Dendrobium toressae and Tolumnia (Hispaniella) henequen
 

Picked these 2 up at Oak Hill today.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...toressae_1.jpg

A close up of the toressae:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...toressae_2.jpg

Tolumnia:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...a_henequen.jpg

Gotta see what I can learn about the Tolumnia. Told Liese at Oak Hill that I was looking for the super mini minis and she pointed that one out.

Neither of these guys are listed on the website, as they only had a handful of toressae's left and only 1 left of the Tolumnia.

Solana

Oh HO HO!

I think I'll email them about another one of the toressae's. . .that is one on my micro-mini list.

Love what you picked out!

Gosh, I'd LOVE to be able to just stop in to Oak Hill! :drool:

It is NOT a good thing to be able to stop in at Oak Hill! LOL! I was a good girl though. I spent under $50. And I am actually running out of interesting things to get, so I really do think my buying craze is winding down for a while at least. I almost grabbed another Schoenorchis fragrans because they are so cute. I actually grabbed it, then put it back because I'd rather search for a few more micro minis than to get another of the same. They had considerably less this time than when I was there just a week ago, so I'm wondering if you guys have been putting in a lot of orders. Hmmmm! :scratchhead: Do email Greg about the toressae though. Actually, that's how I found out they even had it, I emailed him last week after my first visit.

In addition to these guys, I picked up a few seedlings (3 phals, one of which is a bellina :biggrin: and a little dendrobium).

Solana

Solana, Tolumnia species are common on many Carribean Islands where they grow as "twig epiphytes" in tops of trees. They like lots of light (mine get full sun, through a screened south window, when the sun is out) and roots need to dry out between waterings. I have mine (I have 4 different kinds) planted in clay pots or baskets in charcoal chunks. I water by submerging them in dilute MSU mix every morning. A fan runs toward them 24/7 thus the plant dries out over night. They are really fun little plants with great blossom displays.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...bs/DSC2021.jpg

Why charcoal chunks? Do you find it better than a regular orchid mix of bark, charcoal and and perilite?mix?

Doesn't break down as fast, holds some moisture, has lots of air voids and doesn't attract insects like some mixes do. I have some minis in Diatomite, which is high in silica, absorbent, porous, and pH neutral. But most of the 'chids are in bark mix or some sort.

Thanks Ross! I'll do the daily dunk with my little one too then. :)

Be VERY sure the roots dry out overnight. Otherwise you'll kill it - trust me. Most Tolumnia growers don't water so often, but most Tolumnia growers don't have dry humidity and moving air either. If you can provide air movement so moss dries out overnight, then daily is fine. Otherwise consider every-other day.

Ok. Will do. It's not quite dry now. With the A/C on in my condo, I'm pretty sure it will be completey dry by morning. I'm normally not a big overwaterer, in fact I think for a while, I was neglecting my Phals and really underwatering. I just don't want to let these micro minis get too dry, because they are so, well, small and I don't know if they could bounce back from the neglect.

Solana

You should be fine!

Ross, thanks for the information. I just got 4 tol. hybrids and had them in a fairly fine mix that APPEARED to be drying out every day, but was not deep in the pot. I see some new roots forming so they are doing OK.

I have moved them into LECA and will water them in a normal way rather than s/h, at least for now.

Oh, they are Tol. Lues Speckles (Sweet Sunset x Firecracker). I was told it was just named.

Any idea what the flowers might look like?

I've transplanted mine in a mix of mostly charcoal chunks but also a bit of spaghnum. . .little clay pot.

Seems to be perking right up!