Tolumnia Mem. Ralph Yagi
Tolumnia flowers look like Oncidiums , and indeed once were called that. A lot of the early breeding was done by the late great Goodale Moir in Hawaii.We never met , but corresponded - and he was kind enough to mention me in his classic book "Breeding Variegata Oncidiums" ( as Tolumnias were then called) which, having just looked at the copy so kindly sent to me, was published more than 30 years ago.
Flower size here a bit over one inch, north-south. Never mind that long stem ( a sign of good culture, if I do say so myself)- these things are like Phallies in one or two respects - they have a series of nodes along the stem. Each node can produce a branch with more flowers. In the Summer flowering ( they often flower several times a year) I get branches in flower at the same time as the main stem; my best so far is perhaps 20 or 30 flowers, but I'm sure more will be possible on bigger older plants. The nodes can also produce plants , so stem prop's are possible. That way, I got a plant of an awarded form - not in flower at present , but I include a pic from last Spring ; T.Mem Ralph Yagi "Oka Royale" HCC/AOS. I don'yt think its any better than the unawarded form, in my culture- maybe it was when awarded.
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