Tolumnia calochila

[u bada]

Well my t. variegata just lost most of it's leaves #$% Seems like the sun is already intense here as well, so moving them into a shadier side of window... and probably have to source another variegata, i really want to see that flower... lol

the t. guaiensis is handling direct sun, though...

the calochila(um) of mine had been on the shadier side already to keep from blasting, so far flower has lasted maybe a week or so, not bad...

[twinofmunin]

mine was in bloom when i got it, and i don't recall how long the bloom lasted, but it was *far* longer than i expected (out on my back deck). weeks, maybe? maybe several? and it was noticeably fragrant.

[Helene]

Sorry to hear that it lost the leaves

I got all focused on the 50-70% humidity, and was gonna ask how that was possible- but read your answer. (In my house its 30%…)

They are so cute- and soooo tiny, hope it likes the shadier place

Edit: first I talk to u bada, then Estaciòn and then u bada. Confusing much I was on my phone and got it mixed up a bit.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Such a tiny cute plant, I will be waiting for a bloom pic as well.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by u bada

Well my t. variegata just lost most of it's leaves #$% Seems like the sun is already intense here as well, so moving them into a shadier side of window.

Considering how far north you are, I'm surprised the sun would be a problem for this species. I bet there is something else at play here....

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Considering how far north you are, I'm surprised the sun would be a problem for this species. I bet there is something else at play here....

It's been in the 90s F / 34C in LA recently. I had to put up shade cloth over my sunroom windows in Phoenix because I burned spots on some Vanda leaves.

[u bada]

Yeah the sun is just so intense here, even more so in the last 5 years. it's crazy... is austin sun that intense, isurus79? Can you grow outside there?

poor little variegata... but the remaining fan seems in good shape knock on wood... maybe i'll put in one of the growing cases...

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by u bada

Yeah the sun is just so intense here, even more so in the last 5 years. it's crazy... is austin sun that intense, isurus79? Can you grow outside there?

Yep, I'm farther south than LA, so the sun here is even more intense. I used to live in Hawaii, where even the most tanned Californian/Texan will burn in minutes!! Its amazing how strong the sun gets as you move towards the equator.

Tolu variegata is from the Caribbean, which means it gets some very strong sun. There are a ton of reasons that could have hurt this plant, though my guess is that the sun isn't the only reason.

I'll throw most of my orchids on the patio (which faces southeast) in mid-March. They get a 50% aluminet shade cloth.

[estación seca]

I think one additional factor is there's almost always a stiff breeze near shore in the Caribbean, which carries away the heat and keeps the leaves at ambient temperatures. Inland LA and Phoenix don't have anything like this breeze.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I think one additional factor is there's almost always a stiff breeze near shore in the Caribbean, which carries away the heat and keeps the leaves at ambient temperatures. Inland LA and Phoenix don't have anything like this breeze.

Very true. High humidity helps as well.