Plant and care for Skimmie

Plant and care for Skimmie

Plant Skimmie properly

Planting time for Skimmia is in September. If you put the picturesque flower and fruit trees in the ground after this process, the floral spectacle will not be long in coming. Before you go to work in nutrient-rich, freshly moist soil in the partially shaded location, place the still potted root ball in soft water. So it goes on:

  • Dig small pits at a distance of 30-50 cm with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
  • Pot the soaked root ball and place it in the center of the planting hole
  • Instead of using the excavated soil, preferably plant with a rhododendron substrate down to the lower pair of leaves
  • Water the planting area and mulch with leaves or bark mulch

also read

  • Skimmie and the question of the best location
  • Skimmie: It only works with the right care!
  • Apply correctly with the scissors - cut the Skimmie

If a Skimmia japonica acts as a decorative plant in the pot, the work is similar. In addition, lay some pottery shards over the water drain in the ground so that they act as drainage against harmful waterlogging.

Care tips

In order to get the unlimited enjoyment of the flowers and fruits of a Skimmia japonica, these care factors are important:

  • Water moderately with soft water after the substrate has dried
  • Fertilize every 2 weeks from April to August
  • If necessary, prune and thin out a male plant after flowering
  • Do not clean female Skimmia and only shorten it in early spring

Light winter protection is recommended in the bed for the first two years. Cultivated in a bucket, precautions should be taken every year against freezing temperatures. It is important to note that the evergreen plant continues to be watered during the cold season.

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Which location is suitable?

In order for the concentrated beauty of the Asian plant to unfold, the location should be like this:

  • Sunny to partially shaded location without direct sunlight
  • Ideally in the sheltered lee of tall trees
  • Gladly humid near water

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The correct planting distance

In small groups, Skimmia create a picturesque appearance. Since the plant as a dioecious species cannot act as a solitary plant anyway, the question of the correct planting distance for Skimmia japonica is of particular relevance. Arrange female and male specimens at a distance of 30 to 50 cm from each other, or 2 to 3 Skimmia per square meter.

What soil does the plant need?

Skimmia prefer a nutrient-rich, humus-rich and slightly moist soil. Since the plant tolerates little lime, it thrives wonderfully in bog bed or rhododendron soil. In the immediate vicinity of conifers, a Skimmia japonica feels extremely comfortable, as the soil here is always slightly acidic and low in lime.

When is the flowering time?

Skimmia adorn the spring garden from April to May with white flowers. In female Skimmia japonica, the flower acts as an overture for the furious fruit stand with bright red berries in autumn and is more subtle. In contrast, the focus of a male plant is exclusively on the floral costume. The magnificence unfolds accordingly, refined with a beguiling scent of lily of the valley.

Cut Skimmie properly

In view of the leisurely growth of 5 to 15 cm per year, pruning is rarely on the maintenance plan. As a rule, thorough thinning out immediately after flowering or in early spring is sufficient. If necessary, cut back a male flower Skimmia immediately after the flowering period. On female Skimmia japonica, the withered flowers are not removed, as the desired fruit decorations develop from them.

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Pour Skimmie

The floral masterpiece of a Skimmia japonica is not least based on a well-balanced water balance. There should be neither drought stress nor waterlogging. Do not water the plant until the surface of the earth is dry. This is more often the case in the bucket than in the bed. We recommend using soft rainwater or decalcified tap water so that no excess lime builds up in the substrate.

Fertilize Skimmie properly

A balanced supply of nutrients is one of the main pillars in the care of Skimmia. Only a regular supply of energy enables the ornamental wood to produce an exuberant abundance of flowers and lush fruit decorations. So fertilize the plant every 14 days from March to August with compost in the bed and liquid fertilizer in the pot.

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Overwinter

Well-established Skimmia are perfectly hardy. Only in the first two years of standing in the bed and in the bucket every year does a light winter protection make sense. How to do it right:

  • From the beginning of September, watering is reduced and no longer fertilizing
  • Before the first frost, pile up the root disc with leaves, brushwood or bark mulch
  • Place pots on wood and wrap with foil
  • Ideally, do not overwinter in a light and cool environment above 15 degrees Celsius

As an evergreen plant, Skimmia continue to evaporate water in winter. Therefore, water when it is dry on mild days.

Skimmie in the pot

As a decorative plant in pots, Skimmia japonica are taking gardeners' hearts by storm. We have summarized the relevant cultivation factors for you so that you can enjoy the flower and berry decorations for a long time:

  • Keep out of the blazing sun on the balcony and windowsill
  • Fertilize every two weeks from March / April to August
  • Keep the substrate constantly moist with soft water
  • Do not clean female Skimmia, as the fruits will thrive from the flowers

As a house plant, Skimmia are only partially suitable during winter. The temperatures must not exceed 15 degrees Celsius. In addition, dry heating air has a lasting effect on the floral beauty.

Is Skimmie Poisonous?

As a lozenge family, Skimmia contain alkaloids in all parts and are declared a slightly poisonous plant. This fact implies that the red berries are only used for decorations in autumn. Intentional or unintentional consumption of the toxic fruits causes considerable symptoms of intoxication. As a result, Skimmia japonica are not suitable for the family garden, where little explorers are on expeditions and put everything in their mouths.

Yellow leaves

The visual expressiveness of a Skimmia japonica is massively impaired when the shiny green leaves turn yellow. In addition, this shortcoming points to problems in cultivation. The most common causes at a glance:

  • Too sunny location: Skimmia settle in the partially shaded place
  • Nutrient deficiency: fertilize the plant every 2 weeks from March to September
  • Waterlogging: Water Skimmia japonica only when the substrate is dry

In addition, the plant is sensitive to calcareous substrate and irrigation water. Use rhododendron or bog soil and water mostly with collected rainwater or stale tap water.

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Nice varieties

The following selection of beautiful varieties presents both female and male varieties. Only female Skimmia are able to decorate the winter garden with the bright red fruit bunches, which are dubbed fruit Skimmia in the trade. However, if you have an enchanting spring blossom with a wonderful scent of lily of the valley in mind, then the decision should be made for a male Skimmia japonica, identified as a blossom Skimmia in the garden center's range.

  • Foremanii: Female Skimmia japonica with bright red fruits in autumn and winter; Height of growth 60-100 cm
  • Rubella: The male plant impresses with red buds in autumn and white flowers in May; Growth height 70-90 cm
  • Veitchii: Fruit Skimmia with extra large, glossy green leaves and red berries in autumn; Growth height up to 150 cm
  • Fragant Cloud: Enchanting Skimmia flowers with a bewitching scent in April and May; Growth height 100-120 cm
  • Magic Marlot: Small, male plant with white-pink flowers that thrives wonderfully in the tub; Height 40-50 cm