Divided my large cattleya - Orchid Board

emg53 · #1 03-02-2015, 04:30 PM

I bought a large Cattleya from Lowes in January. It had two flowers blooming with 4 more about ready to open. There were also two sheaths with tiny buds. I was planning on repotting and possibility dividing it after the buds in the sheaths had bloomed. But since the buds in the sheaths haven't grown at all and it has 5 new p-bulbs coming and no where for them to grow I decided to divide now. I have read to divide orchids when the new growth starts and this plant sure is growing.

It turned out to be easier than I thought it would be. I really thought I would loose a lot of roots since they were wound all around the pot and looked like they were melded together. Once I got the orchid out of the pot I gently removed all the old medium. Then I began the long process of untangling the roots. It did take a while but they did become untangled. I had intended to divide it in two but somehow I landed up with 4 divisions. Since there were 17 p-bulbs each division has at least 4 p-bulbs. The two furthest back division's bulbs don't have any new growth but I am hoping they will send out a new p-bulb.

The roots were in good shape and I only cut off a few dead ones. I am very pleased with how it turned out. Now I just have to wait to see how they do.

astrid · #2 03-02-2015, 07:32 PM

Yeah, I was shocked at how easy dividing an orchid was when I first did it, and now I've done several!! Sometimes orchids seem to "want" you to divide them as you are digging out old medium, and they just pop apart so easily.

Other times, though, I have to pull out my knife and hack away between two parts of the plant because it is stubbornly stuck together!!

I think I won't divide my plants for a long time, because I love the look of massive flower spikes all over and the look of a big big plant.

I am lucky I divided one of my miltoniopsis orchids recently. It had so many bulbs and 4 flower spikes and looked like it was going to thrive, so I divided it. Turns out that part of the plant had some sort of rotting issue and I was lucky enough to only lose that division rather than the whole plant.

Bill U. · #3 03-04-2015, 06:47 PM

I, for one, am just jealous that you were able to find such a big plant at your Lowes! The closest that I can find around me is some of those "bag babies" if I'm lucky!

emg53 · #4 03-04-2015, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill U.

I, for one, am just jealous that you were able to find such a big plant at your Lowes! The closest that I can find around me is some of those "bag babies" if I'm lucky!

That's probably because I am in Florida. I bought it in January and it was outside in the garden center. The nursery where it was grown isn't very far from where I live.

Daethen · #5 03-04-2015, 10:02 PM

It is very pretty!! Congrats on the fairly easy divide.

emg53 · #6 03-04-2015, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daethen

It is very pretty!! Congrats on the fairly easy divide.

If all 4 do well I'll send you one to help rebuild your collection. It looks like I may have a lot of Den nobles "Country Girl" too.

Daethen · #7 03-05-2015, 12:12 AM

That is sweet of you, emg, and thank you. I think you did a wonderful job dividing it. I usually get frustrated and some of the roots suffer. I'll bet your plants love your local too.

gngrhill · #8 03-05-2015, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill U.

I, for one, am just jealous that you were able to find such a big plant at your Lowes! The closest that I can find around me is some of those "bag babies" if I'm lucky!

I understand you. I found bag babies in 2012 and none since. the only mature ones I have found are Phals.