What to pay attention to when dividing orchids

Chinese orchids are mostly propagated by division. The timing of division varies by species. Species that bloom in winter and spring should be divided in late autumn; species that bloom in summer and autumn should be divided in early spring before budding. Because orchids grow slowly, they can generally be divided once every 2 to 3 years.

When dividing, the potting soil should be slightly dry to make handling easier. Hold the pot with your hands and gently knock the mother plant out of the pot, carefully remove the soil from the roots, cut off the rotten roots and leaves, and take care not to bruise the leaf buds and fleshy roots. Then wash the soil off the roots and leaves with clean water and place them in a cool, shaded spot to dry for 3 to 5 hours. Wait until the floating water has disappeared and the roots turn pale, soften and shrink slightly, then use a sharp, clean knife to cut between the pseudobulbs. Coat the cuts with charcoal ash or sulfur powder to prevent rot, and plant immediately after drying in the shade. After division, each clump of orchids must have at least 3 or more plantlets, which helps them recover their growth and will not affect flowering.