Scented clouds blooming lilac few people can be left indifferent.
Variety Sensation
Spring is not the right time for planting and transplanting lilacs (not counting planting seedlings from containers). It is best to do this at the end of August - the first half of September, writes Elena Kozhina.
It is advisable to add manure humus or compost, superphosphate and wood ash... After planting, the plant is watered abundantly.
Variety Mulatka
Breeders have created great amount varieties. Their flowers can be both simple and double, often very large - up to 4 cm in diameter, and panicle inflorescences - of different densities and sizes. Flower color - from purple and lilac (lilac) different shades to white, pink, blue, purple and even yellowish. The varieties also differ in the intensity of the aroma.
Variety Elena Vekhova
How to grow
Common lilac - undemanding to care for, frost-resistant, rather drought-resistant, unpretentious to the soil plant (but grows better on fertile, loamy).
She also transfers a little shading. Moderate growth, but abundant root growth... Does not tolerate flooding and excessively wet places.
V good conditions lilac appears in all its glory.
What varieties flowering shrub suitable for the garden
The bushes bloom from about 4 years of age. Plants develop better if they are regularly fed (in early spring - with full mineral fertilizer, in summer - with mullein fertilizer) and watered as needed. Removal of root shoots and thinning pruning are mandatory throughout life lilac bush... It is also advisable to remove withered brushes immediately after flowering.
Lilacs are propagated mainly by root shoots (self-rooted plants), layering or grafting. Another popular method for obtaining planting material good varieties, - rooting of semi-lignified cuttings. They are cut in June, immediately after flowering, and planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse, supporting there high humidity air and a temperature of about 25 ° C. True, the yield of rooted cuttings is low, even if all the rules are followed (this strongly depends on the variety).
Species ("wild") lilacs can be propagated by seeds (for example, on a hedge).
Photo: Elena Kozhina
Coloring of inflorescences Popular varieties
white ‘Monique Lemoine’,
'Flora'
white-pink, pearl shade 'Beauty of Moscow'
bluish ‘Madame Charles Suchet’,
‘Dresden China’
purple, purple ‘Memory of Vekhov’, ‘Partizanka’, ‘Poltava’, ‘Glory’
purple ‘Minchanka’, ‘Doctor Brethur’, ‘Alexey Maresyev’,
Nikolay Gastello
purple ‘Space’, ‘Dream’
two-tone, white-purple 'Sensation'
yellowish 'Primroz'
Old lilac bushes in gardens are not uncommon, writes Irina Okuneva.
But lilac is a shrub, which means that it has not a single trunk for life, but several. Over time, some trunks grow old and dry, others, young, appear to replace them. They are formed either from coppice shoots at the base of the bush (in self-rooted plants), or from dormant buds on the trunks.
If you manage this shift, pruning the lilacs at least once every 2-3 years ( the best time for this - spring, immediately after the snow melts), the question of rejuvenation will not arise at all.
What should be done in the "neglected case" to return the lilac to its former luxury - it depends on how your bush looks like.
Option 1
If in front of us is a bush overgrown with offspring, then first you need to get close to it.
However, all growth should not be indiscriminately removed. You can usually find at least one, or even several, strong stems that can become worthy replacement old.
It is better to mark them with bright ribbons so as not to pull out in the heat of the moment. Methodically pull the rest of the shoots out of the ground along with the root and cut them as close as possible to the place where they left the trunk.
If desired, these offspring can be used for breeding. The main condition is that the bush must be self-rooted, not grafted.
Option 2
If old stems have vertical branches formed from dormant buds, that's great. They will give us the opportunity to rejuvenate the bushes without losing flowering.
We remove trunks, branches in whole or in parts thereof, if they:
dry, damaged or broken;
have very small annual increments;
intersect and touch others;
uncomfortable or ugly stick out.
We leave the branches that:
- give good growth in the upper part, where flowering is expected;
- well located.
Option 3
If the lilac bushes were cut off incorrectly all their lives, that is, instead of replacing the aging stems, young shoots and shoots were removed, the plant gradually loses its ability to recover.
