Buxus Jeans of Garden First Aid
GREEN FIRST AID
Just as we are sometimes bedridden with a cold or flu, the Buxus too can sometimes feel a bit off-colour.
The Buxus can be affected by various sorts of parasites. Some diseases or infestations are certainly not life-threatening, so it is not always necessary to treat the Buxus for them. You can find the diseases that should be treated in the green first aid.
Box Tree Caterpillar
This bright-green caterpillar with a black head loves to feed on the juicy leaves of the Buxus. This Asian moth can grow to 4 cm.
The damage is not really cause by the young caterpillars, but rather the adult caterpillars which can strip the plant bare in a short time. In doing this, they leave behind a white, sticky web.
This infestation can be treated effectively with a special insecticide. It is important to treat all the green leaves.
Treatment at an early stage will limit damage to the Buxus.
The box tree caterpillar is active in the following periods: April/May and August.
Special organic insecticides are available at the higher-sector garden centres and DIY shops.
BOX BLIGHT
This fungus causes black spots on the Buxus leaves. Leaves infected with this fungus will all fall within a few days, and black streaks will appear on the young Buxus twigs.
The fungus will leave behind large bare patches, but don’t worry because at this point the Buxus is not yet dead.
Treatment at an early stage will limit damage to the Buxus. Remove the unsightly and damaged leaves and then treat the plant to prevent the fungus from spreading. After a time, the Buxus will grow back.
When to look out for Box Blight: from May (pay particular attention in warm, humid periods with a lot of rain!)
There are special products to combat Box Blight available in the higher-sector garden centres and DIY centres.
BOX SUCKER
These small insects are 3 to 5 mm in size. Their larvae have a white, waxy coating and delight in sucking the sap from young Buxus shoots. The sucker does no real damage to the plant, but it does leave behind an unsightly, white, sticky residue. You can easily remove this by rinsing the plant with water.
Treatment at an early stage will limit damage to the Buxus.
When to look out for the Box Sucker: from the beginning of April
There are special organic products to combat Box Suckers available in the higher-sector garden centres and DIY centres.
