Tolumnia repotting-when?

[mimigirl]

I got my first three tolumnia this week. I understand the general care and feel confident my house will make them happy. I just need to know how to tell when do they need repotting? One of then is in a 2" pot and blooming. But there are roots wrapped all around outside of the pot. They are not green and I feel they are dried and dead. So, should I repot? Or how to tell f it is time? And what to do with those roots if it does get repotted? I would post a pic but I can't always get one to load. Thanks!

[estación seca]

Those dry, white roots are in fine shape.

With your humidity and rain, I would probably grow them mounted, and not in pots. The should really dry out withing a day of being watered, and it's easier to manage that if they're mounted. If they're outside during a rainy spell that probably won't hurt them if their roots are swinging in the breeze.

Try and run a length of heavy-test fishing line from the top through the hole in the bottom of the pot. You might need to use a heavy-duty canvas needle to force the thread through the mass of roots. It won't hurt them.

Tie on a washer or nut so it doesn't pull back through the pot. (Funny, me suggesting to somebody living in NO to tie one on.) Hang it outside in morning sun, or dappled shade, or in a sunny window inside.

The plant will crawl all over the pot and eventually form a ball of roots and plant. You'll forget that little pot ever existed.

If it hasn't rained on the plant, water it with a spray bottle, or by dipping it into a bowl or bucket of water.

[mimigirl]

That sounds so easy. You know, the tie one on part! LOL. I tend to underwater so I think in my case mounting is the kiss of death. I tried it on others and it wasn't pretty. Is the method you described what you are calling mounted, or is this what you would do if left in a pot? Which is about the best I can do.

[estación seca]

A lot of people are afraid of Tolumnias because they've read how succulent they are and how intolerant they are of overwatering, etc. etc. But anything that can sprout on a leaf, mature in a year or two, and bloom and set seed, before the leaf falls off the supporting bush, has to be really easy to grow. If the roots are in the air most of the time they won't rot.

Think about Caribbean weather - it cools down and therefore there's dew almost every night. There's plenty of daytime rain. Breezes and sun most days to dry epiphytes off fast, but lots of water as well.

I think people kill mounted Tolumnias because they don't water them enough. I water mine almost every day. People who overwater will do better with mounts - you can water them every day and not kill them, unless your growing area has a super-high relative humidity.

I think people kill potted Tolumnias because they water them too much, and don't let them dry out between watering. People who underwater probably will do better with them in pots.

You have a natural climate for them most of the year, so it seems a shame not to try them mounted outside except during really cold weather.

And back to your original questions - just find another clay pot about a half inch / 1cm larger than the first, and slip the first pot into it. Put some chunks of bark or pebbles between the two pots so they don't wiggle. The roots will grow out and into the space between the pots, as well as over the outside of the outer pot. You don't have to disturb the roots at all.

[mimigirl]

Oh that is way too easy! I can do that! Only slip it into the larger pot when the last pot is covered with roots? Just keep upsizing the outer pot? I appreciated your replies.

[estación seca]

It will get heavier and heavier....

[mimigirl]

But am I right about just keep using bigger outer pots?

[estación seca]

Yes, that is what I meant. Put something in between to keep them from wiggling.