Nobody will like brown patches in the once lush green hedge. As understandable as the desire to turn them green quickly is, the cause must first be found. Are pruning errors or dryness to blame? Is there a nutrient deficiency or is a disease spreading?
If the entire hedge turns brown, there is cause for concern
Cutting error
Conifers tolerate pruning. In order to get the shape of a coniferous hedge or to get dense foliage, it is cut twice a year. Each cut ties up a lot of time, but must not be left out.
Unfortunately, it often happens that some owners do not trim their coniferous hedge regularly. A radical cut follows, which is supposed to compensate for the omissions. The green shoot tips are completely removed, the brown spots hidden underneath become visible. Since conifers do not sprout from old wood, they are not closed by new greenery.
- use nearby green branches
- bend to the bald spot
- with cable ties, wire or similar. fasten loosely
- New growth grows in the direction of the brown spot
- the gap is closed in green
Long periods of drought
Rainy days in summer can cause brown spots in the coniferous hedge if their owner does not specifically improve the water balance. Even the entire hedge can turn brown. The trees usually recover by themselves by sprouting again at better times.
In order not to further expand the unsightly picture with brown, water with the garden hose as quickly as possible. Since the dried out soil has a hard time absorbing water, dig a ditch around each affected conifer. Then fill it up with water.
magnesium deficiency
A conifer needs magnesium for its green growth. If the soil is poor in it and the element is not added when fertilizing, the deficiency symptoms appear brown. The spots are mainly found in the lower area and in the middle of the conifer.
- fertilize magnesium immediately
- Observe dosage instructions and dosage form
- fertilize with magnesium in the future
Brown patches as a sign of disease
Some types of conifers are susceptible to mold diseases, for example the thuja. Affected branches turn brown and eventually die. If you act quickly, you can defeat the disease easily.
- Remove and discard affected branches
- Disinfect interfaces
- if necessary, fight with a commercially available agent
tips
Moisture promotes mold diseases. Cut your hedge conically, i. H. narrower above than below. In this way, the entire hedge is reached by the sun and can dry off well after rain. If the coniferous hedge has completely dried up, you must remove it from the garden.