How do you divide???

[jptg7781]

OK -long story.. well I went to my MIL's house today to see how the NOID den. I gave her for mothers day was doing.. While in the backyard she tells me to look at her "tree orchid" that is blooming. I went over and it is a Encyclia tampensis (about 50 pbulbs). I LOVE Enc. and so ofcourse I freaked out.. because after 8 years I never knew she had this. Its in full bloom with about 10 spikes! Anyways, to get to the point, she said I could have some of it but how do I divide it without hurting it? I will wait until its done blooming if I have to, but I really dont wanna. Any pointers?

Tracy

[LJA]

Ok, my two cents....

Repotting a plant that's in spike or bud is one thing, and you can do that without the plant hardly missing a beat.

But dividing is another thing completely, and if you do it now, the divisions could very well abort their spikes.

Rule of thumb is to leave at least 3-4 growths per division, but if you divide down that fine, I would say you'll *definitely* lose the spikes.

On the other hand, if all you did was cut the entire thing in half or quarters, each plant would more than likely be big enough to support continued spike development.

But: sounds like she said you could have "some of it." So cut yourself a hunk of about 5 PBs, and if that includes a spiking front growth, cut the spike off. You really don't want the division trying to heal itself from that kind of trauma at the same time as it's trying to flower.