I think I'd just pot it up into a larger pot and not try to divide intentionally. If however, it naturally divides when you remove it...I might split it.

Backbulbs can certainly send out new growth, but it'll be smaller weaker growth that may take two or three cycles to reach flowering size.

Again, don't go crazy trying to split it up? Wouldn't you rather have one very nice pot instead of five pots that have one stem each in them ?

That is the sized pot I want for aesthetic reasons. If I potted it up I would have to continue to do so until the pot became ridiculously large. It's going to have to be split sooner or later.

Who would put one stem in each pot? That would look ridiculous. You can't tell from that picture but there are ten bulbs in that plant. You can see how the new ones in the middle are being forced straight up into the air. That's not to mention the two new sprouts that it has. It needs to be split.

It's your orchid...I gave the ridiculous example of splitting to extreme.

what is the potting material?

Pine bark fines

You may get in trouble with Pine bark....especially fines....I think I would try to find Fir bark if possible.

Bill

My bad....thats what it is. Fir bark fines.

how old is the bark?

It will be a year this spring.

Yes, then you should try to remove all the old media, it'll probably be breaking down now...since it's gotten watered a lot.

how often do you water?

It depends on the humidity (I keep track), how much light is coming through the window(depending on the time of year) and ambient temperature. That's the kicker with these things....so many variables. Once a week was too little so I increased it. (low humidity) Now the humidity is up and it appears to have been too much.

Another month and they'll be repotted and outside, all will be well....until this time next year...lol

I think it is time to repot. I will repot an oncidium also. Because I use a lot of water it will be in a clay pot with lava rock...

It looks 'super healthy.' Personally, I would just move it up a pot size and not divide. But if you want to keep the pot size, remove the oldest back bulbs and you could pot those. Put the plant back in the same pot.

You didn't mention how many spikes you have gotten. If you are happy with the blooms, just repot in some fresh mix and pot the back bulbs. Looks like you are doing everything right!

Jane

Hey Jane!

It is super healthy. I've gotten six spikes (two from each bulb) that bloomed concurrently this winter and it was spectacular. This one is a sharry baby (sp?) so the scent took over the whole dinning room. AND....it's actually spiking again, now!

So you'd like to see pictures? Sure.....lol

I couldn't find pics of when it was "fully" in bloom, as you can see there are still four spikes that haven't bloomed yet in this pic.

This is right now.....

Not sure what this one is, but I'm very partial to it....

So then, back bulbs WILL produce new growth?

They may, however, you can not compel them to. :)
I think the second photo is something in the oncidium tribe, quite possibly a beallara. I like them too, does it do well for you ?

I should clarify....it is an oncidium, just not sure which type. And yes, it does very well.

Yes, sunny south window all year until about next month, then they go outside.

What does everyone think about using a gritty mix potting medium to plant this orchid in?

Nevermind....I found a conversation we had about this very same question almost two years to the day Jane...