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| Plant division |
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Prior to dividing plant/s prepare the planting site by removing weeds and digging in liberal amounts of well-rotted organic material, such as garden compost or manure
Take out a hole wide enough to take the spread out roots comfortably, cover them with soil and heel in.
Finally rake in some bonemealThe methods used can vary with different types of root system e.g.
Bulbs; After the foliage has died back, lift and separate clumps into individual bulbs.
Replant large ones in their flowering positions.
Grow smaller ones on in nursery beds.
Divide and replant snowdrops and winter aconites after they have flowered, and when the leaves are still green.
Fleshy roots (e.g. hostas, red hot pokers) - Are best divided in spring when plump buds are beginning to form.
Cut up the crown with a knife and discard old woody pieces without any buds.
Select the fresher new growth from the perimeter of the rootball.
Rhizomes (horizontal stems); Cut away old rhizomes and use young healthy sections each with a root and at least one shoot.
Roots; Are best divided after flowering, cut back stems to about 100mm (4") above ground level prior to lifting.
Pull small clumps apart by hand and cut thick roots with a knife/secateurs.
Large congested rootstocks are more easily divided if a pair of garden forks are inserted back-to-back then prised apart.
Select the fresher new growth from the perimeter of the rootball, normally the centre is of poor quality and quite often woody
Tubers; Dahlia and begonia tubers can be cut in half before planting.
Ensure that each piece has at least one 'eye' (growing point)
Treat cut surfaces with sulphur.
Grasses; Most grasses and bamboos are best propagated by division in mid to late spring or just as the new seasons growth is commencing.
The origin of grasses can often determine the timing of division, e.g
Grasses from cool climates generally come into growth in late winter and flower before midsummer, these should be divided either in autumn or late winter/early spring.
These types of grasses are best divided annually, as this reduces the possibilities of the root sytem becoming congested, this will also help to keep plants growing vigorously.
Grasses from warmer climates generally come into growth in late spring and flower after midsummer and are normally cut back by frosts in winter.
These are best planted or divided in late spring, and generally don’t need frequent division.
The best way to divide grasses is to lift clumps from the ground and split them apart using two forks inserted back-to-back into the centre of the plant.
Some tough roots may require a spade, sharp knife, saw or even an axe to split them apart, but when replanted, they should establish fully during the growing season.
Some small grasses can be split by tearing the clumps apart by hand.
After transplanting the divisions keep them well watered until established.
Cortaderia; Cut down the foliage of pampas grass before dividing - making sure you wear stout clothing and gauntlets to prevent painful cuts caused by sharp leaf edges.
Keep the divisions as large as possible and plant them as soon as possible, keep well watered and protect them from strong winds until they have re-established.
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