· Management Diseased branches should be pruned out and when the foliage is dry. An important measure to help prevent and control Volutella is thinning (instead of shearing) boxwood to improve air circulation and light penetration. Thinning is a type of pruning that removes interior stems. · Spray boxwood with a copper-based fungicide before new growth emerges in spring, then spray again immediately following pruning, and again in summer and autumn. Spray carefully to penetrate the thick foliage. Remember that fungicides can be an effective preventive measure, but they are not a cure. This disease is caused by an opportunistic fungal pathogen that attacks leaves and stems of damaged or stressed plants. Winter injury, poor vigor, and stem wounds increase risk for Volutella blight. All species and cultivars of boxwood are susceptible. A combination of chlorothalonil (trade names include Bravo, Daconil or Fung-onil) and thiophanate methyl (Cleary 3336) can provide good control of Volutella blight if used preventatively or at the very early stage of symptom expression. A distinguishing symptom of volutella blight, diferentiating it from boxwoodblight, is that necrotic leaves cup upward and remain atached to branches even after branch death, although defoliation will occur over time (Figure 1), while rapid defoliation is observed in boxwoodblight. Due to the dense and compact growth of boxwood, thorough spray coverage on branches and foliage is critical to achieve effective disease control. Fungicides that are registered for the disease include copper-based products, propiconazole, thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil, and mancozeb. · Volutella Blight of Buxaceae Overview: Caused by Coccinonectria & Pseudonectria spp. Specifically, boxwood, pachysandra, and sarcococca Mature leaves are more resistant than young leaves Warm weather pathogen: 68-77F+, 85%+ humidity is ideal Overwinters in boxwood branches, leaves, and plant debris from the previous season Find deals and low prices on popular products at Amazon.com. Browse & discover thousands of brands. Read customer reviews & find best sellers
