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- Q.Trimming Unsightly Leaves On Lilacs - Living in Montreal, Canada. (temp. varying around 7 to 14 degrees Centigrade) - My lilacs have unsightly leaves. Can I ...
- Q.When Can You Plant Lilac - Can you plant lilac in the winter and can you plant them in containers?
- Q.Grafting Branches - Can I successfully graft a 1-1/2" branch from a dark purple Lilac onto a 1-1/2" branch of a lavender Lilac? ...
- Q.Can Certain Nutrients Increase Lilac’s Fragrance? - I am getting 4-5 blooms the first of April in Oregon, which possess very minimal fragrance. Is there anything ...
- Q.Do Lilac Bushes Attract Termites? - If I plant a lilac bush 3 feet from my house, do I need to be concerned about termites?
- Q.Lilac Bush Did Not Bloom This Year - Bush appears healthy and much larger than last year. It has full sun in fairly rich soil. It is about ...
- Q.Lilac Bushes With Black Spots - One of the three lilac bushes I just planted is showing black spots that go through the leaves. There is ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
November 6, 2014Q.Trimming unsightly leaves on lilacs
Living in Montreal, Canada. (temp. varying around 7 to 14 degrees Centigrade) - My lilacs have unsightly leaves. Can I trim the entire branches holding the unsightly leaves as late as early November, or is it best to wait for spring? Also, can fertilizer be applied now?
Answered by
Nikki on
November 6, 2014
Certified ExpertA.Unless the leaves are caused by a disease issue that could spread, I would wait until spring for both pruning and fertilizing. The lilac is preparing to go into dormancy and both pruning and fertilizing this late in fall can cause it to reverse that. It then would be far more susceptible to cold weather in the coming months.
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
November 25, 2014Q.when can you plant lilac
Can you plant lilac in the winter and can you plant them in containers?
- Answered by
Nikki on
November 25, 2014
Certified ExpertA.Spring or fall is the best time for planting lilac bushes. They grow just fine in containers, though you want to make the container about 5"-10" wider than the rootball of the plant you have and at least 2' deep.
Dwarf types are also better choices, such as dwarf Koren lilac. They spread nicely, but stay small so it would not outgrow the container too quickly.
Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-care-growing-and-planting-lilac-bush-plants.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
December 10, 2014Q.Grafting Branches
Can I successfully graft a 1-1/2" branch from a dark purple Lilac onto a 1-1/2" branch of a lavender Lilac? I presume the graft should occur while the sap is down and the leaves are off. Should I use a V-shaped cut, and tongue and groove the graft to the root stock, clamp securely and guy wire the scion to help minimize movement?
- Answered by
theficuswrangler on
December 12, 2014A.People do, certainly, successfully graft lilac. If you want to try it, I suggest you make several grafts, as not all the grafts will take. Also, the more research you do, the better your chance of success. Here are a couple of articles to get you started: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/grafting-trees-what-is-tree-grafting.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/can-grafted-trees-revert-to-their-root-stock.htm
http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/chiwonlee/plsc368/student/papers04/elizabethbruins/syringa.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
cmh1103 on
April 1, 2015
Near Portland, OregonQ.can certain nutrients increase lilac’s fragrance?
I am getting 4-5 blooms the first of April in Oregon, which possess very minimal fragrance. Is there anything I can do to enhance that fragrance? What fertilizers would you recommend? I know ammonium sulfate is supposed to enhance blueberry size/flavor. Is there anything like that for lilacs?
- Answered by
shelley on
April 1, 2015
Certified ExpertA.My research did not yield any information to suggest it was possible to boost a lilac's fragrance through soil amendments. The potency of a lilac's fragrance largely depends on the variety (medium to dark purple ones are more fragrant) and can be influenced by the surrounding air temperature. I consider flower fragrancy to be more of a genetic disposition, the function of which is to attract insect pollinators.
Here is an interesting article that discusses the fragrancy of lilacs:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilacs-no-scent.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
ssprowls on
April 9, 2015Q.Do lilac bushes attract termites?
If I plant a lilac bush 3 feet from my house, do I need to be concerned about termites?
- Answered by
shelley on
April 9, 2015
Certified ExpertA.I have never heard of or known this to be a problem with lilacs. I would say the only reason you would need to be concerned about lilacs and termites is if the lilac died - termites are drawn to dead wood.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Bayorky on
April 25, 2015
Mid upper TennesseeQ.lilac bush did not bloom this year
Bush appears healthy and much larger than last year. It has full sun in fairly rich soil. It is about seven feet tall and I have not fertilized it.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
April 26, 2015A.There could be a few reasons for your lilac not blooming.
My best guess would be it does need a rejuvenation prune. I did this very prune to our lilac when we moved to our home. The lilac was only producing a few flowers. A good prune and 2 years brought a tree full of fragrant blossoms.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-bush-not-blooming.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
HalBeck on
May 7, 2015
Santa Fe, NM 7000 ' altitudeQ.lilac bushes with black spots
One of the three lilac bushes I just planted is showing black spots that go through the leaves. There is no sign of aphid infestation or any bug that would be causing the spots. What would it be? Thanks.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
May 7, 2015A.I believe your lilac may have a bacterial blight, which can be treated with a copper fungicide.
Read the links below to identify it specifically.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/common-lilac-problems.htm
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/how-recognize-treat-and-avoid-lilac-bacterial-blighthttp://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/management-of-leaf-spot-diseases/
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