By pulling or cutting apart a large plant that has numerous shoots or buds growing together, any number of rooted sections can be obtained for separate potting. This is by far the quickest and easiest method of propagation. A large multiple-crowned African-violet readily produces a dozen or more new plants this way. Heleniums and chrysanthemums can be increased by the same means. Plants that grow from a single stem or crown cannot be propagated this way, of course.

Clumps of dahlia tubers can be cut into sizable divisions each with a bit of top growth; hardy bulbs, gladiolus and cyclamen corms can be cut in half. But wherever you have to use a knife, be sure it is sterile. Take care to dust all cut surfaces of a plant with sulfur or a fungicide like Fermate to prevent the entrance of disease.