Plant Propagation by Division

Plant propagation by the method of division is commonly used on plants that produce bulbs and root plant that have more than one stem or crown. Plants that emerge from the ground that have a single stem or crown can not be propagated by this method of division. This method is an asexual method of propagation.

Division is what this method is. You take a parent plant that you have dug up and divide it into two or more plants. This method can be done in more than one way. You can leave the parent plant in the ground, just expose the part of the root that you want to cut off and remove it from the parent plant. This method is good when you only want a few small plants and they can be taken from the outer edge or you don’t want a plant to get larger. Another way is to dig the parent plant out completely and then divide it into equal parts.

The best time to propagate a plant by this method is in the early spring. It can be done in the fall but you have to do it when the plant is dormant.

There are many plants that can be done by this method. Plants that produce bulbs like tulips and daffodils do this method naturally. A plant that produces more than one stem like a peony is a plant that can be divided by this method.

The method of propagation by division is a very simple method. Once you have replanted the divisions you will need to keep them watered. Care should be taken not to over water them, just keep the soil moist at all times. Over watering is no good for the roots and they can rot if left in standing water.