Best way to test nutes in soil?

[noproblempablo]

I have been having trouble with some plants and I am wondering what the best way to test my soil is? I bought one of the disposable capsule/liquid test kits for ph, potash, nitrogen, and phosphorus. My ph was right on the money but all three nutes were in the low range even though I have been fertilizing regularly with earth juice grow and bloom. What's the most reliable way to test? Thanks!

 

[10k]

There are similar test kits which are more accurate, but they're much more expensive.
The results you have with the ten dollar kit you purchased are probably roughly the same results you'll get if you spend the big bucks for a $300.00 professional soil testing kit.

The other option is to take or send a sample to a professional for analysis, and give them your cash.

 

[MynameStitch]

I am just going to throw this out here, but if your having issues with nutrient uptake in the soil, you may want to test the pH first to make sure your mixture is at optimum pH for uptake of nutrients.

You want to stay away from probes, those soil probe pH tester is JUNK.
You will need pH strips or a pH pen to test it.

 

[10k]

stitch, he's talking about soil analysis. re: soil test kit such as the "Rapid test" soil test kits, which also tests soil pH values.

 

[MynameStitch]

Yes, I know he is talking about that; but I just said in case he is asking about a problem he is having, only if

 

[GMT]

I was doing a search on ebay the other day for a light meter, long story, but I came across something for a fiver, that has 2 prongs (looked metalic (looked 2 diff metals)) that you just push into the soil, tests how wet the soil is beneath the surface, and the ph of the soil, (and the light intensity). Claimed no to use batteries, made in china. Surely this can't actually do what it claims to? Or can it? Anyone know about these things, if they work, how accurately they work if they do?

 

[10k]

I was doing a search on ebay the other day for a light meter, long story, but I came across something for a fiver, that has 2 prongs (looked metalic (looked 2 diff metals)) that you just push into the soil, tests how wet the soil is beneath the surface, and the ph of the soil, (and the light intensity). Claimed no to use batteries, made in china. Surely this can't actually do what it claims to? Or can it? Anyone know about these things, if they work, how accurately they work if they do?

totally useless crap, don't waste the five bucks + shipping on that thing GMT

 

[dr-dank]

soild probes, and the soild test kits I have used, are in fact crap. I have never had one of those $10 soild tests showing anything but low levels. I can say that when I reacted by uping the nutes things got worse.

IMO, a tds/ec meter is your best bet. If organic based not as much good, but in theory when the bennies have broken down the complex compounds you are left with a salt.

Anyway, in with some 0 ppm water, measure the run off. FWIW, I tend to see about 500-600 on my coco plants. If it was dumping out at 1000 PPM I know a flush is due, less than 300 and up the nutes. You cannot be sure what those ppms are, but as I am using lucus and drain to waste I can be pretty sure its not a N, for example.

HTHs

 

[noproblempablo]

Thanks for the info. That was why I was wondering Dr. Dank, I used a solid test kit and it said everything was low but I have been ferting regularly with earth juice so i was confused. I tested my PH with the sam ekit and it said it was right on the money but if the nute test show slow perhaps the PH does as well? Stitch, where would I get ph strips or a ph pen? Which would you recommend? Thanks!