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What is happening to my Skimmia?

DicemancDicemanc Posts: 40
in Problem solving

Hello all,

I have recently noticed some leaf damage to my Skimmia Rubella and was wondering if it being eaten by a new insect, has caught a virus/fungus of some kind, or has just been affected by the changeable weather...

I have attached a photo of the damage - as you can see the damage is slightly different on different leaves. Some are yellowing (which from experience isn't that unusual for Skimmias), some have transparent patches (like tracing paper), and a couple have completely shrivelled up and turned red on the underside.

It is mainly the top / outer leaves that have been affected.

Just some background - the Skimmia has been in a large pot for about 4 years, and is in almost full shade (sees no direct sun). It has been very happy so far - and is fed with ericacious feed every couple of months. Is is also sited next to a Skimmia Magic Marlot which has no signs of damage at all.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

Col.

image

 

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  • Rinus KRinus K Posts: 67

    image

     

    Is your skimmia placed nearby a chestnut??? If so the plant can even die. Chestnut and skimmia is a bad combination I'am told.

    An other common problem with skimmia is spider mite.aphids.

     

  • DicemancDicemanc Posts: 40

    Thanks for the advice.

    I've had a good look around the plant and can't see an obvious culprit. I don't like using bug sprays on my plants - but it sounds like it might be best to give the plant a good dousing and hope this helps.

    No trees within 15 metres or so, but plenty slightly further away. Not sure if any are chestnut - will have to get my tree spotting book out!

    Thanks again.

    Col.

  • richleeksrichleeks Posts: 2

    Hi Dicemanc,

    I am having the same problem with my Skimmia - my leaves are exactly like the large one in the middle - transparent..

    The plant leaves are eaten all over and I cant find a culprit..

    I just wondered whether you managed to resolve your issue and if so, what was it and what did you do?

    Would appreciate any help.

    Thanks

  • BobFlannigonBobFlannigon Posts: 619

    Probably fruit tree red spider mites.  There are sprays available but it would be a great shame to destroy them for the sake of a couple of holes in a leaf.

  • richleeksrichleeks Posts: 2

    Hi Bob,

    there are absolutely no signs of any mite or any other 'bug' on or around the leaf or plant - its baffling..

    and unfortunately it isn't just a couple of holes in a leaf - I would say that 75% of the leaves on the plant are affected - most in a real bad way..im surprised its still standing..

    there seems to be no issues on the surrounding plants either...

  • BobFlannigonBobFlannigon Posts: 619

    Have you tried hosing it, see if you can remove them that way?  It's difficult to treat something you can't confirm is there really, but as water is harmless you might find it's a quick win.

    I'm not sure how easy this would be but perhaps introducing a predator could help, rather than a chemical solution?  http://www.evergreengrowers.com/stethorus-punctillum-spider-mite-destroyer.html

  • bobgoodman20bobgoodman20 Posts: 4

    Guessing no answer as to what this was/solution was found? Are you in Manchester Dicemanc? (guessing from name..) as I am and wondered whether it was more of a local problem currently..how about you richleeks? Mines in a dire state, most leaves affected, only noticed the other day as it's in a hidden corner. This thread is the only reference to it I can find online.

  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150

    I have had the same issue with translucent leaves on my small skimmia bush.  I noticed some leaves were stuck together, there was white "fluff" between and a little caterpillar. 

    Is that the culprit? I don't know for sure.  I squished them all and removed the worst of the leaves, which weren't that many.  Not sure if that would work for you Bob if it's almost the whole shrub.

    I'm no shrub expert, just bumbling along in my garden, also in Manchester?.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Hi Bob - a healthy shrub would shrug off bits and pieces of insect damage, so it sounds as if the whole shrub has been sicky for a while, and therefore more likely to succumb to any attack. 

    The fact that you said you only noticd it recently as it was in a corner, is a bit of a clue. Has it got crowded out by other planting for instance, or maybe got very dehydrated and lacking nutrients? Or a combination of those. 

    They're pretty tough plants if they have the right location, so it may be that it's simply been suffering generally and has declined over time. Have you any photos? That would help with any further advice image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bobgoodman20bobgoodman20 Posts: 4

    Wow thanks for the quick responses all, first time I'd posted on here, quite impressed! I'd had a look before under leaves Kitty, not noticed any caterpillars or anything but it does look to be eaten by something, maybe I just got there too late, interesting it is a local phenomenon... It isn't in the best spot, Fairygirl, granted. Nestled under the corner of a privet and hemmed in by a rose, perhaps bringing it out in to the open and trimming it might bring it back in to health for next year, interested to know what's causing it though and if it is quite a niche and localised problem currently, whether it should be reported to RHS or DEFRA or whoever one notifies of these things.. Closer up pics to followimage

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