Help! My orchid is running away.

[Hanako]

Hello,
I dont know what to do with this orchid. Its a phalaenopsis. Its not two plants, but one that had kind of grown a twin, and they're both trying to escape the pot.

Can I cut it over somewhere in the middle (without cutting any roots) to divide it into two, or should I leave it as it is and just repot it in something bigger?

If repotting, I know it should be done when it has finished blooming.

Also, I can't mount it since the air here is all to try for it to be able to thrive.

[trdyl]

Welcome to OB!

It is really up to you if you want to separate the two crowns or leave them together. They will be fine either way. My personal opinion is I think it looks more impressive if you don't divide them.

[RosieC]

While in some cases I think a double crown should be left together in this case it is causing a lot of potting problems so I would probably seperate them.

It looks to me like the larger one has a long drier/older section connecting it to the smaller. If I was to make a cut, I would dry and do it somewhere in that second, towards the bottom but not in to the smaller plant.

One word of warning, cutting in to the base of a Phal is a lot tougher than you might think. I tried it once and it was a lot of work.

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by RosieC

One word of warning, cutting in to the base of a Phal is a lot tougher than you might think. I tried it once and it was a lot of work.

A good pair of pruning shears makes it a lot easier.

[RosieC]

Yeah, I tried just a sharpe knife and it wasn't really the right tool. If I have to do it again I will pick something stronger.

[Hanako]

Alright thank you for your help