Orchid division can be done by cutting down to single growths; when these two conditions are met, the harder you cut, the more new growths you get.

Orchids like this can absolutely be divided down to single growths, and the harder you cut, the more they multiply. The reason is actually very simple.

There are thousands of ways to grow orchids, and just on the topic of how to divide orchids there are many opinions. Some say orchids should be grown crowded together and are not suited to division; some say orchids must not be too crowded or they easily get diseases; some say orchid division should leave at least 4 growths. But what is the truth?

First, Haoshe Nongfu believes that before orchid growers prepare to divide their orchids, they should think about what purpose the division serves, and not divide just for the sake of dividing. The purposes of division are roughly as follows: there are too many growths and you fear disease, since after all, putting eggs in different baskets lowers the risk. Another is wanting to get more growths out of the orchids in hand as quickly as possible, to maximise returns.

In this article, Haoshe Nongfu focuses on Cymbidium goeringii (spring orchid); other orchids are not covered here. In Cymbidium goeringii, new shoots emerge from the pseudobulb (also called the rhizome base, the base of the plant), so whether more new shoots and strong new shoots can be produced does not depend on how many mother growths there are, but more on how robust the mother growth is and how large the pseudobulb is.

The photo in this article is Cymbidium goeringii, divided in April this year, when each pot had only one growth. Because this Cymbidium goeringii has rather attractive flowers, Haoshe Nongfu also wanted it to produce more new growths, so he divided it ruthlessly down to single growths. Now you can see that even the fewest new growths produced 2 shoots.

Just imagine, if it had not been divided so ruthlessly down to single growths, could a large clump (20 growths) of orchids in one pot possibly have produced 40 new growths? Clearly not. Whoever says cutting down to single growths is a great taboo in orchid growing says so because they do not have such good mother growths.

As for cutting down to single growths, Haoshe Nongfu believes it depends on the mother growth: if it is robust enough, it can absolutely be divided down to single growths. As long as the wounds are properly treated at the time of division so they do not become infected, it is fine. In April, Haoshe Nongfu used sunlight for sterilisation; sunlight also has the effect of closing wounds, so the cut orchid growths were left in the sun for half a day and then potted up.

Cymbidium goeringii with strong pseudobulbs can supply enough nutrients to new shoots just as they begin to swell. Even if one pseudobulb produces two or three new shoots, they will not stall in growth from lack of nutrients.

Of course, the season is also very important. The temperature and humidity in March to April are both very suitable for orchid growth. During this period the orchid roots grow especially fast, and as long as the orchid roots produce crystal tips, the new shoots can get more nutrients. Under these conditions there is no problem at all with the new shoots growing into strong growths.

So the reason Haoshe Nongfu dares to cut down to single growths when dividing is that these two conditions are met.

One: the mother growth is robust and the pseudobulb is plump, so it can provide enough nutrients.

Two: the season is suitable for division and rooting, generally March to April. Orchids can be divided in the second half of the year, but it is not advisable to cut down to single growths, because during overwintering the orchid roots are in a dormant period. This point differs from spring division, and note that the two must not be lumped together.