Tolumnia in SH

[Lagoon]

I agree with Steve, great thread, learning alot here.
I did get one of these little guys in the late spring. Kept it mounted for awhile ..... just couldn't keep up with the soakings so I put in sphag & bark. Its doing just great - blooming its head off and seems very happy, much happier then it was mounted.

Tols are not as hard to grow as I thought they would be. Looks like they do very well in leca too.

Would love any update you have Ryan

[Pilot]

I'll post a pic to tonight. The plant now has multiple fans. It the second to last to grow got what I'd consider crown rot. It spawned a new fan right away though and seems to be doing very well. I've noticed a fair bit of root growth the past few weeks and I don't know if it's simply enduring a new growth cycle or if the change in fertilizer did the trick. I've begun using rays solo fertilizer and the plants seem to really enjoy it.

I'll post a photo or two soon. I'm determined to get this thing to bloom!!!!!

[Pilot]

Pic update


Full plant... Notice the newest fan growing. It has a a flush of new roots coming from it.


The roots that have grown into the hydroton that stay wet but are not submerged.


Few roots grow into the water. Those that do stop. If you grow Tolumnia in sh, I recommend a tall pot for this reason.

[Vanda lover]

It certainly looks happy! Now I'm temped to put mine in s/h. I have some orchids in s/h that I was having trouble getting the watering right with, and s/h is the solution. They love it!

[escualida]

Hi Pilot, it's been a while, any updates on this plant?

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by escualida

Hi Pilot, it's been a while, any updates on this plant?

Loads of new fans but no spikes yet. I hope this next season ill get some spikes. I have to simulate a seasonal change.

[Oscarman]

This has been an interesting thread. It should remind us all that everyone's conditions are different and we each will have successes due to a perfect match of culture and environment.

I appreciate Ray reminding us that S/H culture has specifics in regards to container, reservoir and media. Now I am also intrigued about growing a vanda in S/H!

In my environment rupicolous laelias grow and flower well grown in seedling size leca in a small size standard plant pot with daily watering. After reading this thread my newest Tolumnia addition is getting potted that way too.

[Vanda lover]

s/h is wonderful in many ways. I have been using lava rock because it is available here, and leca isn't. It works well for me and it doesn't run away when I something is knocked over.

[NYCorchidman]

I plan to switch all my tolumnias to s/h or similar setup.
They dry up way too fast and I water them a few times a day. tired of doing that. lol

[Vanda lover]

That's why I have some of my plants in s/h. I don't like watering daily. My vandas are all in vases or baskets because bare root just isn't practical.