We recently transplanted some boxwood bushes and now they're turning brown, HELP!!?

Question

We planted them about 3 weeks ago, and right after we planted them we trimmed them up. At first they looked great, but now they're turning brownish and the leaves are curling up.

They are still at least 3/4 green, but the August heat has been brutal. I have started trying to water them every day, twice a day if I remember, but I'm wondering if I continue to water them really really well if I can save them? Is there a way to tell if they're too far gone? Is there any food or anything they need?

Someone please help of I'm going to lose 8 beautiful nice sized boxwood bushes!!! (They are about 3 feet diameter) Also, we live in Ohio.

Answer 1

The odds are that they are not getting enough water. You can check this very easily. Just dig down with your hand to the rootball the plant came with. It should be very close to the surface. All of the plants roots are still within this rootball. You are probably watering enough to get the surrounding soil wet, but the plant is only able to use the water in the rootball. If this is the case, the soil in the rootball will be dry. You may have to temporarily pull back the mulch or soil covering the rootball so you can soak it with a hose. This is a very common problem with new plantings, particularly when it is hot and the plant is using alot of water. Eventually the plant will establish roots in the surrounding soil and all will be fine.

Answer 2

Transplanting Boxwoods

Answer 3

Don't feed them. You mentioned the hot August we have all been having. Yes, they are most likely way to dry!

Transplanting in the hot time of summer is brutal on plant. You should have been keeping the WELL watered all along. You must water them deeply so water goes down to the roots. To do this water slowly, or use a bucket to fill each area under the bush. Each bush. Then once the water seeps down, put on another bucket of water, repeat, repeat. I like the hands-on method so I can see exactly how much water each plant gets..Whenever planting in the heat of summer one has to make sure the roots stay hydrated. On all plants. If you keep the well watered, they will come back from the roots next year. Soon they will be loosing leaves for winter anyway.

They are loosing leaves now because they are stressed to the max. While watering, spraying with a fine mist over the bushes will help hydrate also. They will be fine with a little TLC.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
We recently transplanted some boxwood bushes and now they're turning brown, HELP!!?
We planted them about 3 weeks ago, and right after we planted them we trimmed them up. At first they looked great, but now they're turning brownish and the leaves are curling up.

They are still at least 3/4 green, but the August heat has been brutal. I have started trying to water them...

Answer 5

Did you buy them in containers or did you dig them from one spot and move to another? Either way, they are in transplant shock due to small roots being unable to absorb enough water to supply the leaves.

If container grown, keep them watered (but not soggy, water when soil is dry to deeper than 3") and they likely will revive next spring. If yard dug, keep them watered and keep your fingers crossed, may or may not make it but you won't know until next spring. Do not fertilize, it will make it worse.

For future reference, July and August are the worst months of the year to plant shrubs. Plant in early spring or fall when plants are dormant. Container grown plants are best, nursery grown balled and burlaped second, field dug worst for successful transplanting.

If transplanting from one spot to another, dig the largest root ball you can (three foot boxwood would need 4-5 ft diameter root ball) in late winter/early spring or early fall (late winter/spring is better) when the plant is dormant. Have the new hole ready before you dig the plant up and replant quickly. Personally, I think trying to transplant a three foot wide boxwood is dicey at best, they should be much younger and smaller for a good chance of success.

Answer 6

It is probably stress. When you transplant an evergreen it is a good idea to prune it back a bit. You have damaged a lot of the roots and they cannot support all the leaves. Also, make sure you water every day for at least three months. Transplanted evergreens are under stress and need water to stimulate root growth.

Answer 7

Forgetabout the water...no food... water on Monday and a Thursday..beneath the foliage...not every day..I take it you are referring to Buxus spp...you can cover with some shade cloth as they are not really used to such heat after such an early planting..go easy on the water...they are finicky at best of times.Watch.. and see.Good Luck.(Good God..I just realised you transplanted these plants in the middle of summer...??No wonder they are stressed....OKK then, cover with shade cloth..75-80%..and water when needed...once a week ,deeply ,under a slight mulch.) Still Good Luck.

Answer 8

Planting them, then trimming them right away, along with the brutal heat may just be such a shock to the root system that it's having trouble catching up - careful not to water them too much or you'll wind up with root rot on top of everything else. Talk to someone at a nursery who can help you baby them along until they start to settle in to their new home!

Answer 9

you need to , water the hell of them ,
feed them ,and never cut , newly transported plants,
as the stress on moving them was great , you just freaked them out ,again ........
try some miracle grow ,
if all else fails . mouth to mouth lol

Answer 10

YOU PUT THEM IN SHOCK, THEY PROBABLY WONT COME OUT OF IT TELL NEXT SPRING, JUST KEEP THEM WATERED