When to mount Tolumnia?

[Dave1955]

Hello all,

I just received 3 Tolumbia from Hausermanns(in spike), and originally planned to mount them on cork or tree fern poles. They were shipped in clay pots and since I am pretty much a newbie with this type, I need advise.
I know I should wait til after they flower, but would like some input from someone more experienced(I have had Phals, Dends and Catts for about a year).

[lycaonpictus]

Hi, Dave!

Although I'm no expert, I have grown several tolumnia and really love them.

The problem with simply "waiting until it's finished blooming" is that (depending on the plant) a given tolumnia may stay in bloom or rapidly re-bloom for quite a while. If you leave the spike alone after all the blooms fade, it will often split and bloom again!

If I were you, I'd watch the roots. If you're seeing lots of new root growth, or a new fan beginning, that would be a good time to look at re-potting or mounting. I'd probably take off all spikes then, even if they weren't brown and dry, just to encourage the plant to focus on root growth rather than blooming.

Good luck! These are wonderful little plants.

[got ants]

Can I add a little to this? Even though I really am a newb?

It seems to me that the hybrids are in the clay pots and the species are mounted. I'm guessing the why of it is the hybrids are less stressed out from over watering than the species.

If you have species, I'd mount them on cork or tree fern, and maybe a wood basket. If using the basket, use only a few tree fern chunks and some charcoal. Mounting on the TF and cork, just tie it on bare.

No matter what you do, don't water them too much. Only early in the morning, and spray just the roots.

Good luck and please post some pics if you can.

btw, I have 7 tols, but started with 12.

[Ranchnanny]

I have 5 and they are in small plastic baskets 2 or 3 inch
with chunks of charcoal. They all have bloomed for me and one is currently putting up a spike. I have them in an Orchidarium. They do rebloom on old spikes .
Good Luck they are cute little chids.
Sheridan

[billc]

I'd enjoy the blooms for now and in the spring when they start new fans, that's when I'd mount them. They are great little plants as long as you can provide the high light they need. Good luck with them and post some pictures when they flower.

Bill

[lycaonpictus]

Originally Posted by got ants

It seems to me that the hybrids are in the clay pots and the species are mounted. I'm guessing the why of it is the hybrids are less stressed out from over watering than the species.

I'm not sure that I'd say any tolumnia (species OR hybrid) tolerates over-watering of any kind. They are very much a "less is more" orchid, when it comes to water!