Transplanting lilac bushes (at this time of year)

Discussion in 'Woody Plants' started by tomauroland, May 15, 2007.

  1. tomauroland

    tomauroland Member

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    A friend has to get rid of her lilac bushes. They are about 9 years old.
    Is there any good chance of transplanting them at this time of the year?
    (Would they have a good chance of taking)
    And if so, what would be the best mixture and recommendations for the best
    chance of success?

    I only have about a week to decide on this, I hate to let them go, but also don't want the hastle if they don't have a decent chance of surviving.

    My location is central Vancouver Island
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Maybe try potting some suckers and putting them in shade, watering frequently. Note that if grafted suckers may be different from main tops.
     
  3. tomauroland

    tomauroland Member

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    Much as it pains me I've decided to let these plants go.
    The location gets sun almost all day long, and so I think I would
    just be asking for trouble to transplant at this time of the year. (May)

    Sorry to bother you.
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    On another thread elsewhere it was mentioned that lilacs are comparatively easy to transplant.
     
  5. tomauroland

    tomauroland Member

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    Thanks Ron. I was reading at the site http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/shrub/lilac.htm

    and it has lots of information, although it's North Dakota, and it seems as though this
    is definitely the WRONG time to transplant, and it has to be done carefully..getting a 36 inch rootball, etc. and I was having trouble finding help to do this..it has to be done soon, and they would be in blazing sun all summer, so although I hated to give up the opportunity to have mature plants, I thought I'd better plan better and do it in the fall -- PLAN is the key word here...I seem to have planted my garden helter skelter over the years...but it is shaping up okay despite my lack of planning. I also couldn't get a handy person who would do this CAREFULLY--and SOON, and just thought that I'd have trouble keeping them alive, and then have to deal with the remains if they didn't take.
     
  6. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    If you can wait then yes, fall right after leaf drop would be ideal.
     
  7. kinnika

    kinnika Active Member

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    Lilacs are the easiest shrubs to transplant..Just water well before digging and get a good amount of dirt with them.Don't let air get to the roots..Dig a large hole water it real well and plop Lilac in hole. Don't pass them up..Just keep well watered..I doubt if a leaf will even droop.
     
  8. dandy

    dandy Member

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    I'm in Nanaimo, too. I planted one this time last year (Mothers' Day) and it is doing very well. I made sure that it had sufficient water all last summer (and lime) and the fragrance just now is a beautiful thing!
     

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