Whether as a solitaire on the lawn or as a decorative element in the perennial border - the Chinese reed is very decorative and versatile in the garden. Sometimes the question arises as to whether the plant could perhaps be divided.

The division of Chinese reed is a good propagation method

Can I just share my Chinese reed like that?

Division does not harm the Chinese reed, provided the plant is large and strong. Of course she should also be healthy. The reed grows back very quickly and after a short time is 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 share my Chinese reed?

As decorative as the Chinese reed is, sometimes it becomes very large or extensive. It can also become a bit unsightly over time because it is bare from the inside or you just want to have more reeds.

All of these can be understandable reasons for the division of the Chinese reed. It is best to divide your reeds in spring during the annual pruning, before new growth begins in spring.

What do I have to consider when sharing?

Be sure to put on sturdy gardening gloves if you want to share your Chinese reed, preferably also a sweater with long sleeves or a suitable jacket. The plant sap can cause very painful skin reactions. It is phototoxic, i.e. toxic for the skin when exposed to UV light, similar to hogweed.

If your Chinese reed is still relatively young, you can easily divide the bale with a sharp spade. If, on the other hand, it is getting old, then the roots are already very strong. Here, a saw or a well-sharpened ax will help with dividing.

The essentials in brief:

  • ideal time for dividing: in the spring when pruning
  • wear gloves
  • cut back first
  • Dig up the root ball
  • remove old and diseased root parts
  • Divide the bale with a suitable tool
  • Plant sections separately

tips

If you share your Chinese reed, you will get genetically identical plants, unlike when you sow them.

Category:

Vegetable garden