Pruning Lilac - Knowledgebase Question

Marina Del Rey, CA
Avatar for HARAIS
Question by HARAIS
April 14, 2002
I GROW LILACS IN POTS. PLEASE SEND INFO REGARDING PRUNING, WATERING AND PRUNING.


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Answer from NGA
April 14, 2002
Lilacs grow best in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil, in full sunshine. Keeping them neatly groomed is just a matter of pinching back any overlong stems all through the growing season. To encourage new shoots, cut out a few of the oldest stems yearly. Most lilacs bloom on wood formed the previous year, so prune just after flowering is finished, cutting back to a pair of leaves. Growth buds at that point will make flowering stems for next year. Lilacs do not need regular fertilizing, but do require regular watering. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out, then flood the container with water until excess water runs out of the drainage holes. (This will ensure the entire root mass gets thoroughtly wet.)

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