Spring 2024 plant project

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by stonedragonfarms

My experience with Tolumnia is consistent with WaterWitchin; the only thing that I would add is they need temps to sit reliably in the warm range [ie 65f+ nights]

Yes, that too! I failed to mention, as that's my "normal" environment without tweaking.

---------- Post added at 01:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Dalachin

...Where is a good place to get tolumnias? Clearly, living in the cold north, I avoid buying orchids at this time, but I can dream. I don't see a lot on offer... Hausermann has some species that look very tiny, and some hybrids.

The tolumnia that has been on my wishlist for years is Tolumnia pulchella. It amuses me to collect orchids from where my Dad grew up (Jamaica). It is in Andy's catalogue (as oncidium pulchellum), I inquired via the website as to availability.

That's a fun way to collect... from your dad's birthplace! I've never purchased a tolumnia, but I'll take a look around. Mine have all been gifts from friends who grow them. I've never bought anything from Hausermann's, but several from Andy's which have never disappointed.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

I'm in. No experience, but I have one coming in a trade soon.

[stonedragonfarms]

It occurred to me after reading Dusty Ol' Man's post, that we might also consider a member project involving trades vs. all attempting to buy the same plant. It might be interesting to have a project where members swap a plant [or division of plant] with each other that they can not get to bloom [we all have a few on our benches...]
Just a further thought to consider

[fredfarmer]

I have 12 tolumnias in my collection (6 of which are currently in bloom) and agree with all the advice given in this thread related to watering, humidity, a constant breeze, and temperature but would like to bring up one thing related to lighting which I found to make a big difference in my indoor conditions.

My tolumnias needed somewhere in the range of 2500 - 3500 ft. candles for at least 12 hrs/day of light to bloom but the plants sold on the internet appear to have been cultivated at much lower light levels. You can tell if the plants have uniformly dark green leaves - they actually look very healthy - maybe too healthy. If you put them directly into anything over 1000 ft. candles, they clearly didn't like it, often turning dark red with some of the leaves partially drying out. I now start them at about 800 ft. candles (phalaenopsis level) for at least 2 weeks, and then slowly raise the ft. candle level until there is a slight red tinge on the edge of a few leaves (usually about 2000 ft. candles). This usually takes a few months. Spikes usually emerge from new fans soon thereafter.

Maybe I'm being too meticulous - but this is what works for me.

[LexaCat]

As a relatively new orchid grower, I’m excited by the idea of a project plant and would be game to join no matter which plant is ultimately chosen.

For Tolumnias specifically, I am already growing four hybrids – two Jairak Firm (Butterfly & Spotty) and two Jairak Flyer (Sahara & Cardinal Bird) that were purchased from Hausermann a little over one year ago. However, my conditions are somewhat different than what others have described on this thread. They are all potted in NZ sphagnum moss, RH in my house is 40-60%, and air movement is minimal. They do get bright light under full-spectrum LEDs. I typically water 1-2x per week, depending on the season.

As a newbie, I don’t have the experience to know if my plants are growing to their full potential, but they seem to be doing great. They have more than doubled in size since I bought them, and all four plants have rebloomed in my hands at least once (two are in spike again now). I recently repotted them, and they all had robust root systems. In fairness, the humidity does appear to be a little low for the two Jairak Firm plants, as some of their new leaves have mild rippling. The Jairak Flyer plants don’t have this issue.

I strongly suspect that what others have described is the optimal way to grow Tolumnias and that I have stumbled into an “ignorance is bliss” situation. I’m hoping that sharing my experience could be helpful to others who can’t provide optimal conditions.

If there does end up being a Tolumnia project, I will likely purchase one or two species to see how I do with them.

[Tim P.]

I would try a tolumnia, I have actually been considering it, however I dont know if I would have success.

Another I have really wanted to try is Den. Hekouense.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Some vendors still list Tolumnias as "Equitant Oncidium" and there are good care sheets for "Equitant Oncidum" in case you can't find information specific for Tolumnias.

I have some intergeneric with Tolumnia in them, but I don't grow pure Tolumnia. Frankly, I don't find them interesting. As for culture, same as everyone has shared, at least the intergeneric tolerates abuse but doesn't necessarily thrive under less than perfect conditions.

Is there a relevant hybridizer or particular species that could make this project more interesting? Otherwise, it doesn't sound more interesting than, say, making "Trader Joe's Phalaenopsis" a project. Basically, something that is easily available and that people will find different rates of success with but without much novelty to it.

I think previous projects like Phal. gigantea or Sarcochillus offered more novelty since they aren't as popular in the trade but still could be found from reputable growers. I grow gigantea now and I found it interesting to learn how its growth and culture differs from other Phals. Tolumnias can be found in the grocery store.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by MateoinLosAngeles

..... Tolumnias can be found in the grocery store.

Maybe in your California neck of the woods!! Not here in good ol' Kansas!

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Maybe in your California neck of the woods!! Not here in good ol' Kansas!

Yeah, I've never seen them here in Louisiana, either.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Maybe in your California neck of the woods!! Not here in good ol' Kansas!

Haha FAIR ENOUGH. Is there Trader Joe's in Kansas? Here, you can find Tolumnias sometimes labeled as "Exotic Orchid" at Trader Joe's, but I've also seen them at Home Depot. A local supermarket chain, Vons, carries Miltoniopsis hybrids (or Miltonia?) during the blooming season.

Of course, all of the above surrounded by Phalaenopsis. Perhaps at the rate of 1 "exotic orchid" per 100 Phals.

I sometimes wonder if the proximity to the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach influences the "novelty" products accessible in SoCal. This SoCal port does as much trade as the port of New York, Savannah, Virginia, and Houston combined, in Downtown LA there are several "trade" districts (flower district, fashion district, party district, toy district...) that literally look as if someone just dumped a container of merchandise in there. Definitely in the flower district you can find all sorts of commercial orchids (usually unnamed, simply indicating genus) and tropical plants for next to nothing.