Content
- Fungal attack on the boxwood - recognition, fighting, prevention
- Typical fungal infections on the boxwood
- Effectively avoiding fungal infection - you have to do that
- Effectively fight fungal infestation - That's how it works
- Tips
A fungal infection should be treated promptly
Fungal attack on the boxwood - recognition, fighting, prevention
Boxwood is a classic victim of fungal pathogens. In some cases, the best care does not help, and the carefully preserved wood still gets brown leaves and shoots. However, this does not necessarily mean the death sentence, because some mushrooms can be effectively combated with a courageous cut and the right fungicide.
Typical fungal infections on the boxwood
There are a number of harmful fungi that attack exclusively or preferably the boxwood. These include, for example, the following candidates:
Characteristic features of any fungal disease are brownish discoloring and dehydrating leaves and shoots, initially appearing in the initial stages on the foliage often only yellowish to brownish spots. Mostly not all the boxwood, but only a part of the branches and shoots is affected. On the underside of the leaves are in an advanced infestation depending on pathogens white to reddish brown spore to find.
Effectively avoiding fungal infection - you have to do that
Since almost all fungal diseases occur as a result of damp and warm weather, you should take precautions in appropriate weather conditions:
In addition, as weakened plants are more likely to be infected, you can strengthen your boxwood through optimal site conditions and proper care. Pay particular attention to a balanced supply of water and fertilizer - in addition to a lack of nutrients, over-fertilization can have serious consequences. Furthermore, a breezy, sunny location is ideal, and you can help keeping the health of your book by maintaining the recommended planting distance.
Effectively fight fungal infestation - That's how it works
But once the book has been attacked by a fungus, it usually only helps the scissors. Cut out the diseased plant parts generously, whereby a strong pruning does not hurt the book. It only takes a long time to regain its original size and shape due to its slow growth. Fertilize the plant to stimulate the new shoot, you can also treat them first with home remedies against the fungi. A self-made field horsetail stock has proved to be effective. If the mentioned measures do not help, only the use of chemical fungicides - which in the home garden due to the side effects want to be well considered! - or clearing.
Tips
If a white to greyish, wipeable deposit is visible on the tops of the leaves, it is probably powdery mildew. This is - in contrast to other fungal diseases - in bright sunshine and heat, which is why it is also called "fair weather mushroom". You can get a good grip on this infection by treating the infested boxwood trees with a mixture of fresh whole milk and water (1:10 ratio).