Zygopetalum
 

Hello orchid board, I bought another zygo at Trader Joe’s yesterday and need advice. The plant is what I’m calling her big mamma. This is to me a large plant. She is in bloom so I know there isn’t much I can do with her now except normal care. When the blooms are past there prime can I make 2 plants out of this large one? If so I have no idea how to do so and the skill level that it requires. I’ve never divided an orchid. Or can I just repot into a larger pot? I’d have an humongous zygo? I have time for now but definitely want to do the best for her. Thank you you input is much appreciated—-B

It no doubt will need repotting, but that's not terribly large for a Zygo. Don't divide... let the plant settle into new medium after it blooms, and get happy. It is likely to lose old leaves (leaving bare green pseudobulbs) as new growth matures. That gives energy to the plant. But one larger, strong plant is far superior to several small weak ones. If it gets truly out of hand in a couple of years, that would be the time to divide. But not yet - give it a chance to establish well first.

I’ve found out the hard way that these don’t seem to like root disturbance when being repotted. Those that my mom repotted without any attempt to remove old media from around the roots never missed a beat while the one I did a careful cleanup on nearly died. I’d be leery about dividing one.

Sometimes, however, with the big ones from the grocery stores there are actually two plants stuffed in the pot and when you pull it out of the pot it falls into separate plants. In such cases, I think you could get away with potting the halves separately. Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to tell this is the case until I’ve removed the plant from the pot and done a bit of cleanup.

Thank you so much I feel better after reading my replies. I love my new zygo I ended up moving plants around and she and her species cousin (another zygo) are proudly sitting in the best spot in my house for plants. Everything thrives there. Again thanks Aliceinwl and Roberta for taking the time to reply to my nervousness I will listen and chill and enjoy her amazing blooms that I wish I could post the fragrance that is coming from them———-B