Have you found a variety that has beautiful flowers that are simply melt-in-your-mouth? Do you want to share it with other people or treat yourself to more copies of this variety? Then it's time to propagate this bergenia!
How to propagate bergenia?
Bergania can be propagated by division, sowing or propagation from cuttings. When dividing, the root ball is divided and planted in summer, when sowing, light germinators are placed in seed soil and when propagating cuttings, rhizomes are separated and rooted in spring.
Dividing Bergenia: The easiest method
The bergenia can be divided in summer. Only strong and he althy mother plants should be exposed to this propagation process:
- Dig out the root ball with a digging fork
- divide with knife or spade
- each section should have a few leaves
- be careful not to damage fine roots
- plant in a suitable location
Since the roots of the Bergenia are not particularly deep in the ground, they are quickly brought to the surface. Remember to remove brown leaves immediately, loosen the soil in the new location well and, if necessary, add compost and water the divided plants generously! After about 4 weeks the new bergenias have grown.
How does sowing work?
Sowing is not for the faint of heart or impatient gardeners. Specialist knowledge is required here, because this is the only way the seeds can germinate properly. A suitable period for sowing is between March and April or between August and September.
Bergenia seeds are light germinators that rely on a lot of warmth in the first few weeks in order to be stimulated to germinate. They are distributed in sowing soil (€6.00 on Amazon), lightly pressed and moistened. Place the seed tray or pot with the seeds in a bright place. It should be at least 21 °C there.
When the seedlings are visible after 2 to 3 weeks, the location is changed. Now they need lower temperatures in order to continue to thrive. If necessary, now is an ideal time to separate the seeds.
Propagate by cuttings
The propagation of cuttings in spring is as follows:
- Dig up root balls
- Separate 2 to 3 rhizomes
- Clean rhizomes
- Cut rhizomes into 5 cm long pieces (each piece with an eye)
- Place sections horizontally in soil (eye points upwards)
- keep moist
- Rooting period: 1 to 2 months
Tip
So that sowing and propagation of cuttings goes faster, you should cover the cultivation pots with foil.
