Lilac bushes won,t bloom?

Question

how to care for lilacs to make them bloom

Answer 1

Early, annual pruning is one of the most important thing you can do to ensure a healthy lilac and a profusion of blooms the following year. First, remove dead or diseased branches. Then eliminate suckers and shoots at or near ground level or where it comes out of the main trunk ... leaving a few strong and healthy new stalks each year. Ventilation is improved by cutting out larger stems from the center of the bush. Since lilac borers are attracted to older, woody stems, pruning will prevent problems from this insect pest. Next, prune to encourage newer shoots on the outside of the plant to develop. Trim back branches that stick out from the main bush.

Prune right after blooming to ensure enough time for new growth to set flower buds for next years blooms.

Feeding with compost & mulching helps improve bloom production. If using a fertilizer product , use one listed as 5-10-10, making sure it is low in nitrogen & higher in Phosphorus.

Good well-drained garden soil with a pH of 7 is ideal for a lilac. You can improve your soil by adding peat, sand or potting soil. In clay or heavy soil, plant the lilac up on a mound. In highly acidic soil, dig in lime before planting.

Make sure your Lilac is getting enough sunlight, & is not shaded too much by the branches of adjacent trees.

Here's an interesting tip from Horticulturist, Ron Smith, NDSU Extension Serviceto rejuvenate older bushes: "Try driving a spade into the soil around the base of the plants to cut off some of the roots, but not all. This will cause the plants to be shocked into flowering the following season."

Cut some bouquets of flowers now & you'll not only get to enjoy the fragrance of spring indoors, but you will get a head start on pruning.

Hope this helps. I love Lilacs. Good luck!

Answer 2

GROWING TIPS:
Lilacs need lots ofto grow well. If it’s too shady they won’t receive enough to make them flower properly.
Lack of good light will also allow a white mildew to develop on their leaves.
Applying mulch around the base of lilacs will help to keep weeds down.
Pruning will help keep your shrubs healthy and allowto circulate through the branches.
Older lilacs, too, can be greatly improved with a good pruning that will enhance their size and shape.

Answer 3

lilacs won't bloom if you happen to prune them at the wrong time. The only time you can prune them is right after they bloom-- any other time will kill the flowers for at least the next year.

Answer 4

They need lime. buy a bag of garden lime.You can also use crushed egg shells.