Dividing a papyrus,

by GLORIA J HERNANDEZ
(OCEANSIDE, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, USA)

How and when does one divide a papyrus? Any recommendation on the size of the plant? What diameter?
Does it matter? Does one cut with a knife down through
the root? Any extra special care given to the new divisions? What kind of fertilizer do you recommend?
Thanks a million. Love my new papyrus and I do not want to contribute to its demise!

Doug says that at some point in your growing cycle, you're going to cut this plant back to the ground. This is normally in "winter" when it stops growing.

In the "spring," you'll start to see new shoots coming. Take your strongest shovel and simply dig out a new chunk making sure to get several eyes (or growing points) in each chunk you dig out.

No particular care is needed, other than to put it back in the moist, damp ground it loves.

Any you don't really do it until it gets quite large a clump so killing it isn't really going to happen just by digging/chewing off a chunk or three.

If the plant doesn't get cut back, then in the spring (whenever that is) simply do your digging then. Cut back the plant after digging, replant and away you go.

No special feeding necessary, no care other than the damp ground.