Lilac is a cultivated woody shrub that is easy to grow and was brought to the post-Soviet space from Asia and China. Young lilac seedlings adapt well to transplanting into open ground at any time, while mature bushes are best planted in the fall, when cool temperatures have set in. The timing of lilac planting depends on the lunar phases indicated in the gardener's calendar, the day of the week, climate conditions, and soil conditions. To ensure lilacs take root after transplanting, it is necessary to properly implement agricultural practices according to the 2020 lunar calendar.
How do the phases of the moon influence
Even our ancient ancestors noted that the cycles of the moon influence many material processes related to water. For example, the ancient physician and medical expert Avicenna performed abdominal surgeries only during the full moon because it improved wound healing. Scandinavians slaughtered cattle during the winter only during the new moon to ensure the meat had less water and denser muscle fibers. Socrates noted that the ebb and flow of the seas and oceans is linked to the two-week cycle of the full moon.
It is best to plant lilac seedlings in open ground during the waxing moon, as during this period, the circulation of sap in the root system is minimal. If the radix is damaged, the wounds will heal quickly, and the loss of cellular fluid will be minimal.
Seeds and seedlings planted closer to the new moon require less watering than those planted during the full moon. Agronomists attribute this effect to the flow of liquid in the humus: the greater the moon, the more moisture reaches the soil surface. Astrologers attribute this phenomenon to the horary influence of the air and celestial signs of the zodiac on the germination of the embryo in the seed and the formation of bulbous buds on the roots.
Growing conditions for common lilac
The first specimens of this tree were brought to the USSR from China, Vietnam, and Korea. Wild lilacs are common throughout Asia and Europe. In the 1930s, the Triumph and Champs-Élysées lilac varieties were brought to the Leningrad nursery but died due to a harsh winter. Surprisingly, the Asian shrubs quickly adapted to the conditions of central Russia and produced new shoots the following year. Through breeding, agronomists and plant breeders developed various species and cultivars of lilac, which are divided into two large groups: the European type and the Asian type. The European type includes more than 10 species and 40 cultivars, which bloom for a short time but produce large, vibrant flowers with a distinct fragrance. The Asian type blooms for a long time, with small flowers on short stalks.
A cultivar is an artificially bred group of plants with a similar morphological, productive, and vegetative structure. A cultivar is the result of selective breeding to improve the agronomic traits of local wild plants or existing varieties with poor agronomic performance. A species is an indivisible taxonomic unit, a naturally occurring community of plants belonging to a single family or genus. Humans have no influence on the formation of a species; it is created by nature.
Landing site requirements
For planting common lilac (a species that includes the most common varieties cultivated in Russia), choose a sunny, non-waterlogged site with well-rested, fertile soil. Avoid dense planting; space individual shrubs at least 3 meters apart. If you plan to create a hedge with lilac, trim young saplings into a topiary shape, then the distance from one root collar to the next should be 1.7–2 meters. For an alley planting, reduce the distance to 1 meter. However, such dense planting will result in a lack of abundant blooms and large flower stalks.
Lilacs should be protected from drafts, as non-winter-hardy varieties can freeze in February and March during strong winds and snowstorms. Avoid low-lying areas or areas with high groundwater levels (1 meter or higher). In the spring, melting snow will accumulate in the groundwater, causing the lilac roots to rot from excess water. The site for planting this shrub should be well-ventilated, slightly elevated, and have good drainage.
Types of planting depending on the type of seedling
The correct technique for planting a rootstock seedling involves burying the root collar in soil for the first 14 days after planting. This will stimulate root strengthening and the growth of new shoots. However, after two weeks, the root collar should be freed from soil, otherwise the lilac may rot.
The grafted seedling is planted so that there is a depression in the soil around the root collar, 10-15 cm in diameter and 5-7 cm deep. This planting method ensures that the adventitious vegetative organ does not produce additional shoots. This way, all the lilac's energy will be directed toward the grafted variety, rather than toward the formation of adventitious shoots.
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How to prepare a hole
The depth of the hole depends on how extensive the root system has become. It's best to plant lilacs so that the lower roots are slightly pressed to the bottom of the hole. Before planting the seedling, fertilize the soil additionally. Mix horse manure with sifted sand in a ratio of 4 to 1. Sprinkle the bottom of the hole with the resulting mixture to a depth of 10-20 cm. The hole should be at least 50 cm deep, not including allowance for fertilizer.
After planting, cover the roots with soil mixed with manure and sand. If the soil is too loose, lightly pack it around the trunk to prevent the bush from being blown around by the wind and bulging.
