Caterpillars killed my bush. What now?
Discussion
Gren said:
We cleared out 20m of box hedge over the weekend. Buggers got the lot - front and back gardens. All in the 2 weeks we were away on holiday.
We've replaced one hedge with Yew and one with Euonymus 'Jean Hughes' which looks just like box but doesn't die.
God that's grim.We've replaced one hedge with Yew and one with Euonymus 'Jean Hughes' which looks just like box but doesn't die.
Luckily my infestation seems to be limited to the borders in my back garden as there are massive hedges out front between houses 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in my cul-de-sac. I sprayed mine as a precaution but really they all need doing, really.
Also, luckily, my eagle-eyed wife spotted the early signs.
Even if you're there it's easy to miss until it's too late.
rxe said:
For future reference, drenching it in a can of fly killer works well….
Noted - thank youAC43 said:
If you're near Denham you can swing by Tendercare and see what they've got - I've bought a lot of large-ish shrubs from there and some small to medium trees.
There are several other nurseries in the same area, I just happen to have used Tendercare and can recommend them.
If nothing else you'll get some good advice.
Thanks, not close to Denham but there are local nurseries that I might try. There are several other nurseries in the same area, I just happen to have used Tendercare and can recommend them.
If nothing else you'll get some good advice.
AC43 said:
Another vote for Xen Tari. I first experienced the box moths in a rental 4 years ago. I was keeping a lot of pots in the garden with various plants in including a number of boxes. By the time I figured out what was going on, one was finished and the rest were badly damaged. The latter have since recovered and are now planted in borders round my garden.
Spotted what looked like a new outbreak the other day and, right enough, loads of caterpillars and eggs. Nipped it in the bud with some heavy spraying.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOPBUXUS-XenTari-Professi...
Thanks for the link - very helpful! Wonder if it's too late this time though...Spotted what looked like a new outbreak the other day and, right enough, loads of caterpillars and eggs. Nipped it in the bud with some heavy spraying.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOPBUXUS-XenTari-Professi...
Gren said:
We cleared out 20m of box hedge over the weekend. Buggers got the lot - front and back gardens. All in the 2 weeks we were away on holiday.
We've replaced one hedge with Yew and one with Euonymus 'Jean Hughes' which looks just like box but doesn't die.
Seen a few mentions on English Yew elsewhere so that might be an option - thank youWe've replaced one hedge with Yew and one with Euonymus 'Jean Hughes' which looks just like box but doesn't die.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
What on Earth are you blithering on about?
Unfortunately the OP seems to be taking your advice to rip it out and burn it.
Why???
I think you’re getting confused with box blight, for which it definitely is necessary to rip it up and destroy.
But what we have here is not a disease, so there is no need to burn anything. And actually box is amazingly resilient, and I really think there’s a chance that plant might come back. It’s certainly worth giving it a chance before giving up on it, because any replacement will be eye-wateringly expensive at that size.
As others have said, XenTari is the answer. It is totally effective against box tree caterpillars. It’s available on Amazon. And the best thing is that it only affects things that eat the box plant, which is pretty much only box caterpillars. So it doesn’t harm anything else.
The OP should get XenTari, and buy one of those pump-up sprayers from a garden centre. Spray what’s left of this plant, and any other box plants. Then wait and see what this plant does, at least into next spring. With luck, it’ll come back strongly next year.
And then, the OP should spray box plants with XenTari routinely, maybe about every six weeks during the summer months.
OP: Please don’t just take the first bit of advice offered on this thread. As you’ve discovered, replacing your box will cost a fortune, and there’s a good chance it’s unnecessary. Your box isn’t dead, it’s just had all its leaves eaten off. It might well come back if you give it a chance. Of course if you decide you don’t want to wait and are willing to fork out for a replacement, then fair enough - but this isn’t your only option. And I say again: your box isn’t dead!
Ah, a Dr enters the thread! Unfortunately the OP seems to be taking your advice to rip it out and burn it.
Why???
I think you’re getting confused with box blight, for which it definitely is necessary to rip it up and destroy.
But what we have here is not a disease, so there is no need to burn anything. And actually box is amazingly resilient, and I really think there’s a chance that plant might come back. It’s certainly worth giving it a chance before giving up on it, because any replacement will be eye-wateringly expensive at that size.
As others have said, XenTari is the answer. It is totally effective against box tree caterpillars. It’s available on Amazon. And the best thing is that it only affects things that eat the box plant, which is pretty much only box caterpillars. So it doesn’t harm anything else.
The OP should get XenTari, and buy one of those pump-up sprayers from a garden centre. Spray what’s left of this plant, and any other box plants. Then wait and see what this plant does, at least into next spring. With luck, it’ll come back strongly next year.
And then, the OP should spray box plants with XenTari routinely, maybe about every six weeks during the summer months.
