Tolumnia Questions

[Chlorophile]

I purchased a fairly large Tolumnia from J&L orchids about a year ago. I'm not sure if something was wrong with the plant from the start or if my conditions were just vastly different but it bloomed and then just a few days later it blasted. I repotted it into a clay pot with LECA and the roots took off. The entire plant was solidly rooted in the new media within just a couple weeks.

It was growing new fans and seemed to be doing very well and then all of a sudden leaves started to fall off. I tugged on a few and the plant just came apart. I used some Physan and cut off the rotten parts and it did come back but then the entire thing rotted and I just tossed it. My assumption is that I got water in the crown even though I was very careful not to.

I have 4 tolumnias I purchased from Telezula and they are in the little net pots they came in and are growing very well. I need to re-pot them but I have to admit I'm very nervous. I think clay pots are best for my environment-I live in the NE. Its very humid in Summer but Winters are bone dry. Right now I am soaking the roots a few times a week and they are doing well.

I'm just wondering if it was the clay and LECA that rotted the last one since they are all being watered the same way. Anyone live in the NE USA and grow tolumnias that would share any tips with me? I'd hate to kill these as it seems a few of them are no longer available.