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Syringa Vulgaris: Never blooms

Logan L Johnson

7 years ago

I have a common lilac that never blooms. The largest stem died due to lilac borers several years ago, and I removed it. There is still one large stem, and lots of suckers. I tip-pruned the large stem several weeks ago to encourage new growth, and hopefully flowers.

That isn't a power pole, it has a light on it.

Tip-pruned stalk (above)

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

7 years ago

Reasons why lilacs fail to bloom:

Improper or poorly timed pruning.
improper fertilization (can be from the effect of fertilizing surrounding lawn area).
Confined or congested root system
Insufficient age
Inadequate sunlight
Too dry a summer/inadequate irrigation when flower buds are being set
Too warm a winter
pH too far off in either direction

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Comments (10)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years ago
The flowers grow on the tips. If there were any buds you've cut them off. Honestly, Logan, someone needs to hide your pruners for a year or two.
Logan L Johnson
Original Author
7 years ago
The reason was to rejuvenate the old stem. I have never pruned it before. Matter of fact, somebody stole my bypass pruners last week :(. Still haven't recovered them.
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flower color would help ... one must assume.. on some level.. that a plant in a pot is not totally mature.. as to growth characteristics ... not to mention hyperfertilization to get them to market as fast as possible ... also.. i am aware of no MINI lilac ... but there are dwarf ... such as paladin ... but do understand.. if momma can be 10 feet tall and wide.. a dwarf of her.. may still end up large ... my paladin is at least 6 feet wide.. and 4 feet tall ... i am not impressed with the claim that it reblooms ... nor with the fragrance of its smaller flower clusters... but that is comparing to the huge ones ... regardless.. if i only had a small space.. i would buy it again ... you have to have at least one lilac ... mini...dwarf.. etc... are words.. used to compare annual growth rates ... very superficially.. if momma grows a foot per year ... a dwarf might grow 3 to 6 inches.. and a mini.. under 2 inches.. if you look at the plant you have.. and trace down a branch.. you will see where bark color changes.. and that is each years growth rate ..... and you can guesstimate how much it grew last season.. and the season before.. and come to some conclusions as to how much it grows per year ... on yours.. it looks.. w/o a scale.. to be at least 8 inches or so .... but potted stock is ofter hyperfertilized... as per above... as i said.. i dont think there are any mini lilac ... good luck .. and see you in the shrub forum if you wish .... ken Here is a link that might be useful: link
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Logan L Johnson
Original Author
7 years ago
1. This is the first time that I have ever pruned it (besides removing the dead stem)

2. I don't fertilize my lawn

3. Possible, what would be other indicating signs?

4. It has bloomed before

5. It's in full sun

6. Possible, but this shouldn't happen every year. I do admit, I've never seen another syringa vulgaris in the are. Just 'miss kim' and some of the other dwarfs.

7. It was very warm the past few winters

8. I will test the soil PH after all else has failed (because that cost money)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Your climate is probably not well suited to them

Lilacs for the South
Logan L Johnson thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
cecily
7 years ago
Lilacs in northern VA only bloom well after "polar vortex" type winters. If winter is mild, bloom is sparse. Last winter was a doozy and the lilacs were magnificent. Thus, homeowners rushed out to buy lilacs. This year has been extremely mild & those lilacs won't bloom much. I expect to see lots of posts on GW titled "Why didn't my lilac bloom?"
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
i m voting on not mature enough ... since the transplant ... and you cant count.. if you did.. flowering in the pot you bought it in ...

sooner or later.. you arent going to be able to get to that electric box .... if thats important ...

do you see any other lilacs blooming within 10 miles of your place ...

lilac set their buds in fall .. you can literally see them .. though very small ...

L is rejuvenation pruned .. ALWAYS .. no tip pruning ... EVER ....

ken
Mike McGarvey
7 years ago
Vulgaris shouldn't be capitalized when used after Syringa.
Logan L Johnson
Original Author
7 years ago
"i m voting on not mature enough ... since the transplant ... and you cant count.. if you did.. flowering in the pot you bought it in ...

sooner or later.. you arent going to be able to get to that electric box .... if thats important ...

do you see any other lilacs blooming within 10 miles of your place ...

lilac set their buds in fall .. you can literally see them .. though very small ...

L is rejuvenation pruned .. ALWAYS .. no tip pruning ... EVER ....

ken"

Actually, it came with the house. I would say it's pretty old, at least dating back to the 80's. I don't think that I have never seen another lilac near my area, there are some here and there up in the mountains (but that's a completely different climate, z6).

"Vulgaris shouldn't be capitalized when used after Syringa."

I only done that because it is in a title.

"Lilacs in northern VA only bloom well after "polar vortex" type winters. If winter is mild, bloom is sparse. Last winter was a doozy and the lilacs were magnificent. Thus, homeowners rushed out to buy lilacs. This year has been extremely mild & those lilacs won't bloom much."

It didn't bloom in 2014, which I guess was a polar vortex winter (we got about 4 big snowstorms).
Embothrium
7 years ago
Looks buried too deep and is not very large at this time. It also lacks vigor, pruning it back is not going to make it stronger. Providing good environmental conditions is what will do that.

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