Meter Question

[patyrod]

I use a meter to check for dryness of my 7 year old phal. Right now, it has a keiki and blossoms on the main flower stalk and a new flower stalk growing out of the bottom. When I stick the meter in the soil next to the pot edge, it registers as dry. When I stick it in next to the root package, it registers as damp. Which reading should I use to determine when to water?