How (or should) I take a cutting from another orchid?

[zuerose]

As a "thank you" a friend gave my in-laws a really nice orchid. Of course, I have no idea what it is, but it has long-stemmed, smallish 5-petal deep yellow flowers, almost but not quite like a daisy and I love it. I was going to take a picture and see if I could buy one but then thought that maybe I could take a piece/cutting of it and repot it.

I ran a search here but only find threads to repotting or cutting back plants. Does this mean "DON'T DO IT!!!!" ?? I don't want to do the wrong thing nor do I don't want to damage or kill their plant.

Advice??

[kmarch]

It's almost impossible to give competent recommendations on how to divide you orchid unless we know what kind it is. I'm afraid no orchid has 5 petals so are you sure it is an orchid? Can you post a pic of it?

Many orchids can be successfully divided. Some respond to it better than others. Those with canes or pseudobulbs should have at least 3 canes or pseudobulbs per division. Any less will set the plant back. Also each division should have it's own set of healthy roots.

Post a pic so we can see what kind it is and we'll be able to make better recommendations.

Cheers

[Ellen]

Zuerose probably means 2 petals and 3 sepals, for a total of 5, unless it's a cirrhopetalum-type bulbo, which would fit the "daisy" description, but seems unlikely. Yes, a pic would help a lot.

[zuerose]

I'll get a picture and post it but it'll be a few days. The plant is at a home in the Keys and we left there yesterday. This was one of the few trips there that I didn't take my camera, my constant companion. Of course, I regretted it almost immediately. My husband's going down there tomorrow so I'll put him in charge of the picture. Whatever we get should be interesting...

Now you have me questioning how many petals... hmmmm.

Check back in a few days. Thanks - Sue

[zuerose]

Here are the pictures my husband took for me of the orchid I'd like to either take a cutting from or know what it is so I can get one. I love the flowers and, you're right, not five petals!

If they're too blurry, I'll take more pictures next time we go down there.

Thanks! Sue

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

It looks like a hybrid with Brassavola nodosa as a parent, or grandparent. To determine if a division can be taken, you really need someone knowledgeable to look at the pattern of growth on the bark slab. Is there an orchid society handy, or an orchid nursery you could drive to? A real expert grower could tell you which piece could be removed without damaging the original plant, and still have the best chance of survival. The plant looks big enough that a decent piece should be removable.

Take a sterilized cutting tool with you.

[jerrymeola]

Taking a cutting from a mounted plant is difficult and not for a first attempt. The roots should be attached to the mount and removal means breaking the roots.

The plant looks very much like Iwan Apple Bloosum 'Golden Elf' which is not an expensive plant and should be easy to find this summer when all the Orchid society shows begin.

A cutting may take 2-3 years to flower even more if you mount it. Whereas a 2 1/2 inch pot can flower in one year and finding one in bloom is not hard.

You can tell if your in-laws have the same plant because Apple Bloosum is yellow with an apple color on the back of the pedals. There are several other yellow daisy type Orchids.

[zuerose]

good advice. I've been thinking about it and decided not to attempt it. It's not worth any damage when I can just as easily call the person who gave the plant to them and ask where he got it. Taking a cutting is gratifying only if it lives! Think I'll make that call... Thanks for your comments. Sue