Such lilacs with a single trunk may not withstand heavy pruning. You can try to remove several branches in their crown to stimulate the awakening of dormant buds in the lower part of the trunk, if they are still there.
If there are two or more stems, remove the weakest one and wait for new growths to appear.
Depleted bushes can take several years to rejuvenate. During this time, you need to provide them with good care.
Apr 24, 2016 Galinka
Lilacs can be found in almost every flower bed, because this unpretentious shrub is highly decorative, and its lush fragrant inflorescences will adorn any garden. But to preserve these qualities, it is necessary to regularly prune lilacs, as for the formation of a crown correct shape and for the rejuvenation of old plants.
This article describes in detail the technique of the procedure, depending on the season and age of the bush. You will learn how to properly remove lilac branches in spring and autumn, and what activities need to be carried out before and after flowering, and photos and videos will help you master the skills necessary for the procedure.
When and how to prune lilacs
It is necessary to remove old branches or excess shoots from the bush, since otherwise the flowers will cover mainly the upper part of the plant, and its decorative effect will decrease.
It is important to choose the right time for the procedure. Spring is not good for crown formation as pruning stress can reduce or stop flowering in the current year. Therefore, it is better to postpone the procedure until the end of flowering or autumn.
However, this does not mean that plants do not need to be paid attention to in the spring. Before the kidneys wake up, it is necessary to carry out sanitary cleaning: remove all dry or damaged branches, as well as shoots with signs of diseases. This will help keep the shrub healthy throughout the growing season.
Pruning schemes
There are several schemes for pruning this shrub. One of them is aimed at forming the crown, and the second is aimed at rejuvenating the old plant. Let's consider each of them in more detail.
To form a crown, you need to do the following:
- Wait until flowering is complete and remove all wilted buds;
- Long branches must be shortened by a third;
- Remove all excess root growth and thin out shoots growing close to the ground.
If the bush has become too wide, it is necessary to additionally remove weak and thin side shoots... As a result, you should have a compact plant with a rounded crown. This procedure is best done after flowering, and not in spring, so that the shrub does not weaken and can form buds (Figure 1).
Figure 1. The classical scheme of the formation and rejuvenation of the bush In the case of old shrubs that require rejuvenation, they do it differently. Without exception, all branches are shortened so that their lengths from the surface of the earth do not exceed 40 cm. Shoots located at the surface of the soil are thinned out or completely removed (if the branch is old). If you are not interested in flowering this year, rejuvenation can be carried out in early spring otherwise, pruning is carried out after flowering is complete.
In fact, after rejuvenation, the bush will not look very attractive, since only small hemp will remain on it. But after 2-3 years, it will grow overgrown with young shoots and again will be covered with lush inflorescences.
Required tools
For the procedure you will need standard set gardener: pruning shears for removing young shoots and thin branches, a hacksaw for cutting parts large diameter, and garden var or oil paint to treat the resulting wounds.
It is important that the entire instrument is clean, sharp and disinfected. Otherwise, an infection can get into the cut, which can destroy the plant.
Pruning lilacs in spring: bush formation and rejuvenation
Despite the fact that it is not customary to carry out the formation and rejuvenation of lilacs in the spring, it is still worthwhile to carry out some manipulations with the plant.
Note: Until the buds have awakened, it is much easier to remove excess growth. Such thin shoots will not benefit the plant: they will make the crown too thick, but they will not be able to form buds, so it is better to remove all such branches immediately.
Rejuvenation has no strict contraindications regarding the timing. As a rule, such pruning is required for old bushes, which gradually reduce or stop flowering altogether. In this case, use the scheme described above: delete all thin branches, and large ones shorten greatly. In the first year after such a procedure, the lilac will not bloom, but in the future you will get a lush and beautiful bush with big amount buds.
Annual pruning
If you want to form a beautiful and compact bush, be prepared for the fact that you will have to remove young growth every year. In fact, it is a pinching that preserves the vigor of the plant and is carried out by removing the young branches before the first branching (Figure 2). For this purpose, you can use a regular pruner or small garden shears.
