How to divide potted orchids? Cultivation methods and management key points

Division cultivation is a form of asexual propagation, and it is the most traditional cultivation method of separating clustered orchid plants and replanting them as units of two or more connected generations. It has the advantages of simple operation, high survival rate, rapid increase in plant number, earlier flowering, and ensuring quality characteristics.

I. Conditions and timing for division cultivation

Division is usually carried out after two or three years of growth after planting, when the orchid plants have already filled the entire pot; it is also done to increase the germination rate, or to rapidly increase the number of propagated varieties, by dividing connected orchid clusters with 4 or more plants; and it is also done to prevent the degeneration of bud-sport unusual plants, by dividing connected parent-child clusters consisting of only one old and one new plant.

Orchid division cultivation can generally be carried out in all four seasons, but to ensure the survival rate, it is often done when the temperature is between 12°C and 30°C. According to its physiological characteristics, the best time is at the end of the flowering period. This is because at this time the vegetative growth of the orchid plant is exhausted, and not only have the new buds not germinated, but the growth points of the buds have also not yet expanded, so division is unlikely to cause accidental damage. At the same time, since the flowering period has ended, there will generally be no more flower buds growing, so there is no problem of damaging flower buds due to division. In addition, through division, it is also possible to promote active vegetative growth and improve the rejuvenation ability and germination rate of the orchid plants.

II. Methods and procedures for division cultivation

1. Lifting the plants: For potted orchids that have already filled the pot, do not forcibly pull them out when removing them from the pot, otherwise the damage to the orchid plants will be too great, either breaking the plant leaves or breaking too many roots. Therefore, the orchid pot should be broken without hesitation to take out the orchid seedlings. Then shake off the substrate in the root ball and divide into clusters. If the substrate is compacted or sticky, it can only be washed apart with water before dividing into clusters. If the potted orchid has not yet filled the pot, you can use your fingers to scrape away the substrate on the surface of the pot, tap the sides of the orchid pot several times with force, then use a wooden stick to push up and loosen the substrate from the hole in the bottom of the pot, then hold the rim of the pot with both hands, clamp the orchid plant pot with your fingers, turn the orchid pot upside down while suspended in the air and shake it, and the orchid seedlings can be poured out.