Many of the new varieties of lilac are hybrids; H. they can only be propagated true to type by cuttings, sticks or by grafting.
Refinement is a form of propagation
What is Refining?
Propagation by grafting (also known as "xenovegetative propagation" in professional circles) is a form of vegetative propagation in which two plant species or varieties are brought together - in principle, the gardener turns two plants into one. The rootstock provides the rootstock, which influences growth and is important for nutrient absorption. The noble variety is then grafted on or refined, as the gardener says.
Good reasons for refinement
Lilac is often grafted because:
- strong plants grow quickly in this way
- propagation does not succeed or does not succeed satisfactorily in any other way
- the plant should be given certain properties, for example with regard to growth height or growth habit
- many new plants can be grown with little starting material
- several varieties are to grow on one substrate
Refining lilacs - That's how it's done
The easiest way is to graft a noble lilac on a Syringa vulgaris rootstock, ergo a wild lilac. You need the rootstock and a scion with three pairs of eyes from the scion, which are connected by what is known as copulation. The best time is immediately after the second annual shoot in July. And that's how it works:
1. Cut the mating surfaces on both the rootstock and scion.
2. The cut surface must have the same length in each case.
3. Cut evenly to create a flat surface.
4. A long, elliptical incision is also important in order to achieve a larger adhesion zone.
5. The grafting partners grow together the better, the larger the contact between their growth layers.
6. Also make sure that at least one eye is opposite the respective interfaces.
7. Never touch the cut surfaces with your bare hands!
8. Join the cut surfaces and tightly connect them with raffia or a special finishing tape.
Depending on how high you let the trunk of the rootstock stand, you can achieve a tall lilac trunk. The higher the refinement, the stronger the influence of the substrate. Any root suckers must always be removed, as these are wild shoots.
tips
A grafted lilac becomes particularly interesting if you graft several different colored noble varieties on an ordinary lilac - a colorful spring bouquet in the garden.