The Equitants/Tolumnias are Blooming - Orchid Board

Leisurely · #1 03-09-2009, 08:36 PM

The spikes begin peeping out of the fans around the first part on January. In about two months this is what you have.

I did not provide names because none of them are named plants but the names of the crosses. If anyone is interested in the names I can provide them. They are very long.

whygreenberg · #2 03-09-2009, 08:46 PM

Beautiful Tolus, Jerry!! Love especially #4...what a fantastic red!

The buds are just beginning to form on my Tolumnia Phyllis Envy!

LOVE these little dancing beauties!

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #3 03-09-2009, 08:48 PM

They are beautiful! I don't have any of these, but from the looks of them, I might have to give them a shot. What kind of care do they need? Similar to full sized oncidiums?

whygreenberg · #4 03-09-2009, 08:53 PM

They are really pretty easy, Nichole. But a little different than regular Oncidium. They should either be mounted bare root, or in a small clay or net pot with just a little bit of medium grade charcoal—almost no medium at all, or at least no medium that retains water. They should be watered every morning, but should be dry within hours. They are twig epiphytes so require a lot of air at the roots. Too much water or humidity can easily lead to rot.

WhiteRabbit · #5 03-09-2009, 08:55 PM

Oh those are beautiful! I'm waiting for my tolus to do something lol - tho all are growing a lot!

Nichole - tolus like to dry out quickly so do best mounted or potted in clay or net pots with a bit of charcoal and watered daily. My tolu sylvestris is growing like a weed mounted with just a small amount of sphag and in a south window
My hybrids turned dark purple in the south window so thought maybe that was too much sun for them and have them in a west window now - one is developing buds on an old spike so I am hoping this is enough sun for them
They really are charming little plants - I highly recommend them lol

whygreenberg · #6 03-09-2009, 08:59 PM

Hey there, Wabbit!

Nichole...Sonya brings up another good point...they need super bright light. Purple leaves are definitely a good thing for these little guys.

boytjie · #7 03-09-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Oh those are beautiful! I'm waiting for my tolus to do something lol - tho all are growing a lot!

Mine too. All three have lots of new growth, nice purplish-green leaves under T5 lights, but not one hint of blooms... yet.

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #8 03-09-2009, 09:02 PM

Thanks so much for the info you two! They sound like something I should give a shot at. I've been feeling quite adventuresome lately, and want to try different methods of growing. Mounted plants is high on my list. I think it's just prettier than in a pot

latebloomer · #9 03-09-2009, 09:05 PM

They are adorable! I was eyeing a couple of these at a previous show but wasn't too sure how I'd do with them (phals are all I know). Makes me wish I got one! Thanks for sharing, they are really cute!

WhiteRabbit · #10 03-09-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whygreenberg

Hey there, Wabbit!

Nichole...Sonya brings up another good point...they need super bright light. Purple leaves are definitely a good thing for these little guys.

hm - maybe I should move them back to the south window then ?

anyone thinking they might be interested I do think you should try them - seem to be pretty easy as long as you remember the daily water