QuestionQUESTION: I live in an apartment, but I love lilacs! I bought three lilac shoots from Michigan Bulb Co. and they look to be in good condition. Two of them I am going to plant at my mothers (we live in zone 5), but one I'd like to keep and grow in a pot. How big should the pot be? Are there any special considerations to growing a bush indoors? All I've ever had are small flowers and herbs so with something this large I'd appreciate a little guidance. Thank you so much in advance!
ANSWER: The most important thing to consider in this case is that there are indoor plants, that are bred and developed to grow in the special environment of a house, like the warm temperatures, dry air, low light, and so on. Out door plants will not do well in those conditions for very long. A lilac is an "outdoor" plant.
Consider planting all three at your mothers. Wait until the soil is warm enough to work. Keep the new trees in pots in a sunny place out side until you are ready to plant.
When you plant, add a generous amount of "Dolomite Lime" to the soil planting hole. Work it in. Lilacs don't like acid soil. Most soils are too acid for them. By adding the Lime, you will be giving them the sweet soil they prefer.
Plant the trees where they will get full sun. Water them well until the roots have had a chance to grow. Don't forget to check on them to see if they are doing well.
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QUESTION: The lilac that I kept is actually kept outdoors always, as are my other "house" plants. I do not keep them inside, as I have cats who will eat anything. Anyway, I planted the other lilacs at my mothers, and added the lime, but they are not looking healthy. The lilac that I have has grown several inches, and looks robust, while hers have grown quite slowly and were starting to yellow. They returned to a greener shade, but they still do not look well. The plants are growing in practically the same conditions (mine is several stories up on a balcony) and I can't figure out what would be wrong. Thank you for any suggestions!
Answer"Are there any special considerations to growing a bush INDOORS?" I believe that was the original question you ask, yet you say now that the lilac is outdoors all of the time. Sorry for the confusion...
From here where I am, it would be difficult to access the method of planting and watering etc. that the trees received, but they seem to be struggling to adjust to the environment they are in. It could be the water getting the root ball. It is either too wet, or probably too dry. I could be adjusting to the temperature, or light. It could be that there are air pockets in the planting hole that need to be pressed down to make good soil contact with the roots. With good attention to these things, the trees should get their root growth down and be all right.
