which refractomer you like and recommend

Lindalana · July 21, 2014

Am feeling I would like to learn to use one, brix seems like an important number to know. Any recommendations for decent one for home gardener...

amideutch · July 21, 2014

For entry level this one is hard to beat. This is the first one I bought and see no reason to upgrade.

Ami

http://www.amazon.com/Refractometer-...280-32+Brix%29

biodarwin · July 21, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by amideutch

For entry level this one is hard to beat. This is the first one I bought and see no reason to upgrade.

Ami

http://www.amazon.com/Refractometer-...280-32+Brix%29

I had this very one, used heavily and it is still working. I am a brewer so these are handy for me. What are you using them for in a garden application?

Redbaron · July 21, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by biodarwin

I had this very one, used heavily and it is still working. I am a brewer so these are handy for me. What are you using them for in a garden application?

Can't speak for others, but I believe that taste is so subjective that Brix is the only really objective way to find out how soil amendments, fertilizers, watering regimes etc etc etc are effecting flavor. I do believe too that it is directly related to nutritional quality as well. Helpful in selecting a grow out of a hybrid too.

joseph · July 21, 2014

I love using a refractometer in the garden. They measure brix -- total dissolved solids -- which is a good approximation for sugar content. I've learned all sorts of interesting things by using one... For example, my sweetest tasting cucumber has very low sugar. I attribute the sweet taste to it's lack of some sort of bitterness flavor that other cucumbers contain. Same thing with my sweetest watermelons. They do not have a very high brix, but it seems like they must be missing some bitterness component, or they contain a chemical in lower concentration that triggers the sweet-response by the primate tongue.

Clones grown in different situations can vary widely in brix...

Taste testing is the best and easiest way to choose for sweet tasting fruits but is very subjective from day-to-day and person-to-person . Using a brix meter allows me to keep objective records so that I can compare my growing conditions to those anywhere else in the world. My Sungold tomatoes for example have a lower brix than those grown in the gardens of some of my collaborators in more favorable environments.

amideutch · July 21, 2014

Quote:

What are you using them for in a garden application?

I've started using it to test the brix of my tomatoes. As Scott has stated it is the one tool that you can use to test soil amendments, ferts, and any other regimens that will affect sugar content as well as flavor.

Ami

biodarwin · July 21, 2014

Very interesting. I mean as I brewer, I am using it for the same thing, to measure the amount of sugar I extract from grains. I can only hope I one day have enough room to be able to test with various amendments and log results. Thanks!

drew51 · July 21, 2014

I don't use one but many of the fruit tree growers use them too. Fruitnut on Garden web has pluots, and peaches with brix in the high 20's even 30. Same with a few blueberries. Sweet Crisp has a super high brix. Acid levels vary in peaches too. I myself like the high acid types. Most have loads of sugar too. The Romance series of tart cherries has the highest brix of any of the tart cultivars. The high acid, high sugar fruit appeals to me. Currants are great too. I like them as I believe taste holds out when processed. Nice fresh tasting fruit even when frozen, dried, baked, or canned. That goes for all mentioned.

Timomac · July 22, 2014

Cool new garden toy I've never heard of using? Click, click, Amazon, click. (Now, how to explain to wife....)

For those who have used them before, is it all useful to test the actual tomato vines/leaves? Will that give an indication of the plant's current condition and/or needs?

amideutch · July 22, 2014

Quote:

For those who have used them before, is it all useful to test the actual tomato vines/leaves? Will that give an indication of the plant's current condition and/or needs?

The Brix readings are taken from the fruit from which the juice is extracted and applied to the refractometer to measure the sugar content. Depending on the reading whether it be high or low will it also indicates the plants health which is dependent on the growing medium and or the fertigation regimen.

Most folks seeking high brix fruits use Microbial applications to the growing medium they use to grow there crops in in addition to other amendments.

There are labs that can analyze leaves and tell you the mineral and ferts that are available to the plants.

Timomac · July 22, 2014

I see. Thank you. As I started to Google I ran across this and wondered if anyone had tried it:

"You don’t have to wait till you have fruit to test the brix level in your garden. One of the best ways to test the brix is to test a few leaves Just put them in a garlic press, squeeze to get a drop of juice, then test it with a Refractometer."

So that made me curious if anyone had tried it.

Lindalana · July 23, 2014

thanks so much!. Got one ordered! There is something I have read one can test if plant does need fertilizing or not.

Lindalana · July 25, 2014

Ami, I have found another post where you posted a link
http://www.tandjenterprises.com/brix_equals_quality.htm
very informative. If there is any other links or info to look into I am happy to learn...
hmm, is it even possible to have tomato with brix 18...

loulac · July 25, 2014

Great thanks Lindalana, you gave us a brilliant link telling us why we should use a refractometer and how to use it.

