Catasetum Pilatum X Catasetum Expansum Dark colored orchid

[kindrag23]

So here is the gift I got from my mom for My Christmas and yes I ordered it for her. She is not to computer savvy and forget EBAY!! She barely is getting down facebook...she has also been on there for 2 years now and I still have to help her.

So this has to be the best packing job of a plant I have ever seen thus far. It had bubble wrap and everyone knows that when the bubble wrap comes out we all become 2 year olds.

So I was able to separate one of the older back bulbs already, but I was wondering if I could separate the newest growth from biggest bulb? It has already begun its own root system and has several growing already. Would I be okay?

Picture 1: The wrapping job
Picture 2: Post unwrapping
Picture 3: The actual plant

Won't allow me to post more than three at a time...

[kindrag23]

Sorry they are upside down. Heres the mother plant w the baby still connected.

[kindrag23]

OH and this is the picture of the plant from ebay lets say for once I was really happy about how the plant was being mis represented!!! LOL!!!!

[kindrag23]

whoops forgot to add the picture!!

[Rowangreen]

You do know you don't HAVE to separate every pulb off don't you? They are not separate plants: they are part of the same plant, and can be left growing together. If you keep doing it and keep forcing new growths you are likely to end up with smaller, weaker ones. I think most people only divide these when each division will have several pulbs.

[kindrag23]

I divided it because I would like to send one of them to a friend for a Christmas gift. She is a plant person like me.

---------- Post added at 02:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:46 PM ----------

I also know that I don't have to continually break them apart. But if there was a chance I could and have 2 in case one does not make it or something happens (there is the tiny tornado to deal with on occasion). Also my millenium "witchcraft" is one humongous bulb and has 2 growths coming out as well. Since going to sleep.

[isurus79]

I would not divide that one. Its too small and the growth is too young.

[kindrag23]

ty, that was my original thought but needed a confirmation. Much appreciated.

[kindrag23]

End product. The mother plant is still with the baby. And the older back bulb has been placed in his own special pot. We shall see how it all goes! I really cant wait to see what this guy looks like!!!

[katrina]

I think the general consensus (w/most orchids) is no less than 3 growths...whenever possible. I have received individual pbulbs w/Ctsm and it always, always, always takes them at least 2 yrs to be strong enough to bloom. And that's only if you get everything just about perfect in that 2yrs...if not, it could possibly take longer.

Also, w/only the one growth...if anything goes wrong...the poor thing doesn't have any reserves to pull from (older pbulb). Which means there's more potential for loss of the plant should any mishaps occur.