Dividing phalaenopsis

[K-Sci]

The advice given to a new member with a help repotting question made me wonder why I never see advice to do what I do with my overgrown phalaenopsis. Does anyone else divide their phals something like this?

When my phals get too tall, I cut the top off keeping as many aerial roots as is practical. Sometimes the aerial roots need trimmed so the top will fit in the expectant new pot.

Next, I dust the cut stem and root ends with fungicide, let both top and bottom sit on the bench for a couple days to dry the cut ends, then plant the top in a new pot. The result is two phalaenopsis.

The top of the last phal I did this with mid summer has two spikes with buds about to open. In its case, I tossed the bottom, but the bottoms grow one or more new tops but often skipped a year before blooming again.

-Keith