Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Buxus

dollyjetsetdollyjetset Posts: 2
in Plants
Last year I moved a very large buxus box plant to use in a future garden scheme. It faired well in a large pot but has succumbed to the very hot summer. The leaves have yellowed and appear dead but there is a smattering of green leaves within. Can I expect this to recover or is it past saving. Your advice would be welcome.

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Hard to tell.  If it has some green leaves then it's not dead and should grow from where the green is, as long as the damage is just from heat/drought and not box blight or some other disease.  I think I would wait until late spring and see if it grows any more new leaves, then prune back to green growth. 
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Buxus are hungry plants - what did you use as potting compost? It really needs John Innes No3 and it also needs regular feeding and watering.

    If it's got some green growth it's still alive - and should come back well next spring given the right treatment.

    If necessary repot it in JI No 3 and just ensure it doesn't dry out over winter (doesn't want to be wet either though).

    If it's already in JI No3 then it has clearly been stressed by the summer. I would give it a drench of liquid seaweed now and maybe again in 2-3 weeks. Then leave it for the winter - just ensure it doesn't dry out.

    Next spring remove the top 4 - 6" of compost and replace with fresh. Start a regular programme of spraying the foliage with liquid seaweed (every 2 - 3 weeks) or you can use a product like Top Buxus - one spray to start - then a second after 2 weeks then every 6 weeks for the rest of the season.

    And keep it in a spot sheltered from drying and scorching winds.

    Good luck :)  
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • dollyjetsetdollyjetset Posts: 2
    Hi thanks for your advice, I've stored it in the shade at the bottom of my garden, all summer  to protect  it from the sun. Will repot with John Innes and liquid seaweed and see what the spring brings.
Sign In or Register to comment.