I suggest you post it in various threads on Tomatoville so lots of people have a chance to read first class info. Why not on tne thread asking what organic food is ? I've been struck by the lack of information of some people on the subject. i'm sure they would enjoy reading the blurb and make good use of it.

Last but not least, at the end of the text nice charts tell us how to use refractometers and what readings we are supposed to get with good food !

JerryL · August 3, 2014

Well, I just received my Refractometer.The one listed above by Ami.The only problem I have is the directions are in Chinese.

I’m guessing the calibration is close enough for me since I’m just going to ‘play’ with it but I’d like to have a set of direction in English.If anyone has English directions I’d gladly send a SASE for a copy.

July 21, 2014	#1
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	which refractomer you like and recommend Am feeling I would like to learn to use one, brix seems like an important number to know. Any recommendations for decent one for home gardener...

July 21, 2014	#2
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	For entry level this one is hard to beat. This is the first one I bought and see no reason to upgrade. Ami http://www.amazon.com/Refractometer-...280-32+Brix%29 __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

August 3, 2014	#15
JerryL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S.W. Ohio z6a Posts: 736	Well, I just received my Refractometer.The one listed above by Ami.The only problem I have is the directions are in Chinese. I’m guessing the calibration is close enough for me since I’m just going to ‘play’ with it but I’d like to have a set of direction in English.If anyone has English directions I’d gladly send a SASE for a copy. __________________ Jerry

July 21, 2014	#5
joseph Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cache Valley, N/E of The Great Salt Lake Posts: 1,244	I love using a refractometer in the garden. They measure brix -- total dissolved solids -- which is a good approximation for sugar content. I've learned all sorts of interesting things by using one... For example, my sweetest tasting cucumber has very low sugar. I attribute the sweet taste to it's lack of some sort of bitterness flavor that other cucumbers contain. Same thing with my sweetest watermelons. They do not have a very high brix, but it seems like they must be missing some bitterness component, or they contain a chemical in lower concentration that triggers the sweet-response by the primate tongue. Clones grown in different situations can vary widely in brix... Taste testing is the best and easiest way to choose for sweet tasting fruits but is very subjective from day-to-day and person-to-person . Using a brix meter allows me to keep objective records so that I can compare my growing conditions to those anywhere else in the world. My Sungold tomatoes for example have a lower brix than those grown in the gardens of some of my collaborators in more favorable environments.

July 21, 2014	#7
biodarwin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 50	Very interesting. I mean as I brewer, I am using it for the same thing, to measure the amount of sugar I extract from grains. I can only hope I one day have enough room to be able to test with various amendments and log results. Thanks!

July 21, 2014	#8
drew51 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Sterling Heights, MI Zone 6a/5b Posts: 1,302	I don't use one but many of the fruit tree growers use them too. Fruitnut on Garden web has pluots, and peaches with brix in the high 20's even 30. Same with a few blueberries. Sweet Crisp has a super high brix. Acid levels vary in peaches too. I myself like the high acid types. Most have loads of sugar too. The Romance series of tart cherries has the highest brix of any of the tart cultivars. The high acid, high sugar fruit appeals to me. Currants are great too. I like them as I believe taste holds out when processed. Nice fresh tasting fruit even when frozen, dried, baked, or canned. That goes for all mentioned.

July 22, 2014	#9
Timomac Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SW Chicago suburbs Posts: 36	Cool new garden toy I've never heard of using? Click, click, Amazon, click. (Now, how to explain to wife....) For those who have used them before, is it all useful to test the actual tomato vines/leaves? Will that give an indication of the plant's current condition and/or needs?

July 23, 2014	#12
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	thanks so much!. Got one ordered! There is something I have read one can test if plant does need fertilizing or not.

July 25, 2014	#13
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	Ami, I have found another post where you posted a link http://www.tandjenterprises.com/brix_equals_quality.htm very informative. If there is any other links or info to look into I am happy to learn... hmm, is it even possible to have tomato with brix 18...

July 25, 2014	#14
loulac Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: France Posts: 554	Great thanks Lindalana, you gave us a brilliant link telling us why we should use a refractometer and how to use it. I suggest you post it in various threads on Tomatoville so lots of people have a chance to read first class info. Why not on tne thread asking what organic food is ? I've been struck by the lack of information of some people on the subject. i'm sure they would enjoy reading the blurb and make good use of it. Last but not least, at the end of the text nice charts tell us how to use refractometers and what readings we are supposed to get with good food !