Question
Hi John
6 days ago I planted several Viburnum Chindo (5gal size) in my yard. They were very good specimens bought from a local nursery. I planted them in full sun in a large hole with Miracle Grow shrub soil. I gave a deep watering 2 times over last few days. Here is what I am seeing- All the leaves are drooping and looked withered (none have fallen off). The bottom half of the shrub the leaves have a white coating on them and are curled up, the upper half of the shrub the leaves have brown spots on the underside and are beginning to curl up. It has been very sunny and hot the last few days- I live in NC. I'm not sure if they have gotten too much water or not enought water, or is it transplant shock or a fungus? I'm not sure what to do at this point or what is wrong. Can they be saved and what should I do to nurse them back to health? Thank you. Craig

Answer
Craig,

I am sorry that I haven't answered your question earlier, I must have overlooked it somehow.

First off, any of the symptoms you are describing (white coating, brown spots, and leaf curl) are not generally associated with transplant shock.  I assume that you bought these plants in either a "ball and burlap" or container, and you simply planted the entire rootball in the earth.  If during this process, the roots were disturbed or the soil surrounding the roots was broken away, then you may have some general wilting of the plants.  

The symptoms you describe sound like a fungal infection, but without viewing the plant, it would be hard to classify.  Some fungal infections grow completely through the plant tissue and have brown spots on one side when the fungal mycelium penetrates.

Six days is a rather short period of time for such fungal symptoms and signs to appear.

Talk with the garden center; it is likely that there have been others who have had similar problems if the fungal infestation came from the nursery.  

If it is a fungal infestation, you can spray some dusting sulfur on the leaves, making sure to cover the underside as well.  In addition, be very careful to clean up any leaf residue around the plants, as that can serve as a source for fungal inoculum for next year.

Good Luck.