Bob: You planted a bare root tree that was not fully dormant, and you may have done it a little late for your climate. There is still a chance the tree will survive, but I would cut it back by at least half of those 5 feet. Next time, start with a dormant tree and try to plant earlier. The roots have not yet had a chance to really grow after only two months, and they may not be in a position to support any leaf growth. Cutting back the top may reduce the demand on those developing roots. I don't work with the Sunset system since I don't live in California, but are you in the far northern part of the state where the weather is still cool? If so, that will help. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Well this plant kept growing and blooming beautifully until 2-3 weeks ago I noticed I wasn't seeing any open blooms again, and a lot of yellowing leaves. Since it had recovered so nicely this spring after being inside all winter, it didn't get repotted. Sure enough, look what was going on in the pot! Usually I repot as soon as I bring a plant home, but didn't do this one, at all yet. It's the worst root-bound plant I've seen in a LONG TIME, and a clear reminder of why I stopped using peat. When I chopped the root ball in half with a shovel, there were no roots on the inside at all. Literally none. I'm not terribly squeamish about such things but pulling the plastic thing out of the mushy, rotting roots was unpleasant (but I don't think a tiny amount of peat will bother my veggie patch more than the rotted roots would help, so wanted to keep that.) My hands got too dirty to take any more pics but I wiggled and pulled all of that peat away from the middle, then removed most of the roots that were around the outside edge. It fit easily back into the same pot, the hardest part was getting the hanging thing off and back on. I'm so glad I didn't try fertilizing again or letting it go bone dry for longer periods. No more "it looks fine so I'm not going to repot that this year" for me. If it's been a year, out of the pot it comes. At least I know I'll find a pot FULL of roots next year, not a clot of empty peat. And Toni, I did end up developing an affection for that Amaryllis and have moved it to the front yard where it can be seen next year (and not laid on by a great dane!)

wangshan - those are beautiful lilacs!!!! Yes, it may take some time but your little babies should bloom one day. Sometimes they end up blooming earlier than if you tried starting a plant from seed. All of you in the MW have been under the influence of some chilly weather lately and I think a few days of warm will pop the buds - and if not that, they will gradually open and you'll actually have a longer bloom period out of them. My Miss Kim came out all at once last week, literally overnight, for the first time since I've had her (about 7 years). Usually she's slow to open flowers, with one or two fully opening a day. But we had a bunch of very sunny dry days in the upper 70° Fs and that popped her fully open in a day. Since both of my lilacs are permanently in containers and not in full sun, they have come out a bit later than the ones in the ground. But even then, my Miss Kim is at least a week ahead of her usual bloom schedule due to the mild winter and no late frosts. My James McFarlane hasn't fully opened buds yet, although I noticed 1 panicle opening now. Wow that wafting fragrance is great though!!!!

you dont use soil.. mother earth ... in pots .... too hard to control .... peat based potting media is usually high in peat .. which holds too much water for trees ... so a lot of tree peeps cut it half and half with mini chunks .... little bark pieces the size of your thumbnail ... that way.. when you water the top .... it seems like it all runs out the bottom.. but the peat catches just enough water ... for a tree ... and you tend to let the pots NEARLY dry in between watering .. that is a VERY superficial explanation ... but you start with pot size.. and you are probably going to need at least a 10 to 20 gallon pot ... smaller might work.. but it might not hold up the tree in wind .... i actually had a 6 ft tri color in a half barrel ... to give you some perspective .... and the movers agreed to move it ... i did exactly what you are talking about .... my native soil was nice sandy peat [old house] .... and i just put the potted trees .. pot and all .... into the ground.. since mother earth had high drainage ... and i was not worried about standing water down in the pot ... all that said .... if you do everything perfect.. the trees will overcome the potting in about 2 years.. then you will move them.. and then.. set them back with a new transplant... not to mention figuring out how to move the giant pots and trees ... its totally up to you.. but you might be better off.. just waiting ... for your future forest also.. make sure black pots are NEVER in the sun.. you can cook the roots ... both trees ought to do good in bright shade .... this is another reason i buried the pots ... trees like cool roots .... and rather dry soil .... damp.. but not sodden is what i mean ... they are not like annuals and perennials that like a lot of water good luck ken