Propagation using Division

Division is one of the simplest ways of increasing plant numbers.
New plants formed from the division will be identical to the parent.

Division

Only healthy plants should be used, and the division should be timed to take place at the onset of a new growing period.

• Remove the plant from the container, or dig from the ground using a strong garden fork. A fork is preferred rather than a spade as there will be less damage to the root system.
• Wash the root system with water to remove the soil and minimise root damage.
• Breaking the clumps up can be as simple as twisting the root clump by hand, or cutting, using a sharp knife (an old bread knife is excellent) or secateurs. For big clumps a spade or axe may be needed.
• Resist the temptation to cut the original plant into very small pieces, as they may not survive this treatment.
• Cut out any dead or damaged roots.
• Cut half the foliage from the new plants to compensate for the disturbance to the roots.
• Spread the remaining root system out evenly and downwards to allow for optimum development.
• Water the new plant thoroughly.

Plants that can be propagated by division.

Clumps, crowns, suckers, rhizomes, stolons, pseudobulbs or bulbs are the characteristics which allow these plants to be propagated by division.

Clumps- The lilies and grasses belong to this group. Natural division can be seen within the original plant. These plants divide or separate easily.

Suckers- A sucker is a new shoot that develops underground for example some Dampiera spp.

Rhizomes- Fleshy underground stems which look like roots, containing nodes and buds e.g. Anigozanthos & Dianella spp.

Stolons- Similar to rhizomes, but grow across the surface of the soil, developing roots at the nodes, e.g. Viola hederacea.

Pseudobulbs- Specialised swollen stems joined together by rhizome e.g. cymbidiums

Bulbs and Tubers- Easy to propagate, many will fall apart when dug up. Largest bulbs will most likely flower first, small ones will take longer to develop flowers e.g. crinum

Plants suitable for division