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Buxus issue

qv9cmvkjnkKbX8UYqDqv9cmvkjnkKbX8UYqD Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Does anyone know what might be the cause of this yellowing/dieback type issue on my Buxus 

They are new, in pots and have been in them about 4 weeks

i don’t think it’s blight and I can see no evidence of caterpillars- I’m not sure it’s blight because it’s only small patches and if it’s spreading it’s doing so very slowly
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  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
    Is it being kept watered in this hot weather since it’s new and in a pot? There is so little of it I would initially cut those brown bits out and see if you get any more come back. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited June 2023
    @qv9cmvkjnkKbX8UYqD The leaves on all plants die in time. You do need to be vigilant growing Box as you mention both blight and caterpillar are a serious problem. Some gardeners are avoiding growing them altogether. I assume you have potted them up? This would have caused some stress and the air is dry. I would just ensure that they don't get the full blast of the sun as it is very hot.You could remove the brown leaves as @Alfie_ mentions. Clean secateurs before and after.
    If you are facing blight/caterpillar you have just purchased them, I would contact the nursery/GC. However at present I would say they are settling in. Look for little webs that would be a sign of caterpiller. Welcome! 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited June 2023
    Those small areas of browning can be quite common when a new box plant is settling in. Have you used a soil based compost in your pots?  This is better for shrubs or plants that are going to remain in a container for more than one growing season.  I use a mix of 80% John Innes no 3 and 20% MPC, plus a few handfuls of grit.  Your compost does look a bit dry and personally I would have used slightly larger pots. Bought box plants can arrive with quite dry roots, I always soak them in a bucket beforehand, leaving them until no further air bubbles appear.  When any of my box show signs of browning, I use seaweed extract as a drench on the leaves and around the root area.  It acts as a tonic and definitely seems to help.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • qv9cmvkjnkKbX8UYqDqv9cmvkjnkKbX8UYqD Posts: 3
    edited June 2023
    I have used a mixture of John Innes #3, multipurpose and a just a little bit of washed sharp sand and grit

    it does look dry but it feels moist if I stick my finger in and I’m watering them every 2/3 days currently with the weather

    I’m in West Lothian so it’s likely not as hot as where you are (between 18 and 20 most of the week) but it’s hot enough and also it is both dry and windy so I think watering frequently is definitely in order. I’ve used seaweed extract but not on the leaves - I’ll try this too.

    They probably are just settling in but having read up on blight etc - I think I panicked!

    Thank you all for the advice - on the pot size I will send a better photo, if you think larger pots would be in order please let me know ( a handy excuse to buy two new pots, then two new plants to go in the previous ones!) - they are currently in 27cm diameter pots
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    The pot size looks fine in that photo, a very nice collection too!  It sounds like you’ve done everything needed to get your plant settled.  I wouldn’t be too worried, just keep it well watered if the compost feels dry.  I’ve just looked at my two buxus in pots, there’s a couple of brown areas but that happens now and then, particularly in summer. They are nearly 20 years old and have survived several house moves from the south to here!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You don't need to worry about moth or blight then  :)
    It'll just be a bit of weather damage. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @qv9cmvkjnkKbX8UYqD You have a nice display. I always think it is best to be aware of any problems it is part of gardening.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I don't think Box caterpillar, or blight have made their way to Scotland yet.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There's apparently been the odd bit of blight in the north east @punkdoc, but I don't know how bad it was. They mentioned it on Beechgrove a year or two ago.
    My sister is in W. Lothian, but I don't know if she's heard of anyone having it through there.
    Box grows extremely well on this side, without any problems. We've had the east side's weather this year though, and they've had ours, so there's been a few slightly burnt looking bits here and there in hedges,  but we're back to more like normal now.
    How big a difference the weather/climate will make in future is anybody's guess though.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @punkdoc I was wondering the same. We have caterpillar here in the south Midlands but no blight that I am aware of, the RHS I am sure keep a constant watch on it's progress.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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