How to propagate new plants through division
The division of plants is often quoted as being the simplest method of vegetative plant propagation and the easiest way in which to increase your stock.
It is a very popular technique to use with herbaceous perennials such as Asters, Chrysanthemum, Hostas and Irises, which form clumps with fibrous root systems that can easily be pulled apart. Bulbs, corms and rhizomes such as the crocus, daffodil and dahlia are also propagated through division.
It is a very popular technique to use with herbaceous perennials such as Asters, Chrysanthemum, Hostas and Irises, which form clumps with fibrous root systems that can easily be pulled apart. Bulbs, corms and rhizomes such as the crocus, daffodil and dahlia are also propagated through division.
Plant division in simple terms
Basically, division consists of digging up a whole, fairly established, and mature plant including its roots, and simply dividing it or separating it into smaller pieces, and then replanting all the new pieces.
Division must be carried out on plants that have more than one stem or crown and not just one stem that emerges from the ground, which is typical of the above-mentioned plants, plus many more perennial flowers.
Division is necessary in most cases, because if the clumps are left for too long, the parent plant will deteriorate, due to there being too much competition for food and space.
Regular division will promote and encourage continuous health and growth.
Division must be carried out on plants that have more than one stem or crown and not just one stem that emerges from the ground, which is typical of the above-mentioned plants, plus many more perennial flowers.
Division is necessary in most cases, because if the clumps are left for too long, the parent plant will deteriorate, due to there being too much competition for food and space.
Regular division will promote and encourage continuous health and growth.
When?
Division of perennial plants is carried out either in the autumn, providing that the plants are dormant, or in the early spring, before they break into active growth.
Division techniques
There are several ways in which a plant can be divided or separated. The method that you choose will basically depend on the plant, how it grows and how entangled the roots are.
The first thing to do is dig up the whole plant, including the entire root system, with a spade. Shake the roots so that any excess soil falls away. Some plants can be separated simply by using your fingers and prying the roots away from each other, whilst bigger clumps with tougher roots may need to be cut apart with a sharp knife or even an axe. Do the latter on a table or other hard surface.
Most plants will have really sturdy and tough roots that are heavily intertwined, which may not be possible to separate with your hands. In these cases you will have to use a method consisting of embedding two garden forks, back to back, in the centre of the clump and then carefully lever the clump apart.
Do not use a spade at any time as fungal disease and infection can be transferred from the spade to the plant this way.
Once the plant has been separated, replant the divisions in pots or back into the ground.
The first thing to do is dig up the whole plant, including the entire root system, with a spade. Shake the roots so that any excess soil falls away. Some plants can be separated simply by using your fingers and prying the roots away from each other, whilst bigger clumps with tougher roots may need to be cut apart with a sharp knife or even an axe. Do the latter on a table or other hard surface.
Most plants will have really sturdy and tough roots that are heavily intertwined, which may not be possible to separate with your hands. In these cases you will have to use a method consisting of embedding two garden forks, back to back, in the centre of the clump and then carefully lever the clump apart.
Do not use a spade at any time as fungal disease and infection can be transferred from the spade to the plant this way.
Once the plant has been separated, replant the divisions in pots or back into the ground.
The division of bulbs
Bulbs are another planting material that can easily be propagated through division, and in fact, it is essential that they are divided every few years.
Bulbs grow to form clumps, which must be separated so they are not so large, and replanted. Division of bulbs must be carried out when the bulbs are dormant.
Additionally, a number of bulbs have tiny little bulbs, known as offsets, which naturally grow beside the parent bulb. These can be removed from the parent plant on lifting them for storage.
Large offsets should be planted at once in the ground, whilst smaller offsets, known as bulblets, should be transferred to pots until they reach flowering size or plant them in a secluded spot approximately 2 - 4 inches deep.
Bulbs grow to form clumps, which must be separated so they are not so large, and replanted. Division of bulbs must be carried out when the bulbs are dormant.
Additionally, a number of bulbs have tiny little bulbs, known as offsets, which naturally grow beside the parent bulb. These can be removed from the parent plant on lifting them for storage.
Large offsets should be planted at once in the ground, whilst smaller offsets, known as bulblets, should be transferred to pots until they reach flowering size or plant them in a secluded spot approximately 2 - 4 inches deep.
Bulb scaling
Bulb scaling is another way of propagating bulbs through division, and as before, is just as simple to perform. Bulb scaling is a popular method for lilies.
The bulb consists of three main parts. The outer tunica or outside layer; the scale leaves or inner leaves; and the basal plate located at the bottom of the bulb.
To propagate bulbs through scaling, first of all choose a mature and disease-free bulb for lifting in the early autumn. Peel off the outer tunica and discard it, then gently peel away the scale leaves making sure that a piece of the basal plate forms part of each layer.
Then, leave the scales to dry for approximately 12 hours and place these peeled off layers, basal plate down, on a bed of damp soil and cover with plastic in order to retain humidity. Alternatively, place the scales in a plastic bag containing a damp mixture of half peat substitute and half perlite. Seal the bag and place it in a dark but warm place for six weeks. After this time, little bulblets will begin to appear at the base of the scales, which you can then pot individually.
The bulb consists of three main parts. The outer tunica or outside layer; the scale leaves or inner leaves; and the basal plate located at the bottom of the bulb.
To propagate bulbs through scaling, first of all choose a mature and disease-free bulb for lifting in the early autumn. Peel off the outer tunica and discard it, then gently peel away the scale leaves making sure that a piece of the basal plate forms part of each layer.
Then, leave the scales to dry for approximately 12 hours and place these peeled off layers, basal plate down, on a bed of damp soil and cover with plastic in order to retain humidity. Alternatively, place the scales in a plastic bag containing a damp mixture of half peat substitute and half perlite. Seal the bag and place it in a dark but warm place for six weeks. After this time, little bulblets will begin to appear at the base of the scales, which you can then pot individually.
Bulb chipping
Bulb chipping is similar to bulb scaling but with this technique the bulb is cut vertically into pieces, similar to potato chips, after removing the outer layer. As with the previous method, each chip must contain a piece of basal plate.
Once the bulb has been divided, treat as before, by sealing in a plastic bag of damp vermiculite and placing into a warm and dark place for 12 weeks, or laying on a moist bed of soil and covering with plastic to retain the humidity. The scales will separate like a fan and bulblets will form in between the scales. At this point, the bulblets can be potted individually, basal plate down, and covered with 1cm of compost.
Once the bulb has been divided, treat as before, by sealing in a plastic bag of damp vermiculite and placing into a warm and dark place for 12 weeks, or laying on a moist bed of soil and covering with plastic to retain the humidity. The scales will separate like a fan and bulblets will form in between the scales. At this point, the bulblets can be potted individually, basal plate down, and covered with 1cm of compost.
