rhizome propagation

[Alan]

I am not sure what this is called, but have been propagating by running an underground rhizome shoot into the drainage hole of a partially buried pot in early spring, then snipping from the parent in the early fall with about 80% success. The new plants look nice, spindly but healthy. I am wondering if there is a better time to do this. If the roots are storing up right now maybe one should run them now and wait a full year. I have heard this called whip shoot propagation but maybe there's a better term.

[Joseph Clemens]

Some of my runners produce whip-shoots in the Autumn. I tease them through drain holes and up into pots - after they mature into quasi-culms with leaves of their own (usually by Spring I sever them from their source rhizome in the ground). This usually produces a nice/healthy new division.

[David]

I think spring is a better time to detach the division. The growth hormones are elevated in the spring and should give the plant an extra boost for optimum growth.

Steve Cannon got me into directing rhizomes through the drainage holes in pots for propagation. I had not thought of it until he mentioned his technique. Seems to work well.

[stevelau1911]

I prefer directing them into drainage holes in early fall since the shoots buds are more likely to be able to fit through the drainage holes without getting damaged and the section has a little bit of time to root out. If I were to try doing it now, many of my groves would have 1 inch long shoot buds which are already primed to shoot next year.

My only concern now is whether I want to detach them before shooting season, or right after-wards which runs the risk of having culms that are too big, but also gives a better chance of a successful division since that section is still getting energy from the mother plant.

[Alan]

doesn't it still need a lot of energy from the mother in order to shoot & complete a new culm? i couldnt imagine having nearly as tall a shoot or as much foliage if i divided it before shooting.