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Propagating and division

MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
in Problem solving
Having spent an absolute fortune (haven't we all) over many years in the garden, I would very much like to try and save money this year by doing more propagating and something I have never done before, dividing. Having watched the talented Carol Klein doing it the other day I decided it is time for me to have a go. I have been known to try my hand at cuttings and have had some success so will continue exploring that, but I think I have always been worried about dividing in case I ruin the root system etc. Having watch CK doing it, it seems you can be quite brutal! Just wondered if any of you have much success with division, if so, what do you recommend? many thanks.
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  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    I do lift and divide usually into slightly bigger clumps replanted there and then rather than teasing into cuttings although I've done that too, don't usually have any problems. I good bit of advice is if it's early flowering divide in Autumn, if it's later flowering divide in Spring. 
    Id suggest you advise the forum regarding what plants you have rather than get inundated with info you won't need about plants you don't have. Good luck
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I've never had any major failures splitting anything. Do some research. Some prefer to be split in Autumn , some in Spring
    Devon.
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    @Bilje and @Hostafan1 good advice, I have learned something already, re Autumn and Spring division! Any ideas on Huchera? I think I read somewhere that they bulge out of the ground when they need dividing? Can you divide most things?
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    some plants tear apart easily, some need a bread knife or even a spade, 
    Devon.
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    I found you have to treat heuchera as cuttings, they aren't a clump as such but multi stems growing from the original stem. I have propagated them with good results. Cut or pull away the stems, there may be a few roots already, tidy up the cutting i.e. Pull away dying or excess leaves, pot into multi purpose compost, water and pop somewhere shady i.e. out of direct sun. I'd wait a little while until Spring actually arrives, freezing here inNE England. 
    You cant divide things with a single tap root. Although  they don't have a single tap root I have found Aquilegia fall into that category. Things with a mat of roots seem to divide most easily.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I think you can divide most clump-forming perennials, and a lot of them will benefit if you do it every couple of years or so.  Often you can tell if they need it because the middle of the clump becomes woody and produces few leaves - Shasta daisies, Leucanthemum maximum, come to mind...  @Hostafan1 has probably divided more hostas than had hot dinners.   :)

    Shrubs are a different matter, not having the same sort of fibrous root system as perennial plants.  It's technically possible to divide some sorts (especially things which produce suckers) but the resulting shrubs are generally a funny shape and don't perform well.

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    Thank you @Bilje @Hostafan1 and @Liriodendron for replying, very useful to know.  :)
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    How do I divide Geums please?
  • shane.farrellshane.farrell Posts: 207
    Standard process for clump forming species. Dig up clump and this will pull apart easily into new plants. Before you dig up you should be able to see the individual plants as part of the whole.👍
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    Thanks @shane.farrell, is now a good time or should I wait a few weeks?
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