Question
Can you help me with my lilac bush? It is about 8 years old and has never bloomed. It looses its leaves every year, but never gets any buds. I have used miracle grow but it does not seem to help.
Mrs Rada
Answer
There are several reasons that will affect the flowering of lilacs.
1. The plant does not receive enough sun. Lilacs require full sun, at least 6 hours a day.
2. The plant is pruned at the wrong time of year. Lilacs form buds on this years growth. If the lilac is pruned from late August through December, the flower buds are removed. The lilac should be pruned immediately after flowering if at all.
3. Providing too much nitrogen fertilizer (such as Miracle-Gro) will decrease flower production in favor of leaf production. Lilacs do best on poor, infertile soils. Only apply fertilizer once in the season, if at all, preferably after flowering.
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