Divided my large cattleya

[emg53]

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.