Blanching leaves on lilac transplants

Question: I dug up some lilac shoots from some neighbors' lilac bushes. Now, I seeing some of the leaves are blanching and turning white. What causes this?

Also, these shoots are in pots. I plan to overwinter them and then transplant them in the spring. Do I overwinter them above ground or sink them into the ground?

responder: Cheers,Ricky, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteerwww.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardenerWe do not intend to endorse any products we mention or criticize products we do not mention. When we include a link to a resource that recommends a chemical, it is for informational purposes only; the chemicals may not be registered for use in Vermont. Replied June 26, 2023, 7:18 AM EDT
response: Good Morning Rebecca, Thanks for reaching out! I actually did the exact same thing with my lilac bush last spring! Also, thank you for sending those pictures. They were super helpful! When you dig up lilac shoots, you're only bring a small amount of the root mass with you, the bulk of the root system remains with the parent plant. This means that your new plants are getting far less water (and,, to a lesser extent, nutrient uptake) than they're used to. This means that the lilac shoots can be losing more water through transpiration in their leaves than they're able to pull up out of the soil. The result of this imbalance is leaf die-back. Some people will strip off all of the leaves except for the growing pair at the tip. Another option is to tie a clear plastic bag around the tree to keep the humidity level higher. For cuttings that I'm trying to root, I do both of these things, but for my lilacs, I just shoved them in the ground and let them fend for themselves. Although this article is about propagation by cuttings, many of the same rules apply: https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamental/a-reference-guide-to-plant-care-handling-and-merchandising/propagating-foliage-flowering-plants/As for pots versus the ground, there's no hard-and-fast rule, but generally speaking, it's easier to transplant next year from a pot with less transplant shock (since you won't have to dig them up again), but you'll get healthier, more robust growth this year if they're in the ground since they'll have access to far more growing space and soil life. Personally, I leave my cuttings in pots until I'm certain they have significant root growth (anywhere from a month to a year), then I pop them into the ground either in their final home or what's known as a "nursery bed." This is simply what has worked best for me in the past, though nothing is 100%. I hope this helps and your have a beautiful lilac for years to come!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 26, 2023, 8:02 AM EDT
response: Ricky,Thanks for the information! It seems like you are a seasoned lilac propagator.  1) If this is "leaf die-back", are you suggesting that I now remove leaves +/- apply plastic covers?  Or, do I just leave them as is and they will lose the leaves they need to? 2) Does it mean I should water more?Thanks!On Mon, Jun 26, 2023 at 7:18 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Cheers,Ricky, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteerwww.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardenerWe do not intend to endorse any products we mention or criticize products we do not mention. When we include a link to a resource that recommends a chemical, it is for informational purposes only; the chemicals may not be registered for use in Vermont. Replied June 26, 2023, 9:28 PM EDT
response: Hello Rebecca,Great questions!1. At this point, the leaves will remove themselves! (I currently have some blueberry transplants going through this exact process.) 2. I would make sure the plants are well watered, but that the soil never stays soggy. One way to do this is to water every few days over a sink or outside without the tray underneath. Then, when the water all drains out, put the tray back under and move them back into the shade. Which brings me to... 3. At this stage, make sure they're not getting too much direct sunlight since that will speed up the transpiration. If you want to get them in the ground, I would plant them under a little bit of cover or a slightly shady spot before moving them. Good luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2023, 11:05 AM EDT
response: Great,I will put them in the shade right away. Are you propagating blueberries?  Thanks,On Mon, Jun 26, 2023 at 9:28 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Cheers,Ricky, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteerwww.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardenerWe do not intend to endorse any products we mention or criticize products we do not mention. When we include a link to a resource that recommends a chemical, it is for informational purposes only; the chemicals may not be registered for use in Vermont. Replied June 27, 2023, 1:49 PM EDT
response: Hi Rebecca,Sounds good! I usually have a few things I'm trying to propagate at any given time! It's an activity that my six-year-old daughter and I do every weekend. Good luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2023, 2:01 PM EDT
response: Cool! Do you do it from cuttings? I would like to learn how.On Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 1:49 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2023, 8:18 PM EDT
response: Also, I have questions about some red brown spots that came on my fig plants from one nursery. That they were irrigation spots and that I should just pull off and the leaves with damage. However, the plants keep getting leaves with new spots and the leaves that have spots eventually yellow and fall off. I will attach pictures. I have some things in and the other master gardener volunteer answer part of my question, but not the question about the spots. Is this fungus? Doesn’t seem raised it isn’t spreading to one of my other figs that is with them. Are irrigation spots a thing?Please, please help! Thanks!RebeccaOn Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 2:01 PM Rebecca Benes <<personal data hidden>> wrote:Cool! Do you do it from cuttings? I would like to learn how.On Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 1:49 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Cheers,Ricky, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteerwww.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardenerWe do not intend to endorse any products we mention or criticize products we do not mention. When we include a link to a resource that recommends a chemical, it is for informational purposes only; the chemicals may not be registered for use in Vermont. Replied June 28, 2023, 9:38 AM EDT
response: Good Morning Rebecca,Here's a great resource on starting plants from cuttings! It's really straight forward. I've had great success with herbs, and I'm hit-or-miss with berries and trees. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/plant-propagation-by-stem-cuttings-instructions-for-the-home-gardener As for the spots on the fig, it looks like a sunburn to me. I would expect those leaves to be replaced by young, fresh leaves very soon., Figs are incredibly robust!