Cattleya orchids are some of the most resilient orchids I’ve ever grown, dividing them and starting from divisions goes pretty smooth most of the times. But there are instances when we should think twice before starting surgery.
One instance is if our orchid doesn’t have enough pseudobulbs. If Cattleyas let you get away sometimes with only 2 pseudobulbs per division, single bulbs might prove to be problematic. They can definitely be propagated through singular backbulbs, but the growth speed is seriously impaired. The less pseudobulbs, the less chances for available eyes as well. So if your orchid only has 3 pseudobulbs, better wait with that division.
Sometimes the way pseudobulbs grow is very unruly. Some just seem to have them grown on top of each other, making it hard to see a clear division. In this case better not risk it, you might end up with several very small divisions of singular backbulbs.
Seedlings and very sick orchids are again problematic. With a bit of luck it might succeed, but the chances are lower than in the case of mature, healthy plants. better wait with these ones as well.
