I love growing iris, day lilies, asters and
other perennials in my garden but after
a few years they start to get too
crowded and the foliage and flowers
don't look as good.
That's when it's time to divide them
perennials are usually divided every 2 to 5
years. Depending on the species and
growing conditions, but the best way to
know if they need to be divided is to
pay attention to how they're growing not
necessarily the calendar. The best time
to divide is in the spring or the late
summer but after the bloom time. Try not
to divide them during the hottest part of the year
to protect them from stress,
and if dividing in the fall give them
time before the first frost to
re-establish their roots. You can
fertilize your divisions with an
all-purpose fertilizer like this one
from down-to-earth. Not all perennials
need to be divided but those that do
fall into categories based on their type
of roots the most commonly divided
perennials include those with clumping
crowns, rhizomes, tubers, and corms company
allows like geraniums, and asters, and
daylilies spread by producing multiple
crowns. Some perennials are easy to
divide just by teasing them apart and
it's not even necessary to use it taking
tool. Others with woody roots or fleshy
crowns will require a digging tool
when digging up your clumping
perennials start at least eight inches
from the base of the plant to conserve
as much of the roots as you can. Shake or
rinse off the dirt so that you can
separate the divisions out with the
least amount of cutting or tearing. The
number of divisions depends on the size
of the clump and the number of final
plants that you want, and the variety. The
goal of all division is for the
resulting divided plants to contain
several growth points and some of the
roots. Many gardeners use the rule of
thumb to quarter a clump but this is not
always accurate. However, if you're unsure
it is a good starting point as you learn
what your plants and garden need this
method is not so aggressive as to be
likely to kill the plant by over
dividing, but it is enough to give the
plant room to grow for another few years.
Another good idea is to divide the plant
into a size that would fit into a one
gallon pot. Sizing the division this way
will give you ample root growth, and top
growth, and ensure that the division will
be healthy. Plant the divisions as soon
as possible after they've been dug up.
this is the time to add the fertilizer.
Plant it to the same level that it was
in the ground before and then give it a
good soaking.
Alternatively you can pop them up and
put them in a frost-free location for
the winter and then plant them in the
spring.
Iris and other rhizomes are commonly
divided perennials they have a thick
specialized root system which can be
done up and then cut apart to form new
plants. To divide rhizomes dig up the
whole clump and wash it off. Break or cut
off pieces that are at least 3 inches long
with at least one growth point
or set of leaves. For iris
you should also cut back the leaves to a
third of the height. Discard the mother
rhizome section because it will not
bloom again, also discard any soft, buggy,
or disease rhizome sections. Replant as
soon as possible, at the same depth as it
was growing before the rhizomes should
be just below ground level. Leave plenty
of space between plants for them to
spread until it's time to divide them
again.
Tubers and corms are similar looking
plant growth which can be easily divided.
Corms and stem tubers look like bulbs,
but they grow multiple sets at the base
of the stem. Root tubers grow along
roots like potatoes. To divide corms and
tubers dig up the plant and separate the
new cormel, and tubers from the
mother. The mother can also be replanted
and will continue to reproduce and
flower. Most corms and tubers are divided
in the dormant season, replant only the
corms and tubers that have at least one
growthpoint or eye. Replant the divided
corms and tubers just below soil level.
Divide your perennials, and help your
garden thrive, and grow organic for life.