Skimmia japonica
crop cultivation advice

Stage 1: Cuttings and young plants

Make the cuttings in June from a mother plant kept outdoor and shaded. Good nutrition of mother plants is important. Start propagation when the axillary-buds are visible. Use only hard, inflexible twigs for the cuttings. Pruning young plants is the key for a good plant design. Prune Skimmias individually to achieve the best results. Ensure high nutrition in the weeks before cutting mother stock. With cuttings in large cups you can mix 1 g/l Osmocote Exact Protect 5-6M through the substrate. When the cuttings starts rooting use 3 g/l Peters Professional Plant Starter 10-52-10. During the phase of branch growth apply 10g/m2/week Peters Excel Plant Finisher or CalMag Finisher. One week before potting add 5g/m2 Peters Professional Plant Starter 10-52-10.

Stage 2: Vegetation

Finishing potting before winter is crucial to allow for a good root development during the winter (in greenhouse). Skimmia’s roots are sensitive to salts. Control the EC levels in the pots, especially in high temperatures and during the flowering phase. Prune the plants before 20 June or they will not develop flowers in time. Apply crop protection preventively rather than curatively. Pot in November in a substrate with 4 g/l Osmocote Exact Protect 12-14M. Do not add water soluble fertilizers. Start in February with 5 g/m2 Peters Professional Plant Starter 10-52-10 to support the roots. Continue in spring period with 10-15 g/m2/week Peters Professional Blossom Booster 10-30-20 to support the flower development. From May the flowers have to grow and stretch: 15-20 g/m2/week Peters Professional Grow Mix 21-7-21 and CaNO3 supports this growth.

Stage 3: Finishing stage C2-3l pots

The August – September period is important for the maximum flower bud development in Skimmia. These buds will flower in spring the following year. Intensify the nutrition by irrigation during the late summer to build up necessary nutrient supply. Use mainly a high K schedule to avoid re-growth in the flowering phase. End in Autumn period with 15 g/m2/week Peters Excel Plant Finisher 15-5-30.