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Dividing a heuchera

ShennyShenny Posts: 127
in Problem solving
hi
Can I divide this now? Or wait till autumn/ next spring?
thanks

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Shenny I would take it out and bury all of the stems. They shoot all the way along the stems so will soon settle.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ShennyShenny Posts: 127
    Hi
    thanks for the reply. Do you mean bury all the brown branches and just leave the red leaves showing?
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Shenny Yes exactly that. I would take your time so you don't cover the leaves. You can cut some off the long stems if they are very long but not too short. Water well over the summer and they will look lovely.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • arneilarneil Posts: 313
    Vine weevils attacked mine , but I split the top of the plant , washed it under the tap , and have two small plants , they root easily
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @arneil I agree never throw them away if they do get attacked by vine weevil. You do need to be very through washing them, necessary as the eggs are soil colour.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In answer to your original question @Shenny , I never divide them as such - I just pull pieces off with a bit of root attached and pot them up. I sometimes lift them, especially the potted ones which are loved by vine weevil, pull them apart, and wash them to get rid of any grubs. The grubs get chucked onto a slab, or similar, for the birds. 
    They're probably the easiest plant of all to propagate. 
    If you find them lifting out of the ground, which is quite common, you can either lift and replant deeper, or do as @GardenerSuze describes  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited May 2023
    @Shenny They lift out of the ground in cold temperatures so it is common to see this problem especially after the cold spell at the end of 2022. You might find you can take it out and replant as one but it may also fall apart. I would just go for it with just a little care it will be fine. Watering over the coming months is important,
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ShennyShenny Posts: 127
    Thanks for all the advice. I know this may sound like a daft question but it’s just how my brain works. Do I plant the stems upright that is vertical with the leaves sticking out at the top. Or horizontal so the brown stem is on its side and mostly buried and leave the leaves sticking out at the end??
    sorry
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited May 2023
    @Shenny Thankyou for asking and sorry if I have confused you. It won't really matter the important thing is that all the leaves are fairly level just on top of the compost.
    Spread the roots out in the pot as best you can not an exact science. If the stems are too long for the pot that is when you can trim them. If you look at the stem closely you will see lots of small notches they are capable of forming roots from these points. If the stems snap just plant the top growth they will probably still grow.
    Please ask again if you are unsure.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ShennyShenny Posts: 127
    Thank you. I have replanted and will see what happens. I’m sure they will be fine. 
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