Laser Temperature guage...

[lambo1972]

Hello and I hope everyone is well! Are laser temperature guages safe for orchids? That is to say can it damage roots or anything? I recently added some new orchids to my collection of Phals and there is some mention of temperature consideration for my new Zygopetalum. I have always wanted to know the temperature of the area where I grow my orchids (windowsill). I shine the laser on the windowsill, the chest the orchids sit on, and into the media itself. I'm seeing about highs of 74 and lows of 67 right now. The windowsill has been great for my Phals so I hope for my new ones too which are the Zygo, and Aliceara, and a B Nodosa. Mainly, I hope I'm not burning anything with the laser. Thanks and of course I can always stop using it...

[estación seca]

Laser temperature probes should be fine. They aren't shining long enough to heat much of anything. I know people who use them to measure temperatures of reptiles' bodies.

[Paphluvr]

The output power of these lasers is in the milliwatt range, it will cause no harm to your plants. It is probably rated a class 3a laser. There should be a safety warning tag on the unit stating the laser class. You just don't want any direct eye exposure. The tag will look something like this and possibly list the output power.

[lambo1972]

Thank you both! It is a little hand held laser gauge that was a Xmas present for grilling...

[isurus79]

I would actually recommend buying a SensorPush. It's a tiny device that continuously sends temperature and humidity to your phone. You can even set alerts for certain temperature or humidity thresholds. I can even look back in time and see the climate conditions the device has been reading. Cool stuff.

[lobotomizedgoat]

Not sure what kind you have, but some allow the visible laser guide to be turned off.

Also, just in case you were unaware, the reading you get can be quite dependent on the material you're checking. If I recall correctly, most assume an emissivity of .95, which is "close enough" for a lot of materials but can be pretty far off (e.g. link). Some products do let you change the presumed emissivity.

I can also recommend SensorPush.

[Clawhammer]

I also recommend SensorPush. I have units in my orchid room, outside, and in my winter greenhouse. Don't know how I slept at night before SensorPush.