Troubleshooting
Faulkner box problems — and how to fix them
Faulkner box (Buxus microphylla 'Faulkner') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Box blight resistance not immunity
Faulkner shows improved blight resistance but can still be infected by Cylindrocladium buxicola in prolonged warm, wet weather. Maintain good air circulation, sterilise cutting tools between specimens, and avoid overhead irrigation. Remove and bin (do not compost) any infected material immediately.
Box tree moth caterpillar (Cydalima perspectalis)
Caterpillars strip foliage and create webbing from inside the canopy; can defoliate a clipped ball in days. Check regularly from April to October; apply Bacillus thuringiensis-based spray or use a pheromone trap system. Remove egg masses from leaf undersides.
Root rot in containers
Container-grown specimens are vulnerable to Phytophthora root rot if overwatered or if pots lack adequate drainage holes. Use free-draining compost mixed with 20–30% perlite, and elevate pots to allow free drainage. Reduce watering frequency in winter.
Prevent faulkner box problems before they start
Most faulkner box issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for faulkner box in general rather than its problems? Read the full faulkner box care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Faulkner box problems — FAQ
Why is my faulkner box box blight resistance not immunity?
Faulkner shows improved blight resistance but can still be infected by Cylindrocladium buxicola in prolonged warm, wet weather. Maintain good air circulation, sterilise cutting tools between specimens, and avoid overhead irrigation. Remove and bin (do not compost) any infected material immediately.
Why is my faulkner box box tree moth caterpillar (cydalima perspectalis)?
Caterpillars strip foliage and create webbing from inside the canopy; can defoliate a clipped ball in days. Check regularly from April to October; apply Bacillus thuringiensis-based spray or use a pheromone trap system. Remove egg masses from leaf undersides.
Why is my faulkner box root rot in containers?
Container-grown specimens are vulnerable to Phytophthora root rot if overwatered or if pots lack adequate drainage holes. Use free-draining compost mixed with 20–30% perlite, and elevate pots to allow free drainage. Reduce watering frequency in winter.