Benefits of Fall Planting
Autumn planting is limited to the last ten days of August and September. Planting seedlings in October can pose a risk of root freezing during the first freezing temperatures. Planting lilacs in autumn In September 2020, lilacs will be successfully transplanted into open ground. The main advantage of autumn planting is that the tree won't waste energy on vegetation, nourishing its leaves, and producing flowers. During the winter, all vitamins and minerals are maximally concentrated in the roots. Therefore, lilacs have a better chance of taking root if transplanted in the fall.
It's best to cover the bushes with snow if the winter is snowy, so the ground underneath won't freeze. Lilacs are easy-to-grow plants that don't require much care. The European variety tolerates cold well, so the bushes don't need to be covered. It's best to plant lilacs early in the morning or in the evening, just before the sun sets. During these hours, ultraviolet radiation from the sun is reduced.
Planting according to the lunar calendar, unfavorable days
The lunar planting calendar for lilacs contains a list of favorable days. For the convenience of gardeners, the calendar's recommendations are summarized in a table.
| Favorable days in August | Favorable days in September |
| 1, 2 growing | 1 growing |
| 3rd full moon | 2nd full moon |
| 20-31 waxing | 18-30 growing |
In 2020, lilac planting season extends throughout August and September, but in central Russia, it's best to begin planting after September 20. In the Moscow region, Leningrad Oblast, Volga region, and Krasnodar Krai, planting can begin as early as the last month of summer.
Avoid gardening during the new moon and certain unfavorable days. The new moon is on the 19th of August and the 17th of September. Unfavorable days in September are associated with the Sun's waning phase and tense aspects between Saturn and Mars. This trine negatively affects all flowers and shrubs. September 3, 4, 8, and 12 are unfavorable days for transplanting lilac seedlings.
Planting dates by region
The timing of planting seedlings is influenced not only by the moon's position but also by the local conditions. In Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East, where summers and off-seasons are short and winters are long, planting is pushed back to the end of September. Soil freezing is rare during this month, and the rainy season has already passed. A hot summer with moderate rainfall promotes deeper soil warming, allowing lilacs to be planted earlier.
In warmer regions, lilacs can be replanted in August, but it's important to know the rainfall schedule and forecast for the time period you plan to plant. If a young bush is flooded by heavy rain, the roots will rot and the entire plant will die. If the summer in central Russia is cool and cloudy, it's best to replant lilacs in early fall rather than in summer.
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Post-planting care
Along with the seedling, a sturdy stake is placed in the hole, raised 30-50 cm above ground level. The base and center of the lilac trunk are tied to the stake with natural twine. This is done to prevent the lilac from breaking or leaning sideways in strong gusts of wind. After planting, the lilac needs to be watered 2-3 times before winter. The first watering is done seven days after transplanting. Subsequent waterings are done at intervals of 14-21 days.
When planting lilacs in the fall, avoid feeding them with mineral fertilizers, treating them for pests, or whitewashing the trunks with lime. The thin bark of lilacs can be damaged by chemical burns from lime application. Plants from the olive family are rarely attacked by insect pests, but they are at high risk of fungal diseases if not properly cared for and if cultivation practices are not followed. To prevent this, avoid planting lilacs in shady areas, avoid allowing the crown to become too dense, and loosen the soil regularly.
How to prune lilacs correctly
Lilacs, like any other woody plants, are pruned only during the waning moon. At this time, the natural growth of the tops is slowed and occurs in the root system. Pruning tools should be sharp and well-honed. Rusty tools should not be used. Do not prune different types of plants with the same pruning shears without first sanitizing them.
Trim excess branches at a 45º angle, making sure to make a clean cut. Any areas where sap is leaking can be sealed with garden putty or a homemade mastic. Mix 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, 3 tablespoons of flour, and 3 tablespoons of PVA glue per cup of water. Mix the ingredients and gradually heat over a flame, stirring constantly. The mixture will begin to thicken as it heats. Cool the mastic and store it in a dark place at room temperature. Apply a thin layer of healing liniment to the damaged bark. It's important to ensure that no leaves or small debris adhere to the liniment as it cools.
Lilac seedlings can be planted in 2020 from early August to late September, depending on the region. The planting time is influenced by the phases of the moon, the zodiac signs, natural and climatic conditions, and the planting region. Fall planting offers several advantages over spring planting. Lilacs can be pruned during the waning moon to minimize damage to the cut branches. Agronomists have developed special varieties adapted to both Siberia and the Krasnodar Krai. Lilac is an easy-to-grow plant that is resistant to insect pests but susceptible to fungal infections.