I was half way through pruning a seemingly happy boxwood when I discovered some curled mal-formed leaves. Pic below. Then I found some rotten looking dead leaves, one of which was black. Post #2. When I pulled the shrub apart, it looked pretty tight inside so I thinned it out. Still this looks I caught something early. Anyone seen this before? All suggestions welcome.
Other photo.
I think more than one thing is at work here. This contains some great information that should be useful to you: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/faqs/boxwoodfaq2.html
ceejaytown,
Thank you so much. The photo on that site is spot on. I guess I will sit it out and wait until next spring. For anyone else with a similar problem, here is what the site says about the curling.
"Curled leaves are the work of the boxwood psyllid, a small sucking insect that appears about the time the new foliage appears in spring. Growth is stunted and the leaves curl in response to psyllid feeding. Tolerate the damage unless most of the branch tips are infected; psyllids rarely affect the long term health of boxwood. When necessary, control psyllids by spraying plants thoroughly with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap as soon as they appear in spring."
I thinned the plant not exactly according to instructions, but with similar results. Again, here is the link for anyone trying to thin a boxwood. Excellent, clear instructions. I will use those on my five remaining boxwoods.
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/faqs/BoxwoodThinning.html
thanks so much.
I'm glad I could help!
