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Garden Gate:  Lilacs  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - May 23 2011 : 4:59:02 PM
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Hi girls!
I have some beautiful lilacs in front of our home, but this was a pretty harsh winter (actually, like most of you, we've had a couple of harsh winters in a row now). Two of the bushes have barely any leaves, but still have smaller, fragrant flowers - even on the bare branches. I'm wondering if there's anything I should do to help them or to "save" them? I usually don't do anything and they simply flourish. This year, though, they're looking as if we might lose them. I'd really appreciate your suggestions!
Thanks,
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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tammyknit
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Tammy
Reedsburg
WI
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2011 : 1:32:47 PM
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I do know that cutting off the flower heads after they have died back will promote more blooms next year. i think if you still have some green on them they should do just fine and send up new shoots from the ground. If the branches look dead, though, I would cut them out.
Tammy |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2011 : 4:02:25 PM
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Thank you, Tammy! It's so hard to say. They look like a whole bunch of sticks with a few flowers on each and very few leaves if any. Some look very much dead, but when you look up close, there's new growth! It's so weird - I've never seen them like this before! Maybe we'll just cut back some of them and see what happens. I really appreciate your answer - thanks again! - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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Arctic Flower
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Marjorie
Nenana
Alaska
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2011 : 9:30:36 PM
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Nini, My lilacs fed the moose all winter. But, they are just starting to leaf out and when they do I am going to put those plant food stakes all around the drip line of them. We did that a few years ago when the moose feasted on them through the winter and I had more blooms the following year than ever before. We have also had the longest below freezing weather ever this winter. We dropped to 0 in October and stayed there or below until March with very little snow cover. I was really expecting the lilacs to die. There are a few dead branches but I won't prune them until after it blooms. Good luck with yours. I just love the smell of lilacs. I always cut a bunch for the dining table.
Farmgirl #2416
Believe in the power of Love! |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2011 : 9:56:47 PM
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Thank you, Marjorie! I will try that! I am not sure where to prune them, or how far down, though - will you please share that with me? I'm nervous - I just don't want to destroy them. I absolutely love the smell of lilacs, too. Lilac bushes frame our front porch, so when we open the windows the whole house is permeated with their fragrance... so romantic and magical. :) - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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Arctic Flower
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Marjorie
Nenana
Alaska
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2011 : 6:09:18 PM
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Nini, Pruning is real easy on lilacs. The stems branch. After bloom I cut at an angle all the stems that had blooms under the circle of leaves down about 4 or 5 inches from the Y intersecton. When I cut stems for the house I follow the same method. If there isn't that much room just prune under the circle of leaves. This will cause the lilac to produce more stems on the stem you just cut back so you will have more blooms the following year. In the picture you can see the new blooms starting to form. You also can see in the picture the winter die off. I will prune it off the same way even if there are no blooms or leaves. Sometimes those dead looking stems still have life in them close to the Y intersection and pruning revitalizes the whole stem. It's amazing to me. I hope this works for you. - Marji
PS. Be sure your pruners are razor sharp. Lilac stems are tough.:))
Farmgirl #2416
Believe in the power of Love! |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2011 : 04:06:44 AM
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Marjorie, it always amazes me how familiar Alaskans are with Moose. "My lilacs fed the moose all winter..." I'm so jealous! Moose are my favorite animal! I'd love to see one up close (Safely, of course!)!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3329 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3329 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2011 : 05:44:07 AM
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Nini,
If you've got "green" I think you are good to go for next year.
I just wish the flowers lasted a little longer...
Mel
Farmgirl #525 |
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Arctic Flower
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Marjorie
Nenana
Alaska
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2011 : 3:25:19 PM
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Megan, I wish you could see them too. They are so entertaining. Here's a pic for you from this winter with a baby and her mom browsing on one of my lilacs. I could have chased them off but I never do because I love watching them. But they do a lot of damage. Yikes!!
Farmgirl #2416
Believe in the power of Love! |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 12:50:00 PM
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I am going to try to propagate some lilac's this year, my aunt has this gorgeous dark purple lilac that I would just love to have in my yard. She has a bunch of suckers so I will try that as well as propagating with rooting hormone too. I do have the typical lavender colored and white colored lilacs in the front yard but I would love some dark purple ones too! I have never seen pink, but I am hoping to find some of those too. I love lilacs :)
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 2:11:15 PM
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I'm like you, Melody - the flowers just don't last long enough! :) I'm still going to try to prune them, but it really is good to know that I haven't lost them yet. The past few winters have been so hard... Have you been able to plant anything yet, Mel? Don't worry - if your garden doesn't grow, I'll send you a care package once mine comes in! :)
That is SUCH an awesome picture, Marjorie - I can't imagine what it might be like to see a moose up close and personal like that, but like you said, Megan, I sure would like to! :)
Krystle - do you just cut a shoot and plant it like you would roses? Are you using a particular brand of rooting hormone? I hadn't thought of trying that, but you've nspired me! We have an antique lilac in the back that I'd like to try to grow in the front. How wonderful it would be to add her offshoots to the mix in the front!! My front ones are purple, the one in the back is white - wouldn't that be so pretty!
Happy day! - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 2:12:15 PM
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Oh! Marjorie! I'm so sorry! Thank you for the pruning tips!! I REALLY appreciate your help! :)
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3329 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3329 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 7:12:59 PM
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Nini,
My beans are up, my spinach is up, my calendula is up, my hollyhocks are up, my sunflowers are up and my plum and apple trees are in full blossom! God is good....
Mel |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 8:20:01 PM
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YES! Then I guess your CHEER is up, too, Melody! Huzzah!!! :) Happy sunshine!!! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2011 : 07:36:11 AM
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Nini, this is the first year I am trying it but from what I have read you can use the suckers at the bottom of the plant, like dig them up and replant them or you can take a 6-7 inch long branch, dip it in rooting hormone and then put it in something like peat and perlite until it grows roots then you can plant it. I am going to talk to the lady at the garden center here in town and ask her what kind of rooting hormone she recommends. Otherwise I am just going to Menards and picking up whatever they have. I really hope it works, it should be pretty interesting!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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Garden Gate: Lilacs |
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Lilacs
