Giant Cymbidium milk tea, can I separate?

[cabbo]

My wife just brought home a GIANT Cym. milk tea. This thing is massive. 4 spikes with like 8-10 flowers each. The whole plant is about 3 feet tall. My question is, can I separate this thing into 2 smaller plants? I assume I can after blooming but is it recommended? I need some advice!

[cabbo]

I should add, it's not the height that bothers me it's the width. It's at least 3 feet wide. I was also wondering about the light requirements. From what I gather, is full morning and/or afternoon sun good?

[Aileen]

Dividing cymbidiums is reasonably fail-safe. You'll need a flame sterlizised knife, and a fair bit of patience for a big orchid.
Wait until it's done blooming, then try to cut between the bulbs, keeping roots intact, and using a flame-sterilized knife.
You may be better off slicing 3 or 4 smaller divisions and leaving the larger original thand trying to cut it in half!
Good luck !

[l.ania]

You can also try putting some carbo medicinalis at the place, where you cut that cymbidium i do it always when I cut orchids or their roots
Good luck!

[Roy]

Apart from the 4 spikes and long leaves, How many bulbs does the plant have ??? Cymbs can grow very large and have 4 spikes off few bulbs. No-one can give advice accurately without knowing this.

[Ray]

When dividing, I recommend keepig a minimum of 3 old pseudobulbs plus a new growth per division.

I can find no such hybrid as Milk Tea, but from the sounds of it, it's a standard cymb, so the best culture is cool temps and bright light.

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by l.ania

You can also try putting some carbo medicinalis at the place, where you cut that cymbidium i do it always when I cut orchids or their roots
Good luck!

What are carbo medicinals?

[l.ania]

I was afraid you ask about that- that's why I named it in latin I suppose in english it would be activ carbon? I'm not sure with the name, but that are pills, you can but it in pharmacy

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by Ray

When dividing, I recommend keepig a minimum of 3 old pseudobulbs plus a new growth per division.

I can find no such hybrid as Milk Tea, but from the sounds of it, it's a standard cymb, so the best culture is cool temps and bright light.

I think I have 5 bulbs, so would you keep 3 together and have 2 singles or keep the other 2 together? I'll attempt to attach my first photo.

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by Roy

Apart from the 4 spikes and long leaves, How many bulbs does the plant have ??? Cymbs can grow very large and have 4 spikes off few bulbs. No-one can give advice accurately without knowing this.

Looks like 5 bulbs