| The two main purposes of dividing and propagating | | | | can be planted. |
| plants are: | | | | Another method of rooting cuttings is to place the |
| 1) increase your supply of perennials, and | | | | stem in a small container of water and setting it in |
| 2) encourage new, strong growth to the parent | | | | indirect light. Roots will eventually form, however, this |
| plant. | | | | method takes several weeks and the roots generally |
| Once the characteristics of a plant are known, one | | | | aren't as strong. |
| of the following methods will work. | | | | Root Cuttings: |
| PROPAGATING | | | | When the plant is actively growing (normally in the |
| Stem Cuttings: | | | | spring), remove the plant from the soil and wash the |
| Stem cuttings fall into one of three different | | | | soil from the roots. Cut the fleshiest part of the root |
| categories:softwood, semi-hardwood, and hardwood. | | | | into three-inch sections, making sure to leave plenty |
| Softwood cuttings are taken from the current | | | | of root on the parent plant. Plant the root section |
| season's new growth, while the stems are still soft | | | | horizontally, covering with a half-inch of soil. Replant |
| yet not too tender. Forsythia and Lilac are good | | | | the parent plant and water it, and the root cuttings, |
| candidates for softwood propagation. June and July | | | | well. |
| are the best month's to make softwood cuttings. | | | | DIVIDING |
| Semi-hardwood cuttings are also taken from the | | | | When divided every few years, perennials benefit by |
| current season's growth but the stem is more | | | | becoming stronger and producing more blooms. |
| mature and partially woody. Holly and Azalea cuttings | | | | Dividing perennials creates more, smaller, clumps of |
| are taken from semi-hardwood in June or July. | | | | the same plant. Even if more plants are not desired, |
| Hardwood cuttings are taken in the late fall or early | | | | perennials should be divided to rejuvenate old plants. |
| winter after a hard frost. By this time plants have | | | | The first step to division is to dig up the plant to be |
| become dormant. Cuttings from deciduous plants | | | | divided. Wash a majority of the soil away from the |
| such as Honeysuckle, Poplar, Privet and Spirea are | | | | roots so you can easily determine where to make |
| taken from Hardwood. Cuttings of Junipers and | | | | the division. Some plants can be divided by gently |
| Yews, which are narrow-leafed evergreens, are also | | | | pulling off sections of the crown, while other plants |
| hardwood. | | | | may require a sharp, clean knife to cut through he |
| To make a cutting, cut about two inches from the | | | | roots. Do not take too many divisions from one |
| tip of a plant, just below a leaf. Remove all but a | | | | plant, as each section must have enough healthy root |
| few leaves from the tip of the cutting. For quickest | | | | to sustain growth. If any part of the root looks |
| root development, place the stem approximately an | | | | dead, damaged or diseased, trim back to healthy |
| inch into a small pot of moist vermiculite and cover | | | | white tissue. |
| with clear plastic. The plastic will keep moisture in the | | | | As a general rule, plants that flower in the spring and |
| vermiculite. Place the pot where it will get bright light | | | | early summer should be divided in the fall. Plants that |
| - direct sun is not advisable, as the vermiculite will dry | | | | flower in summer and fall should be divided in the |
| out too quickly. In a couple of weeks, gently tug on | | | | spring before new growth is too large. |
| the cutting. If it is firm, then it has taken root and | | | | |