Gongora fulva division advice

[Dave S.]

I am planning to divide my G. fulva and provide half of it to someone from this forum who helped the NASC auction recently.

Here is a picture of the flower:



It recently flowered, and it is putting out new growth. I am planning to wait until the new growth is over three inches tall before making the division. My cut pattern will be right down the middle as much as possible to give both halves back bulbs and active bulbs with leaves.

Here is a picture of the plant with the potting mix removed:



There is a massive amount of roots, so each division should have plenty.

The cutting tool will be a razor-sharp scalpel that has been sterilized.

Does anyone see a problem with the division I have planned?

[isurus79]

Hmmmm....it doesn't look like there is a "middle" here. You will want to do some serious investigation regarding the growth pattern of the bulbs because I doubt its linear. You might end up cutting and realize you've got one bulb now on its own with two other divisions of unknown size! I've made that mistake more than once!

Also, this plant is probably at the bare minimum size for making a division. I would have waited until there were more bulbs, but that is just me. I would also have waited until there was a flush of new roots being thrown out by new growth. Size of the new growth doesn't really matter when deciding to make a division; but rather root growth stage is what counts. This is true for most orchids! However, since you've already gone and unpotted this plant you really need to make your cuts now to help lessen the shock to the plant.

---------- Post added at 10:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 AM ----------

And do you know what is causing those large yellow/brown spots on the leaves? Is it from excessive light or is this a deciduous species? While I've grown many Gongoras, I'm not familiar with this exact species.

[Dave S.]

Thank you for your reply. Some of the yellow is based on the lights being on while I took the picture, but it has gone through periods of drought, changes to high light, and other issue where the leaves would react that way. The newest leaves are fine and it is not deciduous. Some of the leaves are many years old by now.

When I received this plant in spike, it bloomed with one set of leaves and two back bulbs.

I have had this plant for eight years, and it blooms every February.

I agree that it cannot be straight down the middle, but I would be looking to make two equal halves as best as I could without cutting through a bulb.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Dave S.

I am planning to divide my G. fulva and provide half of it to someone from this forum who helped the NASC auction recently.

Here is a picture of the flower:



It recently flowered, and it is putting out new growth. I am planning to wait until the new growth is over three inches tall before making the division. My cut pattern will be right down the middle as much as possible to give both halves back bulbs and active bulbs with leaves.

Here is a picture of the plant with the potting mix removed:



There is a massive amount of roots, so each division should have plenty.

The cutting tool will be a razor-sharp scalpel that has been sterilized.

Does anyone see a problem with the division I have planned?

I believe he means me!!!

[Dave S.]

That is correct! I am waiting just a little more longer, then I will be sending you half.

[Subrosa]

Sir, that is MORE than generous! I eagerly await your generosity!

[Brenda Aarts]

Beautiful flower. I have a fulva that I love, it is a larger plant with 10 or more pbulbs. I personally would be hesitant to divide in view of the size of your plant.

[Brenda Aarts]

This is my plant and I'm still not considering dividing any time soon.