The leave on my Skimmia 'Rubella' are turning yellow. I understand that the soil needs to be more acidic. I have purchased extract of seaweed with sequestered iron, but it says on the instruction to use during the growing season. 1. When is this? 2. Will the plant suffer if it is not treated?
It's an evergreen, so actively grows year round, though any treatment or fertilizing is best performed in spring or summer. I would recommend pinpointing other possible reasons for the yellowing before treating, however, as it could be due to other factors. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-leaves-turn-yellow.htm
I have 2 mature Skimmia with no berries. I just bought another one and this one is Olympic Flame and it has red berries on it. I'm assuming that since it has red berries it would be a male plant. I want to put it near the 2 I already have in the hope that I will get red berries on them. What do you think? The 2 Skimmia are planted in the shade and provide lots of blooms and a lovely fragrance in the Spring. I would like some red berries on the existing Skimmias that I have and that is why I bought a new one with red berries on it.
Actually the female Skimmia produce the berries, you will need a male plant to pollinate the female plants.
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/skimmia/growing-japanese-skimmia.htm
How do I take a cutting from my Skimmia japonica?
Propagation is preferred with seeds for this plant, though you can take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.
You will need to heat the cuttings with bottom heat to promote rooting.
Here is a link with more information.
This year when my plants were in peak condition, the leaves started being stuck together with eggs inside. They hatched and burrowed through the leaves eating all the green and leaving the cellulose behind. They are small 5mm pale green caterpillars. The leaves then fall off and the flower heads withered. I used Ultimate Bug killer hoping the systemic action would work. It didn't. I cut back all the branches to the first leaf and re-sprayed. Problem is still there and the new leaves are dropping off after being attacked.
This sounds like an infestation of leafminer caterpillars.
http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/leafmining-insects-5-548/
I am not sure what leafminer species would attack Skimmia, but this shrub is in the same family as citrus trees, so perhaps the citrus leafminer would:
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r107303211.html
You could also check with a local extension agent to find out what leafminer caterpillars are common in your area.
It can be difficult to control these with insecticides. The best control method is probably to search the plant for caterpillars and affected leaves frequently, and kill them or remove the affected leaves from the area.
Can Skimmia get a leaf virus? If so how do you treat it?
Yellowing leaves in this shrub is most likely caused by too much sunlight.
They like to be in a more dappled sunlight area.
Other issues can be nutrients, alkaline soil and pests.
You can feed the plant a general all purposed fertilizer in the spring.
Check soil ph if you suspect the soil issue.
Inspect for insects and treat with Neem Oil if any our found.
It can take a long time to recover, even after the issue is resolved.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I bought a Japanese skimmia at holiday time because it is a shade tree and I loved the look. In reading your information, I see I need male and female to get berries. First, how do I tell if my plant is female or male? Second, where can I buy a plant of opposite sex, and how do I tell if it is correct sex or not?
You can tell the flowers apart quite easily if you know what to look for. Males will have 4 stalks with pollen sacks on all four tips. They are bright yellow so you can't miss them. The female will have a single center stalk with a gnarled looking tip.
As for where to get one of the opposite sex... This can be challenging. They are often mislabeled in nurseries, but you might have some success online with a search.
Hello, I just want to know how to keep skimmia plant alive? Do I hide it from sunlight and how much do I water it (daily, twice a week, etc..???)? Also can I keep the skimmia plant in the pot of soil that I bought it with or I have to plant it in another pot? Regards
These are shade plants. You will want to keep the area around them moist, but not wet. That means you will check and see if the soil is dry on top, and if it is, that is when you will water it again. It can take longer to dry during wet periods, and can dry very quickly in dry spells. This article will give you more information on the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/skimmia/growing-japanese-skimmia.htm