Specimens vs. divisions...

Easy question.....as you mentioned, no one is dividing plants in the wild. The bigger they are the better they bloom and the healthier they are. They do however reach a point where they do start to decline some and really benefit from a division, but this is typically years into a plant's life. The plant will tell you by not blooming as well as the year before. Typically the only time I divide is when I can't get a pot or basket large enough to pot it in, it is simply too large to handle any longer or if someone wants a division.

Otherwise, leave it in one big piece and enjoy the fruits of your growing labor!

 

I often divide specimen plants and then sell the divisions on eBay, or through my LOS. It's a good way to recoup costs if the initial plant was expensive. I also like to think of it as a way of making a space-hogging plant "pay rent."
- Stephen

 

I divide mine. Nature is a lot bigger than my greenhouse...

 

I don't need a specimen Bulb echinolabium but my Bulbo phalaenopsis? YES! I want that to be enormous and struggle to pick it up. I couldn't care less if I had a specimen Cattleya intermedia but a specimen Dendrobium speciosum is a must.

There are certain plants that lend themselves to create specimen plants. That in my opinion is something that can bloom and look "full", meaning that the plant doesn't have a flower in that quadrant, a couple in the other, none over there, and one in the last. It should also lend itself to staying intact and not fall apart if you repot it or really need repotting. Just because I have a Laelia anceps in an 18" pot doesn't necessarily make it a specimen.

 

There are two factors that I can see. The first is preference. Secondly, sometimes the direction(s) that the plant is growing in may be a factor. Also, I've had times when repotting that the plant almost fell apart.

 

I think that unless you want to divide it to give/trade/sell just leave it alone. Unless to cumbersome for you

 

Another thing is most hobby growers don't have the money to buy specimen plants, so it is harder to sell specimen for what it actually is worth. In the future(distant or near), I might have to donate my specimen plants if I can't sell them....

 

I personally love specimens of miniatures. Its neat to have a specimen plant you can fit in one hand.