Figure 2. Shrub pruning by age This procedure stimulates the growth of lateral branches and helps maintain the harmony of the crown.
Thinning the bush
A young culture grows very quickly, and without regular thinning, the bush will turn out to be too lush and shapeless.
Note: Since this event does not involve deleting a large number branches, it can be carried out in early spring.
To thin out the crown qualitatively, first of all, all dry or slightly frozen parts are cut out. Further, weak shoots are removed, which are not able to form flower buds, but at the same time they consume the juices of the plant and weaken it. In addition, you need to cut off the branches growing inside the crown. This arrangement leads to the fact that the buds do not receive enough sunlight, and do not bloom.
Also in the process, root shoots are completely cut out, especially for grafted plants. If this is not done, the roots will form wild branches, which will only weaken the plant, but will not bring flowering. However, during pruning, moderation and caution should be exercised: no more than a third of the the total branches.
Lilac rejuvenation
The main difference between anti-aging pruning and other types is that it involves a strong thinning of the bush. At first glance, such a procedure may seem dangerous, but in fact it will allow you to enjoy the flowering of old lilacs for several more years.
After such a procedure, only hemp remains from the previously lush bush. But there is no need to fear that the plant will die: young flowering shoots are gradually formed in place of the old branches.
Note: There is a definite difference between the rejuvenation of grafted and non-rooted varieties. In no case should the grafted plants be cut below the grafted site. This will lead to the fact that instead of a beautiful ornamental bush, you will have a regular wild bush.
Rejuvenating the plant, do not regret that this year there will be no flowering. In early spring, until the sap begins to move in the branches, all old shoots are removed, leaving no more than 40 cm from them. Old shoots with cracked bark can be cut out to the base. Naturally, after such a procedure, there is no point in expecting flowering. But after 2-3 years, the plant will fully recover, and will delight you with its flowering for several more years.
Pruning lilacs in autumn
Despite the fact that the formation of the crown is most often carried out immediately after the completion of flowering, that is, in the summer, in the fall, it is also necessary to carry out similar events. Their main goal is to slightly rejuvenate the shrub, prepare it for wintering and strengthen it before the next growing season.
Since lilac tolerates autumn pruning much better than spring pruning, during this period it is possible not only to thin out and rejuvenate the shrub, but also to shape its crown more carefully.
Annual pruning
For abundant and long-lasting flowering, every autumn you need to inspect the bushes in order to carry out sanitary cleaning in time. First of all, remove all old branches covered with lichen or with cracked bark.
It is also necessary to remove crooked or broken shoots, as well as those that grow inside the crown and thicken it. Height alignment is also a prerequisite. In the spring, this procedure cannot be carried out, since strong shortening can stop the development of flower buds. In the fall, such an event will not do harm, rather, on the contrary, it will improve the wintering of the bush.
Particular attention should be paid to grafted seedlings: they remove all excess growth, which thickens the crown and prevents the formation of varietal buds.
Thinning the bush
Thinning helps to form a specific crown shape. However, it should be borne in mind that such a procedure begins to be carried out not earlier than the third year of the shrub's life. Otherwise, the plant may become too weak and die.
Figure 3. Formation of the crown of the bush Lilacs can be formed in the form of a shrub or tree (trunk). In the first case, only 3-4 strong branches are left, extending from the trunk at a suitable angle. In the future, the main goal is to thin out the crown. In other words, any shoots that thicken the crown or interfere with the growth of other branches should be removed (Figure 3).
Care should be taken when forming the standard form, since this type of culture is very vulnerable. First of all, you need to very carefully cut the shoots so as not to accidentally damage the bark or healthy branches. In addition, you need to carefully examine the tree and remove only those parts that violate its symmetry.
Lilac rejuvenation in autumn
Over the years, there may be a situation where the shrub is still lush, but its flowering is significantly reduced. This means that the plant needs rejuvenation. This is a rather radical procedure, after which the lilac will not look very attractive. However, it is necessary for the formation of young and strong shoots.
