Should and can I divide this dianthus?

josine2302

I planted this dianthus plumaris in the spring of 2017. It flowered profusely and looks healthy. But I read that dianthus is mostly a bi-annual, I wonder, should I divide it? Or prune it? Dividing seems difficult because there is basically just one stem. I would love your advice. 

nutcutlet

There are many species of Dianthus, annual. biennial, perennial. That looks like a perennial. Many emerge from the ground with just one stem and they won't divide, cuttings work well. If there are multiple stems from the ground you should be able to divide it. One thing I have done successfully is spread it out and cover the trailing stems with gravel for it to root into. That gives more rooted stems.

josine2302

nutcutlet said:

There are many species of Dianthus, annual. biennial, perennial. That looks like a perennial. Many emerge from the ground with just one stem and they won't divide, cuttings work well. If there are multiple stems from the ground you should be able to divide it. One thing I have done successfully is spread it out and cover the trailing stems with gravel for it to root into. That gives more rooted stems.

You mean cover pieces of the plant still attached to the plant and then wait until they grow roots? And then cut them of and plant them elsewhere? Sorry if I sound stupid..

nutcutlet

You don't sound stupid, stupid is not asking Yes, that's what I did.
I see it as a lazy way of doing cuttings, they look after themselves and you don't have to do anything. I'm not good at normal cuttings. I've only tried this on 2 plants of D. 'Mrs Sinkins' so not a guaranteed method

josine2302

nutcutlet said:

You don't sound stupid, stupid is not asking Yes, that's what I did.
I see it as a lazy way of doing cuttings, they look after themselves and you don't have to do anything. I'm not good at normal cuttings. I've only tried this on 2 plants of D. 'Mrs Sinkins' so not a guaranteed method

Thank you very much for explaining. I am going to try this method. How long did it take for your stems to root?

nutcutlet

I did it earlier in the year than this and they were rooted by the next spring

plant pauper

I think @Fairygirl does this when hers go flat and bald in the middle. I remember making a note to try it. The temptation is to keep lifting them up to see if they've rooted. Don't! 

josine2302

plant pauper said:

I think @Fairygirl does this when hers go flat and bald in the middle. I remember making a note to try it. The temptation is to keep lifting them up to see if they've rooted. Don't! 

Oo I’m not very good at resisting temptations.. But I will try this. 

Fairygirl

plant pauper said:

I think @Fairygirl does this when hers go flat and bald in the middle. I remember making a note to try it. The temptation is to keep lifting them up to see if they've rooted. Don't! 

I do indeed 
Wonder if it works with hair?  

I just peg bits down with plastic covered wire [dianthus - not hair!]  Couldn't tell you how long it takes for them to root, but it helps to just keep bits of the plant in place, if nothing else, and it all knits together. If you do it early in the year when growth is really moving, that's probably best, but you could do it any time. 
Otherwise, they are quite easy from cuttings most of the time. A few round the edge of a little pot of gritty compost so that they have good drainage.  I find that if you pull a bit away with a little bit attached [heel cutting ] they work very well. 

plant pauper

Thanks @Fairygirl. I'm glad I remembered that correctly. 

Fairygirl

Quite impressive ppauper. I doubt I would manage that!