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Remove a layer of soil under the plants to get rid of infected leaf fragments. Replace with fresh soil (do not overfill) Prune shrubs to give an open structure (which will again improve air circulation and reduce humidity) Then rinse sprayer thoroughly after use and dispose of washings safely by pouring onto bare soil. Once the bottle is empty, RINSE CONTAINER THOROUGHLY before disposal by manually rinsing three times. This can be done by filling the dosing chamber with clean water, replacing the cap and tipping the water into the bottle. Repeat steps 1 – 4 above to add washings to sprayer at time of filling and dispose of empty container safely. The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner. Non-chemical control Even if you are prepared to use garden fungicides, they are unlikely to be successful as the sole strategy for managing box blight outbreaks. Pruning out and removing infected leaf litter (including soil contaminated with it) are equally important.
The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner.Consider whether the design of the garden is optimal. Alternative plants may be preferable in high risk areas
To minimise the risk of resistant fungal strains, apply a maximum of 4 applications per crop per growing season. Use at times of high disease risk. WITHHOLDING PERIOD: Bayer Fungus Fighter Plus and Bayer Fungus Fighter Concentrate have label recommendations for box blight and can be applied up to six times per year. If treatment is needed in spring, consider saving some applications in case it recurs in the autumn. Triticonazole (Fungus Clear Ultra) is labelled for the control of other diseases on ornamentals and could therefore be used legally on box (at the owner's risk) to try and control box blight. Follow label instructions for use (avoid spraying when rain is expected, but also in bright sunshine or when plants are dry at the roots).Spray the whole plant evenly until just before run-off (before drips start to form at the tips of leaves). Something else I like about Fungus Fighter Plus is that it’s safe to use around insects and other beneficial organisms, making it a safe choice that won’t disrupt your garden’s ecosystem. Fungus Fighter: at a glance