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Box Tree Caterpillar Damage

supahussysupahussy Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I have two twisted buxus plants. Last Summer I noticed both had box tree caterpillar. I successfully treated this but each plant has a small patch of damage which has not recovered. The patches are twiggy with no leaves and are not showing any new growth. Should I expect these to recover as we move towards Summer and is there anything I can do to help with this? Thanks in advance for any help
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Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Hello @supahussy, I've got the same problem, although I have removed most of my box hedges. I am waiting to see if the affected branches do sprout any new leaves and will leave it another month.

    I believe the moths start laying eggs again in May so you will need to keep a very watchful eye on your plants.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @supahussy I have already removed at least a dozen caterpillars from one plant only yesterday.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    😬 - that seems quite early for them @GardenerSuze especially as we've had a colder spring. There's no doubt they're on the march across the country is there?
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • supahussysupahussy Posts: 3
    I'm pretty sure that the plants were delivered to me with these already on them as I alteady had another buxus which is only a couple of metres away from the affected plants and this has never been affected and didn't subsequently become affected either!
    I'm being super vigilant in case I get them again this year.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    @supahussy you could try spraying with seaweed tonic, (note tonic not feed).  It's not guaranteed but it may stimulate bud break on the bare patches. 
    AB Still learning

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    They are very tiny at the moment. I spent a good half an  hour checking one plant at the front. I also have three box plants at the back and found just one tiny caterpillar Last year I found just two on one plant at the back!
    I am sure if I look further in to the plants they will be hiding, that is obviously how they survive at first and then get a hold. The tiny cobwebs were the clue.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • supahussysupahussy Posts: 3
    @Allotment Boy thank you for the tip.
    Thanks everyone for your replies, fingers crossed for this Summer. Really hoping the bald patches grow back in or I'll have to turn the plants round and then my spirals won't be symmetrical....shock horror lol
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited April 2023
    The white branches will be branches that have had all the bark eaten off.  So dead.  If they are still green, they may sprout.

    I had a lot of caterpillars last year but controlled them early with hand-picking and with systemic bug killer.  Then a clear season.  Now fresh buds sprouting and no sign of caterpillar.

    It is all in the record for this time last year.
     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
    edited April 2023
    I should add that I had some cheapest rapeseed oil on stand-by but it was not needed.  I usually spray this as an emulsion of water with washing-up liquid. 

    Vegetable oils work by stopping the caterpillar absorbing oxygen.  Some people recommend Neem, but neem is just a smelly vegetable oil that kills them in the same way.  

    Don't use any insecticides whilst the box is flowering, you don't want to kill bees.  Other predators will be absent, or the caterpillars would not be there.

    PS. "hope" in gardening is ofter forlorn.  One has to be active and keep a step ahead of the threats.

     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."
  • Sara34Sara34 Posts: 1
    bédé said:
    The white branches will be branches that have had all the bark eaten off.  So dead.  If they are still green, they may sprout.

    I had a lot of caterpillars last year but controlled them early with hand-picking and with systemic bug killer.  Then a clear season.  Now fresh buds sprouting and no sign of caterpillar.

    It is all in the record for this time last year.

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