Splitting Amazon Sword?

[Jen]

I have an amazon sword that is getting rather big. I've easily had for a year and a half, and since adding more light and co2, it's just taken off. However, it's not sending any runners up.

Can I split it in two, or do i have to wait for baby plants?

 

[Lateral Line]

It is possible to split rosette plants like swords, but you have to know what you are doing, and then still be lucky.

Rosette plants have a growing point, the meristem. If you cut the plant just right, so that the meristem is divided, both halves may grow. More often then not, you miss the meristem and half dies and the other half recovers.

Even if you get the cutting just right, the damage done can cause rot to set in and you loose the plant.

Swords produce runners with small plantlets on them. This is by far the best way to propogate new plants.

If your plant is getting to big, cut some of the outer/larger leaves off.