Feeding box
Last year, OH and I bought at a knockdown price two rather scraggly box bushes from the 'distressed plants' section of the garden centre, which I decided to shape and place on either side of our doorstep. We potted them up and I kept them watered last summer, but we have noticed the leaves going copper and having yellow tips, which they were like when we bought them this time last year, so I thought it was a varietal thing. However, on googling I have discovered that this is due to poor nutrition (which is a relief cos I've always been a bit worried about blight).
Does anyone have any advice on liquid feeds - brands/types/how much and how often? Is it okay to start feeding now - ie. are we in the growing season? I have noticed the flower buds are on the bushes. I could top dress with a bit more compost, but obviously the pots have their limits, or we have well rotted manure? Or chicken manure pellets? Our box in the flower bed out the back is very healthy by comparison, but I haven't ever directly fed that.
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Ah! The mysterious box.
Liquid feed is the way to go with pot grown box (slightly different in the open ground) . Top dress now with a little blood fish & bonemeal (this is a one off in the spring) tickled into the surface..... then, use any general purpose liquid feed monthly during the summer.
Thanks David - I will do that. I am just mainly delighted that we don't have blight. When you say summer for the liquid feed, do I start in May? Will it like nettle soup as I intend to make a batch of that?
Yes Busy, May would be just right.... the BF&B will keep it happy until then.....and your nettle mix will be fine too.
Btw, if you haven't heard me mention it here before, Derby Day (usually held in the first week of June) is the favoured time of gardeners of the old school to trim box.....there are good reasons for that.
Well before I put my bet on I'll pop out with the secateurs! We did a bit of a trim at the end of last summer, but I don't like to trim in the winter in case it upsets them. They are gradually forming a shape but it will take a few growing seasons to get them how we really want them.
Good luck with them, Busy.
I'm quite pleased with this one I've grown from a cutting.
Edit: One of two either side of my front door.
That looks lovely and verdant - ours have a long way to go before they will look that healthy.
Just follow your plan and they will be for sure, Busy.
Think the biggest compliment I had, was when the post lady asked if they were artificial.
David, how long did take to grow that big. I quite fancy one by my front door, but they are rather expensive to buy like the one in your pic.
Hi, Lily...that pic was taken last year. It's probably about six years old (maybe more) now, but it was started from a cutting.
If you want to go down that route, I would buy an established plant as a starter.
Thank you David