The boxwood, which is still popular in the garden as a border, hedge or topiary, is unfortunately very susceptible to infestation by fungi or animal pests. White flakes on the leaves and shoots, for example, are often an indication of sucking insect pests such as the boxwood leaf sucker or mealybugs.
Mealybugs leave white flakes
boxwood leaf sucker
The boxwood leaf sucker, also known as the boxwood leaf sucker, prefers to suckle on the young leaves, but also on fresh shoots, which causes various deformations. Similar to mealybugs and mealybugs, which also suck leaf juice, the pests excrete protective wax threads. In the case of a severe infestation, the leaves and shoots are also covered by a sticky layer of honeydew, which in turn can be covered with the blackish sooty mold fungus. The adult fleas lay their eggs on the box tree in summer, from which the larvae then hatch. These finally overwinter in the larvae stage directly on the plant.
damage picture
The leaves on the young shoots are deformed like a spoon or blistered. If you take a closer look at the affected shoots, you can see white flakes of waxy wool there. These contain the yellow-brown leaf suckers, which are not dissimilar to aphids. In the case of a severe infestation, the leaves are also covered in sticky, sweet honeydew.
combat
In the event of a severe infestation, cut back the shoot tips of the boxwood in summer. Preparations based on neem or rapeseed oil, with which you spray the infested plants until dripping wet, are also well suited for hobby and home gardens.
Mealybugs and mealybugs
White, cotton-like webs on the leaves and shoots and sometimes also on the roots can also result from an infestation with mealybugs and mealybugs. The approximately three to seven millimeter long animals also feast on the nutrient-rich leaf juice and can cause severe damage.
damage picture
The structures, reminiscent of cotton wool, are cocoons with which the pests protect themselves from predators. An infestation shows you first by yellowing and drying up leaves, which are often shed after some time. Shoots and leaves wither, and the growth of the plant is inhibited due to the lack of nutrients. The white clusters with the animals are mainly located on the undersides of the leaves and in the branches of the shoots and the leaf axils.
combat
A vigorous spraying with neem or rapeseed oil preparations also helps with these plant lice, although you should shade box trees that have been treated in this way. Otherwise, the combination of a sunny location and an oil treatment can quickly lead to unsightly leaf burns. If, on the other hand, the infestation is already far advanced, the only thing that can help is the pruning shears. Cut away affected shoots and leaves generously.
tips
If, on the other hand, the white flakes can be seen in the course of the spring shoot-out and further damage to the boxwood is not recognizable, this is by no means a pest infestation. Instead, the light, protective layer of wax bursts off the new shoots and leaf buds.