Yellow boxwood leavesspoil the aesthetics of this popular shrub, famous for its dense habit and lush green foliage. Although sometimes yellow boxwood leaves are only a temporary effect after a cold winter, they can also be a sign of an attack by a dangerous disease or pest. Therefore, the yellowing of boxwood leaves should never be underestimated. Seewhy boxwood turns yellowand how to save such a plant. Here are the bestways to make a juicy green boxwood !
Yellow boxwood leaves. Why does boxwood turn yellow and how to save it?
What does boxwood need to keep its leaves from turning yellow?
Providing appropriate conditions in the cultivation of boxwood,we will reduce the possibility of yellowing of its leaves . This problem usually appears when plants grow in an unsuitable position or are weakened and infected with a fungal disease. Fortunately, this can be remedied!
Boxwood can be planted in both sunny and shady locations, grows best in moderately dry to fresh and well-drained soil. The key to the cultivation of boxwood is its care. If you wantto avoid yellow leaves on boxwood , remember to:
- Do not over-water the plant. Boxwood hates being flooded with water!
- Make sure to sprinkle the boxwood with bark, which will reduce the occurrence of weeds and reduce water evaporation from the substrate.
- When planting boxwood, add some composted bark to the ground to reduce the presence of pathogens.
Forthe lush green color of boxwood leavesit is advisable to properly fertilize. Usually, in the cultivation of boxwood, a simple universal fertilizer supplemented periodically with organic fertilization (e.g. compost) is sufficient. If you want to be sure that the fertilizer used contains all the ingredients needed for the proper growth of boxwood, it is worth choosing a specialized boxwood fertilizer with micronutrients.
Boxwood fertilizer with micronutrients
Boxwood turns yellow because it is frozen
Boxwood is usually considered a hardy shrub that can cope well even in difficult conditions. However, it is worth remembering that this shrub does not tolerate cold winters badly, and in addition to possible damage caused by frost, it is more exposed to infections.Too strong frosty wind may cause the leaves of the box to turn yellow
Symptoms of boxwood freezing can be seen in early spring, whenboxwood leaves begin to turn yellow at the tops ofshoots. We can easily distinguish them from fungal diseases, because they will not change their color, we will not see any necrotic spots on their surface.
Yellow boxwood leaves should be cutand the plant sprayed with Topsin M 500 SC. Spraying will prevent possible infections that may attack the already weakened shrub. If we do not want to use chemicals against fungal diseases, we can use Biosept Active to protect the boxwood.
Boxwood turns yellow because it is attacked by fungal disease
Ifin summer boxwood leaves turn yellow, then turn brown and dieit means that the bush has been attacked by phytophthora. A characteristicsymptom of the disease is shoot dieback from the base of the bush , which over time spreads over the entire box. Infested plants should be removed and the remaining ones sprayed with Proplant 720 SL or Polyversum WP. It is also worth remembering that when buying plants, pay attention to the quality of the nursery material, and when planting it, add the aforementioned composted bark to the substrate, which will limit the development of pathogens.
Yellowing leaves as a result of boxwood shoot dieback
Anotherfungal disease that causes boxwood to turn yellowis leaf and shoot dieback. We will notice the symptoms of the disease in spring, when the leaves turn yellow and die after some time. In addition to the symptoms , black spores of the fungusappear on the dying leaves (the appearance of these spores distinguishes this disease from the usual yellowing associated with freezing). Infected shoots should be removed and the bush should be sprayed with Topsin M 500 SC, preferably twice at intervals of 10 days.
Boxwood turns yellow because it is attacked by pests
The appearance oftiny yellow spots on the leaves of boxwoodmay indicate a feeding of the boxwood spider mite. Pests feed on the underside of the leaves, and in places where they prick the leaf tissue, tiny yellow spots can be seen from the top.Heavily damaged leaves may turn brown and dry out.
Yellowing of boxwood leaves as a result of feeding spider mites
In the case offinding spider mites on the leaves of boxwood , interventional treatment with a spider mite, eg Karate Zeon 050 CS. Alternatively, you can also use preparations based on natural ingredients, harmless to the environment, such as Agrocover or Emulpar 940 EC.To avoid the attack of spider mites in the next season, spraying is applied in early spring, the purpose of which is to destroy winter spider mite eggs. Oil preparations are used for these sprays. It may be the Emulpar 940 EC or the Promanal 60 EC that has just been replaced.
Yellowing and then browning of boxwood leavescan also be caused by the boxwood moth. The caterpillars of this butterfly gnaw on boxwood leaves, causing it to brown and wither entire shrubs.The pest can attack box trees throughout the growing season from April to October, producing 2-3 generations during this time.
If we notice green caterpillars for boxwood, shake them off, pick them up and destroy, e.g. trample or bury them deeply underground.Fighting the caterpillars of the box tree mothis carried out by spraying with the biological preparation Lepinox Plus. It is the only preparation registered to combat the boxwood moth in amateur garden crops. It is a safe to use biological preparation that acts selectively and destroys only pests.
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MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
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