By Stonehenge
United Kingdom 
I have a large clipped boxus sempervivum which was transplanted a year ago. I have noticed that the leaves on the inside of the shrub are turning yellow and falling. There is new growth on the outside though so the shrub is still looking green, but large areas on the inside of the shrub are gradually getting bear.
I fear this is some root fungus . Could you kindly advise me as to whether o not there is any disease control I can consider please?
Thank you.
Sandra
3 Jul, 2011
Answers
Thank you for getting back to me. The additional details you enquired about are as follows:
- The plant is 95cm in diameter.
- I think we transplanted it in September last year and all has been fine until now.
- climate wise, we live in the South West, in Wiltshire.
I hope this helps you get a better idea of what might be the problem.
Many thanks in anticipation.
6 Jul, 2011
My feeling is its suffered drought - when you move a large plant like that, even though you did it at the right time, it needs to be treated as if its a new tree, i.e, a couple of gallons of water a week during dry spells in spring and summer. There is something called Box sucker, but that makes the leaves nearer the outside look like small cabbages, quite distorted, and that's not what you're describing. Box is one of the plants which can be regenerated or renovated by severe pruning back - preferably in winter when the plant is dormant, so that's what I'd suggest for yours. This should force new healthy growth next year.
6 Jul, 2011
Thank you very much for your advice.
6 Jul, 2011
When you say it was transplanted a year ago, precisely when did you move it? And how large is the plant and what part of the country are you in?
4 Jul, 2011