Wind storm killed my lilac tree. It was starting up for the year already. Can I cut off sections of this to propagate? How large of sections would be feasible? I have decent grow lights and time at my disposal I suppose.
by Apprehensive-Jury-68
Wind storm killed my lilac tree. It was starting up for the year already. Can I cut off sections of this to propagate? How large of sections would be feasible? I have decent grow lights and time at my disposal I suppose.
by Apprehensive-Jury-68
5 Comments
I have not rooted lilacs from cuttings but have heard they are pretty easy, depending on the variety. Take more cuttings than you need, 1/2” or less diameter, 6-8” long with buds or nodes. Trim the lower end at an angle and dip it in rooting hormone, then plant it in damp good potting soil, peat moss, sphagnum moss, perlite, or sand. I always tent my cuttings with clear plastic covers (large clear plastic bags held up with sticks work well). Put them in a bright place but not direct sun. Keep the substrate moist but not wet. Most lilacs, especially the common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, also root sucker, so you may see new sprouts from the base. French lilacs don’t sucker as much and the hybrid ‘Miss Kim’ never seems to. Good luck.
It’s certainly worth a try! I think I’d cut 10”-12” pieces
I successfully propagate my lilac trees most years. They’re really easy! You’ve got a lot of new growth on there which is great. Here’s what you’ll want to do:
– in the early morning which it’s nice and crispy outside, cut off some sections of the new growth (where it’s still green and bendy) – you’ll want a section that has like 4-6 leaves on it if you can find one
– snip off the bottom leaves from you cutting, and put a little rooting hormone on those spots if you can.
– plant the cutting in little seedling trays or small plastic cups and water deeply
– if using a seedling tray, put on the humidity cover. If using cups, you can tent with a ziplock bag with a few holes poked in it.
– keep somewhere nice and bright. Growlights are great if you have them
– remove the humidity cover every few days and make sure you monitor for mold etc since it’s going to be pretty humid
– keep relatively moist, but they can dry out a little bit between waterings
I have had the most luck with real seedling trays. And I’ve had great success using the little seedling pods in place of soil.
Couldn’t hurt, could help. The good news is you need not worry about taking too many cuttings because the whole damn tree is doomed anyway. Bust out every pot you own and a few you don’t and go to town on it. Try rooting hormone too, I’ve had limited luck with it but again, couldn’t hurt.
Oh… that is an OLD lilac! It’s definitely worth trying!