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Is This Box Blight or Moth

BigMattBigMatt Posts: 8
in Problem solving
Good Afternoon all
Our box hedging which has been fine and inplace for about 10 years has developed what I think may be blight....

I've had a look inside at various points and can't see any web / caterpillars.....but obviously depending what it is will steer my treatment. At first when we returned from holiday I thought that it just hadn't been watered so focused on watering / MiracleGro (half strength) for 10 days or so but that hasn't done much. 

I have two lengths of hedging about 5m each at right angles to each other and both sections are showing signs.

Thanks for any help.....

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I'm afraid that looks like box moth caterpillar damage to me. The caterpillars are apparently very tiny and difficult to see but can decimate hedging very quickly.
    My box hedging is the same and I'm probably going to take it all out, I've got metres of the stuff. You can get sprays but I don't want to bother with ongoing maintenance.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There's another thread today with the same problem. Take a look at the links posted to see  if it tallies with yours @BigMatt

    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1059170/is-this-box-blight#latest

    Feeding ailing plants is rarely a good idea though.  :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BigMattBigMatt Posts: 8
    Thanks for the comments......will have a look......
  • WatsoniaWatsonia Posts: 134
    My hedge looks very similar this year. I also would say box moth caterpillar. My mum’s looks the same and I have been taking tiny caterpillars out of it and feeding them to the chickens. She doesn’t like chemicals but has invested in a pheromone trap which seems to make a bit of difference. Once you have your eye in you will start finding them. Won’t be doing it on my own hedge, to difficult to reach parts of it. I will take it out come winter.
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