Since its introduction to the United States is 2011 , boxwood blight has been found in 26 nation . Its affect have been seen from the Mid - Atlantic to the west coast in change degrees . One of the biggest contributing component to the prevalence and spread of this disease is clime . box blight requires specific environmental conditions which vary year to class . This fungous disease spreads by spore that move by water splashing , physical striking , or on debris . contagion hap during humid , warm periods , and can spread quickly when condition are idealistic .
The map above shows body politic with reported case of Boxwood Blight by year .
As many growers recollect , 2018 was a devastating year , particularly in the Mid - Atlantic . With record break rainfall and extended periods of warm , wet weather , many cultivator , landscape gardener , and homeowner saw more cases of the disease than previous years . Mary Ann Hansen , who oversee the Virginia Tech Plant Disease Clinic reflects , “ In 2018 when we had so much rain across the Department of State , the VT Plant Disease Clinic welcome 188 box samples that were positive for boxwood blight . This amounted to over 11 % of our sample sum . ”
In Piney River , VA we find out over 90 inch of rain throughout the year , compared to the yearly norm of about 45 in . Reports of implosion therapy and extended pelting case throughout the spring , summertime , and free fall were followed by theme of contagion .
Bennett Saunders next to the Tye River at record mellow grade in September 2018 after another intemperate rain tempest .
juxtapose to the previous year , 2019 has been uncharacteristically wry , lead to fewer cases . Mary Ann from Virginia Tech account , “ In 2019 , we only received 44 Turkish boxwood sample distribution that were confident for box blight , and this amount to less than 3 % of our full samples . The routine of sample distribution received by the Clinic does n’t inevitably represent the amount or rigor of the disease across the country , but in this case , I think it probably did . The weather in 2018 , especially in the free fall , when boxwood blight tends to be a job , was very conducive to Turkish boxwood blight , whereas the long drouth and high-pitched temperature in many areas of the nation in 2019 were not conducive to boxwood blight . The fungal pathogen , Calonectria pseudonaviculata , does best at restrained temperatures with lengthened periods of folio wetness . ”
It is important to keep in mind the effect the environs can have on the spread of flora diseases . For more information on Boxwood Blight and how to foreclose it , check out theVirginia Tech Boxwood Blight Task Force websiteor say more about ithere .
