A Detailed Guide to Lilac Propagation Methods and Fertilization Techniques

In mid-spring, when all flowers bloom together, many inconspicuous flowers are drowned out in the sea of blossoms, but one kind particularly catches the eye, and that is the familiar lilac. Lilac is one of the most common flowering plants in our country, with elegant flower colors and charming fragrance. Many people like lilacs, but because they do not know what propagation methods are available, they keep putting off getting started.

Lilac Propagation Methods

1. Sowing method

Lilac sowing is generally carried out in spring.

Before sowing, soak the seeds in water for 1-2 days, take them out and place them in sand to promote germination, keep the soil moist for a week before sowing, cover with about 1 cm of soil, and the seedlings will sprout after a month. After the seedlings emerge, promptly cut off the thin and weak seedlings; weeding, watering, and fertilizing are all indispensable. In the following spring, they can be planted in pots.

2. Cutting method

Choose healthy 1-2 year old branches as cuttings, insert them directly into the soil, and let them slowly take root to form new plants.

Usually cuttings are taken one month after flowering, with the temperature controlled at around 25°C, and roots will form in 30-40 days. When the young roots change from white to yellow-brown, they can be transplanted.

3. Grafting method

The commonly used grafting method for lilac is bud grafting. For the scion, choose plump leaf buds on branches of the current year, and for the rootstock, choose a 1-2 year old lilac tree.

Cut off the leaves on the scion, keeping only the leaf stalks. Make a horizontal cut 1 cm above the bud, then make a flat upward cut from 1 cm below the bud; make a horizontal cut on the rootstock 5 cm above the ground, and from the middle of the cut make a downward vertical cut of 3 cm, forming a T shape; insert the scion into the T-shaped area so that the two are tightly joined, and bind them with a plastic bag.

Two to three weeks after bud grafting, if the leaf stalk on the scion falls off naturally, it means the bud has survived, and at this time the plastic strip can be removed.

4. Division method

Lilac division is actually bud division. In early spring or after leaf fall in autumn, dig out the small buds growing from the plant's root system and plant them in pots. If it is autumn, they need to be heeled in, and then planted in pots in the following spring.

5. Layering method

For lilac layering propagation, February is the best time. Choose a robust long branch; if the branch is too thick, you can lightly score the part to be pressed down, then press it into the soil. After that, keep the soil moist, and roots will form in 2-3 months. In autumn, the rooted part can be separated from the mother plant and planted separately.

How to Fertilize Lilac

1. Choosing fertilizer

Pay attention to the combination of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. If you are growing lilac at home for the first time, you can choose a special fertilizer for flowering plants, with a reasonable ratio of various elements, which can ensure soil aeration and has a long fertilizer effect, and can improve the soil.

2. Fertilization methods

1. During the growth of lilac, timely topdressing is needed. Lilac does not like heavy fertilizer; excessive fertilization will cause excessive growth of branches and leaves, and flower buds will be difficult to form due to lack of nutrients, resulting in reduced flowering, so fertilization is very important.

2. After flowering, nutrients should be supplemented in time to promote the plant's recovery, appropriately supplementing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Usually about 75 g of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer per plant, and 25 g of nitrogen fertilizer. Be careful not to use excessive nitrogen fertilizer, otherwise it will affect flowering the next year. In addition, generally every year or every other year, before winter, apply decomposed compost to supplement the nutrients in the soil so that the lilac can overwinter safely.

3. Fertilization techniques

1. Fertilizers generally available on the market are granular. You can choose to dig a shallow hole beside the plant and bury them, avoiding the roots and stems. This method can extend the fertilization cycle and let the fertilizer effect work slowly.

2. Or dilute granular fertilizer with water and pour it on. This method brings the fertilizer into direct contact with the plant and can increase soil fertility relatively quickly, but improper concentration control can easily burn the roots.

How to Care for Lilac

1. Watering

Lilac has strong adaptability, and its care method is relatively extensive. Usually, as long as you pay attention to timely weeding and water when the potting soil is dry, without waterlogging, it can grow normally. As for the frequency of watering, there is no strict requirement; water when it is dry.

2. Temperature

Lilac likes a warm and humid environment. It originated in the equatorial rainforest climate and has a certain cold resistance. The optimal growth temperature is 15-20°C. When the temperature is below 3°C, the plant will freeze and die.

3. Repotting

Lilac should be repotted every 2-3 years. Remove the plant from the pot, prune the root system, cut off old roots, and replace with new culture soil to promote the growth of new roots.

4. Pruning

Every year in mid-March, before lilac sprouts, it should be pruned. Cut off overly dense, thin and weak, and diseased or pest-infested branches, and shorten vigorously growing branches. After leaf fall, another shaping pruning can be done to keep the crown round and beautiful, which is beneficial for growth and flowering the next year.

What to Do If Lilac Leaves Wither

1. Light

Give lilac enough light and ensure the growing environment is warm, not low-temperature. Indoors, ventilate frequently to allow the leaves to breathe fresh air and carry out photosynthesis, which is beneficial for growth.

2. Watering

Pay attention to whether the soil where the lilac grows is dry. If it is dry, first spray water on the leaves. After the leaves have absorbed the water and dried, you can water the potting soil. Pay attention to the timing and frequency of watering. In summer, because the weather is hot, lilac also needs a large amount of water, so ensure the soil moisture. Do not wait until the soil is dry before watering; ordinarily, water twice a day.

That is the end of the practical guide on lilacs. We hope it is helpful to everyone. There are many propagation methods for lilacs, and everyone can choose the appropriate one according to their own actual situation. Although lilacs belong to extensive management, ordinary daily care still cannot be omitted.