Division

What is division?

Division is a method of vegetative propagation in which an established plant or underground plant structure is separated into two or more viable portions. Each division must contain suitable growing points, shoots or buds together with enough roots or storage tissue to establish independently.

When is it useful?

Division is particularly useful for plants that naturally form clumps, rhizomes, corms or other structures that can be separated into viable sections. It produces plants genetically identical to the parent plant and is often a simple way to multiply established plants.

Basic procedure

1. Select a healthy, vigorous parent plant with enough established growth to divide without seriously weakening it.
2. Lift or expose the relevant part of the plant carefully, preserving as much healthy root and storage tissue as possible.
3. Identify natural separation points, growing points, buds or shoots.
4. Separate the plant into viable portions by hand or with a clean, sharp tool, depending on the structure of the species.
5. Remove badly damaged, rotten or diseased material.
6. Replant the divisions promptly at an appropriate depth and keep them adequately moist while they establish.
7. Protect newly divided plants from excessive stress until active growth resumes.

Rhizomes and corms

For plants propagated by rhizomes, corms or similar underground structures, each planted section must contain viable tissue capable of producing new growth. The appropriate size of a division and the number of buds or growing points required vary considerably between species.

Division is not root cutting

In division, an established plant or plant structure is separated into portions that already contain viable growing points or shoots. In root cutting, a section of root is removed and must generate new shoots before becoming an independent plant.

Division and suckers or offsets

Some plants produce distinct suckers, pups or offsets around the parent plant. At Yuyo these are recorded separately as Sucker / offset propagation when the new plant is a naturally produced daughter shoot or plant that is detached and replanted.

Important

The best season, minimum division size, required number of growing points, planting depth and aftercare depend on the species. Always check the species-specific propagation information before dividing a plant.