For rejuvenation, all branches are cut without exception. Their length should be only 30-40 cm from the ground surface. Since such an event is quite stressful for the plant, all cuts and wounds exceeding a diameter of 2 cm must be covered with ordinary brilliant green or oil paint... Garden pitch is not suitable for such a purpose, since it negatively affects the condition of the plant and can cause rotting of the branches.
Pruning lilacs before flowering
In early spring, that is, before flowering begins, it is not recommended to thin out the shrub too much. This can lead to the fact that this year the lilacs will not bloom.
Activities that are carried out during this period include sanitary cleaning and light thinning. The first step is to remove any dry, broken or blackened branches. It is also necessary to cut out the oldest shoots covered with lichen or cracked bark. Such branches only thicken the crown and consume juices, but do not form buds. In addition, it is necessary to cut off too young and weak shoots, leaving only a few of the strongest ones for annual growth. In this case, you should carefully observe to remove only those shoots that grow in width and violate the shape of the crown.
Pruning lilacs during flowering
It is difficult to refrain from moderate pruning of lilacs during the flowering period, because you really want to decorate your home with lush inflorescences. Do not be afraid to do this, since such a procedure will only strengthen the plant and preserve its vitality.
Note: A similar procedure is not carried out for young plants: they are still not strong enough and will not tolerate pruning well.
Cutting off the buds, along the way, light thinning is carried out: young branches growing inside the crown are removed, or interfering with the formation of stronger shoots. In the process, in no case should you break branches. Use only a sharp pruner or garden shears to cut. If you just break a branch, an ugly mark will remain in its place, which in the future can lead to illness or death of the entire bush, especially during wet weather when damaged branches quickly rot.
How to prune lilacs after flowering: schemes and methods
Immediately after the end of flowering, you need to arm yourself garden tool and prune lilacs. This is a must if you plan to enjoy blooming for a few more years.
Note: There is a certain pruning order: first, they take care of simple varieties, then semi-double ones, and then terry ones.
The most important goal is to remove all wilted inflorescences. The cut should be done directly above the first pair of leaves or buds, but if you want to slightly correct the shape of the crown, you can deviate from this rule.
- Pruning is carried out immediately after the end of the flowering period. Otherwise, the strength of the plant will be spent on the formation of fruits and seeds, and not buds.
- If you are growing a non-fertile shrub, thinning can be done year-round: flower buds will form anyway.
- Do not be afraid of autumn pruning: lilacs recover quickly enough and winters well after such care.
Figure 4. Leaving after flowering The only condition that must be met is proper care for planting after pruning. Slices must be treated with oil paint, drying oil or ordinary brilliant green. Without this, the branches will quickly begin to rot, especially in wet weather.
Video: pruning lilacs in spring and autumn
Since pruning lilacs has certain characteristics depending on the season and age of the shrub, we recommend that you watch the video, which shows in detail all the details of this process.
Old lilac: pruning
Any old lilac bush is not a very attractive cluster and interlacing of branches. However, it does not bloom too profusely, and without proper care it can quickly die. To prevent this from happening, anti-aging procedures are performed (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Rejuvenating an old plant This pruning can be done in the spring and fall. In any case, it will be possible to wait for flowering only after 2-3 years, since in the process of rejuvenation all old and young branches are cut out, leaving only small stumps no more than 40 cm long. But such a procedure will be disastrous for the grafted seedling: if you cut off the graft site, instead of a varietal bush, you will have wild growth.
Since rejuvenation is considered a very traumatic procedure, it is better to carry it out in dry weather. Dampness can cause rapid decay of branches, especially if the cut points have not been properly treated with oil paint.
How to prune lilacs correctly, whether to prune lilacs in spring and whether it is generally possible to prune lilacs - such questions are often asked by gardeners. Meanwhile, it is imperative to cut the lilac, otherwise the flowering of this beautiful plant will be scarce and mainly at the very top of the bush, while Bottom part and the middle will consist of bare lignified branches. Read our article on when and how to properly prune lilacs. The most common type of lilac in our gardens - numerous varieties of shrubs common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), about which this article and which we will further call simply lilac .
