Skimmia Japonica
marajj8
Posts: 3
Hi, I have been told that my container grown Skimmia Japonica has a leaf virus and should dispose of both plant and soil. I'm reluctant to do this as I have 7 of them in a community garden with no funds to replace them. If they have a virus is there anyway I could save them and/or the soil?
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who told you? Was it someone who knows what they're talking about?
They're fussy plants and easily go yellow in the leaves if they're in too alkaline a soil.
Are all seven considered to have a virus?
In the sticks near Peterborough
So would repotting in ericaceous compost save them Nut?
It wouldn't stop them having a virus if they've got one but don't know what the diagnosis is based on.
The only really healthy looking skimmias I've seen are in acid soil but there's not much of that round here so I usually see yellowing ones.
In the sticks near Peterborough
A landscaper told me about the leaf virus, and all are affected. I thought it was due to too much strong sun. I also saw a similar to conditions in a local park and they seem to have recovered.So I'm thinking I would try cutting some of them right back and dose with Epsom salts.
Interesting, I thought I'd replied. Must have forgotten to press go
Landscapers may be knowledgeable plantspeople but more often they're not. It's not what the job calls for.
I think your assessment re the sun is more likely to be correct. They're not plants for dry soil in sun and they're bound to be too dry sometimes in pots.
Personally I think they look better in acid soil or ericaceous compost but some people don't seem to mind the yellow. I'd hold off on the cutting.
If any skimmia experts advise you, listen to them. I am extrapolating from my experience of plants in general and only know skimmias in other people's gardens
In the sticks near Peterborough
The pots look tiny. I don't think they're suitable pot specimens, but if you want to keep them in pots, they need to be bigger.
They grow extremely readily up here - wet climate, and mainly neutral to acid soil. You need to replicate the conditions. Not always easy though. A bit of shade would suit them better too - especially if you're in a drier part of the country.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks nutcutlet I'll let you know how it goes.?