Skimmia

Family. Rutaceae.

Origin. Japan, Taiwan, China.

Description. Skimmia is a small genus, consisting of only 4 species of evergreen, abundantly branching shrubs, among which there are dioecious and monoecious plants. The leaves are green, elliptical, shiny, leathery, up to 15 cm long. The flowers are small, collected in apical umbrellas, white, red, burgundy, yellowish or pink, with a pleasant aroma. In autumn, round, red fruits appear on female specimens.

Height. Grows slowly, the height will depend on the variety. At home, the height of the bush can be adjusted by pruning.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

The optimal temperature range is from 18 to 24 ° C. At higher temperatures, it is necessary to increase watering and air humidity. At temperatures below 12 ° C, plants slow down their growth and enter a dormant period, in which they remain throughout the winter.

Lighting

A well-lit place without direct sunlight. The pot with the plant must be turned about ¼ turn every week so that the skimmia develops symmetrically. 

Growing

As growth begins, prune shoots that are too tall or weak to encourage lateral shoots to appear. By pruning, the plant can be given a beautiful rounded shape. Skimmia can be placed outdoors during the summer. Remember that all plants should be moved gradually so that they get used to the new living conditions. 

Substrate

This genus requires a nutritious soil with high organic content and good drainage. The soil can consist of peat, leaf mulch, perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage and have a slightly acidic pH.

Feeding

Every 2 weeks in spring and summer. In the fall, feeding is stopped and resumed only with the beginning of new growth, in the spring.

Flowering time

April. 

Air humidity

If the air in the room becomes too dry or the temperature is high, increase the humidity with a room humidifier or place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles. Make sure that the water in the tray does not touch the bottom of the pot. You can spray the leaves with room temperature water. Skimmias like well-ventilated rooms with a constant flow of fresh air, but without cold drafts.

Soil moisture

The soil should be evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Between waterings, dry the top layer 3 - 5 cm thick a little. In autumn, the frequency of watering is slightly reduced. For irrigation, it is advisable to use softened water at room temperature. 

Transplant

Young seedlings are replanted annually as they grow into larger pots. Mature specimens need to be repotted every 2-3 years. For larger potted plants, simply replace the top layer of soil with fresh soil each year. When planting, it is important to maintain a depth such that the graft is at ground level. If the skimmia is buried deeply in the ground, it will not bloom.

Reproduction

Stem cuttings about 10 cm long, in spring and summer, using growth hormones. Rooting is carried out under the cover of a transparent plastic cap or glass for 6 - 8 weeks. Seeds sown in spring. 

Pests and diseases

Foliage can get burned if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. Skimmia grows slowly and young leaves are smaller in size due to a lack of nutrients in the soil. Fungal diseases occur when there is insufficient drainage and maintenance in waterlogged soil. 

Among the pests that can annoy plants are spider mites and scale insects. Mealybugs prefer young trees. Whiteflies hide on the undersides of leaves, sucking out the sap. Aphids cause leaves to curl and become crinkled.  

Note

With proper care, it can grow successfully in indoor conditions for many years.