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Browning lilac - lilac blight or watering?

jon_mendeljon_mendel Posts: 7
in Problem solving
My lilac flowered really well this year. After a few days away during a hot spell I watered it yesterday. I noticed browning patches today :( Is this just too much/too little water? Or does it look like lilac blight?



Posts

  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @jon_mendel.  Just bumping up your thread for you.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    It could be that you splashed water on the leaves. If the sun is shining on it you get a burn. If this is the cause, no need to worry, just water at the base.
  • AaronBilAaronBil Posts: 100
    I had similar on one this year which was in a dry south facing position. It’s also pretty old so cut it out, loads of suckers so will see what the fresh growth will do.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Can you grow those suckers on and will they flower like the parent plant, mine’s come up everywhere?
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Yes?  I've never heard of lilacs on a rootstock.  
    Utah, USA.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited June 2021
    Many lilacs are grafted … see here .. scroll down to where they speak about renovating old shrubs 
    https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/lilac-tree-syringa-trees-c44

    think it’s usually the common Lilac )Syringa vulgaris) or Privet used as the rootstock. 



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
     @jon_mendel , I don't think it's lilac blight (but l'm not 100% certain), l think it could be burning of the leaves through water splash as mentioned above.
    If it's been flowering for sometime, it could just be the flowers dying back naturally.
    My neighbour's lilac seemed to flower and go over very quickly this year.
    Have the leaves got any worse ? 
  • jon_mendeljon_mendel Posts: 7
    Thanks! Leaves seem to have stayed the same the flowers are all going brown, so I think it's just at the end of its flowering season. The leaves weren't burnt through watering (did that in the evening) but there has been quite a mix of rain and sun recently!
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