Blc. Morning Song 'Crownfox', Chop-chop!

[Keysguy]

A truly specimen sized plant that I got maybe 10 years ago at a club auction. A reliable bloomer that last year had around 50 flowers on it. This year, the iguanas feasted on it and when I went to move it....I almost couldn't. It was in a 20 gl. plastic field pot that I could barely get my arms around. The critters had devoured 75% of this years blooms but I noticed new root tips were already starting to emerge so right then and there I decided it was time to do the deed.

I had to cut the pot in multiple places to get the plant out of it and then started working my way around the plant with a reciprocating saw (sterilized blade first) making initial division cuts which I then was able to pull apart by hand.

I ended up with 11 divisions, the smallest had 6 pseudobulbs to the largest which had 30ish which is the one I'll keep. All the rest have been re-potted and will go on the member co-op sales table at our March show.

I've been thinking about doing this for a couple years and dreading it but when I was done I was overcome with a great sense of calm.

Specimen plants are nice but there just comes a time when...........

Below is picture of the plant in Dec. of 2020 and a picture of the divisions. Notice the original 8" plastic basket I found in the middle of the rootball?

[Dusty Ol' Man]

I only wish I had room enough for a specimen this size. Good growing. And, under the circumstances, good decision.

[piping plover]

Wow, spectacular specimen! I can relate to the feeling of accomplishment and relief when I finally repotted my cattleya out of its 10” wooden basket, home for 8 years

[Keysguy]

Thought I would post a follow-up to this thread I started almost a year ago.

This is the division I kept for myself. I got $25 each I think for the 10 I sold on the co-op table at our fair in March. This was the nicest division but they were all good sized divisions and all had at least a couple of new growths by the time of the fair so I'm pretty sure people should think they got a fair deal.

I really enjoy this plant. Nice big flowers with great color contrast and super fragrant. 4 spikes and 14 flowers and the best part is....I can actually pick it up now!

I did a little research in my files and this is pretty close to what it looked like in 2016 so that should give you an idea of how fast it grows here. 7 more years and I won't be able to pick it up again probably.

[Roberta]

That one really is a beast... keep that Sawzall handy. What a show!

[piping plover]

I’m sure people were lucky to get divisions of that plant. Beautiful blooms.

Originally Posted by Keysguy

Thought I would post a follow-up to this thread I started almost a year ago.

This is the division I kept for myself. I got $25 each I think for the 10 I sold on the co-op table at our fair in March. This was the nicest division but they were all good sized divisions and all had at least a couple of new growths by the time of the fair so I'm pretty sure people should think they got a fair deal.

I really enjoy this plant. Nice big flowers with great color contrast and super fragrant. 4 spikes and 14 flowers and the best part is....I can actually pick it up now!

I did a little research in my files and this is pretty close to what it looked like in 2016 so that should give you an idea of how fast it grows here. 7 more years and I won't be able to pick it up again probably.