1.
dividing a plant at the root; plant division; root division
A method of propagating plants by digging up an established clump and splitting its root mass into two or more sections, each of which is replanted as a new individual. Used for many perennials, grasses, and houseplants that grow in clumps.
Composed of 株 (the root or base of a plant; a clump) + 分け (division, from the verb 分ける to divide). A standard method of plant propagation in which an overgrown clump is carefully dug up and split at the roots into several smaller plants.
Common collocations
- 株分けをする: to perform root division
- 株分けで増やす: to propagate by division
- 春の株分け: spring division
- 株分けに適した時期: the right season for root division
Similar words
- 挿し木: cutting — propagation by rooting a piece of stem or branch, rather than dividing the root mass.
- 取り木: layering — propagation by bending a branch down to the soil so it grows its own roots before being separated.
- 接ぎ木: grafting — joining a shoot of one plant onto the rootstock of another.
Usage
A common word in gardening magazines, plant-care guides, and nursery labels. 株分け is typically recommended for hostas, ornamental grasses, irises, daylilies, ferns, and many succulents. The best time of year depends on the species, but early spring and autumn are most common.