tolumnia/equitant oncidiums=easy or difficult?

[Christina Anderson-Abella]

Hello there.

I keep wanting to take home one of the couple of little equitant oncidiums I see at my local orchid greenhouse, but I'm not sure I'm able to give it proper conditions.

On one hand, the small size means that, if I put one of these little guys DIRECTLY (within inches) under my bank of T12 shop lights (only 2 bulbs now, soon to be upgraded to 6 bulbs/3 fixtures), and maybe used a clip-on fluorescent or incandescent grow light to supplement, it might just get the light it needs. Right? Or am I mistaken?

I do currently have a nice big south-facing window as well . . . but I don't want to rely on this forever, as I'm probably going to move next summer. Who knows what the natural lighting conditions there will be, so I think it would be smart to get stuff I can grow under common T12s . . . MAYBE I'll eventually be able to upgrade to higher output fluorescents, but I'm not willing/able at the moment.

I just love the mini-orchids, though. Any experiences with these guys?

Thanks!

Christina

[nyorchids]

you really have to try not to flower and kill these guys! they can tolerate a wide variety of conditions i have let some completely dry out and i have kept some wet for years(vivariums) they bloom nice also!

[Oscarman]

I have found equitants to be excellent plants. Mine grow intermediate conditions and within a few inches of my florescent lights and in a bright window. Usually the color of the leaves tell me if the light is OK - I watch for a slight tinge of red on the leaf margins. Water and let dry, repeat. Fertilize weakly, weekly.

I wish there were more sources in my area of these gems. I would grow a wall of them!

[wallyworld]

I love the tolumnias, I have these in my vanda room on mounts up near the light. They are easy to grow and don't take up much room and love light, either artificial or sunlight. Good luck with them!!!

Wally

[Tesa]

Great Orchids, they need bright light, a lot of air and they like it warm. Moist once a day, with much light and higher temperatures twice. In Summer put they outdoors! Normally, especially the hybrids, are easy to grow.

Good growing!

Tesa