. It doesn't read instantly.
1786345
Yes, I always give it a moment or two to settle on a reading. I never get specific to a particular number, I use wet, moist, or dry and water accordingly. I figure that it is a $7-$10 meter and don't expect laboratory accuracy. I user this type on my veggies in the summer and houseplant all the time with good success. I have found that most plants do better if you let them go towards the dry reading and then give them a good soaking.
1450374
I bought this as a gift and when I forwarded them your question, here's the response I received: I doubt it's meant for outside use. I think it wouldn't last too long. Hope this helps!
87719
As long as there is a couple of hours of direct sunlight, it will do fne. On occasions, I take them out to my backyard for few hours.
107374
I use it both outside attached to my deck and inside attached to a heavy table leg(with strap). I wouldn't leave it outside unless the weather is mostly warm and dry and it's out of the sun, or it will deteriorate more quickly.