I live in Nottingham, uk and I have planted a young lilac tree two weeks ago. I think our climate is very similar to the Pacific Northwest, so I hope you guys can help me. the leaves on my lilac tree have started to "fold" in on themselves. They are still green, but I doubt this is a good thing. I am (obviously) very new to gardening, so naturally, I planted the tree simply by digging a hole, placing the tree into the hole and filling it in with dirt. No bonemeal or any other fertilizer... oops. The soil is a bit sandy, but I haven't had any trouble with getting any other plants to grow in it. This is, however, my first shot at a tree. I have given it tons of water and have fed it with some Miracle Grow, but that is where my "expertise" ends. So basically, my question is: Is this "folding" normal for lilac tree leaves? and if not, what can I do to try to save it? Any help is appreciated!
Hi, you shouldn't fertilize a new planting for a while anyway, so don't worry about that. How well drained (quick draining) is your soil? Miracle Grow is fertilizer by the way, so...? Tons of water may not have been necessary if you have lots of rain and the tree's in something other than very gritty, sandy soil, and it may be reacting to that. Also it would need lots of sun. Lilacs grow all over N. America, in many diff. conditions, so you might want to ask the orig. nursery you got it from (and who are familiar with local conditions) what's happening, plus examine it carefully for any sign of insects - not the odd one, but something that looks like it might be mounting a consistent attack.
