repotting Brassavola nodosa (Lady of the Night)?

[cpechura]

I have had a Brassavola nodosa for 6 or more years and have repotted it once from a very small pot into one a bit larger. It is now however growing out of the pot and in a variety oof directions and I do not know what to do with it--e.g, sixe of new pot, whether to split it up etc. Photos attached and any suggestions greatly appreciated.
CP

[Phalcycle]

It looks like a fairly large plant! Because there seem to be two main clumps, I would divide it. Then you'll have two plants. I would do this imediatly because one repot in 6years is a long time.

[madphrag]

Originally Posted by Phalcycle

It looks like a fairly large plant! Because there seem to be two main clumps, I would divide it. Then you'll have two plants. I would do this imediatly because one repot in 6years is a long time.

Exactly. You might also consider mounting one of the divisions on a slab of cork bark. They do very well mounted.

[FLBob]

I'm in the "mount it" camp. Find a nice section of dried grapevine and attach.

[kmarch]

B. nodosa is, as you're discovering, a rambling species. I'd repot it into a larger clay pot or a big basket and then let it ramble around and all over the pot or basket. It'll eventually form a big ball which you can hang up or leave sitting.

I'm not a fan of dividing because they flower more when bigger.

[katrina]

I'm with Kevin and Bob on this...I wouldn't divide. I would put it on a mount or in a basket and let it do it's thing.

[digitalgate]

i would cut as it really begin to look really bad as time progress. If you are like me the lazy time. I would mount it on a piece of wood that way, it will last a very long time on the wood. (hope the wood does not break down in the process)

[zaeem]

do I need to divide? Its doing fine &flowers.
Thanks
Zaeem

[maria1971]

I wouldn't divide!! These make fabulous specimen-sized plants.

[nenella]

Originally Posted by maria1971

I wouldn't divide!! These make fabulous specimen-sized plants.

I Agree! Specimen plants..loads of flowers...

[lmartiny]

I wouldn't divide either. I recently saw one at a show. A big hugh hanging clump.

[patticake]

I agree with not dividing! I have one that's mounted, but I may pot it, since I'm in a house, and the humidity isn't very high. If you have good humidity, I would mount it! It could ramble on the mount...

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by zaeem

do I need to divide? Its doing fine &flowers.
Thanks
Zaeem

For this one, i wouldn't you still have a lot of leg room.

[Irene]

Please don't divide it. Let it grow and grow, and, then post more pics for us.

[cpechura]

Thanks to everyone who answered my question. I decided to put it in a big pot as I do not have a greenhouse and have no experience with bark mounting. I must admit though I had a terrible time with it. It had really grown into two plants loosely joined in the center and the center wasn't doing too well (worst roots there etc) so I had to divide. It was so stuck in the pot that getting it out was really hard and not gentle! So the two are in big clay pots and I am crossing my fingers. I truly love this orchid and will certainly get another Brassavola if they don't do well. Lesson learned: repot before the plant becomes too hard to handle!! Best wishes and thanks again. This is a great site!

[lmartiny]

I feel your pain. I recently decided baskets are not good for Phals and want to convert them all to pots. I did one so far and it was brutal.

[davetheorchidaddict]

I find that my Phal's do well mounted even if on the bottom of a wood basket.