The most large inflorescences lilacs appear on young branches, not older than 5-6 years. The older the branches, the smaller the inflorescences and the higher they are located, and at the level of human height and gaze, the branches of the lilac become lilac and bare. From these features of the lilac vegetation, it becomes clear that this plant, like no other, needs regular annual pruning, and old, overgrown and neglected lilac bushes require strong anti-aging pruning.
Pruning lilacs in spring ...
... maybe not the most best idea if you expect to see bloom this year. If you have extra time, in the spring you can prune branches that have been broken during the winter or shorten branches that do not have buds. The main formative pruning of lilac should be done immediately after flowering, about once every two years. This rule applies to all flowering trees and shrubs. Formative pruning immediately after flowering (May-June) will allow the plant to grow new shoots and form new buds in time for the next flowering.
Concerning rejuvenating pruning of old lilac, then it is done just in the very early spring, as soon as low above-zero temperatures are established in the garden (in mild climates, such pruning can be done in winter).
How to properly prune lilacs: formative pruning
After the end of the lilac flowering (see photo-diagram *, increases):
- cut off faded inflorescences on short branches
- shorten long branches by about 1/3
After the end of the formative pruning, the lilac bush will have a compact, rounded appearance.
How to prune old lilacs: anti-aging pruning
Rejuvenating pruning of old lilac bushes should be carried out as early as possible in the spring (if you are not interested in flowering) or immediately after flowering (see photo-diagram *, increases):
- shorten all branches to about 30-40 cm from the ground
- thin out the branches near the ground by cutting off excess or old branches at the root
- cut off (or carefully remove with roots) excess root growth if the lilac has grown too wide
After the end of the rejuvenating pruning of the lilac, the bush will look like a lot of stump branches, but very soon new buds and greens will form on the short branches, and after a year or two, the lilac will bloom magnificently (with good care, naturally). Lush and fragrant inflorescences are enough both for cutting and for a gift to friends. Photo below: lilac in a vase.
Pruning grafted lilacs
The peculiarities of pruning grafted lilacs are that pruning should be done ABOVE the vaccination site. All lateral growth should be removed, because flowering on it will correspond to the type and variety of the rootstock, and not the highly decorative scion that you are counting on.
* Photo diagrams are adapted from the magazine Fine gardening
Did you know that in the UK and some other countries it was considered bad luck bring lilacs into the house and put them in a vase? Until now, some people, especially the older generation, do not cut lilacs and do not put them in a vase at home, because it was believed that lilacs in the house bring misfortune and ... death. While searching the network for the origins of this sign, I came across an interesting explanation. It turns out that before the widespread use of modern embalming agents, lilacs during the flowering period were widely used in homes where the body of the deceased was awaiting burial, to mask the smell of decay. So, on the basis of unpleasant associations, a ‘feedback’ of lilac and misfortune arose, which, fortunately, has no logic under it. However, if you are visiting someone in the hospital, choosing flowers, it is still better to stay away from the lilac, so as not to inadvertently upset the patient or his grandmother :-).
Lilac is everyone's favorite fragrant spring bush. It is great if it is beautifully formed, looks neat, and, most importantly, blooms profusely. In order for it to truly delight with beauty every year, an annual formative pruning is needed. If this is not done, the inflorescences will gradually become smaller, the lower part of the bush will become bare, and the inflorescences themselves will bloom somewhere at a height unattainable for sight. .
The first two years after planting, the lilac grows weakly, at this time the root system is growing. It is not worth cutting anything on a growing and, in principle, weak plant. Only in the third or fourth year, when the plant is strong enough, you can begin to form. To do this, leave from three to five of the strongest branches, cutting out all the weak growth. These branches will form the basis of the future lilac bush.
Spring pruning
Spring pruning is a sanitary pruning. It is carried out as soon as the frost ends and a low above zero temperature is established on the thermometer.
