JARGON BUSTER
Leggy plants have a spindly and
untidy appearance. They tend to flop
over and produce fewer flowers.
Plants can become leggy for a number
of reasons, such as not enough
sunlight or nutrients in the soil.
DIVIDING HERBS
Many small-leaved, spreading, or mat-forming herbs
can be easily multiplied by dividing and growing on
more from a single plant. This is best done in late
spring or early summer when the parent plant is
in active growth.
YOU WILL NEED
• small and large plant pots
• plant labels
• scissors or sharp knife
• fine potting soil, well-draining
potting soil, and vermiculite
• watering can
SEE ALSO
• HERBS FROM SEED >> 198/201
• AN HERB GARDEN >> 204/205
• GROW HERB CUTTINGS >> 210/213
1
Using sharp scissors, trim excess
leafy growth from around the
sides and lightly trim the top. This is
most easily done with the plant still
in its pot. Compost the trimmings.
2
Carefully remove the pot (for
washing and reuse) and slice
or cut the root ball in half. The
bottom part can be discarded and
composted as it is likely to be
exhausted and filled with roots.
DIVISION BY CUTTING UP
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HERBS // DIVIDING HERBS 214–215
3
With this herb, the aim is to
make plugs with a surface
area of about
3
/4x
3
/4 in (2x2 cm). By
carefully cutting using scissors
or a sharp knife it is possible to
generate nine or ten good plugs.
4
Fill each pot with fine
soil, firm down, and make
a hole with your finger about
3
/4 in (2 cm) deep. Insert one
plug in each hole, gently firm
in place, and water well.
5
Label each pot with the plant
name and the propagation
date. Place in a bright, warm
spot and keep moist. Results
should be clearly visible within
a couple of weeks.
Many pots of congested
seedlings, such as basil, parsley,
and chives, can be divided. The
stems and roots are very fragile,
so prize apart the clumps into no
more than half a dozen portions.
Remember to
tease out the
roots slightly
Leggy plants can be
rescued to provide new
plants or one compact
large one. Partially fill
a larger pot with
potting soil and insert
the herb. Cover the
woody stems with soil
up to the base of the
leaves. Firm and keep
moist until new roots
develop, then divide the
plant or use its stems
for cuttings.
RESUSCITATING LEGGY PLANTS TEASING APART
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