Saturday, 23 March 2013

Skimmia needs help.........

It seems as though I do nothing but moan about the weather at the moment and to be honest I really shouldn't because we have it much better up here than our southern neighbours (for a change) however it really is flippin freezing here.
I wrapped up this morning with thermal clothing, layers of jumpers, thick trousers, a coat, gloves and my 'Hotheadz' hoodie and even then I still froze. We don't have the forecasted snow though it's just a biting gale force wind that is causing the temperature drop.
I messed around outside for as long as I could take it but then headed back in to the warmth of the house.

Here's something I've been meaning to look into for a while now and keep forgetting. I have a couple of Skimmia Japonica - one is planted in the ground and one is in a pot. The pot one looks quite straggly and sickly and while the planted one is a lovely shaped shrub the colour is looking a little yellow to me - what do you think?


It's not just me it IS looking sickly isn't it?


The planted one is in a shaded position so I know it's not getting too much sunlight. When I was potting up the other one I checked the roots so I know there's no issue there. The only other thing I can think of is Chlorosis.
So with Chlorosis in mind I guess I should maybe add an Iron product to the soil? Or should I dig it up, check the surrounding soil and then dig in more suitable soil before replacing? Or do I spray the leaves? Or do I do both soil and foliage treatment?  Is it ok to dilute the soil application to spray on the leaves or do I need a special feed?
Could really do with some help on this one guys because I've looked it all up on the internet and I'm more confused than I was before - have any of you guys had a similar experience and managed to rectify it?
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7 comments:

  1. Alistair23 March 2013 at 16:10

    Hi Linda, First of all your Skimmia in the pot needs repotting. When doing it, break away a fair bit of the rootball and buy a bag of ericaceous compost and plant it up using only this in a pot at least a couple of sizes larger.
    The one in the ground, water it thoroughly and then give a deep mulch of ericaceous compost water again. In mid Summer water the one planted in the ground with an ericaceous liquid feed. Remember, keep them well watered in Summer.

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    Replies
    1. Lindac23 March 2013 at 17:22

      Thank you Alistair, I will get right onto that and keep my fingers crossed.

      Linda

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    2. Unknown9 October 2013 at 15:15

      I have a skimmia with the same problem I went to centre where I purchased plant they recommended using sulphate of iron this promotes root growth and makes soil acidic around root zone which skimmia prefer it is cheap and easy to use,costing only £3-£6 per kilo so a box should last a couple of seasons

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  2. Alistair23 March 2013 at 16:26

    Trying to find you on blotanical, what name do yu use?

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    Replies
    1. Lindac23 March 2013 at 17:23

      The Teanacious Gardener! I think lol. I logged on and couldn't see anything so I assume it's my blog name?
      Here's the link

      http://www.blotanical.com/php/my_plot.php

      linda

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  3. Donna24 March 2013 at 23:37

    Glad Alistair could help...the one in the pot looked like it was in too small a pot but knowing nothing about this plant, I am glad an expert could help.

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  4. Unknown19 May 2013 at 10:27

    I have this problem too, I didn't realise skimmia needed ericaceous compost. I'll have to get some, and maybe transfer from pot to ground.

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