Buxus soil question

John Dixon

Greg,

I live near Charlotte and I may have met you at Torppa's. I have to believe that pH isn't the issue. Your soil mix seems very low on added nutrient pine bark. As a matter of fact, are you sure the soil isn't too free-draining? I don't believe that boxwood foliage has much of a wilting look, even when too dry. The size of the particles may be a factor also. Salt build up in the soil is a sneaking suspicion (does the container show signs of mineral build up?).

If you can remove the rootball from the container, look at it and see what the condition is. If it has good feeder roots and is not pot-bound, just change the lost soil and gently work some in with a chopstick (not now, but maybe early April). Test it now by trying to push a small chopstick through the soil. If you find it difficult, you may be pot bound. I would also ensure that any of the original soil in the original rootball be closely examined. If you find black dead roots, a rotten smell, too much moisture, that may be the problem. It will have to be removed, or the tree will suffer even more.

If you are absolutely sure that the tree is getting enough water retention, I'd recommend partial shade and some high phosphorus additive. Marc's fertilizer is fine with me (I've used it too), but maybe hold off on it for a while. Foliar feed with some fish emulsion when it gets warmer.

That's about all I know to recommend, other than a spraying of neem oil for any critter that may be to blame.

Good luck,

John

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John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

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