Originally Posted by TreeBear (Post 629356)

Thanks you guys,

I appreciate the feedback greatly. My Tolumnia is doing much better now. Unfortunately I didn't get to treat it with Physan20 because I don't have any, nor do I know where to get it. Can this be bought at a local hydroponics supplier? or is this strictly an order online thing? Anyways, I did treat it with a solution of diluted Listerine and then a mixture of Hydrogen peroxide and the mold went right away after a few alternating applications and I haven't seen it since I've been letting it dry quite a bit. I removed it from the little pot and I mounted it on a small cork bark piece. It is doing a lot better I can tell already. It hasn't been long enough for it to put out new roots but I can see the nodes at which they will soon push out from and the sides also indicate future new growth, so that is good. Also, I have something great and unexpected to share with you! Prior to this slight wet rotting I had tried my technique at hand pollination. To my great surprise, yesterday, I noticed that the flower stem, the one I tried the technique on, had taken to fertilization and has started to produce a swollen stem, where a seed pod will eventually form! I'm so happy and surprised to see that this orchid will not only survive but also produce seed! Pretty Awesome little wonders. I would show a picture update on that but I haven't had the chance yet, soon though. Now I just have to get a technique down for eventually germinating the seeds/micropropagation. Anyone have ideas, experience, and or insights to share on that?

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen (Post 631030)

This is very nice and as usual beautiful photography! I saw your post and was reminded of it when I saw the same plant being sold at the Three Rivers Orchid Show, November 2-3 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. That vendor had only two available, they were both in bloom. I have been reading up on these Tolumnia. I have noticed that there are all kinds of Tolumnia: Genting, varieta, etc. do you or any one else know the nomenclature of these plants? As an example, "Genting" is this a variety found native to Puerto Rico?

Originally Posted by TreeBear (Post 631539)

Yeah, that is a great question and I too have wondered where mine had originated (or at least its "parents" rather). It seems that most of the varieties kept by common enthusiasts, the ones more readily available today, are hybridized and cultivar plants. As far as I have researched and read in literature, it seems Tolumnias have quite the range of a geographical distribution (but places around or near the equator) and this makes it all-the-more hard for one to decypher, where exactly their hybrid has originated from. Locations within the literature note: The Caribbean islands and surrounding areas, the Bahamas, Cuba, Florida, and Puerto Rico. With this vast geographical range, it can prove difficult to trace back the genealogies, phylogenetics, etc. I was thinking though, it seems to me that, based off what I've read, Tolumnia variegata (an endemic orchid to the Carribeans), plus a few others, are likely candidate for primary species that has been used in breeding, crossing, and hybridizing with other Tolumnias from other locations--and so on and so fourth. Both the floral and growth characteristics seem to be suitable and suggest this to me. Thoughts anyone?