Whether as a solitary plant on the lawn or as a decorative element in the perennial bed - miscanthus is very decorative and versatile in the garden. Sometimes the question arises as to whether the plant could perhaps be divided.
Can I share my Miscanthus and how do I do it?
Miscanthus can be divided when pruning in the spring. Wear gloves, cut back the plant, dig up the root ball, remove old and diseased root parts, divide the ball and replant the sections separately.
Can I just share my Miscanthus?
Dividing the Miscanthus will not harm it as long as the plant is large and strong. Of course she should also be he althy. The reeds grow back very quickly and after a short time are almost as big as before the division. You can also look forward to better growth and more lush flowers if your Chinese reed is one of the flowering varieties.
When should I divide my Miscanthus?
As decorative as miscanthus is, sometimes it becomes very large or extensive. Over time it can also become a little unsightly because it is bare from the inside or you just want to have more reed plants.
All of these can be understandable reasons for dividing miscanthus. It's best to divide your reeds in the spring during the annual pruning before they start to sprout again in the spring.
What do I have to consider when sharing?
Be sure to put on sturdy gardening gloves if you want to share your miscanthus, preferably a sweater with long sleeves or a corresponding jacket. The plant sap can cause very painful skin reactions. It is phototoxic, meaning it is toxic to the skin when combined with UV light, similar to hogweed.
If your miscanthus is still relatively young, you can easily divide the ball with a sharp spade (€29.00 at Amazon). If, on the other hand, it is already getting old, then the roots are already very strong. A saw or a well-sharpened ax helps here when dividing.
The most important things in brief:
- ideal time to share: in spring when pruning
- Wear gloves
- cut back first
- Dig up root balls
- remove old and diseased root parts
- Divide bales with suitable tools
- Replant sections separately
Tip
If you divide your miscanthus, then, unlike sowing, you will receive genetically identical plants.
