Cut during or shortly after flowering
In general, the Skimmia should always be cut during or shortly after its flowering. That is the case in May / June. During flowering there is the advantage that you can easily see which specimens are male and which are female. But why is that important?
also read
- Skimmie: Yellow leaves, a sign that something is wrong
- Skimmie and the question of the best location
- Skimmie: It only works with the right care!
Do not remove female flowers
In the Skimmia there are male and female plants. The female specimens develop the decorative fruits in autumn. But so that this can develop, the female flowers must not be cut off. Only the male inflorescences can / should be removed.
The female flowers of the Skimmia are easy to distinguish from the male flowers. In contrast to the male flowers, which smell intensely sweet, the female flowers have hardly any odor.
Better just thinning out and not cutting back radically
A radical pruning should not be carried out on the Skimmia. On the other hand, it is advisable to thin out or trim them occasionally. The reason: it grows extremely slowly at 5 to 15 cm per year. Because of this slow growth rate, a cut is rarely required.
Thinning out causes a denser growth. Cutting away old shoots prevents the Skimmia from balding when it is old. In addition, unwanted secondary shoots should be removed (at the base). A shape cut is not necessary.
Increase as soon as you cut
At the same time you can multiply the Skimmia with cuttings. However, do not use shoots with yellow leaves, as these are weakened and possibly sick. The shoots for cuttings should be half ripe.
How to proceed:
- spring or late summer is the best time
- Choose shoots 15 cm long
- cut diagonally
- Remove buds and flowers
- remove lower leaves
- put in humus-rich soil and keep moist
- place in a bright, warm place
- quarter indoors in the first winter
Tips
The Skimmia is poisonous! As a precaution, wear gardening gloves when cutting!
