Make more cymbidium orchids

Dividing your orchids

Cymbidiums will quickly outgrow the pots they've been supplied in. To keep them in good shape it's a good idea to divide pots up every three or four years, which will give you lots of new plants. The best time to do this is in spring after flowering has finished.

Which parts of the plant?

Cymbidiums spread by producing pseudobulbs - swollen, above-ground structures where the leaves grow from. These are generally cylindrical or conical in shape, and help the plant to store water and nutrients. Cymbidiums are vigorous orchids and when a pot is filled with these bulbs, you can split them apart to make more plants.

What to do

How to propagate

• Once the plant has finished flowering, gently remove from its pot. If the pot is wedged in place by fleshy roots, you may have to cut if off carefully with a knife.
• Next, divide the plant into pieces, making sure each has at least three pseudobulbs. Do this by pulling apart gently, or if the roots are tough, cut with a knife.
• Discard any dead roots or shrivelled bulbs.
• Put some specialist orchid compost in the bottom of a pot and place the section of plant on top, off centre, with the newest growth pointing towards the middle. Plants prefer to be fairly crowded, so use pots that allow 2-3in between the bulbs and the sides.
• Hold the orchid with one hand and fill with compost with the other. Make sure the bulbs are above the surface of the soil and firm.

Aftercare

• Put plants in a shady place and water well.
• Water again several weeks later and your plants should have rooted within about ten weeks.