Hilton Carter’s new book ‘The Propagation Handbook’ talks you through the process of propagating houseplants and explains all the necessary techniques, from the very simplest to more complex methods, such as air layering and grafting.
To celebrate the launch, Hilton will be joined in conversation by garden writer Alice Vincent on Tuesday 18 June (tickets available to attend in person or watch online: book tickets), and we’re pleased to share this exclusive extract from the book:
Divide and Conquer
What if I were to tell you that not all propagation methods involve taking a sharp blade, cutting off a piece of the mother plant, and then sticking it into a rooting medium? Would you believe me if I promised that you could just divide and separate a plant into sections, immediately increasing the number of plants that you have and, in that way, propagating them?
Well, believe it or not, division and separation, or as I like to call it, “divide and conquer,” is one of the most commonly utilized methods of propagation. Despite this fact, many people don’t think of it as such, perhaps because it feels more like repotting an existing plant that has outgrown its container. The methods we’ve discussed on the previous pages all involve taking a cutting from a plant and following certain steps that (hopefully) result in that cutting developing roots so it can be potted in soil. When it comes to division and separation, the plant that you are propagating already has an established root system, making the process of propagation instantaneous.
There are a few reasons why you might want to use this method of propagation. First of all, to increase the number of plants you have in your collection. Secondly, to create room in a pot that is becoming overcrowded. As a plant matures, more shoots develop and grow, leading to competition for light and water because of the lack of sufficient space. Thirdly, you might turn to division and separation to save part of a plant that is healthy but surrounded by other shoots that aren’t doing so well.
Most houseplants can be propagated via division and separation, but as with other methods, there is no guarantee of success. The plants that you’re likely to have the best success propagating using this method are ferns, bromeliads, caladiums, alocasias, palms, goeppertias and calatheas, and air plants (Tillandsia). The process is very similar to repotting a plant and, just as with repotting, it’s best to wait until the soil of your plant is on the drier side. Here’s how to propagate using division and separation.
BREAK IT UP
Taking a Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’ from its pot (above). Brushing away the soil; making a cut to the roots; taking the newly separated cutting; planting it into a smaller nursery pot so it can become its own plant.
YOU WILL NEED
» A healthy, mature plant that’s outgrowing its current pot
» Sharp pair of shears/cutting tool
» Seed potting mix
» Small spade or trowel
» Smaller pots for the newly divided plants
1 If your plant is in a plastic pot, squeeze the sides to loosen the soil and roots. If your plant is potted in a planter made from a hard material, use a spade or trowel to pull the soil away from the sides of the pot. Firmly hold a portion of your plant at its base and begin to gently work it out of the pot.
2 Once the plant is removed from its pot, use your hands to loosen the soil around the roots. The goal here to expose as much of the root system as possible so that you can separate the shoots of the plant.
3 Gently untangle the root system of each shoot. Plant roots can become intertwined, making it difficult to separate them. Don’t panic if a few roots snap in the process. You may even have to take a pair of shears or a knife and cut parts of the root system to separate one shoot from another.
4 Each separated section should have a healthy amount of roots, shoots, and leaves.
5 Now that the shoots are separated, the rest of the process is just like repotting a plant. Find a pot that is 2in/5cm larger in diameter than the root system of your shoot and fill the bottom third with potting mix.
6 Gently place a section of the divided plant in the pot, then cover the roots with more soil, patting it firmly into place and leaving the top 10 percent of the pot free of soil. Repeat with the other sections. Water them and place in a warm location with bright indirect light.
You have now successfully propagated your plant via the division and separation method. Caring for these plants shouldn’t be new to you, but be aware that their watering needs will be more frequent now that they are in smaller pots with less soil.
The Propagation Handbook by Hilton Carter, published by CICO Books (£25)
Photography by Hilton Carter © CICO Books