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Does anyone know what is growing on my miniature lilac? The nodules are all over the stems and first appeared in the late spring. I have tried searching the internet for an answer but the common problems listed for Lilacs don't mention this. The plant is about 5 years old and has been healthy up until this year. It is surviving but hasn't had the show of flowers it usually has. Should I cut it right back, and if so, is now a good time, or should I wait until the spring?

I live in the Midlands region of the UK.

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Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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Annie
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2 Answers2

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enter image description hereI moved the plant in spring back to it's original position (full sun and open ground) and cut all the stems off (which just left a little stump). I fed it every two weeks and watered when needed and after a few weeks new shoots appeared. New leaves appeared not long after and 4 months on the result is a beautiful healthy new bush with no sign of any nodules.

ANN COCKBILL
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They look like nematode galls.

Galls are abnormal plant growths caused by various organisms (insects, mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and viruses).

It could be something similar to root-knot nematodes: Meloidogyne

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Root-knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne are one of the most economically damaging genera of plant-parasitic nematodes on horticultural and fields crops. M. incognita attacks many vegetables and fruits, including bean, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, celery, cucumber, eggplant, okra, onion, pepper, potato, pumpkin, radish, squash, sweet potato, tomato, turnip, watermelon, and many more species. Feeding of the nematode stimulates the development of enlarged nodules (galls) along the roots up to 20 mm in size. When the galls are sliced open, pinhead sized female nematodes can be seen.

usumdelphini
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