Refractometer (forum)

Brendan starts with ...
Just wondering if anybody uses a Refractometer (that measure brix levels, 0 - 32

Time: 15th August 2010 8:42am

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Original Post was last edited: 16th August 2010 6:20am

About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
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denise says...
A refractometer is an important tool for if you have a commercial harvest that must have a minimum sugar content when picking.Particularly kiwifruit as taste alone is not good enough. Also used for winemaking, I bought a spenno model for use in my research and development. Otherwise its not really necessary for the home gardener

Time: 16th August 2010 6:49am

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About the Author denise4
auckland NZ
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speedy says...
I use them to test to see if a foliar spry is going to have a positive response.
I make up a foliar spray mix ( eg. well known brand of cola drink=Phos acid, sugar, carbonic acid etc.; fish emulsion, seaweed, apple cider vinegar to ajdust pH, household ammonia (N) trace elements I may need etc.)
then i take a leaf sample crush for juice and take reading of the juice.
then apply spray and wait 30min.
take another reading of simmilar leaf.
If the reading shows an increased in Brix then proceed to apply spray to the rest of the crop.
If no increase, then the spray may not be of any benefit.
It can also be used as an indicator of food (fruit and veg) quality.
Higher sugar levels in them are acheived by optimal nutrient Balance in soils and therefore plants.
Nutrient dense foods = quality , healthy food.

lower readings in plant juice tend to indicate potential to be attacked by pests.

I got one on ebay about 30 bucks from Hong kong... may have inc. postage... cant remember.

32 brix ATC (Auto Temperature Compensated)
it turned up about 10days after payment
At that price its more affordable to the home gardener and I believe worthwhile.

Time: 18th August 2010 9:26pm

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NthVic
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Brendan says...
Hi speedy,
Yeah, thanks for that.
I also thought you could test leaves (juice) of fruit trees, then adjust your fertilizing program to produce 'better' fruit? Is this so?

Time: 19th August 2010 7:37am

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About the Author Brendan
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speedy says...
Yes, that's right.
it's one tool that can be used to can give you a few hints as to what's happening in the plants and held improve food quatity.
some others are plant sap pH meters, EC meters (for soils, composts and liquid fert. solutions)
Redox meter (for soils and composts)

They would be overkill to have them all for a backyard garden, but some commercial growers find them useful, along with comprehensive soil tests.



Time: 24th August 2010 10:24pm

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Nth Vic
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Brendan says...
Thanks speedy,
Yeah, I thought it would be a bit of an 'overkill', I'm not a commercial grower by a long shot :-)

Time: 25th August 2010 7:36am

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John Mc says...
While on the subject of meters, is there any decent Co2 meters on the market in Aus? The best one I've found is this one from the US, It's the TIM10 model:
http://www.co2meter.com/
At around $190 + freight it's the best I've been able to find. It's apparently self calibrating.
I want to know what levels of Co2 I'm pushing into my polyhouse.



Time: 25th August 2010 8:30pm

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