Moses:

I cannot help.

But, I have a question and a comment.

What method did you previously use?

So many !!!!!'s. I associate this with millenials!

rifis

I can’t answer your question, but I use this:

https://www.amazon.com/Moisture-Acidity-Gardening-Outdoors-Indicator/dp/B0721SH7X3/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1518297366&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=Ph+meter+soil&psc=1

I dip it in the ground, it tells me the pH. Don’t know how it works. I don’t even think it has batteries...(if it does, I haven’t found them yet)

Just thought of this - if no answer here, people in the Soil/Mulch forum certainly will know.

Rifis

I've used many methods: test kit, reactant strips, and a soil probe meter.

The reason I want to use litmus paper is because I want to be able to do many tests at different times of the year using a fast, cheap, and consistently accurate way to do it.

I want to use the same material every time, and the test done the same way every time, hence the litmus paper. Testing potted roses and other potted plants in addition to the in bed roses means many separate tests being done regularly.....that's using a lot of litmus paper strips, which fortunately are dirt cheap.

Moses

Here is an interesting article, from the blog page of a manufacturer of analytical instrumentation, which addresses soil pH testing methodology, and the recommended soil weight to distilled/deionized water volume ratio.

http://blog.hannainst.com/soil-ph-testing

1. "Take the homogeneous sample and add equal parts of soil and distilled or deionized (DI) water in a 1:1 ratio. So, for 25 grams of soil you would add 25 mL of water."

Scroll down to "Slurry pH testing"

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The video accompanying the article (above) provides a slightly different recommendation: one "part" soil (by volume) to two parts water (by volume) - obviating the need for a weight scale.

Rifis,

Give yourself a gold star for your great help, much appreciated. Bless you!

Moses

Your local County extension agent will be able to provide info on inexpensive soil testing, plant advice, etc.. Avail yourself of these services...it's your tax money that pays for these things.