At this time, shoots that have not wintered well (they are usually blackened, dead, broken under the weight of snow) and young shoots that have grown over the summer months of last year are removed. You can leave only a couple of strong shoots that will be used as a replacement. old wood... Shoots should be located outside the bush, all those that thicken the middle are cut out in order to provide the whole bush with light.
In the grafted lilac, all the shoots are cut out, which grew last summer below the point of the rootstock, since it has nothing to do with the variety.
No branches are shortened in the spring, so you can lose flowering this year.
Pruning after flowering
This is the main pruning that forms the bush of the next year. It is carried out immediately after flowering, only in this case the plant will have time to lay new buds for flowering over the summer and early autumn and grow many new shoots, the strongest of which you can leave. The sooner she begins to lay flower buds, the more beautiful the flowering will be on next year... I remember even in childhood they said that the more you cut the lilac, the better it will bloom, we were happy to give it to my mother all spring and all the vases in the house smelled of lilacs. By pruning the lilacs in late summer and autumn, you will cut whatever the bush has worked on during the summer, and the flowering is likely to be weak.
After flowering, all faded inflorescences are cut off from lilacs. It is the inflorescences that need to be cut, without touching a couple of young shoots, which are located immediately under the flower, it is on them that flower buds will form.
Some branches are cut below, forming the height of the bush. They will not bloom next year, but only in this way, observing a balance between branches with cut inflorescences and forming branches, you can keep the lilac bush at the height that you need.
After such pruning, the bush looks neater, more decorative even in a non-flowering state, and, most importantly, it does not expend energy on ripening seeds, but spends them on planting new flower buds.
At the same time, cut off all branches that go sharply to the sides. Weak thin twigs that have managed to grow are cut out, shoots that thicken the crown, go inside it, cross, interfere with each other.
In the spring, after the lilac blooms, cut off all the basal shoots, leaving only strong shoots to obtain new skeletal branches in the future, their number depends on the size of the bush. It is better to cut root shoots not superficially, but after digging up the ground a little, cut them off from the root, below the soil level. In order for the lilac not to give a lot of growth, you need to dig as little as possible under the bush, loosen the soil. Her root system is superficial, and by disturbing it, we awaken the plant to renewal. It is better to use mulch, which will retain moisture and protect from weeds.
The grafted lilac is especially in need of pruning; all the shoots that go below the rootstock must be cut off from it. If you do not cut them off, then in a couple of years your beautiful variety will become a common lilac bush.
What can be cut in the fall
Broken and crooked branches can be cut out of lilacs in the fall.
If there are old branches with cracked bark, they can also be removed in the fall, but you should not remove several at once. You need to get rid of old branches gradually, one or two per year, depending on the size of the bush. First of all, cut off those that grow inside the crown, thickening it. A balance must always be struck between the root system and the crown.
For the same reason, it is impossible not to clean the lilac bushes at all, the crown, with very large thickening, begins to greatly exhaust the underground part, which does not have time to grow as quickly as the top. The thickened bush ages faster, the inflorescences become smaller every year, their number decreases.
If there are branches grafted on a bush with a different variety, all the shoots are cut off in the fall, which thickens and weakens them.
Lilac rejuvenation
Rejuvenating pruning of lilacs is best done gradually from year to year, cutting off old branches, replacing them with new ones grown from young strong growth.
The rejuvenation of old lilacs must be approached very carefully. With age, the bushes lose their ability to recover, it is difficult for them to give young growth. But if this happens, and the bush has practically stopped flowering, it is better to prune in early spring. Pick a few of the youngest and best branches in your opinion and cut them to a height of 30-40 centimeters from the ground. Remaining very old, with exfoliated cracked bark, cut at the root. For a year, young shoots should grow from short stumps. Treat all sections with a diameter of more than 2 centimeters with oil paint, lilacs do not really like garden var, but it will do for lack of anything. If you do not process the cuts, the loose lilac wood will quickly rot.
After such a dramatic spring pruning the bush must be fed with fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus, mulched and ensured regular watering throughout the year.
