Dying boxes

[HeyWayne]

Now I appreciate that could mean something completely different, but I am, for once being serious.

In our back garden we have two box hedges in large pots, and they've been there about 3 years now.

However, they have gone orange this year - the plants that is, not the pots.

I seem to remember reading/seeing somewhere that these things can die from the inside out.

Do you reckon they've had it?

[Jeanied]

Could it be blight or a physiological problem?
here's a discussion on this link
Box Hedging Diseases
It looks into box blight - despite appearances!

[lainey lou]

Mine has an orange bit on it too but is otherwise healthy, could it just be the cold?

[Nicos]

My first thought is that you say that they are 'going orange' not 'dying'

Often leaves go miscoloured due to lack of nutrients- do they need a darn good feed?
They certainly don't like boggy soil- were they overwatered over the winter period?
I wonder if the frost has affected some of the roots ( being in tubs) ??

I found this link about box leaves dropping from the inside

Dying box bushes - UBC Botanical Garden Forums

I certainly wouldn't give up on them yet- this winter's been extreme for all plants- but esp for those in tubs (* keeps looking lovingly at own Olive tree)

Good luck- I bet they look superb in summer!

[HeyWayne]

I wouldn't imagine that they are over watered as they are in quite large pots.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l7...facingEast.jpg

They don't look quite like that now (but neither does teh garden to be honest)

I'll have a closer inspection at the weekend and see what I see.

[Glutton4...]

In my experience, Buxus will go orange through over or under watering. I you haven't done so in the last year it could be worth removing the top layer of compost/soil from the tubs and topping up with fresh. Experts advise doing that with most containers, but many of us (myself included) overlook this! Good luck with 'em.