Splitting a large fern...

[snags]

I have a large, established potted fern that ideally needs splitting/repotting. There are approx. a dozen large individual crowns. No fronds have yet started to grow/unfurl but probably won't be long.

Is it too late in the year/risky to split and repot the individual crowns now?

[rowanwitch]

should be fine probably worth giving them a little protection while they re establish I used to split mine any time up til they set spores

[snags]

Even when they were 'in leaf'?

How did you split the root system (which I envisage to be a tight knotted ball: carefully unravel or just chop down ensuring a bit of root with each crown?

[rowanwitch]

bread knife or a small hacksaw so long as you have a crown and some root you should be fine

[snags]

Ta.