I need your opinion on this Tolumnia - Orchid Board

Blueszz · #1 08-08-2023, 07:25 PM

I ordered several different orchids from 1 vendor. All but one look incredible healthy. But this Tolumnia variegata var. rosea looks extremely dehydrated to me.

I already emailed the vendor and sent them pictures. I expect a reply tomorrow or the day after. Curious what they can tell me about the health from this plant.
And curious about their advice about how to grow it.

I would like to now what your opinion is on this plant and how to get it in better shape. Because to me it looks like it had better days.

While I made the pictures I was soaking the net pot as the medium and roots seemed to be very dehydrated. That’s why you see it in a glass of water.

Edit: leafs from new growth also look dehydrated and and folded together. As if they closed. Hard to explain for me in English but I can make pictures tomorrow.

If you need additional pictures, please let me know.

estación seca · #2 08-08-2023, 11:34 PM

It is dehydrated but it should recover well. It has been grown in very high light. Tolumnias need to be wet daily and dry rapidly. They need excellent air movement and plenty of light.

Blueszz · #3 08-09-2023, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

It is dehydrated but it should recover well. It has been grown in very high light. Tolumnias need to be wet daily and dry rapidly. They need excellent air movement and plenty of light.

Thank you once again Estación Seca.

What would be the best way to get the upper growths hydrated again? I don't think there are many roots in the pot, it hardly see any.

I wait for the answer from the vendor, than maybe unpot to have a look at the roots.

I'm a bit overwhelmed by this one as you might have noticed ;-) I didn't expect it to be this fragile.

The current outdoor temperatures allow for outdoor growing. I consider that. Currently humidity indoors where I want to grow it during winter months is 71% and a fan running for a bit of air movement in that room. But I won't be able to water it daily which might be import for the newer growths.

I have to measure outdoor humidity first, but outdoors it will dry up way faster and I can water/mist a lot faster.

I'll get this baby going again :-)

Ray · #4 08-09-2023, 07:54 AM

Nicole, tolumnias are not really well-suited to pot culture. They are far better suited for mounting and baskets.

In nature, they are “twig dwellers” living on tiny branches of windward shrubs on Caribbean islands. There, as ES stated, they get frequent warm rains and are quickly dried by balmy ocean breezes. The closer you can come to matching that, the better.

Blueszz · #5 08-09-2023, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

Tolumnias need to be wet daily and dry rapidly. They need excellent air movement and plenty of light.

I think I can provide that, certainly during summer. Fingers crossed.

Thank you.

---------- Post added at 03:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Nicole, tolumnias are not really well-suited to pot culture. They are far better suited for mounting and baskets.

In nature, they are “twig dwellers” living on tiny branches of windward shrubs on Caribbean islands. There, as ES stated, they get frequent warm rains and are quickly dried by balmy ocean breezes. The closer you can come to matching that, the better.

I didn't know that despite doing research. That's quite a disappointment.

It's in a plastic basket, now I understand why the grower used a plastic basket. For now I brought it outdoors, together with some other orchids.

The wind makes the pot move a bit. Will check on it regularly to learn how quickly the plant dries.

As for mounting, I don't know if that's my best option currently. But I've been thinking a while about a terrarium with plants only. This would be an excellent opportunity

Thank you so much Ray. This purchase seems to be not the wisest. Hopefully with lots of TLC it will rehydrate to start with.

Ray · #6 08-09-2023, 03:49 PM

Leave it in the basket and mist it heavily, early every day.

Blueszz · #7 08-09-2023, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Leave it in the basket and mist it heavily, early every day.

I will. Hopefully also the dehydration can be reversed. I noticed that with heavy misting (really fine mist) some of the roots turn green again.

It’s outdoors, air movement guaranteed. Temperature will do.

This is a challenge but new healthy growth is my reward. Hopefully. I’ll go for it.

Roberta · #8 08-09-2023, 04:09 PM

A trick that I have seen recommended for very dehydrated imports (even Paphs and such that REALLY hate drying out) is to soak the plant in a dilute sugar water solution (5-10 g per 4 L of water) for 1-3 hours. The recommendation addressed roots not leaves, but in this case, I'd put the whole plant in a shallow pan with that solution, then rinse it off (so you don't attract ants) The sugar seems to help the roots suck up the water... probably affects the osmotic pressure. Then, going forward, follow Ray's advice as far as keeping those aerial roots hydrated.

Blueszz · #9 08-09-2023, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

A trick that I have seen recommended for very dehydrated imports (even Paphs and such that REALLY hate drying out) is to soak the plant in a dilute sugar water solution (5-10 g per 4 L of water) for 1-3 hours. The recommendation addressed roots not leaves, but in this case, I'd put the whole plant in a shallow pan with that solution, then rinse it off (so you don't attract ants) The sugar seems to help the roots suck up the water... probably affects the osmotic pressure. Then, going forward, follow Ray's advice as far as keeping those aerial roots hydrated.

Interesting! I’ll do that Friday early morning, we’ll get a nice warm day with some wind, which will help it dry. Won’t hurt I guess.

Blueszz · #10 08-10-2023, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Leave it in the basket and mist it heavily, early every day.

This morning most roots turned slightly green. After spraying it for maybe 5 minutes.
Yesterday I couldn't get them green, yes a few of them but not the majority.

Maybe the outdoor humidity overnight has to do with it. Close to 80%.