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Why have my box plants turned orange?????
Thejennyb
Posts: 8
I live in the south of France, and have planted a parterre of box hedging in addition to numerous box balls, box cones and edging. Over the past 18 months, a good proportion of the box plants have turned orange in parts and have not responded to my efforts to find a remedy. Some have strong internal growth, some have none. The leaves are still on the plants, but there is little growth from the inside. I don't think this is blight, but I don't know what it is. Any ideas, anyone?
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Posts
I was going to say that it is normal in cold and windy winters but it normally turns back green in summer with lots of water and a feed. Did the Buxus stay orange all year long?
Some have improved, but a couple in particular have looked like satsumas for over a year
Some box plants were planted last spring at my place of work. They were not watered well over the summer. They are all an orange colour now. I am hoping they will green up as they come back into growth.
I don't think lack of water can be the problem, as we have an automatic watering system in place. Box is used a lot here in Provence as it doesn't require too much of it. I have orange box plants cheek by jowl with lovely dark green specimens in a mixed border.
Water until established but also, they are hungry plants. Turning orange is normally a sign they need feeding. Don't be tight with a good sprinkling of BM or BFB at this time of year and after their haircut
Box blight?
That's interesting Wintersong, don't think ours have ever been fed. I had to persuade the works gardener not to dig them out. I will feed them and see if they improve. Have you ever fed yours Jennyb?
Hi, I have struggled with our box hedge for over 5 years, just get one bit sorted and another goes. I am afraid it sounds as if you have the dreaded box blight.
cut out the affected areas, clear out as much of the rubbish on the ground and replant.
our hedge gets a liquid seaweed feed twice a year.
good luck
A A Milne
Anything that's been like a satsuma for a year of more is dead isn't it?
I'd have them out. They can't be improving the look of the garden
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thanks everyone, really appreciate your interest and comments. Excuse the long reply coming, but I wanted to respond to some of you.
Pansyface - no, we don't, and we are on a hill outside our nearest village, so have no 'visitors'.
Fidgetbones & Lily Pilly - I really don't think it is blight, I have scoured the internet looking at pictures of blight and this just doesn't resemble it. There's plenty of leaf on the plants, they're just this peculiar colour. Also, blight is so infectious whole swathes would be affected, which is not the case.
Judith5, it gets a yearly dose of a local product, Bleu Bordelaise, from our gardener, but even our olive trees get the same dose, so I think perhaps I need something stronger/more specific.
Wintersong - I too am leaning towards a nutrition problem. Could you please let me know the names behind the initials in your response, so I can try to find something similar locally or online? This part of France, because of the extremes of the climate (minus 16 last winter and approaching 40 in the summer), is a bit behind the times in gardening as an art, although things are improving as irrigation systems become more the norm.
Nutcutlet - you're absolutely right, the worst ones are due on a bonfire this week, and I will replant.