James Todman
In one of the larger gardens where I work, we’ve been having a lot more success with controlling box blight. Weather conditions have been very similar to last year when blight was really bad – a warm, wet autumn. But the difference this year is our speed of action. As soon as I or one […]
The mini heatwave we had earlier this month has been playing havoc with my box trimming. The weather on two days was too hot and sunny to even contemplate clipping box. In extreme sunny weather and with temperatures in the thirties (Celsius), the risk of sun scorch is too high. And the risk to the […]
A couple of the box balls at a property where I often work are not looking good. The Buxus was planted in April- not by me I should add. Symptoms Box blight is my first concern, especially with browning of leaves like this. But no tell-tale black streaks are on the stems- an indication of […]
I normally work an eight hour day. About an hour is spent unloading and loading tools. This includes disinfecting the clipping equipment, sharpening the blades and laying out the drop sheets to catch the trimmings. About five hours is spent clipping. Add on two fifteen minute breaks and half an hour for lunch. This is […]
The weather recently has been quite humid so I was not surprised to spot the first indications of box blight. When clipping I noticed the blackening of a few leaves on top of the box plant. This is an early sign of a box blight outbreak. If ignored the blackening would spread across the top […]
The box tree caterpillar has been causing havoc since arriving here in the UK around 2007. Box tree moths lay their eggs on Buxus and the resulting caterpillars will feast voraciously on the leaves (and sometimes the stems) until the plant is stripped bare. Look out for the caterpillar between March and October. The box […]
Spring is a wonderful time of the year. Bulbs are coming into flower, fat buds on the trees are about to burst and herbaceous perennials are tentatively nudging their way out of the soil. Box (Buxus) is also one of the early risers and new growth may already be appearing if the weather warms. But […]