Lilac produces a lot of wild growth, so it is suitable for creating a green hedge. To form it, you need to cut it short, not allowing the lower part of the branches to be exposed. It is not pruning shears that come in handy here, but brush cutters or special trimmers. Most likely, you will not wait for the flowering of a low hedge of lilacs, but if you form it higher, with a neat haircut with a pruner, you can achieve flowering.
Blooming lilac bush - luxury decoration any suburban area! At first glance, it seems that the plant does not need special care. Indeed, lilacs are unpretentious, but require some care and attention.
Correct fitlilac
It is advisable to plant lilacs either in sunny areas or in light partial shade. The plant cannot be placed in the shade.
The planting hole should be deep, with rotted loose soil. The plant does not tolerate the close occurrence of groundwater, therefore, low areas are unsuitable for him. Planting lilacs is best done either in early spring, or in late summer - early autumn, September is most suitable for this. If you decide to start planting in the spring, then buy seedlings in a container so that it is closed root system... Otherwise, there is a possibility that the lilac will take root badly or die.
After you have planted the shrub, be sure to water it. You can add any preparation that stimulates root formation to the water for irrigation. It is advisable to cover the top layer of the soil with a layer of 6-8 cm of hay, which will protect the soil from drying out and weeds, and then, turning into humus, will be food for the lilacs.
This plant can grow in one place for a long time, sometimes its whole life.
Lilac care after flowering
- Lilacs are needed regular pruning... In the 3rd year, the bush has strong numerous shoots. They will later form skeletal branches.
- Exactly pruning after flowering determines how well the plant will bloom.
- Lilacs respond favorably to fertilizers. Every spring, the bushes need to be fed with nitrogen. Feeding from ash is well absorbed and organic fertilizers during bud formation, during flowering.
- Phosphoric and potash fertilizers it is better to apply in autumn 1 time in 2-3 years. They are placed on top of the soil under the lilac, followed by digging. This is due to the fact that part of the root system of the shrub is located in the upper layer of the soil. The best fertilizer rotted manure (horse and cow) is considered.
- Remember, feeding for lilacs is necessary, but do not get carried away nitrogen fertilizers, including organic ones, because of them the plant will bloom poorly, it is harder to tolerate frosts.
How to prune lilacs after flowering?
- In early spring, select 6-10 strong shoots on the bush that are farthest from each other and create the outline of the plant. Cut the rest of the branches, cut out the small ones directed inward to the crown completely, and shorten the stronger ones a little.
- Such thinning and sanitary pruning of lilacs must be carried out every spring, when the buds have already begun to grow.
- Pruning is mandatory, otherwise the shoots under the faded flower clusters will weaken. Therefore, as soon as the lilac has faded, it should be cut off. The sooner you do this, the better new shoots will develop and the flowering will be especially lush.
- It should be borne in mind that pruning sometimes causes the shrub to bloom after a year. Lilacs are formed with pruning shears, and large branches are cut down. Places of cuts must be covered with paint.
- The basic principle of pruning is to remove all small branches. They do not bloom and can take a lot of energy from the plant.
- If the branch has small and thin shoots, you need to remove it completely. The inflorescences must be removed immediately after flowering (only the inflorescences without a branch are removed).
- Never break off a shrub, this will damage the buds that will not bloom the next year.
- You need to remove all the shoots, leaving only healthy shoots that will replace the old ones in the future.
- To care for lilacs during flowering, you need to cut branches from abundantly flowering bushes.
- After the plant has faded, all dry inflorescences must be carefully cut off.
- Be sure to do sanitary pruning in the spring and fall. with the removal of sick and drying out branches growing inside the bush of shoots. Don't forget about formative pruning, in which you need to ensure that the kidneys remain.
- Before you cut and put flowers in a vase, you need to know some tricks so that lush inflorescences delight you with their aroma and beauty longer:
- Refresh bevel cuts by making new ones sharp knife under the water. The best way- knead the ends of the shoots with a hammer.
- It is better to cut lilacs from young bushes than from old ones.
- Add a little citric or acetic acid (but not sugar) to the water in which there is a bouquet of lilacs.
- To keep the inflorescences in the bouquet longer, a significant part of the leaves must be removed.