What is the reason why boxwood leaves turn yellow and dry?

Boxwood is an evergreen tree or shrub with small leaves that remain evergreen all year round, giving it a fresh and elegant feel, making it very suitable for the creation of miniature or micro bonsai. However, in the process of maintaining bonsai, many people often encounter the problem of yellowing and drying leaves. What is the cause? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Improper watering

If you water too much for a long time, the soil in the pot will remain moist, which may cause root rot and cause the leaves to turn yellow. Similarly, too little watering can easily cause the leaves to wilt, and in severe cases, they may turn yellow and wither.

Solution: Water when the plant is dry and water when the soil is wet. Pay attention to keeping the soil moist. When there is a lack of water, replenish water in time. In summer, spray water on the leaves every day to keep the leaves clean.

2. Improper lighting

Boxwood bonsai likes light, but cannot be exposed to excessive sunlight, as this will cause the leaves to wither and turn yellow. In addition, boxwood is relatively shade-tolerant, but it cannot be without light for a long time, as the leaves will turn yellow if it is without light for a long time.

Solution: Boxwood needs plenty of sunlight to grow luxuriantly. But it is a little afraid of strong light, so it is best to place it in a well-ventilated semi-shaded place for maintenance.

3. Unsuitable soil

Heavy alkaline or compacted soil may cause boxwood leaves to turn yellow.

Solution: Boxwood prefers fertile, loose, slightly acidic soil or slightly alkaline loam. During daily maintenance at home, you can generally mix it with four parts of slag, four parts of humus or garden soil, and two parts of river sand.

4. Improper fertilization

Too much fertilizer can cause root burn, resulting in thickening, deformity, and yellowing of leaves. However, insufficient nutrients can also cause yellowing of boxwood leaves.

Solution: Apply fertilizer appropriately. Fertilization requires frequent application of thin fertilizers. You can apply decomposed thin cake fertilizer water once every 20 days or so, and then apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers before winter to ensure its safe wintering.

5. Pest and disease control

Boxwood may be affected by pests and diseases, such as aphids, red spiders, leaf blight, etc., which can also cause problems such as yellow leaves and wilting.

Solution: For diseases such as leaf blight, the diseased leaves should be cut off in time at the early stage of the disease. At the same time, you can spray pesticides to prevent the spread. For insect pests, such as aphids and red spiders, you can use Qilin Zhiru or Guangzheng, add 200 kilograms of water to one bottle, and spray evenly for prevention and control.

In general, there are many reasons why boxwood leaves turn yellow and dry. The key is to find the cause and solve it accordingly, and basically there will be no major problems. But the key is to do a good job of daily maintenance and prevention.