Tolumnia in tiny clay pot, time for an upgrade?
 

I have had this little gem for two years. It arrived in a tiny clay pot and has been a vigorous grower/bloomer, but I'm thinking maybe it's time for a bigger "home" :hmm. This is my one and only Tolumnia, so I don't have any prior experience with them. I will attach pics, and the coin will hopefully show scale. Thanks in advance!

You can upgrade the size of the clay pot if you wish. I'm letting mine grow out of and around the clay pot. My hope is they will form clumps around the pot.

P.S., The coin "dime" doesn't show up well, it's directly to the right of the pot. Since the rhizome looks like it's about to jump out of the pot, I think a better question would be- what SIZE of a new home would be best? Would a clay pot twice the diameter be too much? Apparently this orchid loves feeling root-bound. :)

You can upgrade the size of the clay pot if you wish. I'm letting mine grow out of and around the clay pot. My hope is they will form clumps around the pot.

I usually go up a few inches so the root ball fits snugly in the base of the pot and the plant base sits just below the rim. Sorry about the double post earlier. Not sure how that happened.

Thanks Paul, I suppose I could just mount it, too. It's the only orchid I have in a clay pot so kinda wanted to stay with that. I can't even tell if there is any medium in the pot either, the roots are so dense. Guess I'll find out soon! :)

I don't use any medium at all in clay pots, but water daily. They thrive for me at least!


Paul McMahon
Sent via iPhone

How would a small wood basket work for this? The roots could grow all over the basket and you could still hang the plant. Very nice Tolumnia and blooms.

Personally, I would say use anything that allows the roots to be dry by evening is the ticket. Otherwise, the roots may rot out. They like to go to bed dry.

Thanks Pattywack, I suppose a wood basket would work. As Paul Mc mentioned, anything that would allow the roots to dry completely by night. This clay "pot" is 2" wide at top by 1 1/2" high. If I were to switch to a basket, I would probably need to make it out of toothpicks ;-)