Dividing Zygopetalum

[PragmaticOrchidGrower]

So I divided the one that broke the pot a couple of weeks ago. Divided it in half where you can see it sort of divides itself, and it did take quite some strength and cutting!!! There was alomost no material left in that pot but roots....

The plants are still looking strong, allthough they have suffered a bit under the bright light they're now getting in the new "palm house"

Oh-well, the new growth will be more used to it.

Anyways, it is still looking strong so maybe I'll give it a go on the first one that is so dense... just need to shapen the knives first...

How long do you think it will take before it has "settled" and the new growth will continue to develop? It did get its roots cut pretty well...

I divided a Cymbidium at the same time, and the new growth on that one is also stopped completely. Meanwhile its friends that had the same new shoots are well ahead.

Oh, and yes, they were planted high in the new material, the roots were just still to massive to be able to get it much deeper into the new pots! Allthough root rot is probably the least likely problem my plants will ever have as I struggle to be able to water them all frequently enough... there's too many plants for that !

[Bolero]

Do you cut back the roots when you repot? If there are many roots then I usually cut them right back, it doesn't hurt the plant and promotes the growth of newer healthy roots. I don't mean cut them all right back to the bulbs but thin them out quite a bit.

[twinkie]

Originally Posted by Bolero

Wow that first one is going to take some dividing. I use a large knife and press down between the bulbs being careful not the cut the bulbs themselves. I do this into reasonable sections so I have plants that can flower again in the next 12 months.

It will take a bit of strength to cut through but it shouldn't be too hard at all. I know people said 3 back bulbs and at least one new growth which is right, I would aim for more than one new growth if you can. It makes for a better looking plant and more flowers.

I know this thread is old but hoping someone can answer. My Zygo has about 5 large bulbs that are fat as heck, and 1 new fat bulb so water seems abundant and no issue, but there's one mature bulb with leaves at the back, opposite of the 'new tiny fat bulb", that's making new white roots above the bark and moss. Is that a cry for help? Dividing?
That fat bulb is wedged up right next to a monster cluster of bulbs and I can't see a logical cutting line. The rest of the bulbs/plant are at bark level with roots in the bark, only this back one seems to either have lifted up a bit from possibly the front fatties getting fatter? Should I just leave it alone and maybe add some moss up towards those white roots? I have zero experience in separating bulbs.

[fishmom]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

[twinkie]

Originally Posted by fishmom

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Maybe these are clear...