UF/IFAS
Okeechobee County Extension Service
458 Highway 98 North
Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578
Phone: (863) 763-6469
E- mail: indianco@ufl.edu
September 2, 2008
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Internert Article – for release week of September 1, 2008
Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent
Divide and conquer your Clumping tropicals
There are many tropical plants that produce numerous suckers and will grow into clumps. At times the gardener wishes to remove or transplant these clumps, or the desire to share some of nature's bounty with others comes into play.
Below are a series of photos that demonstrate the process of dividing a clump of ground orchids from start to finish. These photos are graciously shared by Danielle Copeland, a Florida gardener. They are copyrighted by her, and may not be used without her express permission.
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Lift or remove the clump from the parent location. Cut around the root ball with a shovel as wide as possible. |  |
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Clean and inspect for damaged and diseased suckers. |
These photos originally were posted by Danielle Copeland on February 22, 2008 at this website: http://www.daniellecopeland.com/2008/02/10-free-plants-after-1-year.html For more of Danielle's Garden Blog, go to: http://www.daniellecopeland.com/ |
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Separate into plantlets using trowels or pruning shears. Leave the roots and basal buds attached to each clump. |  |
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Repot the clumps into individual containers which can be grown out into larger specimens. Alternately, healthy larger clumps can be replanted into the Florida Yard. Be sure to provide adequate moisture after replanting; fertilizer may not be needed until new growth is noticed. |  |
I’ve placed pictures and more information on our award-winning Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu. If you need additional information on plant division, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469. Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 3 PM on Tuesday afternoons. Go Gators!
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Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida. Larry A. Arrington, Dean. Last update: 09/02/2008. This page is maintained by Dan Culbert