what could be wrong with my boxus

mim · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject: what could be wrong with my boxus

I have a lovely buxus in a tub on my patio. just came back from my holidays to find it covered in what looks like dandruff. Is it a pest or disease how do i treat it. Sad

Liparis · Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 11:32 am Post subject:

Picture?
Bill.

mim · Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject:

thanks liparis

Liparis · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 8:26 am Post subject:

Looks like wooly aphid to me. You'll need a systemic insecticide. It's a wee bit blurred so could be mealy bug, but needs the same treatment. If it's not too heavily infected you could wipe it off with Isopropyl Alcohol.
Bill.

michael brenock · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 11:21 am Post subject:

bill, i would have opted for same pests but i think it is probably box sucker (psylla spp) which used to be controlled by Rogor as the picture is not great it is impossible to be more certain. Mealy bugs are more non specific and could attack almost anything.
if it is anew plant then mealy bugs are more likely from the propagotion/growing on area.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

James Kilkelly · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 11:31 am Post subject:

Folks if you right click on the image and click on "View image" it makes it a bit bigger for closer inspection.
This works on many of the images posted on these forums.

Liparis · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 1:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks, michael, my preference would have been for wooly aphid, but I just can't tell. So I'll go with your option
I don't get that option GPI. Isn't that FireFox browser that gives you that option?
Bill.
PS. can see a bigger version below the reply box, it's fuzzy, but don't think it's woolybug.

mim · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject:

hi you guys this picture is better.

Liparis · Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 8:38 am Post subject:

Thanks for the improved picture.
Michael's correct, mim. It's Box sucker. Spray with Doff, you can buy a hand sprayer of it pre-mixed from most garden centres and spray regularly. At bud-break in the spring, give a spray then to get any overwintering and control them. It's usually the young growh they are found on. If your clipping regularly, little treatment is needed as you will be clipping them off. Young plants will need treatment where they aren't being clipped regularly.
Growth gets stunted, but seldom any other problems except virus tranmission is possible if other plants of Buxus in the area are virused.
Bill.

mim · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject: thanks to you guys

thanks for the help guys. i now have two healthy looking boxus again. I gave the plants a good clipping and used a bug spray. I did not like using the spray but i paid a lot for the plants and realy wanted to give them a chance. I also used a hose on the plants each evening to try and realy clean off the sucker i ll take a picture of them in a few more days they should be looking realy good by then.

Liparis · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:31 am Post subject:

mim, never feel guilty about resorting to sprays, sometimes we have to, especially when something we have invested money and time into is in danger of being lost. Sometimes you see posts put up which are a bit self-righteous if you ask me. The thing is to do what your gut tells you to do, just don't over do it. Organic is fine, but so is conventional, just reduce the chemicals.
It's a bit like harvesting your own power from the sun/wind, it's not going to work 100%, for a while, we have to resort to generated power at times.
Bill.