Equitant in Bloom
 

I purchased this equitant a few years ago from Puanani Orchids in Waimanalo. It is a cross between Rrm. New Vintage and Rrm. Astro. The flowers are very attractive and well presented. The robust plant has three other spikes that are a few weeks away from blooming. The plant is growing in a 2-inch wooden basket with a few pieces of crushed charcoal. It is grown under cover in a shady area.

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Rrm. New Vintage x Rrm. Astro by hawaiiansunshine, on Flickr

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Rrm. New Vintage x Rrm. Astro by hawaiiansunshine, on Flickr

Hi, Mel. Your tolumnia is beautifully grown. They are lovely little jewels.

Really nice flowers and excellent growing! Any secrets to your success? I'm always looking for pointers :)

WoW!!!! Lovely colours!!

Wow! Gorgeous!

For many years I had a very tough time growing this species. I had many dead plants to show for my efforts. Fortunately I've had pretty good success over the last couple of years. Here is what I've learned:

a. The plants need to be grown under cover (plastic or polycarbonate roof) protected from the rain. Fortunately we don't have snow in Hawaii.

b. The plant roots need exceptionally good drainage. They need to dry out and cannot stand "wet feet". Many of my equitants are in small 2-inch square wooden baskets with only the plants' root mass serving as the media.

c. I water my equitants about every 3 days. I'll skip watering a day or two if the roots look damp.

d. I fertilize once per week all year round with foliar fertilizer (1 teaspoon per gallon).

e. I constantly watch for thrips. They will attack the buds. Scales can also be a problem. I spray using a non-systemic insecticide.

f. I grow my equitants under light conditions similar to that for my Phalaenopsis.

These are the practices that work for me. Fortunately I live in a tropical climate where I don't have to worry about freezing temperatures.