Chipping Bulbs
Chipping is a technique used to propagate bulbs that do not increase rapidly by offsets. It allows the gardener to produce a number of new plants by cutting each bulb into a number of pieces, depending on its size.
Chips
Large bulbs such as amaryllis (Hippeastrum) may be cut into as many as 16 pieces, whilst smaller bulbs, such as snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) are typically chipped into four or eight segments. Each chip comprises of three or more scale leaves and a section of basal plate, which can be incubated or stored in a frost-free greenhouse for up to two years in a 1:1 mix of peat substitute. Bulblets develop between the scale leaves which may then be replanted or potted on.
When chipping bulbs, it is essential to maintain good hygiene to avoid the chips becoming infected with disease. The bulbs and the knife used to cut them should be sterilised with methylated spirit and the chips soaked or dusted with fungicide.
chipping Method
- When the bulb's foliage has died down, use a garden fork to lift the dormant bulbs, taking good care not to damage them.
- Choose a healthy, undamaged bulb and trim away the roots and the growing tip. Avoid cutting the basal plate.
- Position the bulb with its basal plate uppermost, and divide it in two using a knife sterilised in methylated spirit.
- Divide the two pieces in half again, making sure that each segment contains an equal piece of the basal plate.
- Repeat until each chip has approximately three scale leaves; this will give you between 4 and 16 pieces.
- Soak the pieces in a fungicide for 10-15 minutes or dust the cut surfaces with flowers of sulphur.
- Store the pieces in a sealed plastic bag filled with vermiculite moistened with water. Store in a warm (20-25°C / 65-77°F) dark place for about 3 months.
- Young bulblets will eventually develop around the basal plate of the chips; at this point, plant the chip into a small container of freely draining potting compost. Within two to three years the bulb should reach flowering size.
Many people are allergic to the sap that bulbs release when they are cut; wear gloves to protect your hands and to maintain a clean working environment.