Dividing a small Cattleya

[zonepusher]

I have a small Cattleya that I would like to divide to give it a better chance at growing. The division I would like to take is growing from the top of the main plant and has many hard to water roots. The roots are about 2 inches long and most are nice and green. Its really hard to water these roots without getting water into the crowns of the lower growth. I use several q-tips to remove any water that does get in there. I have thought about tying some spag around the roots to provide the moisture but it dries out so fast. This division would have 4 pbulbs and planted into a small 2" or 3" pot.

Can I divide this or should I leave it as it is?
Andi

[kmarch]

If you want to give it a better chance of growing, don't divide it.

The back growths, the older pseudobulbs contain water/nutrient reserves the plant draws on at various times like when it is starting a new growth. Cutting a plant in half then also cuts in half the water/nutrient reserves a new growth has to draw upon as it is starting and until it grows its own root system.

Dividing a plant to encourage growth is a bit like being on a long road trip, finding yourself getting low on gas and deciding the best way to ensure you make it to the next station is to siphon off half of your remaing fuel.

Also 2 inch roots seem a little small to my mind but 4 growths is a divisable size.

If you water in the morning, any water that is on the leaves will probably be dry by nightfall (if your air circulation is what it should be), and Cattleya alliance plants are not a prone to rot as are other types like Phals and Paphs. The exposed roots might do well enough with beign sprayed in the morning.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

4 bulbs is a good size, with 3 being minimum to not set the plant back. If the forward part is up in the air, repotting is probably a good idea. But, 2 important things.

One is that you generally should not repot a Catt until the new growth is just starting its new roots. This is when rooting hormones are high thru out the plant, and roots ruined by the repotting process will be replaced rapidly.

Second is the question of what will be left of the back part of the plant. Is there a new growth that will be left with the back section? If not, this section will be refered to as backbulbs, and how fast, and if it will progress, to a blooming plant again depends on strength of the older bulbs, if there are viable roots, and if there are viable eyes.

By the way, the method to keep the plant from climbing up is to pot the plant with the rhyzome horizontal at the top of the mix, irrespective of the way the pseudobulbs angle. After the plant has well rooted, you can pull the old psuedobulbs upright, and after a while they will take on a new set in the upright position. But early on you can train the new growth upright which will be easy to do as the new growth is fairly flexable. Good luck with your plant.