I have this robust Pelargoniun I overwintered in the basement pump room. It has come back to life nicely. However, I don't like its shape. I would like to divide it up. I as thinking of just using a sharp knife and slicing down at the base at each point I want to separate

Anyone want to offer suggestions? Should I wait until it has leafed out more? Do I need to treat the cuts? Should I use rooting hormone?

I like the plant. But will not be devastated if it does not survive surgery.

Thanks in advance

Pelargoniums root very easily from cuttings, if you take 3-4 inch cuttings just above a leaf joint. Cut off all except the top 3 leaves and cut off the stipules (the little leaf-like things at the base of each leaf stalk). Then simply pot up. You might take some cuttings just in case your 'surgery' proves fatal!

Thank you Mika. So should I wait until fully leafed out?

From the photo it looks as though the leaves are still very young, so you might wait until they're a bit bigger. I like the shape of your mother plant (and it looks nice and healthy) so I would let it fill out before deciding to chop it up (I suspect it would survive the surgery, they're pretty robust). Even if you keep it as it is you would be able to take lots of cuttings from it.

I sliced and diced last weekend. None of the divisions looks like they were disturbed at all!!

Nice job!

Hey Jennifer, just wanted to ask how your pelargonium cuttings were doing? They certainly looked robust and healthy in mid March.

They all look awesome! Never did any of show any sign of going downhill in the least. I'll try to remember to take a pic tonight.

The best one, the worst one. The other three are the last one. I was not gentle when I divided this either! Those two little leaves at the base of the last one are just a pair that fell off in handling. I left them and they seem perfectly happy.

They all look great - just think what it would have cost you to buy that many plants!

I know, they are not cheap! I used to go around in the fall and collect all of them that people put out with their trash. But I stopped last year because it all just got to be too much. I only kept two this past winter. I probably will keep a few more the coming winter.