Re: Dividing Knowledge

In a message dated 9/7/1999 11:16:29 AM Central Daylight Time, 
Duncan.McAlpine@PSS.Boeing.com writes:

<< What are the pros and cons in dividing perennials in the Fall versus the 
spring?
 
 Duncan
  >>
it depends on the plants and what you might call the fall, Mid to late summer 
is best for most plants unless you live in a climate were it's extremely hot.
Fall planting works were summers are hot and dry and fall is long with mild 
winters.  Spring works best in places were fall is short and winters are long 
and hard with freeze thaw cycles. Of course these are generalizations.
Other generalizations might be bloom times, if you divid plants before they 
bloom this effects that years blooms. So spring and early summer blooming 
plants might give better results if divided in the fall and conversely with 
those that bloom in the late summer and fall.

Other factors I take into consideration is the type of plant being 
divided-those with underground stems like Hosta, Peony, Or large ungrounded 
storage roots like Hemrocallis and Bulbs can be divided easily in the fall.  
Those plants that have crowns that are at ground level or have surface 
running stems are best divide in the spring or summer.

With experience and trial and error one learns what works and what does not.
For most plants in my area of the country I try to point out to those that 
ask me when is the best time to divide, that fall is not good, spring works 
and mid/late summer is best.

Paul
Zone 4


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