Tolumnia sylvestris & Tolumnia hawkesiana Culture

[prc11]

I received two mounted Tolumnias that have branched out and formed nice amounts of new growths. The first is Tolumnia Sylvestris. The second is tagged Tolumnia hawkesiana. I figured this may be a synonym for another species, but I have not found one. My real question is about their culture. I do not have any tolumnias that branch like this and I would like to know how to care for them and whether or no they need a rest period.

[tucker85]

I don't grow Tolumnias but I do know that they like to be very dry. Good luck.

[Fernando]

I own Tolumnia variegata. Mounted, it is sprayed every day, once or twice. As I have good ventilation, it dries quick. Sometimes I lay the whole mount into the aquarium for half an hour more or less. No special feeding, just when there is some in the spraying water. In winter it was outside - our night min temp are around 14ºC; it got sun in the mornings and slowly turned green with red freckles. In summer it is inside because of the low humidity outside; the red dots have disappeared. The new fan of leaves is so far the biggest one, with seven leaves up to now. So, I assume, the plant is doing well with this water regime. Lots of new growing roots with tiny green tips.

Fer

[Zoi2]

I grow my tolumnia mounted and bareroot in tiny clay pots. They are watered every morning and dry by about noon. They need a lot of light and air circulation. Tolumnia hawkesiana is a correct name per IOSPE.
IOSPE PHOTOS
Joann

[WhiteRabbit]

Well, I have a sylvestris - grows great, no blooms tho In winter I water every 2-3 days (Between the fairly mild climate here, and having thermostat set low, heat isn't running all the time - if your home is dry from heat in winter, it may need water more often)

The rest of the year, mine gets drenched daily, twice a day in extremely hot, dry weather.

Not sure if the dry summer weather here, and then my cool temps inside in winter are causing my lack of blooms, or what

Tolus have very tiny pbulbs, I wouldn't think they would want a watering rest, but do like to dry fairly quickly.

I had been growing my sylvestris quite bright (with my bigger Tolu hybrids), it never burned or even turned reddish - but someone suggested trying less light, as IOSPE says they like a bit lower light -
IOSPE PHOTOS

GL!

[msaar]

sylvestris and hawkesiana are apparently both valid species

[Paul Mc]

So is your question about how to grow Tolumnias in general, or specifically these? You have been given some great advice about the general nature of Tolumnias and one post about the sylvestris (sp?). Just curious. If you are looking for specifics, then I would look to the Baker's website, orchidculture.com, and buy their species sheets for them (if they are indeed species). They have the best information on culture available for the species that were known at that time. They do not do hybrid information though.