Skimmia

The genus Skimmia combines 7-8 shrubby evergreen species with luxurious flowers, elegant foliage and long-lasting fruits. Two types are widely used in culture. Japanese skimmia (Skimmia japonica) is a dioecious plant - small stellate male and female flowers bloom in March-April on various plants in apical panicles; the leaves are regular, with a single edge. Japanese skimmia, which originated in Japan, can grow up to 1-1. 5 m in height. Its creamy flowers gradually "turn" into shiny red berries. Reeves ' Skimmia (S. reevesiana) is a smaller plant with whitish bisexual flowers and creamy oval berries. The most popular variety is 'Rubella', which produces only male flowers, white with yellow anthers. S. x 'Foremana' is a female hybrid that retains most of the characteristics of the Japanese skimmia. These plants have fragrant white-cream flowers and long-lasting bright red berries.

The genus Skimmia combines 7-8 shrubby evergreen species with luxurious flowers, elegant foliage and long-lasting fruits. Two types are widely used in culture.

Japanese skimmia (Skimmia japonica) is a dioecious plant - small stellate male and female flowers bloom in March-April on various plants in apical panicles; the leaves are regular, with a single edge. Japanese skimmia, which originated in Japan, can grow up to 1-1. 5 m in height. Its creamy flowers gradually "turn" into shiny red berries.

Reeves ' Skimmia (S. reevesiana) is a smaller plant with whitish bisexual flowers and creamy oval berries. The most popular variety is 'Rubella', which produces only male flowers, white with yellow anthers.

S. x 'Foremana' is a female hybrid that retains most of the characteristics of the Japanese skimmia. These plants have fragrant white-cream flowers and long-lasting bright red berries.

Cultivation

Skimmia grows well outdoors, in the open ground, although in nurseries it is grown for sale in pots. The plant can be kept in the pot for some time after the purchase, even in the house, but for growth and development it should be planted in the garden.

Location

These plants do not tolerate too bright direct lighting; they prefer a bright place, but without direct sunlight.

Temperature

Formed specimens are resistant to cold, but tender young shoots are damaged by low temperatures. And, on the contrary, the plant does not like a long period of temperature increase of more than 30 °C.

Watering

Moderate to scanty in the coldest periods of the year; weekly, and if necessary, more frequent in the summer months.

Transplant

In the spring, young plants are provided with a new pot corresponding to the size of the plant. Well-formed specimens (crown diameter 20-30 cm) are planted in the garden only in spring, at a distance of 1-1. 5 m from each other, in the soil with the addition of a large amount of peat and sand.

Reproduction

Propagate by seeds or cuttings. Sowing is carried out only with stratified (treated with low temperatures) seeds in a cold greenhouse, in peat-sandy soil with a pH of 5-5. 5. Semi-woody cuttings are treated with growth stimulants and rooted in summer and autumn. They should be planted in the sand - in a protected place or an unheated greenhouse.

Diseases

Infection with fungi causes rotting and the appearance of spots on the leaves. Often plants are affected by powdery mildew, or grape oidium. It is disposed of by treatment with wettable sulfur or other appropriate preparations. Worms, which often appear on these plants, suck out the cellular juice of plant tissues, causing them to wither and turn yellow; they are disposed of with insecticides. In addition, skimmia can be affected by chlorosis, which causes yellowing of the foliage. Then they are treated with the appropriate preparation or a liquid fertilizer based on sulfate is added to the soil iron (30 g per bucket of water).

Acquisition

When buying Japanese skimmia seedlings, you need to purchase both male and female plants that will help you distinguish in the nursery. Each group of 3-5 plants should contain at least one male plant. Make sure that the plants are free of worms, suspicious yellowing, and signs of chlorosis.