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Another Buxus problem, possibly?

*Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
in Problem solving
I bought a couple of Buxus cones about 3 months ago from the garden centre. I have planted them in large pots, they looked fine when I bought them but one now has a small section as in the photo below. Aa it’s just a little bit I want to know if it’s something I should be worried about, or dealing with ?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited October 2018
    Box is under attack from a imported pathogens.  Many old box hedges and parterres are having to be ripped out because many cases are untreatable.   That said, some good husbandry and early intervention can help.

    This is what the RHS advises - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=96 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • *Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
    So as it’s such a small area should I cut it out?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Read the advice from the RHS.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • *Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
    I did I did read it but by posting on here I was just wondering if anyone had any other ideas or interesting comments I can google RHS and I did before posting my pictures but as there’s hardly any die back or brown leaves on my plants this why I was asking for real human beings who read and post on here, what their thoughts are & it’s nice to have a discussion with people rather than just google stuff, but if that’s the answer then I’ll forget this forum, and just google everything I need to know, I am new to gardening I just hope google can tell me what plant is what when I show it a photo? Oh yes don’t worry there’s an ap for that 😡
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    OK.  Box blight starts off mild and then, if you're lucky and follow the advice of the RHS it goes away or the plant stabilises but in most cases the plants are lost.  There are famous gardens such as Levens Hall in the Lakes where they are replacing all their box edging and hedging and topiaries with other plants such as lonicera that don't get this blight.

    The RHS has it in its gardens and also has scientists that advise members for free.  I think you can trust their advice.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Is there any evidence of silk webs I ask as some of the leaves look chewed to me which would suggest box moth caterpillar. I volunteer at Capel manor gardens in Enfield & they have suffered two attacks this year, usually you only get one cycle but the heat then the cool down & heat again means the pupae re-emerged for a second time. The head Gardener there is planning to replace a lot of their box with alternative species because of the continued problems. Many other gardens & gardeners are doing the same. The hot dry weather means there has been no problem with blight this year (in our area).  I am aware other parts of the country have had much more rain & humidity, so may have suffered with blight.
    AB Still learning

  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    I agree - that looks more like insect damage than blight. 

    If the plant has been fed over this summer I would leave it be for now and next spring start a careful regime of regular feeding (liquid seaweed or Top Buxus). The affected area may well resprout. If it doesn’t you can cut out the damaged area.

    Monitor carefully for signs of insects or blight. It’s then up to you whether or not you choose to use a pesticide or fungicide to deal with the problem or try to control it organically.

    If it hasn’t been fed at all this year you could give the plant a liquid seaweed soil drench now (although it’s a bit late in the season) just to boost it’s reserves.

    Buxus are quite hungry plants and a healthy well fed plant will be more resistant or more able to withstand fungal and pest problems.

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • *Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
    Thank you for your comments, i really appreciate the help.

    I took a closer look yesterday and yes the leaves look more chewed than dying. I planted them in new compost and the garden centre gave me a small packet of Buxus feed granules, sorry can’t remember the make, which I applied about a month ago.

    I can’t see any webs on them at the moment. 
    Ill just keep monitoring the plants in the coming months and see if There’s any changes. Think I need a magnifying glass to check!

    so Topbird, should I still do the seaweed drench or do you think it’s had enough feed for now? The compost said it had 3 months feed in it but obviously not Buxus specific. I know it’s October but it’s still very warm I wonder if we don’t get a cold winter the moths/caterpillars may come back sooner?
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    If you fed the plant a month ago that should be sufficient to see it through the winter. You just want to give it some winter reserves - you don’t really want soft new growth which is vulnerable to frost damage.

    Have a Google of Box / Caterpillar / Moth etc. You’ll probably find several articles but you need (a UK) one which details the lifecycle and advises the best time to look out for caterpillars (which do the damage) which you can either pick off or spray.

    A regular feeding regime for next year will help develop a strong plant resistant (or at least able to recover from) attacks from pests and diseases.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • *Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
    Thanks for all your help! 
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