Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener: Dividing Cast Iron Plant - Advice Please, 2 by kbsc

kbsc wrote:
I am dividing some huge clumps of cast iron aspidistra plant, and need some guidance. They are incredibly root bound, and I\'ve found many roots that are obviously still alive, but have no stems.

Will these roots produce new stems if I plant them? The nodes appear to be scabbed over and healed. I thought about perhaps nicking the nodes, but, was a little leery, as I know they are susceptible to rot.

I\'ve included two photos - one to illustrate how huge some of these non-stem roots are, and another which shows a close up of the individual nodes I am referring to.

Has anyone had luck with these old rhyzomes producing new stems?

Your advice most greatly appreciated.