another question about taking a cutting

[zuerose]

my neighbor with the awesomely huge orchid graciously and unexpectedly offered to let me take a piece of it. I'm happy but now I don't know what to do. It's so big that I can't imagine it'll hurt the plant but I could be wrong and then I'd feel awful. He definitely doesn't know - he didn't even know what it was.

So how do I do this and when? It's not in bloom right now but I'm attaching a picture of when it was because it's the only one I have and it's dark outside so I can't take another right now.

As always, thanks for your help. Sue

[mayres]

WOW! That is one awesome plant! It is a little difficult to tell what it is from that distance, though undoubtedly some will know. I'm guessing some sort of oncidium alliance plant? Whenever your neighbor decides to repot this plant you could break apart a section of the new growth with at least THREE pseudobulbs or canes (if by chance a dendrobium) and pot them up as a new plant. It should be easy to do and take off with no issues. You are correct - a plant of this size will continue on without even skipping a beat with a small plant removed from it. Good luck and enjoy! Mike

[kmarch]

The best time to divide is after blooming, before the plant starts its next growth cycle. Division can take place at other times but may result in slow or stunted growth for a cycle and/or skipping a bloom cycle.

When you take the cutting, take one from a "lead" which is where new growth will come and make sure you take at least 3 mature pseudobulbs. Less will result in the division being set back.

It looks like an Ondicium of some kind. Go to the AOS website (www.aos.org) and get a free culture sheet on Oncidium care. Or I suppose you could just grow it outside just like your neighboor grows it. It clearly loves those conditions.

[zuerose]

It's been about 4'ish months since it last bloomed - has too much time passed and should I wait until the next bloom?

It lives under a huge oak tree and isn't even in a pot - it sits on top of one of those round concrete with tile inset table; it IS the concrete table

[kmarch]

It depends on if it is in active growth now or not. if it is in active growth, i'd wait.

[sandra]

WOW Sue. I didn't know one orchid plant could be so huge. What kind is it and where in Fla. are you? I'll come over and help you cut. ...just joking.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Well, Kevin, you are assuming that growth will start after blooming. Not being able to tell what the plant is, I would not be quite certain that is a good time. And I would like to qualify your comment about not cutting the piece off when the plant is in growth. Early in growth is probably a good time, and cutting when the new growth is just starting its roots is the best time. If the plant is severely over grown, there will probably be pieces growing out over the edge of the pot which should make it an easy thing to take a cutting. I think a 2 bulb cutting would be adequate if that is all that is easy to cut off, especially if it is an Oncidium, where 2 large bulbs will be fine.

Always sterilize your tool used for cutting, especially if it is someone else's plant. Heat the tool very hot, don't use alcohol. Dusting the cut surfaces with cinnamon or sulfur is a good idea.

[zuerose]

It is awesome - just sits there under the tree and blooms every so often. Nobody does anything with or to is - it's happy and healthy. I'm in Cooper City - where are you?

[zuerose]

I'm out of town for the weekend but will take a closer look at it when I get back. There is no pot though - it sits on top of a table. I'll get back to you early next week. Thanks! Sue

[mayres]

If you can - out of interest - take a picture(s) of it now and try to get close enough on at least one picture to see the object it is attached to with roots and such. We don't see plants like this and are intrigued........

[kmarch]

The plant in question tome looks to be some sort of Oncidium. The advice I gave was based on that. i am not a fan of repotting or dividing when a plant is in active growth, especially if it is growing new roots. The reason being that new shoots and roots are tender and can be damaged in the process. For this reason i prefer (and think it is easier) to divide or repot during a plant's rest period.

I find 2-bulb cuttings to be too small, setting the plant back. I've had only a few 2-bulb divisions and it took about 2 years for the plant to get going good. In one instance it died. On the other hand with 3-bulb divisions, they almost always continue on without skipping a beat and sometimes even bloom on the next cycle.

[berkeleysgr8]

What an AMAZING plant! I'm sure your neighbor wouldn't mind at all if you took cuttings for all of your new friends here at the orchid forum! Okay, maybe he would. *sigh* Definitely send some photos of the plant while it's out of bloom.

[jerrymeola]

The plant is commonly called 'Dancing Lady' there are several varieties sold throughout Florida including Taka, Grower Ramsey, and Sweet Sugar among others.

I can ID it from the photo since there are quite a few this big in Florida and it is such a common hybrid. Many Oncidium can get this big but the other types are not as common. Only an inexpensive orchid would have been ignored long enough to get this big. Pampered orchids never do as well.

As to its size, I have a friend that has one twice this size. Hers is almost 8 feet across. I did not believe it was an orchid the first time I saw it. they are a commercial landscape nursery and I though it was a hedge.

As to taking a division, do not worry. This is such a strong plant there is almost nothing you can do it hurt the parent plant. Get a piece along the outside. Take three or four bulbs (a fist full is about right) and twist it off. Put a little cinnamon for fungus protection on the piece and re-pot.

Be careful on watering the division. It has always been in air without a pot and will take some adaptation to growing in a pot.

It would do well in a basket with large bark. This is one of the few times I recommend large bark, but you would not really be potting the cutting but growing it bare root with the bark there to retain water and moisture around the roots. You could hang the basket or place it on a table until it takes over the table like your friends.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Well Kevin, different strokes for different folks. If you tend to be rough on orchids when you divide your plants, and you live in a humid climate, like our OP, then repotting when dormant probably is a good idea. And maybe the need for 3 or 4 bulbs with an Oncidium is needed BECAUSE you are repotting at a less than opportune time. For me, I am particularly careful about new growths and I chose to repot when the new roots are very short, and am careful with those that are already out. This is something that a commercial grower like Jerry would not have the time or patience for, but for the home hobbyist, the kind of care I use might be more typical. I think Jerry's post is probably the best for our OP to follow, as I think Jerry has the best idea of what the OP is facing. Twisting the piece off saves the need for a sterile tool, but I would recommend that the OP does not handle the raw end to avoid transfering virus from her hands.

[zuerose]

just got back from a holiday weekend in the Keys (where we conveniently have no internet access) and read everyone's replies. After work tomorrow I'll go over, take some pictures and post them, so check back then. Thanks!

[fred]

its good to have you back with us
I look forward to seeing your pics

[zuerose]

okay, here are the photos I took. One is of how the orchid looks now, without blooms. Another is a close-up of how it's attached to the table. The rest are close ups of the bulbs (?) and root system.

I shall await the verdict...

Sue

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Not too sure pulling and twisting will work, better have a sterilised cutter with you when you try. Cutting the separator rhyzome at just the right spot might allow you to pull a piece loose with a good tug, but you will have to find somethig to hold on to that won't break a new growth off. Anyone else want to put in their 2 cents.