Can new lilacs bushes be started from suckers?

Kisal · Mod Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: Oregon

I have a small lilac shrub that I bought from a neighbor, either last year or the year before. It's in a good-sized container, and seems to be doing nicely. I intend to plant it in my yard. I noticed that several small shoots have come up in the container. How large do they have to be before they can be separated from the main plant to live on their own? Question

hendi_alex · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject:

I can't speak specifically for lilacs, but with my many shrubs that do produce side shoots, as soon as their own roots develop, I've never had a problem with a transplant. If the roots that come with the sideshoot are very small, then I'll cut the top growth back by about 2/3.
_________________
Eclectic gardening style, drawing from 40 years of interest and experience. Mostly plant in raised beds and containers primarily using intensive gardening techniques.
Alex

Kisal · Mod Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: Oregon

Thanks, Alex! I'll do some poking around in the pot and see what the roots look like. Very Happy

schuursm · Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject:

I've transplanted many a lilac sucker from various bushes my parents have. I usually start with a stem that has at least 5 leaves on it but the roots are never very big. The trick seems to be that they get sun and water once you move them.
Did you manage to plant some? How are they doing?

luis_pr · Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:09 pm Post subject:

A 1' tall (or slightly larger) shoot can be transplanted as soon as its new location is ready for it.

Diane · Green Thumb Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 515 Location: Mass

Because my neighbor's tree almost completely shaded my lilac it wouldn't flower much. I had waited six years for flowers and it was in the sun when I planted it.
I got mad and yanked a sucker from it and planted it in the sun. It is three times larger than the mother bush now and flowers every year.
_________________
Gardens are a little bit of heaven on earth.

http://s600.photobucket.com/albums/tt87/Dianesgarden/?action=view&current=IMG00047.jpg

Kisal · Mod Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: Oregon

I planted the whole little shrub, without separating the suckers. I figured doing that might give me a better chance of some part of it developing into a good plant. It looks like it's doing very well. Smile

_________________
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

builder0101 · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:39 am Post subject:

In the spring I have taken cuttings of the new green shoots and stuck them in the ground ans voila new babies. You can also stake the branches to the ground I usually push then into the earth a few inches even allowing them to crack a little and cover them with mulch keep them moist and... new babies. YEA!!!