I dropped $40 on a soil moisture meter and it saved my fiddle leaf fig

I always thought they were a gimmick, but after overwatering killed my last one, I gave it a shot. Now I only water when the meter says to, and it's put out three new leaves in two months. Anyone have a different tool they swear by?

3 comments

3 Comments

cole_walker262mo ago

That three new leaves in two months is a solid result. Did you stick the meter in the same spot every time or move it around the pot to check different areas? I've heard the readings can vary a lot.

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michael_jones2mo ago

Totally get what you're saying about the meter readings. It reminds me of how we do this with all kinds of stuff, like only checking the weather on one app or trusting one review site. We take a single point of data and treat it like the whole story. I've killed plants before by only poking the top inch of soil that felt dry, while the roots were drowning below. Now I check a few spots, wait a day, and check again before I do anything. It's a good habit for anything that's not simple.

fionaw542d ago

my mate Sarah did that with her peace lily, poked the same spot every time and swore it was fine. Turned out that spot was right by a drainage hole where the soil dried out quick, rest of the pot was a swamp. lost half the roots before she figured it out.