I hate those things... Roots grow too fast and most people's soils cannot break the pots down properly or quickly enough. I also hate the "cut the bottom off" suggestion many companies/growers use because it hinders lateral growth of roots forcing more roots deeper past soil that contains some of the most nutrient rich parts of the soil. I always cut the plants out of those pots with scissors and throw the pots on the compost pile. This post was edited by nc-crn on Mon, Apr 22, 13 at 16:41

I guess only you can answer that question. Am I worried? No, if they come, then they come. I have a wide variety of viburnums, some listed as least susceptible and some listed as most. V plicatum tomentosum are susceptible to basal trunk canker, causing the stems to die one-at-a-time. They're best placed in a wind-protected site in zone 5 for this reason and foliage will wilt during the driest portions of summer. I think, that just about anything you plant can have some sort of problem. And no, I'm not loaded (as in money), but I'm just not going to worry about it. I have an ash tree in my side yard. The Emerald Ash Borer has been positively found in Northern IL. I'm not far north, but I'm still considered north. If if comes, I'll deal with it then. I know what it's like to want it done and done now. We moved into this house just a year ago. I ripped out most everything that was here and have started over. Most my plants are very small plants. I wish I could do a Samantha Stevens thing and twitch my nose and make them be full size, but I can't. I just have to wait. Have you ever been to Possibility Place in Monee, IL? The man who owns the place is Conner. He's very nice and very knowledgeable. You could also call him. They sell mostly wholesale, but if you call and set up a time, they do sell retail. They specialize in plants indigenous to northeast Illinois. Ninety percent of their plant seed is collected in Northern Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Below is a link to them. Here is a link that might be useful: Possibility Place

> Powdery mildew is not caused by dry soil. Powdery mildew is a fungus that can live in infected debris in the soil and is spread to the plants when conditions are right. The conditions are lack of air circulation like in thickly grown plants or plenty of heat and especially humidity. We have had many years when we have had dry conditions with no humidity and never had an infected plant. Crank up the humidity and there are infections. -- PM likes hot and dry. PM is easily controlled by spraying your plants with water, as PM hates water. In regards to having a lilac sprayed with water, this does not cause PM. PM often appears when soil is dry. Yes, it is caused by a fungus. But that fungus is always around. It is only when plants get stressed (such as from lack of water) that PM can take hold. It is like your stomach. It's full of bacteria and acid. Psychological stress can cause an imbalance of acid that causes the bacteria to flourish and cause ulcers. Back in the "day", treatment was to neutralize the acid. But in fact it was the bacteria that caused the ulcers, and so newer treatments target the bacteria. Or, perhaps the underlying stress.

It would be close. Guess I won't do that. I'll only put them in that bed if the Miss Kim lilac bush dies. Just would like them out of the planter they are in but I can keep them there. Thanks for your input.