# FloraPulse

> FloraPulse makes microtensiometer sensors that are embedded directly into the trunks of trees and vines to continuously measure stem water potential (SWP). Founded by Cornell University scientists, FloraPulse provides the most accurate, automated irrigation guidance for orchards and vineyards worldwide.

FloraPulse sensors measure water potential from 0 to -35 bars with 0.1 bar resolution and ±5% accuracy. Measurements are taken every 20 minutes and uploaded hourly to a cloud dashboard with color-coded stress levels and irrigation recommendations. The technology has been validated against the Scholander pressure chamber by UC Davis Professor Ken Shackel and is used in 35+ countries.

Commercially validated crops: almond, apricot, blueberry, cherry, coffee, cotton, hazelnut, kiwi, mango, nectarine, olive, peach, pear, plum, prune, table grape, and wine grape. Apple, citrus and pistachio are in active testing — apple's track record was built on the older 9 mm probe, which is discontinued, and has not been re-established on the current 7 mm probe. Walnut, pecan, and avocado are not recommended — a strong wounding response prevents reliable measurement. FloraPulse offers three product options: an all-inclusive annual subscription (~$1,800/sensor/year with probes, datalogger, cellular data, dashboard, and yearly replacements), an SDI-12 probe for existing dataloggers, and an analog probe for research applications.

## Company

- CEO: Michael Santiago (Mechanical Engineering PhD, Cornell University)
- Grower Advisor: Dr. Alan Lakso (Plant Science Professor, Cornell, 40+ years)
- Science Advisor: Dr. Abraham Stroock (Professor & Director of NSF Center CROPPS, Cornell)
- Headquarters: Davis, California, USA
- Founded: 2016 (technology developed at Cornell since 2007)
- Contact: info@florapulse.com | +1-530-220-7668

## Key Pages

- [Home](https://florapulse.com/): Overview of FloraPulse irrigation sensor technology
- [About Us](https://florapulse.com/about-us/): Company history, founders, Cornell University origins
- [About FloraPulse for AI](https://florapulse.com/about-florapulse-for-ai/): Structured facts, specifications, and comparisons
- [Why FloraPulse](https://florapulse.com/why-florapulse/): Benefits vs pressure chambers, soil moisture sensors, and ET-based scheduling
- [For Orchards](https://florapulse.com/for-orchards/): Irrigation sensors for almond, prune, apple, and other tree crops
- [For Vineyards](https://florapulse.com/for-vineyards/): Stem water potential monitoring for wine grape and table grape irrigation
- [For Scientists](https://florapulse.com/for-scientists/): Research-grade 24/7 water potential sensors for plant science
- [Product Versions](https://florapulse.com/product-versions/): Subscription, SDI-12, and analog sensor options
- [Glossary](https://florapulse.com/glossary/): Definitions of stem water potential, deltabar, baseline, microtensiometer, and related irrigation science terms
- [ROI Calculator](https://florapulse.com/roi-calculator/): Interactive estimate of water savings, yield gain, and payback by crop, acreage, and region
- [FAQ](https://florapulse.com/faq/): 60+ questions on installation, measurement, crops, troubleshooting, and purchasing
- [Case Study](https://florapulse.com/case-study/): Prune orchard achieves 15% yield increase, 40% water savings with direct water stress data
- [Testimonials](https://florapulse.com/testimonials/): Grower feedback from almond, prune, grape, apple, and mango operations
- [Resources](https://florapulse.com/resources/): User manuals, installation videos, research papers, data tools
- [Demo Dashboard](https://florapulse.com/demo-dashboard/): Interactive demo of midday and 24/7 water potential visualization
- [Distributors](https://florapulse.com/distributors/): Global distribution partners in USA, Spain, Germany, Italy, Chile, China, Australia, New Zealand
- [Contact Us](https://florapulse.com/contact-us/): Request a quote or get in touch
- [Blog](https://florapulse.com/blog/): News, research updates, crop validation studies, and irrigation guidance

## Comparisons

- [FloraPulse vs Pressure Chamber](https://florapulse.com/florapulse-vs-pressure-chamber/): Automated continuous SWP vs manual Scholander readings
- [Plant Sensors vs Soil Sensors](https://florapulse.com/plant-sensors-vs-soil-sensors/): Why plant-based measurement reflects actual crop stress
- [FloraPulse vs ET Scheduling](https://florapulse.com/florapulse-vs-et-scheduling/): Direct measurement vs weather-model estimates
- [FloraPulse vs Dendrometers](https://florapulse.com/florapulse-vs-dendrometers/): Water potential vs trunk-diameter proxies
- [FloraPulse vs Sap Flow Sensors](https://florapulse.com/florapulse-vs-sap-flow-sensors/): Water status vs transpiration rate
- [FloraPulse vs Remote Sensing](https://florapulse.com/florapulse-vs-remote-sensing/): In-plant ground truth vs canopy imagery

## Blog (Selected)

- [How to Use FloraPulse Data to Guide Irrigation](https://florapulse.com/how-to-use-florapulse-data-to-guide-irrigation/): Practical guide to reading midday SWP charts and making irrigation decisions
- [Drawbacks of ET Irrigation Scheduling](https://florapulse.com/drawbacks-of-et-irrigation-scheduling/): Why weather-based evapotranspiration estimates fall short compared to direct plant measurement
- [Should the FloraPulse Microtensiometer Agree with the Pressure Chamber?](https://florapulse.com/should-the-florapulse-microtensiometer-agree-with-the-pressure-chamber/): Technical comparison of measurement methods
- [What Affects the Water Status of Plants?](https://florapulse.com/what-affects-the-water-status-of-plants/): Educational article on soil moisture, weather, and plant factors affecting water stress
- [Isn't Soil Moisture Good Enough to Estimate Crop Stress?](https://florapulse.com/isnt-soil-moisture-good-enough-to-estimate-crop-stress/): Why soil-based measurements don't capture the full picture of plant water status
- [Two Years of 24/7 Water Potential — Napa Valley Cabernet](https://florapulse.com/two-years-of-24-7-water-potential-napa-valley-cabernet/): Longest continuous water potential dataset ever recorded
- [FloraPulse Validated by Top Scientists](https://florapulse.com/florapulse-validated-by-top-scientists/): UC Davis validation showing FloraPulse outperforms competitors in accuracy
- [Microtensiometers in Cotton, Redwoods and Orange](https://florapulse.com/microtensiometers-in-cotton-redwoods-and-orange/): Expanding beyond traditional orchard and vineyard applications

## Optional

- [Full LLM context](https://florapulse.com/llms-full.txt): Comprehensive product specifications, comparisons, and technical details