Boxus problems?
Hanoola
Posts: 2
Hello.
I keenly planted a boxus hedge in my garden (to try and protect my plants from my son’s football) and also removed a couple of big standard trees and planted two large box balls. None of these are looking healthy at all! The box balls look like they are dying and the hedge has yellow tipped leaves. I’ve tried not to over or under water them. Watering them at the roots etc. I don’t think it’s blight but I can’t be sure. It’s cost me a lot of money this summer and I’m desperately hoping they are ok. P.s. i’ve added some farmyard manure to the top of the soil too.
can anyone help?
0
Posts
Your box shrubs are showing classic signs of stress. I can see small flowerheads forming and fungal infection. I don't know when you planted them and what type of soil you have but it's possible that they are not planted into the soil well or the soil surrounding it is either compacted or too dry.
Not sure with your regime on watering in, but they do need watering generously each time you water and directed into the base area. If your soil is compacted, try spiking around the base area with a garden fork and then put a thick layer of compost or mulch. If you are cutting next year, make sure you clean the blades thoroughly after cutting to avoid contamination to other plants.
Hi. They were planted in the spring and summer earlier this year. Our soil is heavy clay but the top 12” or so was added top soil about 10 years ago.
I watered in well around the base but was worried I would water them too much. I’ve added a good later of compost too.
should I still be watering now? Just worried they’ll get too wet and the roots will rot. Also, can I treat the fungus?
should I lift the smaller ones and replant?
Thank you.
Hi Hanoola, I don't think you should worry too much about the fungus. You can snip them off now or next year in late spring With issues like this, don't prune in damp weather or if your shrub is still quite wet. Wait for a dry day to prune. For now, you can try to spike the areas to allow some drainage near the roots and around the edges. Keep an eye on the watering. If the temperatures are hovering around18- 20c, and there has been no rain for over a week, give them a water. Once temperatures dip below 15c you can leave them alone. To make your plants more stable over the winter, you can lay some bark chip mulch around the base.
With the smaller plants, you could just give them a light prune but should be fine. Do the same and spike the areas and lay mulch. They look in better condition in my opinion. Just a little under-watered.
Last edited: 09 October 2017 18:10:04