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28-09-2002, 01:35 PM

Jane Ransom wrote in
:

In article , Tony tony-
writes
I have a Skimmia Reevesiana in a container in ericaceous soil. When I
bought the plant
last year its leaves were a nice dark green. But now the leaves are
pale green and have
lots of tiny spotted markings on them. I've used an anti-fungus
spray, but it hasn't made
any difference. I can't see any insect infestation. The plant has
just started
to
produce its flowers, so it's doing okay other than the leaf
colour/markings.

What's causing the leaves to lose their colour and shine, and what can
I do?

It is either hungry or having its roots attacked by something. Turn it
out of its pot to check the roots are not being attacked and if not
repot it in fresh ericaceous compost. Next year feed it fairly
regularly with something like Miracid.

I found that skimmias in strong light go paler in colour. If this one is
in full sun, moving it to somewhere a bit more shaded might help (though
now the days are getting shorter it may start to darken again anyway).

Victoria Clare