First Tolumnia, am I doing okay?

[Ranchnanny]

Kybasche, I use a spray bottle with fert. mixed in and spray them and being in net pots the water runs through quickly. This way they are dry but the time the lights go out.

Sheridan

[Sandy4453]

Sounds like you're on the right track, Sarah. I've grown my toulumnia's (about 10) mounted, in pots, in moss (have to be very careful with moss...they don't like staying wet), in bark, bare rooted and what works best for these little cuties (for me) is, in baskets and the less medium, the better. Mine are all in Vanda wooden baskets now, with a little coco husk used as netting to keep the charcoal in place. I don't think you have to be concerned with the size of the pot being too big especially, if you're going to be using charcoal, alone. I treat mine like all other Oncidiums but have noticed that they spike in less light than the larger Onc's. These also grow lots of pups especially in the warmer months after blooming.

The fun part with these flowers is how many varieties are constantly changing their spots and coloring, all in one blooming. Here are a couple of examples from my collection.

Don't cut the spikes when the blooms are spent. They love to put out sub-spikes.

Enjoy yours. It sounds very pretty.

[quiltergal]

Mine is doing very well in it's net pot and charcoal. The plant was pretty tough looking when I purchased it. The fans were kind of shriveled and not so great looking. The good news is it's growing a new fan and new roots, so it must like it's conditions. I keep a plastic container in my bathroom and soak it and the mounted plants in the morning while I'm getting ready for work. I'm using distilled and 125ppm MSU once every couple of weeks. Mine had a spike support that clipped onto the side of the pot. When the plant was done blooming I cut the spike (didn't know it would bloom again ) and used the hook on the end of the support to hang the plant. It's pretty close to a southern exposure window and right under a T5. The new leaves have a nice reddish tinge to the edges. I definitely plan to buy more! In fact I think Parkside has a special going right now. 3 for $30.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Ross for such great advice!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by kybasche

Did I read correctly... the roots can grow into a clay pot? If this is the case, and I want to re-pot in CHC (is this acronym used in the orchid world?), or charcoal, or what have you, how do I get the plant out of the moss? A previous post mentioned breaking the clay pot and just putting it inside a larger one. But if I want the moss out as well, how can this be accomplished without damaging the existing root system too badly?

Also. When watering into a medium of, let's say, charcoal (which, I presume, with no real basis for making this assumption other than convenience, is similar to CHC's), do you mist with water/fert, or pour water through (if so, how much? it drains fairly immediately I'd guess).

I'm sorry if these questions are well versed in the forums elsewhere. I'll keep reading and not have to ask so many. I promise

Nothing to apologize for. The reason many Tolumnias are received from the growers in small pots bare root is that they grow well this way, it's hard to overwater and it's cheaper for them to produce the plants. Until the plant outgrows the pot, I'd just leave it. Tolumnias seem to always be putting out new roots, so if some are lost during transplanting, no big deal (just my 2 cents). I water mine by pouring the solution through the net pots as well as sumersion of the roots for a couple minutes. The idea is to soak them early then let them totally dry out. The roots can rot easily. I've lost a few to root rot from too wet medium.

[Leisurely]

I just wanted to show you a couple of my plants that I bought two years ago as single or double fans. They are all still in the same 2 1/2 in. pots in medium grade charcoal. The longest leaves are 9 1/2 in.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

I just wanted to show you a couple of my plants that I bought two years ago as single or double fans. They are all still in the same 2 1/2 in. pots in medium grade charcoal. The longest leaves are 9 1/2 in.

I think that was my point. I have at least one overgrowing a 3" pot proportional to the ones you show. They really don't need a lot of medium if they get nutrients from the watering (just my 2 cents.)

[Leisurely]

I believe you 2 cents worth is correct. If they are planted in charcoal Ross, there is nothing to decay so they could probably go for several years without repotting.

[kybasche]

thanks, to all, for the advice so far. i'll be careful about water until this weekend, when there will be more time for me to investigate further a different means of housing the little ones.

one more question about the 2.5" clay pots in the pictures posted by Jerry. what are the drainage holes like in the bottom? the pot that my plant was shipping in has a TINY little hole in the bottom, dead center. wondered if it would be worth my while to add a few more nearer the perimeter of the bottom.

Derek

[Ross]

Originally Posted by kybasche

one more question about the 2.5" clay pots in the pictures posted by Jerry. what are the drainage holes like in the bottom? the pot that my plant was shipping in has a TINY little hole in the bottom, dead center. wondered if it would be worth my while to add a few more nearer the perimeter of the bottom.

Derek

Teeny is fine. Just let it drain totally before you set it up on it's resting spot. Roots will grow through the bottom. No problem. Just soak the whole pot and roots and let drain before setting up in the sun.

[quiltingwacko]

Sandy what variety are those? They are so pretty. I have two Genting and love them. You can have lots of these little guys because they are so tiny. No more dendros for me. Or Phaiocalanthes either! That thing is taking over the house!