I used to think that lilac grows beautiful on its own, but it turned out that without proper pruning it is possible. Here's what to do

Lilac grows on my site next to the gazebo, creating an amazing decorative corner. When caring for this crop, I pay special attention to pruning the bushes. This operation is necessary to ensure lush flowering.

Lilac. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

I definitely practice the autumn pruning of lilacs, since this operation is easier to tolerate, activates the bookmark of flower buds, allows to form a conceived crown shape, serves as a preventive measure against harmful insects and a number of dangerous infections, promotes rejuvenation bushes.

Autumn pruning technology

I start pruning the lilac bushes, focusing on the weather forecast. 3-4 weeks should remain before persistent cold weather. I practice several schemes.

Sanitary pruning

I carefully examine the bushes. The foliage is no longer on them, so it is possible to see all the flaws. With sanitary pruning, I remove:

• broken, dry, twisted, misshapen processes;
• stems directed towards the inside of the bush;
• overlapping, competing branches;
• shoots covered with lichen, mossy influxes;
• old shoots with cracked bark;
• young growth that thickens the bush.

In a grafted plant, the shoots located below the vaccination site are completely removed.

Formative pruning

I resort to shaping the crown of lilac bushes when they reach the age of three. It usually takes several years. Algorithm of actions:

1. I choose 4-5 healthy, strong stems that do not interfere with each other. I cut off the rest of the shoots at the level of the soil surface. I cut off the tops of the left stems and skeletal branches, leaving equal distances to the ground.
2. The next year, the layers developing on the skeletal branches are analyzed. I select for further development the most developed and strong branches growing outward. I remove shoots that create excessive density of the bush. And I also cut out the branches that intersect and are oriented towards the center.

In subsequent years, I slightly shorten all the growing branches, maintaining the created shape.

Some of my plants take the shape of a tree. When pruning, I leave the central stem first. I pinch the top of my head at the height I need. Further formation is performed on 3-4 strong branches growing outward. I remove the overgrowth immediately.

Anti-aging pruning

For lilac bushes at the age of 10-12 years, rejuvenation is necessary. I carry out this activity in the following order:

1. I cut out any dry, broken layers. And also I remove thin, weak, unnecessary branches. I remove shoots with traces of damage from harmful insects or diseases.
2. As a result, 4-5 stems remain on the bush. I cut them so that the height of the remaining stumps is 10-15 cm.
3. I disinfect the slices with brilliant green. I can sprinkle them with powdered crushed coal or cover them with garden pitch.
4. After such an operation, all I have to do is to remove unnecessary overgrowth, shorten the lateral branches growing from the stumps.

Sometimes for neglected aged shrubs I undertake a more radical pruning. In such a situation, I remove all the stems.

I know from my own experience that timely pruning in autumn has a beneficial effect on the condition of lilac bushes. They develop better, delight with lush flowering.

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