How to test soil runoff pH with drip indicator?

I am using gen hydro pH test indicator, how would i test soil runoff that already has a brown/gold/yellow tint to it.....

I came home from work and this is what i saw.... I know its a ph problem because i tested my water and it was darker than 8.0 on the bottle, which brings up another question, can waters ph levels change after a few weeks of standing?

 

I think i found the real reason this plant is starting to do this, and why my other 2 did the same thing and eventually died....... I was spraying them with water i chemically pH'd, and last night beforw i left for work (about 1 a.m) i sprayed this plant with the same, pH'd water, and now almost the same exact thing is happenig but on a slower, smaller scale, because i was spraying the other 2 trying to rehydrate the leaves and it just kept making them worse, this was the first time i sprayed this plant.