I have a sprout from the bottom of a lilac tree. The roots are small and I was curious if the roots will grow better if I put them in water first or plant right away.
Here is a great link about Lilac bushes.
The last paragraph is how to plant out a off shoot.
I recently moved to a house in Western NY with a row of 5-6 very old and very tall lilacs that have not been taken care of in many years. They are blooming, but the blooms are so high up that we can barely see or enjoy them. I have absolutely no experience with gardening, as I used to live in an apartment in NYC. I have read several articles on pruning lilacs but I still am uncertain what to cut, how to cut it, and what to leave. I would rather not do a drastic pruning. Do I cut some of the stems all the way down or cut many stems just to a desired height? Some of the bushes have shoots that look like they're growing out of the ground near the base of the bush. Should I cut those or leave those as new growth? I attached a picture just to give you an idea of what the lilacs look like. Any advice is welcome!
Here are some articles that will help you prune your large overgrown lilacs. You can revive your lilacs through either renewal pruning or rejuvenation pruning, both of which are explained in the article below. Since you are not looking to do a drastic pruning you can opt for renewal (done in phases) instead of rejuvenation: https://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1993/2-10-1993/lilac.html
Hacking & Whacking - Dealing with Overgrown Shrubs (has a photo of rejuvenated lilacs):
https://extension.psu.edu/plants/green-industry/news/2012/hacking-whacking-dealing-with-overgrown-shrubs
Pruning Lilac Bushes: When To Prune Lilac Bushes:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/pruning-lilac-bushes-when-to-trim-lilac-bushes.htm
I have a lilac bush that was transplanted about 3 yrs ago. It is approx. 4' tall but only has leaves on the top foot of the plant. The bottom 3 foot is just a spindly trunk. Is there a way to prune this 'bush' to make it bushier? I considered cutting it down to about 6" from the ground and letting it grow back but wasn't sure if this would help. Also, didn't really want to lose blooms for 3 years or more, which I have heard is what would happen. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
This article will help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/pruning-lilac-bushes-when-to-trim-lilac-bushes.htm
I have read your articles on why lilacs won't bloom and I believe the reason why mine won't is because of lack of sunshine. So I was wondering if I could move it to a sunnier spot? It is still young, I planted only 3 years ago.
Yes. Most transplanting takes place in spring or fall (preferably fall). If you can ensure that the majority of the roots and surrounding soil is lifted and replanted in an area with suitable growing conditions, you'll have a greater chance of success. To reduce shock, trimming may help. Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm
Last year my lilac bush had a ton of blooms on it. This year we received around 12" of rain in the spring and backyard are very wet. Lilac bush only had a very few blooms on it and did not get many leaves. Is this caused by all the rain and will it bounce back next year or should I cut the "dead" looking branches off now? Thank you for any help with this.
These articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/pruning-lilac-bushes-when-to-trim-lilac-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-bush-not-blooming.htm
It is only June. My Lilacs are only 5 and 6 feet tall. They have never bloomed. I don't want them to get too tall, maybe 6 feet. When is the proper time to trim?? I live in the Reno, Nv area.
Here are links that will provide you with help to prune and fertilize your lilacs.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-care-growing-and-planting-lilac-bush-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-bush-not-blooming.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-plant-fertilizer.htm
Our Lilac bush has an awful odor to it. I was even thinking of replacing it with another if we cannot change this problem. I do know how wonderful they can smell because my grandmother had Lilac bushes and I would always cut bouquets for her and myself. It is a wonderful memory I recall every time I smell other Lilacs, but not my own. So my question is, Can we do something to improve this Lilac and its scent? The scent it has now is an over-powering musk/musty scent. It is the most sickening scent. Thank you for your help.
What variety do you have? It sounds like a Japanese lilac (Syringa reticulata), which normally produces a strong, musky odor that can be off-putting. If this is the case, there's nothing you can do but get rid of it and start over with another variety more appealing to the senses such as common lilac (Syringa vulgaris).