OP: Please don’t just take the first bit of advice offered on this thread. As you’ve discovered, replacing your box will cost a fortune, and there’s a good chance it’s unnecessary. Your box isn’t dead, it’s just had all its leaves eaten off. It might well come back if you give it a chance. Of course if you decide you don’t want to wait and are willing to fork out for a replacement, then fair enough - but this isn’t your only option. And I say again: your box isn’t dead!
Don't worry - I'm not taking the first piece of advice, hence hanging on for 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions.
However, the box looks very, VERY dead. There's literally not a single green leaf left on the entire thing. At this point, what do I do if not get rid? Spray the hell out of it with XenTari and wait and see what happens in the spring?
Is there a way of working out of it's DEAD dead or just not-quite-dead-and-might-make-a-recovery-dead? The idea of bringing it back to life by spraying it with stuff from Amazon is bang in the centre of my low-cost, low-skill, low-effort method of gardening
Dr Murdoch said:
Mine looked like that two years ago, but recovered fine. The buggers have done it again though, bit late with the treatment this year.
Stick with it, it will come back, but might take a year or two to come back to its former glory.
Two Doctors!?!? Both in agreement!?! Now we're talking! Stick with it, it will come back, but might take a year or two to come back to its former glory.
Right, I've ordered some of the magic spray from Amazon and I'm going to give my big box a chance (ahem). Tune in next spring for another exciting instalment to find out what happens
Thanks to everyone for their advice - PH delivers once again
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
What on Earth are you blithering on about?
As others have said, XenTari is the answer. It is totally effective against box tree caterpillars. It’s available on Amazon. And the best thing is that it only affects things that eat the box plant, which is pretty much only box caterpillars. So it doesn’t harm anything else.
The OP should get XenTari, and buy one of those pump-up sprayers from a garden centre. Spray what’s left of this plant, and any other box plants. Then wait and see what this plant does, at least into next spring. With luck, it’ll come back strongly next year.
And then, the OP should spray box plants with XenTari routinely, maybe about every six weeks during the summer months.
Thank you for posting this. I was planning to douse mine in lighter fluid this weekend but would rather not lose the plants so I'll do a bit more research As others have said, XenTari is the answer. It is totally effective against box tree caterpillars. It’s available on Amazon. And the best thing is that it only affects things that eat the box plant, which is pretty much only box caterpillars. So it doesn’t harm anything else.
The OP should get XenTari, and buy one of those pump-up sprayers from a garden centre. Spray what’s left of this plant, and any other box plants. Then wait and see what this plant does, at least into next spring. With luck, it’ll come back strongly next year.
And then, the OP should spray box plants with XenTari routinely, maybe about every six weeks during the summer months.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Wednesday 8th September 09:41
I've found this has also worked on killing the little stripey buggers too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resolva-Bug-Killer-Ready-...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resolva-Bug-Killer-Ready-...
The test I use to determine if somethings dead is to try bending a stem. If it snaps with a sudden clean break then it’s dead (or at least, that part of the plant is dead); if there’s any give or bendiness in the stem then it’s too early to administer last rites!
I’d be surprised if that box is dead, even though it might look totally kaput (those caterpillars really do cause devastation). And whilst there’s no guarantee it’ll come back, I think there’s a 60-70% chance that it will - and I think I’m being conservative. It might even start making new leaves and shoots within a few weeks if the weather stays warm.
I’d be surprised if that box is dead, even though it might look totally kaput (those caterpillars really do cause devastation). And whilst there’s no guarantee it’ll come back, I think there’s a 60-70% chance that it will - and I think I’m being conservative. It might even start making new leaves and shoots within a few weeks if the weather stays warm.
Californian Lilac is also a nice evergreen shrub to put in. Nice bee friendly flowers in the spring/summer and can get nice and big. Our Boxus was attacked twice this year but luckily my wife was on it with spray so I think it has all survived.
The Californian Lilac (Ceanothus) however was hit with something else - possibly the heavy frost we had this year and all the leaves shrivelled up. I cut the damaged stuff off first an then had to remove it when that too died. There was some fungus at the bottom when I lifted it - looked like black stalagmites ... possibly unrelated.
Pip
The Californian Lilac (Ceanothus) however was hit with something else - possibly the heavy frost we had this year and all the leaves shrivelled up. I cut the damaged stuff off first an then had to remove it when that too died. There was some fungus at the bottom when I lifted it - looked like black stalagmites ... possibly unrelated.
Pip
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
The test I use to determine if somethings dead is to try bending a stem. If it snaps with a sudden clean break then it’s dead (or at least, that part of the plant is dead); if there’s any give or bendiness in the stem then it’s too early to administer last rites!
I’d be surprised if that box is dead, even though it might look totally kaput (those caterpillars really do cause devastation). And whilst there’s no guarantee it’ll come back, I think there’s a 60-70% chance that it will - and I think I’m being conservative. It might even start making new leaves and shoots within a few weeks if the weather stays warm.
