# New lilac leaves folded up - anybody know why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 13, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lilac-leaves-folded-up-anybody-know-why/592552 "2011-08-13T05:18:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lilac-leaves-folded-up-anybody-know-why/592552/1 "2011-08-13T05:18:59Z")
I transplanted a [wedgewood blue lilac](http://northernshade.ca/2010/06/21/syringa-vulgaris-wedgewood-blue/) into my front bed this summer; the leaves have folded up lengthwise, and I don’t know why (or if it is even a problem). The lilac is in a bed with a 18" or so of topsoil with clay underneath and in full sun - it gets sun for about 12 hours a day. There doesn’t seem to be any other problems going on - no herbicides have been applied, and there aren’t any bugs I’ve noticed on the plant. I’ve been watering regularly since the bed is full of new plants. The plant seems to be healthy other than the folded leaves. Is it possible that the new lilac is getting too much sun, and that’s why they’re folding up, to limit the sun exposure? Should I maybe give it a little sun protection until it’s more mature? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lilac-leaves-folded-up-anybody-know-why/592552/2 "2011-08-13T10:56:49Z")
I wish my mom wasn’t doing the dementia thing, she would know. I _think_ it is a nutritional deficiency. I know we had the same problem when she was doing the plantings at the house after they rebuilt it when it burnt down. I do know she went to a nursery and picked up something to add to the soil, potassium maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lilac-leaves-folded-up-anybody-know-why/592552/3 "2011-08-13T15:22:08Z")
It may be stress-related. I have a dwarf lilac that spent several months in a pot until I could find a place to transplant it - over the last month in a pot the newer leaves displayed some crinkling/folding, though it otherwise appeared healthy. I’d make sure there is adequate (not excessive) moisture at root level and hold off on fertilizing until it adjusts to its new home. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lilac-leaves-folded-up-anybody-know-why/592552/4 "2011-08-13T16:59:54Z")
I have been giving it a bit of fertilizer because I thought maybe it was lacking - I’ll stop doing that. **aruvqan** , asking the people at the nursery is a good idea. I hope it comes around - lilacs are pretty tough, so my fingers are crossed for it. ETA: Finally found a bit of information on folded leaves online - they agree with you, **Jackmannii** - it sounds like it might not be enough moisture. I’ll try watering it more regularly, too. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lilac-leaves-folded-up-anybody-know-why/592552/5 "2011-08-13T17:41:43Z")
IAMNAGardener, but have you considered “transplant shock”? “Other symptoms of transplant shock appear as wilting leaves (especially on recent transplants), yellowing, and **leaf rolling** or curling.” Emphasis is mine. Excerpted from [Purdue University-Dept. of Botany, _Plant Pathology_](http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-31.html) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lilac-leaves-folded-up-anybody-know-why/592552/6 "2011-08-13T17:52:39Z")
Transplant shock does indeed seem likely. I’m one of those “gardeners with a shovel” - I have no fear of moving plants around, and mostly they do okay, but some don’t. If it is transplant shock, it sounds like more water and patience will fix what ails it (unless it dies altogether).