Ok so after quite a bit of searching I've come to realise that looking for a decent ph tester is a bit of a minefield.
I've found quite a few pronged, multi-use meters on Amazon but they have very mixed reviews and the only other type I can source locally is a pack of 2 single-use tube-based testers.
I've never used them so can't comment. The 2nd one looks much better, and has probably benefited from growing on before planting. It takes years for shrubs to get to a mature size, especially from a cutting. I don't think that one will be any problem in terms of growth. That first one has obviously struggled from the start. It should be much bigger and healthier after that length of time. I'm not sure I'd bother trying to keep that going. Sometimes plants are started off in those 'teabags' and the roots never get beyond them properly. It might be worth digging it out and having a look at the root system. Any organic matter will improve the soil structure, but if your soil is right at the end of the scale, nothing will change that long term, so it becomes pointless - and expensive. Very alkaline soil is something they don't care for, but anywhere from neutral to acidic is ideal. Have you looked at what plants are thriving near you? If there are rhodos, camellias, pieris etc, the soil pH should be fine for skimmias. None of those actually need acidic soil to thrive. Neutral is fine, as long as it isn't at the alkaline end of neutral.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
On pH tests, my gut feeling is that the indicator strips used properly would be more accurate than a cheap probe. Last time I tested mine was for an experiment on an Open University course and we used universal indicator strips, distilled/de-ionised water and jam jars.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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I've found quite a few pronged, multi-use meters on Amazon but they have very mixed reviews and the only other type I can source locally is a pack of 2 single-use tube-based testers.
Does anyone have any recommendations please?
The 2nd one looks much better, and has probably benefited from growing on before planting. It takes years for shrubs to get to a mature size, especially from a cutting. I don't think that one will be any problem in terms of growth. That first one has obviously struggled from the start. It should be much bigger and healthier after that length of time.
I'm not sure I'd bother trying to keep that going. Sometimes plants are started off in those 'teabags' and the roots never get beyond them properly. It might be worth digging it out and having a look at the root system.
Any organic matter will improve the soil structure, but if your soil is right at the end of the scale, nothing will change that long term, so it becomes pointless - and expensive.
Very alkaline soil is something they don't care for, but anywhere from neutral to acidic is ideal. Have you looked at what plants are thriving near you?
If there are rhodos, camellias, pieris etc, the soil pH should be fine for skimmias. None of those actually need acidic soil to thrive. Neutral is fine, as long as it isn't at the alkaline end of neutral.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...