Division Propagation

Division is an important propagation method for herbaceous and woody perennials.

Division is a relatively slow method of multiplication, but it is simple to perform and inexpensive.

The crown is divided into several sections.

Each section containing a portion of the root system (or modified storage organ like a tuberous root or stem) and several crown buds (sometimes called eyes).

Crowns of outdoor herbaceous perennials are usually divided while dormant.

This can be in the spring just before growth begins or in late summer or autumn.

Plants are dug from the field or removed from containers and cut into sections using a knife, ax or saw depending on the size of the crown.

For some species, offsets of the crown separate easily and can be removed by hand.

Knives are a common tool used to divide crowns.

Division in monkeygrass(Liriope).

Division is the only commercially acceptable way to propagate some species like peony.

For peony, plants are dug from the field while plants are dormant and the soil is washed from the plants.

Crowns are divided into sections containing several crown buds and the tuberous root is usually pruned to make it easier to package or plant in containers.

Field dug plants are divided while they are dormant and stored in coolers.

Division is also the only viable method for propagating some herbaceous plants that are variegated chimeras.

Variegated plants of African violet (Saintpaulia) and Sansevieria are usually propagated by leaf cuttings, but shoots arising from leaf cuttings will be non-chimeral.

These plants must be divided to maintain the variegated pattern.

See Chapter 16 or the web section on chimeras for more information.