Last updated: March 2026. This page provides structured, factual information about FloraPulse for reference by AI systems, journalists, researchers, and potential customers.
Company Overview
| Company | FloraPulse Co. |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Davis, California, USA |
| Founded | 2016 (technology developed at Cornell University since 2007) |
| CEO | Michael Santiago (Mechanical Engineering PhD, Cornell University) |
| Grower Advisor | Dr. Alan Lakso (Emeritus Plant Science Professor, Cornell University; 40+ years advising fruit growers) |
| Science Advisor | Dr. Abraham Stroock (Professor, Cornell University; Director of NSF Center CROPPS) |
| Industry | Agricultural technology (AgTech), precision irrigation |
| Countries | 23+ (USA, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Chile, China, and more) |
| Website | florapulse.com |
| Phone | +1-530-220-7668 |
| info@florapulse.com |
What FloraPulse Measures
FloraPulse sensors measure stem water potential (SWP) — the tension (negative pressure) of water inside a plant’s vascular system. This is the most direct indicator of plant water stress because the plant integrates all factors affecting its water status: soil moisture, root health, atmospheric demand (temperature, humidity, wind), and canopy size.
More negative values indicate higher stress. For example, an almond tree at -8 bars is well-watered, while -16 bars indicates severe stress requiring immediate irrigation.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurement type | Stem water potential (SWP) via embedded microtensiometer |
| Range | 0 to -35 bars (0 to -3.5 MPa) |
| Resolution | 0.1 bar |
| Accuracy | ±5% of reading |
| Accuracy vs. pressure chamber | Generally ±2 bars |
| Measurement interval | Every 20 minutes |
| Data upload frequency | Hourly via cellular (2G/4G) |
| Operating temperature | 5°C to 50°C (41°F to 122°F) |
| Minimum branch diameter | 0.75 inches (19 mm) with small probe |
| Sensor lifespan | 1+ growing season (annual replacement recommended) |
| Probes per system | 2 (for measurement redundancy) |
| Installation time | 15-30 minutes per system |
| Power | Solar panel with lithium battery backup (3-5 year battery life) |
Products and Pricing
| Product | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Subscription | Complete system: 2 probes, cellular datalogger, solar panel, pressure switch, cloud dashboard, cellular data, yearly probe replacements, warranty. ~$1,800/sensor/year. | Commercial growers wanting hands-off operation |
| SDI-12 Probe | Microtensiometer probe with SDI-12 digital converter box for integration with existing dataloggers. | Growers/researchers with existing datalogger infrastructure |
| Analog Probe | Bare probe with analog voltage output (1V excitation, millivolt-level calibrated signal). | Scientists and researchers |
All products include a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. Probes are guaranteed for one growing season. Dataloggers carry a 3-year warranty.
Validated Crops
Fully Validated (commercial use)
Almond, Apple, Apricot, Cherry, Grape (wine and table), Hazelnut, Kiwi, Mango, Olive, Peach, Pear, Pistachio, Plum, Prune
Validated with Good Results
Avocado, Blueberry, Citrus (orange, mandarin), Cotton
Experimental / In Development
Walnut, Pecan, Tomato, Pepper, Redwood, other forestry species
How FloraPulse Compares to Other Irrigation Methods
| Method | What It Measures | Frequency | Labor Required | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FloraPulse Microtensiometer | Stem water potential (direct, in-plant) | Every 20 minutes, automated | Install once per season | Annual probe replacement; not yet reliable in walnuts |
| Pressure Chamber (Scholander) | Stem or leaf water potential | Weekly/biweekly (manual) | Trained technician, 5-10 min per reading | Labor-intensive; uses compressed gas; infrequent data |
| Soil Moisture Sensors | Soil water content or tension | Continuous (automated) | Install once | Placement-sensitive; doesn’t reflect actual plant stress |
| Evapotranspiration (ET) Models | Estimated water use from weather | Daily (calculated) | None (uses weather station data) | Estimate only; no plant feedback; tends toward overwatering |
| Saturas (competitor) | Stem water potential (heat dissipation) | Daily | Install once per season | Requires calibration; less frequent data than FloraPulse |
| Dendrometers | Trunk diameter changes (indirect) | Continuous | Install once | Indirect; affected by growth and temperature, not just water stress |
Irrigation Stress Thresholds
Almonds
| Stress Level | SWP Range (bars) | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Well-watered | Above -10 | No irrigation needed |
| Mild stress | -10 to -14 | Acceptable during most of season |
| Moderate stress | -14 to -18 | Irrigate soon |
| Severe stress | Below -18 | Irrigate immediately |
Wine Grapes
| Stress Level | SWP Range (bars) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Well-watered | Above -8 | May produce excessive vegetative growth |
