Dummy's Encyclia Coch. question--all those bulbs?

[chopster01]

I have had an Ency. (Pros.) cochleata for years and it is almost always in bloom. But once a pbulb has leafed and bloomed, well, there it is, forever idle, as new pbulbs appear. They don't really shrivel or look bad--they're fat and sassy I'd say--but the don't rebloom and the pot is getting bigger and bigger. Can I remove some of the bulbs next time I repot? Leafing bulbs are now appearing at either end of the clump, with the retired bulbs in between. How would I divide it?

(Obviously most of my experience has been with Paphs and Phals that don't do the bulb thing .

Charlie

[gixrj18]

After a bulb blooms, it becomes a "back bulb", somewhat of a water storage tank. Only new bulbs will bloom for this type of plant. If you divide it, the front half will keep on growing from the front, and wherever you cut (or break) the rhizome will become the front of the back half....and produce new growth from that spot. You should divide it in sections of at least 4-5 pseudopods each.....so if it's big enough, you can divide it into several plants.
To divide it, simply break (or cut) the rhizome in the desired locations and seperate. If you cut it, you should sterilize any cutting tools over an open flame prior to contacting the plant

[chopster01]

I don't always get such clear, easy to follow answers when I ask a question about orchids. There is often so much ambiguity and debate that I'm glad there's one thing this simple to do. Thanks, Jasen!

[cb977]

Great advice...way to go, Jasen!

Charlie, I'm sure your friends will be thrilled to get a division of that! They're great chids

[gixrj18]

Nooooooo problem! Also, I forgot to mention, sprinkle cinammon on any open wounds that occur during dividing....this will help the wound dry up and block any fungus from getting in.

[chopster01]

Chids with a sweet tooth. I like it.