To separate or not to separate (Paphiopedilum)

[aramina12]

I will be needing to repot my paph again soon (I thought I could put it off until next year, but a new sprout came up in an area where it won't have room to grow). I know paphs grow an entire new leaf system for every bloom cycle, only ever blooming once from each, but I was wondering if it would still work to separate them? Will new growth come up from older ones, or does it always sprout off of the most recent one?
Regardless, would it be bad to trim away one of the older leaf systems to allow the plant more room?
In total there are three growths which produced flowers and have since finished, plus the new growth which appeared only recently.

[PaphMadMan]

You can divide it, and the older growth should develop a new lead if the plant is healthy. Any division should be at least 2 healthy mature growths though, or success is slower and less certain. You shouldn't remove old growth just to make room though. As long as it is healthy and green it is adding to the strength of the plant. I would just move the plant to a slightly larger pot. Most Paphs will do best if you plan on repotting every year if you use a bark or moss based mix.

[MrHappyRotter]

I would wait to separate, were it my plant.

Two healthy mature growths is probably the absolute minimum per division assuming you have reasonable conditions, and at that, for most paphs, you should assume that it'll set your plant(s) back a year or two while they recover.

There are certain types of paph that tend to handle repotting and being divided a lot better than others. For instance, a lot of the paphs in what's sometimes referred to as the Maudiae group as well as hybrids with sequential blooming multiflorals (i.e. cocholopetalums) are usually the quickest to recover and show the least amount of stress in my experience.

Still, unless there's a very good reason to actually divide the plant before it's a nice, big monster, I would avoid it.

If you are going to divide with 2 mature growths, at least try to get 2 mature growths with a new growth already started, preferably with new roots starting as well. Be gentle with the plant to minimize root damage, which is very important. Perhaps consider following up with some SuperThrive, since post repotting is when SuperThrive is particularly helpful.

[Fairorchids]

You do not tell us which type of Paph. For complex Paphs, they often have poor root setting on new growths (most roots are on 3 year old growths), so there you should always wait to divide.

[Laserbeak]

If it's growing in a straight line, you'll have to divide it eventually, but not necessarily now. If it's coming up with shoots all around, then definitely leave it alone unless it really starts dying off in the middle.

[aramina12]

Thanks for all the input. For now I just went ahead and left it together, but repotted it to make room for the new growth.
It's called a pink fred paph. I'm not sure exactly what type that is. I'm a bit of a noob still when it comes to orchids.