Dividing and Repositioning a Sympodial Oncidium Orchid

 

One of our wonderful regular customers recently shared some photos of their Oncidium orchid with us. The plant is thriving, with plenty of roots and new bulbs developing. However, they sought advice on the next steps for caring for the orchid and making it easier to manage. 

If you have orchids in a similar condition, we thought sharing this information might be helpful for you too...

 

When the orchid is growing upward and out of its pot:

- Begin by removing the plant from its pot.

- Clear away all the old bark.

- Using a sharp pair of secateurs, cut through the rhizome that connects the two bulbs (as indicated in the image). This will separate the growing part from the older back bulbs.

This will create two separate, more manageable plants. If the older back bulbs are still green, then you could try potting them up and there’s a small chance that they might put out a new shoot and continue to grow. However, if these bulbs are starting to go brown or die back; then they will just need to be disposed of.

- If necessary, trim some roots to make repotting easier.

- Pot each of the two plants in its own pot using medium-grade bark. When re-potting, the main new growth needs to be surface level with the bark. You may end up with older bulbs that are partially buried below surface level, and that’s okay.

Medium-grade bark is well-draining, whereas other mixes—such as husky or fibrous alternatives often found in garden centres—tend to break down quickly and retain too much water. With orchids, the bark should dry out thoroughly between waterings to prevent root rot.

- After repotting, water the plants thoroughly.

This process should result in one healthy growing plant and the back bulb propagation that may grow. These plants should be easier to handle and less likely to topple over due to being top-heavy.

If your plant is larger, you may be able to make multiple divisions.

 

Avoid re-potting any orchid that is in bloom. The plant will be putting all its energy into flowering and not growing. It’s best to wait until after the flowering phase, once it begins its growth phase.