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This is the fourth year now. Both are lush with foliage and growing healthy.
Could it have anything to do with chemicals from our lawn care?
I read that lilacs need lots of sun. Ours are on the east and get 3 hours of full sun. If that is not enough sun for them, when should I transplant them?
Anything I should do now to help them bloom?
The firethorn has tons of white flowers but typically they fall off and no berries appear.
I don't know a thing about lilacs, but I found this about firethorn:
my experience of growing Pyracantha here is that they don't thrive or flower in acid, potash poor soils (and we have lots of them). An easy solution is a handful of dry woodash, gently forked around the plant. Works like magic. If woodash is not available, enquire at your garden centre for a chemical source of lime and potash.
But you said yours do flower. I thought at first they might be one of those kinds of plants that have separate male and female plants and you have a male, and I couldn't find a definite answer to that, but I don't think they are.
I'm sorry I couldn't help more, but I didn't want you to think you were just being totally ignored.
Too much nitrogen, which lawns need, can cause lots of leaf growth and reduce flower buds on all kinds of plants. Sounds like your lilac should be moved. In my zone, I can move shrubs after the first hard frost. You might be okay still moving them now, but once they've leafed out, they will need a lot of water. And they'll likely still not bloom for a year, maybe two.
Pyracanthas need to be pollinated. Bees are the usual suspects. I have seen single specimens covered with berries, so I don't think you need to plant a different variety to get berries. Mine are flowering now. In the summer, the berries will start to appear. If they aren't, it sounds like you need Phosphorous. Find a bloom boosting fertilizer and give them a hit next spring just before they start blooming. It's too late now to get the nutrients into them.
Too much nitrogen, which lawns need, can cause lots of leaf growth and reduce flower buds on all kinds of plants. Sounds like your lilac should be moved. In my zone, I can move shrubs after the first hard frost. You might be okay still moving them now, but once they've leafed out, they will need a lot of water. And they'll likely still not bloom for a year, maybe two.
Pyracanthas need to be pollinated. Bees are the usual suspects. I have seen single specimens covered with berries, so I don't think you need to plant a different variety to get berries. Mine are flowering now. In the summer, the berries will start to appear. If they aren't, it sounds like you need Phosphorous. Find a bloom boosting fertilizer and give them a hit next spring just before they start blooming. It's too late now to get the nutrients into them.
My firethorns have flowers now and last year they did turn into green berries but they were very small and disappeared soon after. It is possible then that both problems might be related to the lawn treatment? At any rate, I'll try your recommendations. Do you think 3+ hours is enough sun for the lilacs?
Lilacs are my favourite flowers but there are several varieties of lilacs. Some bloom later than others. However, lilacs need at least 6 hours of sunlight so my best guess would be that they aren't getting nearly enough light. If you know your variety you might try googling the variety or asking at your greenhouse.
Fertilizer components and what each does for your plants
The first number in a fertilizer formula is the nitrogen content.....
Nitrogen is used by plants for producing leaf growth and greener, lusher leaves.
The second number in a fertilizer formula is the phosphorus content.....
Phosphorus is used by plant to increase fruit development and to produce a strong root system.
The third number in a fertilizer formula is the potassium (potash) content.....
Potassium is used by plants for flower color and size. It is also important to the strength of the plant.
Darn, I really hate to move them. I placed them under the dining room window so that I could get the fragrance inside. The back of our home faces true south so I guess it's behind the deck they'll go. When is the best time to transplant. They are very lush with foliage right now and approx. 4 ' tall.
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