Roots--be careful what you wish for...

[Tom-DE]

I spent over half hour trying to loosen the root mass so I could divide it...It was impossible!!!! I had to pull it apart by force and lost/broke off more than half of the roots in the process. In the end, it was okay. All divisions have some roots and they will live. It was a job for sure! Perhaps I had waited too long to repot and divide the plant...

 

[Ray]

Yeah, maybe you waited “a bit” too long….

 

[Tom-DE]

I think so too, Ray, but the plant was happy...
There was only very little bark mix left inside the root mass...and I have to cut the old pot open to get the plant out. Well, I won't let it happen again if I can....

 

[Ozpaph]

cut off the bottom 1/3 with a saw. Makes it much easier.

 

[Morja]

What plant is this? Looks beefy for sure!

 

[Tom-DE]

What plant is this? Looks beefy for sure!

Saint Swithin

 

[southernbelle]

I spent over half hour trying to loosen the root mass so I could divide it...It was impossible!!!! I had to pull it apart by force and lost/broke off more than half of the roots in the process. In the end, it was okay. All divisions have some roots and they will live. It was a job for sure! Perhaps I had waited too long to repot and divide the plant...

Did you soak it? Sometimes that helps, but paph roots seem so fragile compared to catts, etc.

 

[Tom-DE]

Did you soak it? Sometimes that helps, but paph roots seem so fragile compared to catts, etc.

Watered a couple of times before I cut the pot. It all turned out okay in the end.
I bought this St. Swithin from a local commercial grower just before he went out of business-- 2 growth(division) for $100, back in 2006. I love this clone and it is a very strong grower. Originally, it was made with phil. var laevigatum by R J Rands.