Question
Last winter in Fla I purchased a orchid from a grower. It had small flowers on it and it hasn't flowered since. It keeps getting bigger and it looks like it could be split [ 3 plants in a group] I have visited several sites and can't find any info on this plant NAME--Bllra. Peggy Ruth Carpenter  I would like to divide it and want to see it flower again. Can you help

Answer
Hello Wes,

The reason you were unable to find information on Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter is that it has multiple orchid species in its heredity.  Beallara has in its background the following orchid species: Brassia, Cochlioda, Miltonia, Odontoglossum.  All are distinct species but are related, sort of like cousins and distant cousins.  

Since your plant has been growing bigger and adding new growths, it is obvious you are growing it well so I won't go into how to grow it too much.  The one thing I would suggest is to expose it to slightly more sunlight, enough for the leaves to be a light to medium green color.  When you move it, do so slowly as too sudden an exposure to more sunlight may cause the leaves to be sunburned.  

As for dividing it, I would wait until late winter to early spring to do it.  Also, put the divisions in a pot size that barely contains the roots as it will grow and bloom better with the roots restricted.  Three growths or pseudobulbs per division would be the minimum, four or five even better.  

Beallara should be exposed to slightly lower night time temperatures in the mid to upper 50's with day time temperatures near 70 or slightly higher for several weeks in the fall to initiate the bloom cycle.  

Hope this helps.  Good luck and good growing.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.