Luster Leaf 1818 Manual

Warning: This meter is specifically calibrated for use in soil. Do not use in water or any other liquid.
HOW TO USE YOUR TESTER TO MEASURE FERTILITY
1. Remove the top 2" of the soil. Break up and crumble the soil
underneath to a total depth of 5".
2. Thoroughly wet the soil with water (ideally rain or distilled
water) to a mud consistency.
3. Wipe the meter probes clean with a tissue or paper towel.
4. Move the switch to the far left position.
5. Insert the probes into the soil to within 1" of the casing.
Allow approximately 10 seconds for the reading to stabilize.
6. Record the reading. Remove the probes from the soil and clean
thoroughly.
The standards by which the instrument is calibrated are as
follows:
Too Little
Nitrogen 50 PPM
Phosphorous 4 PPM
Potash 50 PPM
• ppm is defined as parts-per-million
IF THE TESTER READS "Too Little":
Fertilize with a brand of soluble fertilizer that is recommended
for the plants you intend to grow. Follow package instructions.
IF THE TESTER READS "Ideal":
Water once a month with a soluble fertilizer that is
recommended for the plants you are growing.
IF THE TESTER READS "Too Much":
1. Water thoroughly to leach out the excess fertilizer from the soil.
2. For potted plants, repot with new soil.
3. Do not add any fertilizer. You can add manure, compost,
clippings, plant wastes, residues, leaves and any other
organic matter to the soil.
HOW TO USE YOUR METER TO MEASURE LIGHT
1. Move the switch to the 2nd position.
2. Point the photocell on the top of the tester directly at the light
source while holding the Tester at leaf level. Avoid positioning
your hand or body between the light source and the plant or
position you are measuring.
3. Record the reading (x 1000) and the time of day.
4. Take readings in the mid-morning, mid afternoon and early
evening to determine the average light intensity.
Example:
9 AM reading X 4 hours =
(Average between 7AM and 11AM)
1 PM reading X 4 hours =
(Average between 11AM and 3PM)
5 PM reading X 4 hours =
(Average between 3PM and 7PM)
Total Daily Foot Candle Hours
Please refer to the table of light requirements on the reverse.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
REGARDING YOUR NEW 4 IN 1 TESTER
IDEAL Range Too Much
50 to 200 ppm 200 PPM
4 to 14 ppm 14 PPM
50 to 200 ppm 200 PPM
Foot-candle hours
Foot-candle hours
Foot candle hours
Total From Above
HOW TO USE YOUR METER TO MEASURE
SOIL MOISTURE
1. Move the switch to the 3rd position.
2. Insert probes into soil up to plastic base, about half way
between the edge of the container and the stem of the plant.
Do not push the probe too near the stem.
3. Note the reading.
4. Remove the probes from the soil. Wipe thoroughly with
a soft cloth or tissue before taking another reading or
putting away.
5. Do not leave the probe in soil for long periods of time.
General Watering Advise
Plants that like to be kept moist may be watered when the reading
is 3 or 4. Plants that prefer to be drier may be watered when the
reading is 1 or 2. Plants with lower numbers prefer drier condi-
tions. Check small pots more often than larger ones, they dry out
more quickly. Over-watering rots plant roots so don't water too
frequently.
General Watering Guide (Containerized Growing)
Vegetables 2-3
Annuals/Biennials 1-2
Perennials 2-3
Shrubs (flowering) 2-3
Shrubs (foliage) 1-2
HOW TO USE YOUR METER TO MEASURE pH
1. Remove the top 2" of the surface soil. Break up and crumble the
soil underneath to a total depth of 5". Remove any stones
or organic debris such as leaves and twigs because they
can affect the final result.
2. Thoroughly wet the soil with water (ideally rain or distilled water)
to a mud consistency.
3. Move the switch to the last (far right) position.
4. Wet probes. Polish probe on the FAR RIGHT ONLY, with the
enclosed special cleaning pad.
5. Insert probes into soil up to plastic base.
6. Wait one minute and take reading.
7. Wipe the probes clean and dry.
TO RAISE OR LOWER pH OF YOUR SOIL
Add lime to raise soil pH. Add sulfur/sulphate to lower soil pH. How
much to add will depend on the product chosen and soil type.
Follow package instructions. Raising and lowering pH is not an
exact science and most plants have a reasonably wide tolerance,
certainly to within 1 pH point. Altering pH takes time so do not
expect rapid changes; rather, work steadily towards giving a plant
its ideal conditions.
A sampling of pH preferences is printed on the reverse.