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Gardeners world last Friday

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  • ZenjeffZenjeff Posts: 652
    I have read somewhere the Americans use neem oil mixed with horticultural soap also check Longacres site
  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554

    Oh yes Chicky I remember the conversation now image 

    they did look gorgeous didn't they.  No wonder he is gutted image

  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554

    I thought he maybe able to create chess pieces image I'll email him image

  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,478

    Hello , I have a couple of box plants in pots but I have just let them grow naturally with a little trim every now and again , so the plants are open , no box blight image

  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    Chicky thank you!  your link came up with this! Chemical control

    The fungicides Bayer Fungus Fighter (tebuconazole) and Bayer Fungus Fighter Plus (tebuconazole and trifloxystrobin) are new products for 2015 and both are labelled against box blight. Whilst the fungicides myclobutanil (Bayer Garden Systhane Fungus Fighter* and other products), tebuconazole (Bayer Garden Multirose Concentrate 2) and triticonazole (Scotts Fungus Clear Ultra) are labelled for control of other diseases on ornamentals and could therefore be used legally on box (at owner's risk) to try and control box blight.

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,352

    Lilly P - the box in my garden has suffered dreadfully with box blight & last year I was on the point of ripping out the plants (a lot of moneys worth). Every single plant was affected and they looked every bit as bad (if not worse) than Monty's.

    This year I decided to give it a final chance. I gave it a good feed just as new growth was starting and and mulched the soil around the plants really well to suppress any spores on the soil surface.

    I then sprayed all the box thoroughly using the first product in Chicky's link. I sprayed again about 2 or 3 weeks later. Sprayed again (twice more) 4 - 6 weeks apart. 

    The plants look much much better than they have for the last 2 years & have regrown well - although they are a bit misshapen at the moment because dead bits have been cut out.

    My plan is to give them a final seaweed feed this week and then leave them alone. If they are OK over winter I will feed them next year and try to avoid the fungal spray - but be prepared to intervene at the first signs if necessary.

    There are a few signs of slight discolouration on some of the leaves but at the moment it doesn't look like the normal blight discolouration (fingers crossed).

    I would suggest that you don't just start cutting out bits that look dead until you are certain they are. Some of mine regrew from wood that looked kaput. It is, however, maybe worth clearing them a little in the centre if they are very congested

    Sorry to all those who don't like using fungal sprays but it is very disheartening to see something which provides fundamental structure to the garden being severely disfigured.

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    re Monty s globes. I was really surprised style mess underneath. we try and keep ours spotlessly clean which is what he tells us all to do?!

     

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,352

    Just questioning my posting above - now not sure which of the first 2 products I used. It was the concentrate made up exactly as per the instructions. Will go & check for you in a minute. image

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    Topbird you are an inspiration!

    We feed with seaweed spring and Autumn, have replanted over 100 plants!

    it is sooooo annoying and really is needed in this garden as it suits the era of the house.  We haven't cut yet this year (mainly because of my back) but it is scheduled to be cut next week. And a good clear out will be done before the winter winds 

     

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,352
    It's the first in that list - Fungus Fighter concentrate. The label says it is for the control of box blight rather than the eradication but, to be honest, I can live with a little bit..



    I think it's important to feed them to give them the strength to withstand the disease. I have also been careful to only tend them in dry weather (not easy in Scotland this year I know!). Do you have to trim them this year? I have not done mine as I didn't want to make any wounds for reinfection.



    Good luck Lily P - I think all is not yet lost!
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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