Dividing Zygopetalum

[PragmaticOrchidGrower]

Hi

I have several Zygopetalum types that is growing out of their pots and finally I have a green house that I can leave them out in and give them appropriate temperatures (and maybe even better humidity as it gets below 40% indoors during winter!!). So I'd quite like to divide them and thus get more plants out of it..... and I think the plants prefer the same (one of them actually broke the pot with its roots!!)

I have never really done this before and was hoping for a few good tips and hints.

They all have new growth going at the moment. I'm using plastic pots and bark, mainly because that's what I can get my hands on in normal plant shops around here.

Thanks!

[camille1585]

Do you have any pics of them?
Generally when dividing plants, you should try to have at least three bulbs per division, with a new growth. I prefer bigger divisions since I get bigger plants more quickly after, and I don't need too many of the same plant! Sometimes when you unpot a plant it seems to sort of fall apart by itself along natural lines.

[kinknstein]

You beat me to it Camille I was about to say, at least three backbulbs and one new growth, but bigger can be better!! I split one of my Zygo's two years ago, and was left with a small piece which was only one backbulb and a very tiny new growth, but I potted her up and she seems to be doing just fine now, took a little while for her to settle in as she had next to no roots, bt she looks great now.

[PragmaticOrchidGrower]

ok, so three backbulbs and at least one new shoot it is!

But what best method to divide them? One of them I am sure will almost fall apart itself (I'll get some pics in here later today), but the other ones are very tight. Do I pull them apart? Do I use a knife? What about hormones for root growth??

Thanks again!

[camille1585]

Sometimes the pieces come apart fairly easily, you just have to pull/twist them apart with fairly little pressure. Otherwise just take a sharp sterile knife (dip in rubbing alcohol and and briefly pass over a flame) and cut them apart.

[PragmaticOrchidGrower]

Hi
So here are the plants I'm planning to divide. Remember i really ignored these for the longest time, so this is a saving exercise as much as anything. But now that I have the green house to get them better conditions I promise I'll behave


This Zygopetalum is too densely growing and I can never seem to keep it moist enough,think it's best to divide it??


This Zygopetalum actually cracked the pot, so it's time to divide it!



This is the third Zygopetalum I'm planning to divide (it's getting a bit unruly..), but just had second thoughts... It's got two new growts.

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by PragmaticOrchidGrower

Hi
So here are the plants I'm planning to divide. Remember i really ignored these for the longest time, so this is a saving exercise as much as anything. But now that I have the green house to get them better conditions I promise I'll behave

Wow...it looks like the plants didn't mind the neglect at all. They look great!

[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.

[Jerry Delaney]

Wow, Jannicke, those are SOME Zygos!! I usually use single edge razor blades and use a new one for each plant. I don't know if anyone else has this problem with Zygos, but take a look at your pictures carefully. Note that the bulbs are set slightly above the potting mix. I know for me, if I get the base of the newer bulbs sitting on the mix or even slightly buried, they will rot for sure. Good luck Jannicke, those look great!!!

[Bolero]

I don't find that if the bulbs are sitting on the mix that they rot. That would only happen in a really wet or really cold environment.

If he has good air movement and reasonable temps then the Zygo's will grow much like Cymbidiums.