Divide or Not To Divide

[brsucculents]

This is Millenium Magic 'Witchcraft'. I am curious what you guys think about dividing this or waiting until next year. An if I do divide it, should I do it now or wait until Spring when I start to water? I am concerned about wounding the plant while it's dormant.

[estación seca]

Fred Clarke told our club not to divide 2 pbulbs. He said leave at least 3 together.

[Ray]

I agree. My general rule-of-thumb is to try to keep a minimum of two-, to three mature growths plus a new one in each division.

[brsucculents]

Great. Keep it, it is. Thanks for replying to my post.

[veekay]

Originally Posted by brsucculents

This is Millenium Magic 'Witchcraft'. I am curious what you guys think about dividing this or waiting until next year. An if I do divide it, should I do it now or wait until Spring when I start to water? I am concerned about wounding the plant while it's dormant.

Hi ,
If I were you, would not divide till front bulb make 3" new growth then you separate and plant in fresh material and make Sure that new roots are not covered with potting medium of your choice and good luck to you.
veekay

[brsucculents]

So what about this Cstm.? There are 8 pseudobulbs. It's only produced female flowers. Some one on this forum suggested dividing to increase the chances of male flowers. So divide into 2 -3 pseudobulbs divisions?
It's interesting that it grew the large pseudobulb this year and then threw up the two closest smaller pseudobulbs in late Summer. The new growth is on these smaller pseudobulbs, one growth on each.
Veejay, Isn't there a danger of damaging the new roots if wait to divide in Spring?
On the other hand, I am concerned about introducing bacteria/fungi while it is dormant if I divide now.

[estación seca]

If you go to the Sunset Valley Orchids Web site you can read Fred Clarke's advice for growing these orchids. Don't divide them now; wait until new roots begin to emerge. Fred says he thinks it's normal for each plant to lose 90% of its roots every winter.

Your plant is pushing a new growth now. That means you continued watering it after you should have stopped in the fall.

[brsucculents]

Thanks estación seca. I'll check out SVO's website again. It's been a while since I've read his cultural advice.
As far as watering goes, I stopped when the leaves turned yellow which was early November.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Your plant is pushing a new growth now. That means you continued watering it after you should have stopped in the fall.

Not necessarily. I have had them pop new growths mid season and late in the season...when they are are not even close to going dormant. Some are just more prone to this than others. Also, some have exceptionally short dormancy periods and if that hybrid has that mix in it's background then you will see new growths at what seems like "off" times. I follow the lead of the mature growths and sometimes that means I lose smaller, immature growths. It's not a big deal.

As for the dividing...I have divided when dormant, when coming out of dormancy, and just before heading into the dormancy period and all with similar results. The only catch when dividing during dormancy is to make sure you don't get any water trapped in the nooks and crannies of the dormant pbulb and or let the dormant growth be exposed to water for an extended period of time because some of the more sensitive types can rot rather easily.

Personally, I prefer to divide and repot those that need it when they are dormant. When done at the right time I find I don't have the lag in getting those older growths to sprout new growths and I don't risk breaking new tender growths when they are first getting started. When I divide after the new spring growth starts, I find it takes a good deal more time for the older growths to sprout new life.

I don't think it's that big of a deal when it's done as long as the plant is not in full swing of active growth. Ideally, you wouldn't want to divide when it's mid-season but other than that...whatever works for you should be fine for the plant. At least that's been my experience.