Summarizing the tips from Siri :
- Choose smaller pups for separation. They survive better than large plants that have already grown big.
- Separating in early spring, especially after a heavy rain is easier. Early transplants also have a high survival rate and a longer time to establish as big plants.
- Use a tool that can dig deeply. The digger (used widely in India to make deep holes in soil) is ideal. If you use a shower or a hoe, make deep cuts into the soil along the sides of the pup.
- The pup is usually attached to the mother plant. Unless cut through it cannot be separated with the root system intact.
- When you make deep cuts on the sides, you can separate the pup and pull it out.
- Do not pull or break the root base. After making deep trenching cuts around the pup, gently ease it out. If the plant can’t be removed, make the cuts into the soil deeper until it can be eased out.
- Dig a hole and water it even before separating the pup, transplant the pup and cover with soil and water again. Pups stay alive after being separated if kept with the soil in a cool and dry place.
- Cut the pups that are farther to the mother plant on the outside before cutting out the ones on the inside. That way you will not disturb the mother plant. Take care to not disturb a fruit bearing mother plant.
- Do see the picture attached for the trenches digging around the pup. How close it is to the pup and how deep the cuts into the soil are. Pics by Siri.
With additional inputs from Jenny.