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What’s wrong with my topiary box?

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  • Desi_in_LondonDesi_in_London Posts: 731
    expanding, I can just about see some faint webbing, which suggests box caterpillar ( treatment involves hunting and picking off caterpillars , a biological control ( brand name xentari) or a general caterpillar control nematode ( nemasys fruit and veg, although I did not find this effective). Worth googling the term to see. 

    Potentially also lack of water - how big is the pot ( presumably ) it is planted in?
    Kindness is always the right choice.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Looks like sunburn and lack of water to me . Sort that out and if it’s still looking sick look for pests .could be as easy as re potting into larger pot ,soaking with water and snipping off the burned bits . Try the easy stuff first before jumping in with sprays and stuff I would .
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    I was involved in a box enquiry earlier this year.  A lot of comments about boxtree moth caterpillar.  Worth searching for this.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I think this may be the thread.
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/2390113#Comment_2390113
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    AnniD.  Yes.  What would we do without people like you.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    For AnniD again, or others.  
    How do you search for a past thread?  Or do you just use memory?
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    bédé said:
    For AnniD again, or others.  
    How do you search for a past thread?  Or do you just use memory?
    I definitely don't rely on memory, although box caterpillars are a definite topic that l have posted about before  :smile:

    If you go to the forum home page, there's a search box, but to be honest the search facility isn't that great. Sometimes it comes up with threads from years ago.
    Sometimes it's just luck which is what happened on this occasion .

  • HeyJudeHeyJude Posts: 26
    Desi_in_London said:
    expanding, I can just about see some faint webbing, which suggests box caterpillar ( treatment involves hunting and picking off caterpillars , a biological control ( brand name xentari) or a general caterpillar control nematode ( nemasys fruit and veg, although I did not find this effective). Worth googling the term to see. 

    Potentially also lack of water - how big is the pot ( presumably ) it is planted in?
    Hi Desi, pot is approx 15” square. Did water esp when it was hot (& turned the tub around because of possible sun scorch)but the water drains out quickly so I think I’ll repot w water retaining granules in the John Innes 2 which I used. I couldn’t see caterpillars when I looked quite thoroughly but yes sort of webbing and tiny pinpoint things like eggs so wondered about a pest. Thanks for the info re biological controls& nematodes
  • HeyJudeHeyJude Posts: 26
    bcpathome said:
    Looks like sunburn and lack of water to me . Sort that out and if it’s still looking sick look for pests .could be as easy as re potting into larger pot ,soaking with water and snipping off the burned bits . Try the easy stuff first before jumping in with sprays and stuff I would .
    Yes I wondered re sun& water, I’ll take your advice, also see my reply to Desi
  • HeyJudeHeyJude Posts: 26
    bédé said:
    I was involved in a box enquiry earlier this year.  A lot of comments about boxtree moth caterpillar.  Worth searching for this.
    Yes I did see that thread  prior to posting but couldn’t see caterpillars, did look thoroughly!
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