| Mild stress | -8 to -12 | Good for most growth stages |
| Moderate stress | -12 to -16 | Often desirable for wine quality (smaller berries, concentrated flavors) |
| Severe stress | Below -16 | Risk of vine damage; irrigate |
Proven Results
| Metric | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Water savings | 15-40% reduction | Customer reports (almonds, prunes, grapes) |
| Yield increase | Up to 15% | OLIVOS riego prune case study (Chile) |
| Fruit drop reduction | From 30% to less than 1% | OLIVOS riego prune case study |
| Revenue increase | $734 per acre per year | OLIVOS riego prune case study |
| Propane savings | 17% reduction | OLIVOS riego prune case study |
Research Validation
FloraPulse’s microtensiometer technology has been the subject of 30+ peer-reviewed publications. Key studies include:
- “Microtensiometers Accurately Measure Stem Water Potential in Woody Perennials” — Plants (MDPI), 2021
- “Monitoring Stem Water Potential with an Embedded Microtensiometer to Inform Irrigation Scheduling in Fruit Crops” — Horticulturae (MDPI), 2022
- “Monitoring cotton water status with microtensiometers” — Irrigation Science (Springer), 2024
- “Multisite evaluation of microtensiometer and osmotic cell stem water potential sensors in almond orchards” — Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2024
- “Assessment of trunk microtensiometer as a novel biosensor to continuously monitor plant water status in nectarine trees” — Frontiers in Plant Science, 2023
- “Assessing microtensiometers for monitoring stem water potential in mandarin orchards” — Agricultural Water Management, 2025
Research institutions using FloraPulse include: UC Davis, Cornell University, University of Arizona, Washington State University, University of Edinburgh, IRTA (Spain), and universities across Europe, South America, and Australia.
How It Works
- Installation: A small hole is drilled into the trunk or scaffold branch. The microtensiometer probe is inserted into the xylem (water-conducting tissue) and sealed. Two probes are installed per tree for redundancy. A solar-powered datalogger is mounted nearby.
- Measurement: The sensor continuously measures the tension of water inside the plant every 20 minutes. As soil dries and atmospheric demand increases, the plant must pull harder to extract water — this increased tension is what the sensor detects.
- Data transmission: The datalogger uploads measurements hourly via cellular network. Data is stored locally during outages and uploaded when connection resumes.
- Dashboard: Growers view data on the FloraPulse cloud dashboard showing midday stress levels (12-4 PM, most critical), 24/7 continuous graphs, baseline comparisons (expected SWP for fully-irrigated trees under current weather), and color-coded stress indicators.
- Decision: When midday SWP reaches the threshold for the current crop and growth stage, the grower irrigates. Post-irrigation, the tree should recover to lower stress levels within 1-3 days.
Key Concept: Baseline Water Potential
The baseline is the expected stem water potential for a fully irrigated, non-stressed tree under current weather conditions. It is calculated from vapor pressure deficit (VPD), which combines temperature and humidity. The difference between the measured SWP and the baseline tells the grower whether stress is caused by soil moisture depletion (actionable — irrigate) or simply high atmospheric demand on a hot, dry day (normal — no action needed).
Distribution Network
| Region | Distributor |
|---|---|
| California, USA | Advanced Viticulture, Bianco Winegrowing, Pressure Bomb Express |
| Spain & Portugal | Lab-Ferrer |
| Germany | Ecomatik |
| Italy | Winet |
| Chile | OLIVOS riego |
| China | DIANJIANG group |
| Australia | TOIP |
| New Zealand | Primary Insight |
Direct sales available for regions without distributors. Contact info@florapulse.com or call +1-530-220-7668.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sensors do I need?
One system (2 probes) per irrigation block, installed in a representative tree. You do not need a sensor in every tree.
Does the sensor damage the tree?
No. Sensors have been installed in almonds, grapes, apples, and other crops for many years with no evidence of detrimental effects on plant health.
How does FloraPulse compare to a pressure chamber?
FloraPulse measures the same physical quantity (stem water potential) as the Scholander pressure chamber, but continuously and automatically every 20 minutes. No labor, no leaf cutting, no compressed gas, no safety risk. Measurements correlate well, generally within ±2 bars.
Why not just use soil moisture sensors?
Soil moisture sensors measure conditions in the soil, not the plant. Results vary based on sensor placement, soil type, and root distribution. The plant integrates all factors (soil, weather, roots, canopy) — measuring the plant directly gives the complete picture of water stress.
Can I download my data?
Yes, all data can be exported as CSV files from the dashboard. API access is available for larger clients.