As the South African summer bathes our gardens in a tapestry of colours, the desire to expand and enhance our outdoor spaces becomes irresistible. Fortunately, there’s a budget-friendly gardening technique that not only breathes new life into your plants but also multiplies the beauty of your garden – plant division.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the art of dividing plants, sharing insights, easy techniques, and the wonders of Wonder products to ensure your garden flourishes. Let’s embark on the journey of budget-friendly garden multiplication.
What is plant division?
Plant division, also known as clump or root division, is a gardening practice where mature plants are split into smaller sections. This process revitalises the plants, stimulates new growth, and allows you to propagate them across different areas of your garden.
How to successfully divide your plants
When is the time to divide?
Timing is crucial for successful plant division, and in summer, the ideal moments are during early mornings or late afternoons. This minimises stress on the plants and provides them with a better environment to recover. Aim to divide your plants every three to four years, ensuring a consistent rejuvenation cycle.
Practical ways to divide your plants
For perennials begin by gently lifting the plant from the ground. Using a sharp knife or spade, divide the root ball into manageable sections, ensuring each segment has healthy roots and shoots.
With grasses it’s important to employ a sharp shovel to cut through the root ball, aiming for sections with sturdy roots and shoots.
For shrubs make sure to dig around the shrub, exposing its roots, and then divide it into smaller, more manageable sections.
Planting after division
After the division process, the planting phase is equally vital to ensure the continued health and growth of your plants.
For perennials, replant the divided sections in their desired locations, maintaining proper spacing. Water thoroughly post-planting to alleviate stress on the plants.
With grasses, reposition the divided sections, making sure they are at the same depth as the original plant. Generous watering is essential to settle the soil around the roots.
For shrubs, plant each divided section in its new location, ensuring it sits at the same depth as the original shrub. Thorough watering, using fertiliser and introducing a layer of mulch around the base contribute to a smooth transition and encourage root growth.
Expert tips
- Watering: Hydrate your plants a day before division to minimise stress and promote easier separation.
- Balance: Ensure that each divided section has a good balance of roots and foliage for a successful transition.
- Use quality tools: Invest in sharp, high-quality knives or spades to ensure clean cuts, minimising damage to the plant.
- Rejuvenate soil: Before replanting, enrich the soil with Wonder Shake ‘n Grow Special Fertiliser. This replenishes nutrients and sets the stage for healthy post-division growth of leaves and flowers.
What products to use
For optimal post-division growth, nourish your plants with Wonder All Purpose Plant Food. This specialised fertiliser delivers essential nutrients, ensuring your divided plants thrive. In diverse settings like potted plants, flower beds, and hanging baskets, integrate Wonder’s Waterwise Crystals to establish a consistent water reservoir in the root zone, guaranteeing proper hydration. For an organic option, explore Wonder’s Organic Vita-Boost, enriched with vermicompost from earthworms, offering a nutrient-rich blend to empower newly divided plants with the boost they need.
Best plants to divide
Agapanthus
These hardy perennials respond exceptionally well to division and can survive in different soil types and weather conditions. This results in increased bloom and a burst of colour.
Shasta Daisy
With large white blooms featuring sunny yellow centres, Shasta daisies bring a radiant charm to any garden. Hardy and adaptable, they can flourish in both full sun and partial shade.
Garden grasses
Splitting garden grasses into smaller clumps helps maintain their shape and vitality. This process also encourages fresh growth and a robust appearance.
Benefits of plant division
Increased bloom
Divided plants often produce more blooms, enhancing the visual appeal of your garden and creating a vibrant, colourful landscape.
Healthier growth
Rejuvenating older plants through division stimulates healthier, more robust growth, ensuring your garden remains lush and vibrant.
Cost-effective
Instead of investing in new plants, plant division offers a budget-friendly approach to garden expansion and rejuvenation.
Embrace the spirit of summer by multiplying the beauty of your garden through plant division. Armed with the right techniques and the wonders of Wonder products, you can transform your outdoor space without breaking the bank. Browse our plant care products today!
