how to divide plants

Dividing plants with fibrous or spreading roots like this daylily is easy. Dig up the whole clump and pull or cut the root ball apart. Or just dig out a chunk along the edge, if you don't mind a gap in your plant for a season. When dividing, leave at least one set of leaves attached to the main root and replant.

How do you split a plant?

Dividing plants is easy. Simply dig up the entire clump and then carefully divide the crown and root ball into two or more section, depending on the size of the clump.

When should you divide plants?

Plants should be divided when they're dormant, in late autumn or early spring. Fleshy-rooted perennials, such as paeonies, should be left until the end of their dormant season in late spring, before being divided.

How do you divide and transplant perennials?

How to divide perennials

Dig up the parent plant using a spade or fork.
Gently lift the plant out of the ground and remove any loose dirt around the roots.
Separate the plant into smaller divisions by any of these methods: ...
Each division should have three to five vigorous shoots and a healthy supply of roots.

How do you separate plants that are too close together?

Gently pull them apart and you should be good to go. I use a small plastic spoon to get the little plants out. You are not the only one with so many seedlings in a little space when you are able to give plants away you will no longer feel like a beginner.

How do you divide and repot a plant?

Once your plant its out of its old pot, place the houseplant on a secure surface and use your fingers to loosen the root ball. Then, take a a sharp knife and cut the plant into sections. Make sure each section has a healthy section of roots and a few leaves. Replant divisions as soon as possible in fresh potting mix.

How do you divide a statice plant?

Move the plant to a sunny window. Transplant when the leaves start to appear. Once established, the plant can be divided in early or late spring. You can also use root cuttings taken during midwinter and plant them indoors to create a new plant.

How do you move plants without killing them?

Lay a piece of polythene by the side of the plant or shrub. Then dig widely around the base, trying not to damage the root system too much. Get as much of the root ball out as you possibly can. Push a spade well underneath the root ball, then carefully lift the whole plant onto the polythene.

What is the best time to divide perennials?

When to divide perennials

Divide summer-flowering plants in spring (Mar-May) or autumn (Sep-Nov) when the soil is dry enough to work. In wet autumns, delay until spring. ...
Many spring-flowering plants, such as irises, are best divided in summer (Jun-Aug) after flowering when they produce new roots.

Can you split all perennials?

While you can divide most perennials any time from spring to fall, those two seasons are best. This is because dividing your perennials can be stressful on the plants—and they'll recover better from the shock in cool, moist conditions.

Can you split a hosta plant?

Splitting hostas is best done in spring or early fall. Ideally, plan on dividing hostas before spring or fall rains arrive. Hostas suffer most when they lose roots, so dig as much of the rootball as possible. If you just need a few divisions, dig small clumps that have formed beside the larger parent clump.

How do you divide Salvias perennials?

Take them out with a spade (this typically requires lots of heavy lifting), remove them from the hole and divide with a big saw, making sure to leave some leaves and roots on each section. Alternately you can take a spade and try to chop off a section and leave a portion of the plant in its place.

Can you divide hydrangea plants?

If you don't see any shoots or are getting pieces without roots, entire hydrangea plants can be dug and split into two or more pieces. ... Other times, you might need a fork or shovel to help divide the plant. Either way, once you have two pieces with roots attached to each, you now have two plants to replant.

What criteria is used to further divide plants?

For further sub-division, additional growth form criteria are: the quality of the main axis or shoots, sub-dividing Woody from Herbaceous; branching symmetry, sub-dividing Trees from Shrubs; and physiognomy of the herbaceous plants, sub-dividing Forbs and Graminoids from Lichens/Mosses (Strasburger et al., 1983; ...

How do you divide alstroemeria plants?

When should I divide, cut back or move my alstroemeria? For dividing and moving alstroemeria it is best to do this early in the spring, ensuring that you take all the roots out when lifting the plant to give it the best possible chance to re-establish itself in its new home.

How do you divide Bulbine plants?

If a mature bulbine flower clump's center starts to flop over, it is time to divide the plant. Dig up the plant cluster including the roots and pull the clump apart into individual plants. The best time to divide and replant this succulent is right before the rainy season starts.

Should you break up roots when repotting?

Roots packed tightly in a pot don't take up nutrients efficiently. To promote good nutrient absorption, trim the roots and loosen up the root ball before replanting. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears for this job, removing as much as the bottom third of the root ball if necessary.

How do you divide plant roots?

Dig up the whole clump and pull or cut the root ball apart. Or just dig out a chunk along the edge, if you don't mind a gap in your plant for a season. When dividing, leave at least one set of leaves attached to the main root and replant.

What happens if you cut the roots of a plant?

Root cutting keeps the plant smaller and, therefore, in a smaller pot longer. Rootbound plants will eventually die. If you start seeing that the leaves are turning yellow or the whole plant is wilting, check the root system in the pot. ... Keep in mind that whenever you cut roots, you need to be careful.

Can you split scabious?

Propagating scabious

Perennial varieties can be propagated by division, and clumps should be divided every three-to four years in early spring.

Can you divide pansies?

Pansies can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division. When taking cuttings, do it in late summer or fall and cut just below the stem joint. ... Division should be done in spring or fall. Choose a sturdy plant, and divide into several pieces, being sure to leave some root attached to each one.

Is statice cut and come again?

Is this what I can expect all summer, or is statice a "cut and come again" annual. ... Your statice plant should develop many flowering stems during the course of the summer, so you can expect lots of flowers. If you cut the flower stalk off before it dries, you'll encourge the plant to produce additional stems.