Worst infestation last year and this year they are at it again. I don't want to use any pesticides but the devastation is severe and I do wonder if I should do away with the box. I do have a lot of box, this year growth is only at the top of the bush. This year beautifully shaped pompom box which took me years to grow is also affected.
What is the usual recommendation, or what are others doing about it. May 2023
Personally, l'd get rid. I still have a box hedge in the front garden because my OH didn't want to get rid of it (he has enough on his plate as it is), but everything else in the front and back gardens was removed last year. I noticed a neighbour across the road inspecting his box plants last night. Judging by his reaction l suspect they're back. A shame because our remaining box hedge is looking pretty good.
I must say that getting rid of the box has really opened up the garden, but you can always replace with alternative hedging.
There is no substitute for box. If you think there is, it's fine by me. But I will keep on fighting. We wartime childen think like that. Dunkirk spirit.
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."
I think a lot of people are doing exactly that @AnniD. Life's too short to spend it trying to make something work when it's clearly unsuitable. It comes down to the old adage of 'right plant, right place'. It doesn't just apply to soil and climate etc, it's also about how suitable the plant is with regard to pests and diseases. That's what it comes down to as well @Loxley - weighing up whether it's actually worth the expense of a product. Plenty of alternatives as a low hedge or for topiary, if you want to have that look. I could grow it here no problem if I wanted, as the moth isn't present, but I'm bored with all that now.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
There is no substitute for box. If you think there is, it's fine by me. But I will keep on fighting. We wartime childen think like that. Dunkirk spirit.
What are you fighting with bede? I have been picking the ones I see off and feeding to the birds but I daresay there will be eggs left behind and the moths will keep returning each year now they know where the feast is.
I don't think moths have very good memories, they just stick around something they have found by scent and breed a continuity of generations. But would you surrender to Putin?
Last year I was late on the scene, but I used a systemic bug killer spray (Plan A). They are diiifcult to get at inside their webs and stuck-together leaves. I also did some hand-picking (Plan B ). I can't be certain that the spray applied in early June did the trick but I was free from symptoms until this spring, and now it's not that bad (yet).
I had a Plan C that I didn't use last year: cheapest rapeseed oil emusified with washing up liquid (quantum satis). Should be a double wammy.
Gwyneth Paltrow might have recommend Neem Oil, ignoring the science that is a vegetable oil. having a smell that deters humans as well as insects.
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."
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"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
What is the usual recommendation, or what are others doing about it. May 2023
I noticed a neighbour across the road inspecting his box plants last night. Judging by his reaction l suspect they're back. A shame because our remaining box hedge is looking pretty good.
I must say that getting rid of the box has really opened up the garden, but you can always replace with alternative hedging.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
It comes down to the old adage of 'right plant, right place'. It doesn't just apply to soil and climate etc, it's also about how suitable the plant is with regard to pests and diseases.
That's what it comes down to as well @Loxley - weighing up whether it's actually worth the expense of a product.
Plenty of alternatives as a low hedge or for topiary, if you want to have that look. I could grow it here no problem if I wanted, as the moth isn't present, but I'm bored with all that now.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Last year I was late on the scene, but I used a systemic bug killer spray (Plan A). They are diiifcult to get at inside their webs and stuck-together leaves. I also did some hand-picking (Plan B ). I can't be certain that the spray applied in early June did the trick but I was free from symptoms until this spring, and now it's not that bad (yet).
I had a Plan C that I didn't use last year: cheapest rapeseed oil emusified with washing up liquid (quantum satis). Should be a double wammy.
Gwyneth Paltrow might have recommend Neem Oil, ignoring the science that is a vegetable oil. having a smell that deters humans as well as insects.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."