Laelia purpurata (now called Hadrolaelia, Brasilaelia or - belive it or not - Sophronitis!) is a very robust plant, and I think even a small back division with only two pbulbs could survive. You can try the "sphag in a bag" way, using moisted moss (with a few drops of Superthrieve or something like that) in the bottom of a plastic bag, put the division over the moss and close the bag, hanging it on a semi-shaded place. Sometimes works, and new roots grow.
When you buy a cattleya-alliance division, you need at least 4 pbulbs in a back division or 3 in a frontal division to be sure that it will survive. I've saved very small divisons of purpurata-related Laelias (lobata, grandis, xanthina), sometime one only pbulb with no roots at all, but remember I live in a tropical weather and L. purpurata cames from southeast/south brazilian coastal plateau, exactly when I live! Good luck!
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Frederico
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