Last time round I had one that ended up looking like that and it never came back.I’d be surprised if that box is dead, even though it might look totally kaput (those caterpillars really do cause devastation). And whilst there’s no guarantee it’ll come back, I think there’s a 60-70% chance that it will - and I think I’m being conservative. It might even start making new leaves and shoots within a few weeks if the weather stays warm.
Others that were less badly damaged did eventually recover but it took a while for them to regain their previous shape and density.
My job this lunchtime is to given them a second drenching with Zen Tari to make sure I've eliminated all the f
kers.I've also signed up to the Amazon delivery on a 6 monthly basis to remind me to do it it again mid-year.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
The test I use to determine if somethings dead is to try bending a stem. If it snaps with a sudden clean break then it’s dead (or at least, that part of the plant is dead); if there’s any give or bendiness in the stem then it’s too early to administer last rites!
I’d be surprised if that box is dead, even though it might look totally kaput (those caterpillars really do cause devastation). And whilst there’s no guarantee it’ll come back, I think there’s a 60-70% chance that it will - and I think I’m being conservative. It might even start making new leaves and shoots within a few weeks if the weather stays warm.
Yet more practical advice! A massive, massive thank you. I’d be surprised if that box is dead, even though it might look totally kaput (those caterpillars really do cause devastation). And whilst there’s no guarantee it’ll come back, I think there’s a 60-70% chance that it will - and I think I’m being conservative. It might even start making new leaves and shoots within a few weeks if the weather stays warm.
So I've been outside to have bit of a closer look and... there are signs of life. I found one (yes, one) green leaf still on the plant. And, although every other leaf is brown, dead and covered in web, dust and god-knows-what else those little sods leave behind, the stalks themselves are still actually green, and bend without breaking.
So, the magic spray arrives tomorrow and I can get cracking!
One last question.. is it best to 'give it the once over' with the trimmer to clear off all the dead stuff on the 'outside' before spraying and leaving it to come back to life? Or should I just leave as-is (covered in all that crap) and spray away?
Thanks in advance!
MDifficult said:
One last question.. is it best to 'give it the once over' with the trimmer to clear off all the dead stuff on the 'outside' before spraying and leaving it to come back to life? Or should I just leave as-is (covered in all that crap) and spray away?
I think I’d leave it and spray as it is.The way XenTari works is that you’re spraying the plant rather than the caterpillars. The plant absorbs the active ingredients through its leaves and stems, then when the caterpillars next take a chomp they get a dose. It has two effects: firstly it immediately stops them eating, thus halting the damage; secondly it attacks their guts and enters their bloodstream. They go totally black, which is quite satisfying!
So… given that you need the plant to absorb the XenTari, you therefore want as much of the remaining foliage as possible to provide a surface for absorption. So I reckon it’s probably best not to prune it.
As to whether you should prune it later, I’m not sure! I think you could give it a haircut to get rid of some of the ugly damaged growth. Evergreen plants are often reluctant to regrow from older stems, but I’ve read that box will. I’ve never tried cutting mine beyond a little bit of shaping. I think I’d only cut it back a little bit. If it comes back, you’ll be surprised how quickly the new growth starts to hide the damage.
Pip1968 said:
The Californian Lilac (Ceanothus) however was hit with something else - possibly the heavy frost we had this year and all the leaves shrivelled up. I cut the damaged stuff off first an then had to remove it when that too died. There was some fungus at the bottom when I lifted it - looked like black stalagmites ... possibly unrelated.
I love Ceanothus too - it hums with bee activity when it’s flowering.But it’s not as hardy as you’d like, and can be killed by a really cold night. Anything much below -5°C is a risk, and -10°C would probably be curtains. I’ve also lost them to the dreaded honey fungus as well.
MDifficult said:
One last question.. is it best to 'give it the once over' with the trimmer to clear off all the dead stuff on the 'outside' before spraying and leaving it to come back to life? Or should I just leave as-is (covered in all that crap) and spray away?
As I said at the start - the plant may well recover from the existing structure - you just need to make sure you kill the caterpillar and it's eggs - if you want to have a chance of keeping it, get some Xentari and spray now, and in about 3 weeks and probably a few weeks after that. I'd also give the plant some TLC over winter. It may not work, but it likely will. Fairly soon it'll be too cold for the caterpillars anyway so you plant will get some respite.You will need to get into a routine of spraying annually (at least twice) - as someone's mentioned, i use a little pump sprayer to make it easier but do have quite a few individual plants and four hedges to contend with
Just noticed a couple of small areas of damage on my box, and checked closely. Sure enough, I found a couple of caterpillars. I kick myself for being complacent - it’s probably been a couple of months since I last sprayed, and it was my intention to spray monthly.
So I’ve sprayed now. Hopefully I’ve caught it early - there weren’t many caterpillars and they were quite hard to find.
So I’ve sprayed now. Hopefully I’ve caught it early - there weren’t many caterpillars and they were quite hard to find.
MDifficult said:
There’s some tiny signs of life! Thanks for asking.
I’ve got the stuff so I’ll be spraying liberally through the whole year to be on the safe side!
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