Content
- My boxwood is not growing - why is it?
- What the book needs for optimal growth
- Therefore, the boxwood does not grow
- Do not plant boxwood too deeply
- Wrong cutting
- Pests and diseases
- Tips
In shady locations, the boxwood grows poorly
My boxwood is not growing - why is it?
The dense, evergreen boxwood bushes (Buxus) are ideal for planting borders or a formal hedge. Buchs grows extremely slowly by nature, depending on the variety, the growth rates are a maximum of five to ten centimeters per year. Diseases and pest infestation further depresses the low growth rates.
What the book needs for optimal growth
In order for your freshly planted boxwood trees to grow at the speed they are hoping for and quickly develop a shiny, dense foliage, they need ideal growth conditions. That's part of it:
Therefore, the boxwood does not grow
There are many reasons for the lack of growth of a boxwood.
Do not plant boxwood too deeply
A common mistake is the too deep planting of the young boxwood plants. Place them as deep as before in the planter, so that the flat, close below the surface awake root system can spread unhindered. The deep plantation is often a reason why the young book does not want to grow quite. Drought stress also leads to growth inhibition, especially if it occurs during the rooting phase. To avoid this, you should cover the root area with a mulch layer about five to seven centimeters thick and water the young plants regularly.
Wrong cutting
Incorrect cutting also has an inhibiting effect on the growth of the boxwood. Just cut young shrubs in the first years after planting after budding in spring. Do not shorten the whole new shoot to the old wood, but leave a few centimeters. In this way you promote the growth of new branches. Also, do not cut later than September so that any subsequent fresh-sprouting branches will not freeze in winter.
Pests and diseases
Of course boxwood does not grow when it is weakened by a disease or a massive pest infestation and simply has no powers left for a new shootout. Check your plants regularly for diseases or pests and take appropriate countermeasures. In many cases - especially if it is a fungal disease - a strong pruning is necessary. To strengthen the plant afterwards, it needs a fertilizer with organic material, such as compost and horn shavings.
Tips
In addition to a shortage of nutrients and over-fertilization, especially with nitrogen, a reason for the susceptibility of the boxwood for diseases and pests. Use organic fertilizers wherever possible.