Can/should I divide this Paph?

[camille1585]

I don't have many Paphs in my collection (only 4) so don't have much experience with them, especially as they haven't given me any problems until now!

I've had the Paph in question at least 5-6 years, and over time it has produced new growths, as it should, but has 2 growing points going in opposite directions. So as the old fans died off, I'm now left with an empty pot with the plant on the edges. So I'd like to divide it when I repot it later in the week.

But is it large enough to divide? I read that if the divisions are not large enough, the plant(s) may sulk for quite a while before blooming again.

One side has 3 mature growths, an old one on its way out, and a new half grown fan. The other side has just a mature fan and a half grown one. I have no idea if this is a dividable size.

[Orchid Whisperer]

If you un-pot it, you may find it has divided itself already.

If not, you can either leave it together, or divide it. If it were mine, I would try to leave both sections attached as long as they are connected by live tissue. Divide or not, both sections should eventually bloom, but the small one will take longer.

[dounoharm]

nice job with it, Camille....both pieces look nice and healthy....I would take it out of the pot and see whats inside....I repot paphs about every 2-3 years with fresh medium....mostly, in that shape they fall apart in two plants....if they don't fall apart, I would give the weakest part a snip, and a spray of physan, then pot separately....they like a bit of chicken grit I have found....

[orchidsarefun]

You could and then plant them close together in the same pot. There's lots of room.

[jkofferdahl]

I'd leave them together, but then I prefer shows.

[camille1585]

Normally I would also leave the plant as is, but the largest part is running out of room! The newest fan is growing right up against the side of the pot, so future growths will either grow over the side, or be in a very tight situation.

I'll be repotting it tomorrow or wednesday, and maybe you are right and it has already divided itself. Good idea to keep both pieces in the same pot afterwards.