Light meters - Orchid Board

Kailyn · #1 01-05-2018, 11:05 AM

Hello
I am looking at light meters mostly for my own curiosity. I have a very bright apartment and sometimes get issues with sunburn ( I am away a lot (6 weeks at a time) and have to rely on other people to take care of my plants so i'm not able to adjust their locations as the sunlight changes with the seasons) I am looking online and seeing the price range vary significantly. I also saw an ap for the iphone that may work but I was hoping someone may have already tried it out or have some other insight. I have a fairly varied collection and try to make things easier on my plant sitters as much as I can.

estación seca · #2 01-05-2018, 02:17 PM

Light meters are quite inexpensive. Go to a camera shop and get a decent one that measures footcandles. That is a common unit when discussing light for plants.

Old photographic light meters are available in used camera shops that didn't require batteries; they had photosensors generating enough current to move the dial on the meter gauge. Some of these were very small.

Phone apps may work if the app was written specifically for your model phone. If not written specifically for your model phone, they may give inaccurate numbers.

Ray · #3 01-05-2018, 10:28 PM

I find it hard to believe you expect folks to measure the light levels and move your plants around.

Seems like a lot to ask...

estación seca · #4 01-05-2018, 10:37 PM

Ha ha! I thought her purpose was to find the right spot for the plant before the plant killers arrive!

Ray · #5 01-06-2018, 09:56 AM

Hah! I had not considered that.

Kailyn · #6 01-09-2018, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

Ha ha! I thought her purpose was to find the right spot for the plant before the plant killers arrive!

You've got that right! trying to set them up for success as much as possible lol. I found an ap for the smart phone that had decent test reviews. i've tried it under my grow lights but the natural light isn't cooperating the last few days. thanks for the input! i'm a by feel gardener so its hard to pass along specific instructions.

marcmaubert · #7 01-09-2018, 11:37 AM

Maybe in the future you won't need any plant sitters! I came across this: Awesome 3D-printed plant-carrying robot seeks out light to keep your plants healthy Someday, I'm sure an orchid-specific robot will pop up.

charlesf6 · #8 01-09-2018, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcmaubert

Maybe in the future you won't need any plant sitters! I came across this: Awesome 3D-printed plant-carrying robot seeks out light to keep your plants healthy Someday, I'm sure an orchid-specific robot will pop up.

Bravo!