From my perspective as a carnation plant, timing is everything. You must act when I am at my most resilient, not when I am in full, glorious bloom or struggling against the summer heat. The ideal moments are in the early spring, just as I feel the soil warming and my new growth begins to stir, or in the early autumn, after the intense heat has passed but while the soil is still warm enough for my roots to establish themselves before winter's dormancy. Attempting to divide me in the summer is a stressful ordeal; the sun is harsh, and my energy is focused on survival, not on repairing root damage. Dividing me in the dead of winter is equally perilous, as I am dormant and unable to heal. Please, choose a cool, overcast day to minimize the shock of transplanting. This gentle approach respects my natural cycles.
Before you begin, please water the soil around my base thoroughly a day in advance. This makes the earth more pliable and ensures I am well-hydrated, reducing the trauma of being lifted from my home. When you approach me, use a sharp spade or garden fork to dig in a wide circle around my central clump. Be generous with this circle; my root system is more extensive than my visible foliage suggests. Lift the entire clump out of the ground carefully, trying to keep the root ball as intact as possible. Gently shake off or wash away the excess soil with a soft spray of water. This will allow you to see the natural divisions and the health of my root system clearly, revealing where I am strongest and ready to become independent.
This is the most critical part of the process. Look closely at my center. You will see that I am not a single entity but a colony of individual shoots, each with its own connection to the root mass. My instinct is to spread and colonize, and division is a natural part of my life cycle. Using your hands, gently tease the clump apart into smaller sections. If the roots are too tangled and tough, you may need to use two garden forks inserted back-to-back into the center of the clump and levered apart, or a clean, sharp knife. Whatever method you use, ensure each new division has a healthy clump of roots and at least three to five visible shoots or "eyes." Discard any old, woody, or diseased portions from the center; this rejuvenates me and prevents the spread of rot.
Once divided, my offspring and I need immediate care to thrive. Prepare our new homes in advance. The soil should be well-draining, as my roots despise sitting in water. Amend the soil with compost to give us a nutrient-rich start. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate our roots without crowding them. Place each division in its hole at the same depth I was growing before; planting too deep can cause my stem to rot. Backfill the soil, firming it gently around our roots to eliminate air pockets. Then, water us deeply and thoroughly. This "watering in" is essential for settling the soil around our roots and relieving our initial thirst. For the first few weeks, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and provide some light shade if the sun is particularly intense. This tender care allows us to direct all our energy into establishing a strong new root system in our new location.
