Tolumnia Elfin Gem

[Orchidzrule]

Hi all,

I've recently discovered Tolumnias (formerly known as "equitant" oncidiums). They seem perfect for my conditions, as they really like to dry out between waterings, prefer warm growing conditions and are very tolerant of low humidity. On top of that, they're very small, allowing one to grow lots of them in a small area. Hmm, could I ask for a more perfect orchid? They come in quite an array of colors, heavy on yellows & reds, some very bright & in-your-face, although this one is more subtle.

This is Tolumnia Elfin Gem, my first of its genus (I'm up to about 10 Tolumnias, including a second one just coming into bloom--I hope to get some photos of it in the next few days), which I bought in the summer of 2006 and this is its second spike. The first spike bloomed twice and today I noticed a small branch developing so it looks as though this will follow suit.

Cheers,

Rob

[Lambert]

You make a very good case for tolumnias, I always thought that they were fussy or demanding ... Apparently they are not!
I am tempted now!
Yours is very joyful and colorful, very nice!

[ischel1]

Wonderful. Great spots. Good job.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Really nice! I have a friend who grows some of these mounted. They always look so good.

Cheers,
BD

[Grandma M]

Rob, I like it, especially the coloration. Is yours planted in such a t-i-n-y pot. I bought a couple at a show,(my first try at these), and was surprised at the size of the pot compared to the plant. I had to put the tiny pot into a larger clay pot with a few lava rocks to stabalize it.

I took a pic of it yesterday, I will post it later today.

Marilyn

[smartie2000]

I like that tolumnia's shape and colour

[sadie]

That really is lovely! And your description got me thinking--hmmm, I could squeeze some of those babies in.

[Orchidzrule]

Ischel, Fren, thanks for the kind coments.

You make a very good case for tolumnias, I always thought that they were fussy or demanding ... Apparently they are not!
I am tempted now!

Laurent, I suspect their fussy reputation is because most people find it hard to let their plants thoroughly dry out. I don't know how familiar you are with the plants, but they have thick, triangular leaves, almost like a succulent, designed for storing water. Too much watering really leads to the risk of root rot in plants like these, as you probably know. You should try one--I have noticed you & I seem to like the same things, based on your posts.

Is yours planted in such a t-i-n-y pot. I bought a couple at a show,(my first try at these), and was surprised at the size of the pot compared to the plant. I had to put the tiny pot into a larger clay pot with a few lava rocks to stabalize it.

I took a pic of it yesterday, I will post it later today.

Marilyn

Marilyn, this plant is in a 2 1/4 inch clay pot in a primarily perlite (or something similar) medium. I didn't plant it in this, it was what it came in, and I'm happy to leave it as long as the plant seems happy. So, yes it's in a small pot, but it's not as small as some of my other Tolumnias' pots. So far, it seems stable. For how long, who can say? LOL Yes, do post a pic.

I have a friend who grows some of these mounted. They always look so good.

Cheers,
BD

I think they are well adapted to growing mounted. With the ones I have that came bare-root I put them into what I call a "semi-mounted" condition. I take a small clay pot, put just a little moss in the bottom of it, then the plant goes onto the moss, at the bottom of the pot. The sides generally keep the plant stable until the roots take hold. This was suggested to me by a fairly long-time grower in my OS and it certainly works for me so far. My plan is to eventually move all my Tolumnias into the same, as they require repotting.

That really is lovely! And your description got me thinking--hmmm, I could squeeze some of those babies in.

Yeppers! I am here to seduce everyone into trying one! LOL

Cheers,

Rob

[Meg25]

If you ever want to try mounting something I totally reccomend one of your tolumnias! Mine love it, and you wont have to worry about it being slow to dry out. Mine is on a piece of cork, but I think that tree fern would work very well also.

Beautiful flowers too!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

The one I referenced was mounted on an upside down rose bush stump. It was a cool mount and held the tolumnia perfectly.

Cheers,
BD