Shy little Tolumnia

[Reeses]

I got this little Tolumnia at the Central OH Orchid Show last Saturday (4/4). The vendor said he got this in a shipment from Hawaii, but it didn't come with tags, so it's a mystery plant!

The blooms started opening on Sunday (three days ago), but this is as far as they've gotten. Are Tol. blooms just slow to open? Is this little guy just shy? Or could their be a defect with the blooms?

[dbarron]

Well mine are opening pretty fast...but it's 81F here today, so maybe not very comparable to your current weather ?

[Reeses]

Does temperature play a role?It is inside where it is about 72, but it also has been very cloudy this week.

[dbarron]

Well, how many biological processes are you aware of (or chemical for that matter), that are not affected by weather temperature?
Give them another day or two, and if it's time for a watering...you might consider taking them into a warm shower (just in case the blooms are kinda stuck) for a few minutes and let the warmish (not hot) water play over the whole plant. Note, this would potentially shorten the life of a opened blooms. It could help, and the orchid will certainly appreciate a full bodied warm rainstorm.

In my case, I got a new tolumnia Friday in the mail. Several buds have swollen and opened (sequentially) since, from being tighter than yours appears.

[Leafmite]

Flowers are definitely affected by temperature (and light). The warmer it is, the faster they open and the faster they are finished.

[Reeses]

Thank you both! That's probably what it is, then. I can only imagine that coming from Hawaii to Ohio is enough of an ordeal. I have no idea how long that vendor had it before I bought it--he could have just unboxed it for all I know. But still, the change in environment was probably stressful. I might try moving it closer to the window and see if a little extra light and warmth helps.

I love Tolumnias--this is the first I've had, though. They make me think of the Caribbean, and Bermuda is my "happy place" we went on a cruise there two years ago--I only wish I had been an orchid enthusiast then so I could have been on the lookout!

[lotis146]

You might also try raising the humidity around it. I keep my Tolumnias in a south-facing window and even in the summer they get quite bright light outside. I just have to be careful to water them enough.

[silken]

I have one that's been blooming for quite a while now so I brought it into the house to enjoy. I didn't pay a lot of attention but I do think my buds take a couple days to open.

[Reeses]

Thanks everyone! I gave it a short, warm shower in the sink and I think it did help at least one bud to open. A few blasted, but that's the risk, right?
I'm a bit concerned now that I won't be able to give it enough water. I asked the vendor, because I know it's a small pot which tends to dry out quickly, but he said water it once a week! So far that doesn't seem to be nearly enough. Once a day or every other day would probably be better I'm thinking

[dbarron]

In my laundry room, I'm finding every 3rd day is about right while it's blooming (or that's what my intution is telling me)...again tiny pot..yes.

If (and when) I have it outside for the summer, I plan to hit it with the hose probably daily.