A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Still need HELP!!!

Can anyone out there help me, please??? My aechmea fasciata "Primera" (the non-prickly type) still needs to be divided & I would appreciate some tips on the safest (& easiest) way to achieve this. spring has just arrived here & wonder if now would be the best time to do this??? The care label states (in several languages) "Propagation Prohibited"!!!! Guess no one told the plant!!! Many thanks in anticipation.

Are the babies attached to the plant? I would unpot the whole thing and see if any will divide out easily with some root attached. Then re-pot everything in similar potting mix to the original.
They do not want you to clone and sell this plant. Like the taking of cutting or layering of some sort to manufacture a lot of plants. You can divide for your own use without fear of drastic consequences.That is what the warnings are for.

Thanks jonni13, the main problem is that three of the offshoots are extremely close, virtually in one anothers' laps!! Talk about togetherness. Just wondering if they will remain true to type, also. Never mind , shall give it a go, can always buy another one if unsuccessful. Thanks again.

PROPAGATION: Suckers that grow up from the base of the plants can be detached with a sharp knife in March and inserted in small pots of sandy peat in a propagating case. When they've formed roots, they can be repotted in larger pots. Mature plants will do well for several years with just an annual top-dressing.

Just the info I needed, Angelblossom, many thanks, but is the March you refer to, your spring or our Autumn??? If it is spring, shall divide it now, as I hope some of them will flower by our Autumn!!! Wishful thinking, perhaps?? (Our climate is very good for plant growth, thankfully). Thanks again.

March is our spring. So you may divide it now. We are coming into our Autumn season. They should come true to the mother plant. Offsets generally do.

Thanks jonni13, shall have to roll the old sleeves up, so to speak & get to work. Not looking forward to it, as it is in a fairly heavy pot, but it will be worth it as it is such a good looking plant, so I hope its offspring are a chip off the old block. Many thanks for all the advice, it has been very helpful.