My first Tolumnia

[Sekhmet]

Can anyone give me signs of a Tolumnia in trouble? Since these two are my first, I am not quite sure what to look for, with the leaves being so plump and succulent! Wrinkly leaves seem like they might indicate trouble, is that so?

[Zoi2]

I would say the toulumnia was in trouble if the leaves were wrinkly or brown. Are you having a problem?
Joann

[WhiteRabbit]

I would check the roots - could be the plant is unable to take up water

[Sekhmet]

Oh no no, everything is fine with these two plants, they are just new to me, and I wanted to know what signs to look for in case things were going down hill.

Thanks!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Sekhmet

Oh no no, everything is fine with these two plants, they are just new to me, and I wanted to know what signs to look for in case things were going down hill.

Thanks!

oh! that's good! well, if shriveling occurred on older fans only, and the newer growth looked ok, I'd probably not be over concerned, but would keep on eye on things
shriveling on new growth would concern me, and foliage turning brown (the couple of tolus I have been having trouble with I got browning, dying foliage)

[Paul Mc]

It's my understanding though that tolumnia's may turn a reddish-brown color if they are getting too much light. However, I read somewhere on here that one person's almost always turns a bit reddish but is growing like crazy. That person was thinking that the reddish tinge may be a good sign as long as the plant isn't turning completely reddish.

Other than that, I can't really say as I too have my first two.

One thing I can say for certain is to not cut the flower stalk once the flowers have withered. They often times will reflower off of the old stalks. One of mine tried to but didn't have the energy for it and died off. I think the issue was that I was not fertilizing it enough at that time. I am no fertilizing it almost every day with EXTREMELY weak fertilizer in distilled water and the flower stalk on the second one looks like it may produce more flowers.

[silken]

I think if they are a reddish brown near the tips, it just means they are getting a good amount of sun near their upper tolerance amount. My 1 plant was like that when I got it and still is. The leaves go from green at the base to a reddish brown and new leaves are at first more green.

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Almost all orchids get a reddish/purplish tinge ( color varies between genera) when they are getting the maximum amount of light they can handle. The interesting thing though, is that depending on cultural conditions, the maximum light before burning can vary, so I wonder if the color will also vary depending on the cultural conditions. For example of what I mean is, you have a 'chid that has the good slight reddish tinge to the leaves, and then you move it to an area with the same light, but better air movement, higher humidity, and slightly cooler temps, will the coloring go away, showing that the 'chid can now take more light than in it's last spot. Hmmm...... what an interesting thought!

[WhiteRabbit]

I try for reddish/purple foliage on Tolus, that way I know they are getting lots of light - hasn't harmed them at all

[Pilot]

Just a quick update on my first tolumnia...

I last left this post with a photo of keeping the plant, in its own pot, inside a large vase with sphag on the bottom with water and a vanda baby as well...

It's been some time now and I'm happy to report the plant is doing well. No new leaf growth but the original flowers mostly died away, but are being replaced! The original flowers were badly damaged in transit to me.

I spray heavily every morning and usually a few minutes later, the glass is dry and the plant appears dry by mid-morning. I spray it with weakly fertilized water. So far so good! Looking forward to the new blooms!