pH meter?

[ATH]

To you guys who actually pay attention to the soil...

Do you use a pH meter on site? If so, what kind?

I have used the $300 ones before, but would like to get one for less than $50. There are a few out there, but I assume it is like anything else -- you get what you pay for. Are the less expensive ones worthwhile?

I do intend to send out samples to get a better picture, but sometimes a quick look at the pH can tell me a lot, and provide good information to provide to the client while standing on site (rather than telling them I'll call back in 2 weeks while they hire another outfit that will prescribe treatment w/o diagnosis just to get paid...)

 

[jemclimber]

Litmus (sp) paper is very easy to use and you don't have to worry about calibration or the bulb going bad. I think VWR sells some inexpensive digital ones that would be plenty accurate for our intended use, but they should be calibrated often with the proper calibrating fluids. If I remember they are somewhere between $40 to $70.

 

[BonsaiJedi]

I'm with Jem...Litmus paper is cheap and reliable. It is key that you take samples from several soil horizons to get a fair picture of your site's pH.

 

[ATH]

That seems too simple... I'll get some paper. After I asked, I also found This meter for $19. At that cheap I think I'll give it a try.

As for testing from several horizons:
I generally take a couple of samples of soil from a few plugs and mix them all together. I assume this is what you mean? Or are you saying that you measure the pH of each of the soil horizons?

 

[BonsaiJedi]

ATH-
The "standard" in the soil sci world is 10cm depth but that is definately an agro depth. For determining pH for tree folks 20cm (about 8-9") depth is usually sufficient...

I only added that horizon bit to be sure measurment were not being taken in the 'O' and very shallow 'A' horizon as they will often be markedly lower in pH than the underlying layers due to decaying orgainc matter...but it sounds like you know what you're doing. Good luck!

 

[Sprig]

Ditto on the litmus testing, a bit to add here. The vineyards that a few of my mates work on will test by using a 1ltr container half full of water and take a 1"x 4-6" plug of soil and mix it in then test. From what they have told me it works well to give a general understanding of soil conditions. I am not experienced in this but thought I'd pass it along as it seemed a reasonable way of getting an idea of conditions, I'm sure there will be further input.
For more precise measurements then I am sure a tester is in order, and necessary when dealing with plants that need specific soils.