Any advice on what to do with the lilac 'runner' I've been gifted?

[beac]

A kind soul brought me a gift of a wee lilac, that I've since learned must be a 'runner' from a large bush.

It's a single branch, about 8" long. She potted it up in a shallowish container a while ago before giving it to me.

Googling tells me the time to transplant it is Spring, but I'm sure it won't last the winter in its current situation. So, should I transplant it into the ground now or put it in a bigger container and try to overwinter it either on the porch or inside (where it might have to deal with wildly varying temp/humidity)?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. I planted mine last summer...

Just kept them really well watered, and covered the base with mulch for the winter. One is doing great, the other is a little behind. I think I disturbed the roots of the slow one too much when I planted it. I've since learned they don't like their roots disturbed when transplanting (like curbits).
If it's super-hot, give it some shade. I think it should do fine as long as it has time to settle in and put out some roots before winter.

good luck!

[beac]

2. Thanks, Viva.

I'm encouraged that you had success with a summer transplant. I'd really like this little guy to survive, though I know it can take 4-5 years before he'll bloom.

What zone are you in, BTW?

[Botany]

3. plant it in the ground and make sure it is kept watered

..... if you are worried about hot summer weather wait until Sept. and then plant it in the ground ....
do not repot it ...... if you wait until fall to plant it water the pot ..... not the leaves every other day.

But if you can keep it watered plant it in the ground with a nice compost / native soil mix.

[beac]

4. Thanks, Botany.

:hi:

I'm thinking it might be easier to baby it through the summer in the pot. Then again, I'm going out of town for two weeks in mid-September and it will be subject to the tender mercies of mr. beac's willing-but-not-terribly-green thumb.

Hmm... will have to give this some more thought...

[Botany]

5. plant it now .....

..... do not think too much ...... if you get it to mid September than you have no worries ....... the plant will be done for the year
anyway ..... at least the top part ....... the leaves will be ready to fall off anyway by then ...... just remember to water it a few times
in Oct. ....... the roots are still growing ....... and one more watering around thanksgiving.

[beac]

6. Thanks for all the good advice. I've copied and pasted it into a word doc for

easy reference this fall. :hi: