Troubleshooting
Skinner's Barkeria problems — and how to fix them
Skinner's Barkeria (Barkeria skinneri) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Winter rot
Watering too freely during the leafless dormant phase is the most common cause of plant loss.
Mealybugs in cane sheaths
Mealybugs hide in the dry papery sheaths of dormant canes and are easy to miss until they cause decline.
Bud blast
Dry air, draughts, or ethylene from nearby ripening fruit causes buds to abort before opening.
Etiolated growth
Insufficient light in summer produces weak, pale canes that do not have enough energy reserves to flower in winter.
Salt crust on roots
Regular tap-water fertilising deposits mineral salts on aerial roots, burning root tips and reducing uptake.
Prevent skinner's barkeria problems before they start
Most skinner's barkeria issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Skinner's Barkeria problems — FAQ
Why is my skinner's barkeria winter rot?
Watering too freely during the leafless dormant phase is the most common cause of plant loss.
Why is my skinner's barkeria mealybugs in cane sheaths?
Mealybugs hide in the dry papery sheaths of dormant canes and are easy to miss until they cause decline.
Why is my skinner's barkeria bud blast?
Dry air, draughts, or ethylene from nearby ripening fruit causes buds to abort before opening.
Why is my skinner's barkeria etiolated growth?
Insufficient light in summer produces weak, pale canes that do not have enough energy reserves to flower in winter.
Why is my skinner's barkeria salt crust on roots?
Regular tap-water fertilising deposits mineral salts on aerial roots, burning root tips and reducing uptake.