From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Otis Orchards WA.

Greetings,
I was at a local garden supply store today looking at a "Rapitest Mini PH Tester" made by Luster Leaf . I was just wondering if these work? and are worth having? The price was $7.99

10/17/2003 11:03:16 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

They give your $7.00 worth of readings but have no accuracy. You would be better of with a piece of litmus paper. Give ph from 5.5 - 8.0 in .2 increments. Better yet bring it to your local garden center or greenhouse if they are customer friendly they will do it for free.

10/18/2003 12:42:50 AM

Applegate, Oregon

I agree, I tested one with the soil sample I sent to a lab. Rapitest Ph Tester gave a ph of 5.5ish while the lab came back with a 7.3. Mind you I tested the soil sent to the lab prior to packaging it. Dale

10/18/2003 1:59:19 AM

Md/ Usa

you are aware the the water used to dampen to soil affects the test.

10/18/2003 9:40:58 AM

Applegate, Oregon

Yes, I am aware of that, and have tested my water Ph. It is high and over the course of the growing season has an effect on my ph.

Now my testing was not 100% scientific, as I tested the mixture of 30 probes from my patch prior to seperating two cups from it to send to the lab. I did not moisten it as it came directly from my patch at the end of the current season. I got the same reading probing around in my patch.

Besides, this is the water I have, so this is the Ph I'll have. The lab (A&L West) claims that there is no change in soil measures due to their testing process.

I really don't see what point you are trying to get across about the water. Clue me in? Dale

10/18/2003 10:46:22 AM

Sequim, WA

If you are using your tap or well water to moisten the sample, then you are getting the pH of the water as well as the sample. You should always use distilled water to moisten the soil sample and to wash the probe.

10/18/2003 1:12:46 PM

Otis Orchards WA.

They recommended using "rain water" if you can, on the package.

10/18/2003 2:29:21 PM

San Diego

I agree, those things stink for testing, get a lab test. My water ph is 8.0 and the soil tested 6.5 Tested with labs, 7.5 ph for my soil. way off. Even with high ph water it still tested way low with those testing kits. Jim

10/19/2003 12:28:17 AM