Tolumnia Seka x Tolumnia Sensation

[Hawaiian Sunshine]

This plant is from a community pot that I received from Robert Perreira of Kaneohe, Hawaii. The color and patterns are striking. So far this is the best of the plants that has bloomed from the community pot.


Tolu. Seka x Tolu. Sensation by hawaiiansunshine, on Flickr

[Paula Frayne]

WOW! That is just beautiful and very eyecatching.

[Pilot]

Wow!!!! That's amazing. It has so many blooms! I never get a show like this. Can you share your experiences?

[tuvoc]

Fantastic.

Kim

[RosieC]

Wow! Gorgeous!

[bellini girl]

Impressive.

[WhiteRabbit]

That's spectacular!

[Hawaiian Sunshine]

Originally Posted by Pilot

Wow!!!! That's amazing. It has so many blooms! I never get a show like this. Can you share your experiences?

Hi Ryan. After many years of false starts growing equitant oncidiums (I killed many plants and those few that survived did not grow well) I think I've finally found the trick in growing these. As many experienced growers have mentioned, you need to give the roots of these plants a lot of aeration and a chance to dry out. The roots cannot grow in a damp media. I found that in my area they need to be grown under cover so they are protected from the rain. I have my plants growing in 2" web baskets with no media. I water them every other day (sometimes daily on hot days) and fertilize them weekly (1/2 teaspoon per gallon) with foliar fertilizer. They are grown outdoors under a polycarbonate roof shaded with a 50% shade cloth. This is Hawaii so we have a lot of sunshine with no freezing temperatures. Occasionally I'll spray for thrips which attack and dry out the buds. I don't using systemic insecticides which I'm told will cripple the spikes and flowers. When I get the chance I will post a picture of the root system growing in the web pots to better illustrate how I'm growing these.

[Oscarman]

Nice cascade of flowers Mel. Well done!