This is how tolumnia blooms. The flowers are small, about 1.5 cm in diameter, but very colorful.Orchid family. These amazing miniature orchids have long been classified (some still are) as oncidiums, due to the shape of flowers very similar to pupae with skirts. At some point, these orchids were isolated in their own genus - tolumnia due to fewer flowers, a shorter peduncle and other differences from other oncidiums.
Tolumnia is native to the Caribbean islands. In nature, tolumnia live in lowland and mountain forests. At home, they require warm conditions and high humidity. Thanks to more than 25 years of hybridization, a wide range of color gamut of colors has been achieved, which varies from bright yellow to dark brown, from purple to orange.
Their leaves are not flat, as in all oncidiums, but triangular. This leaf shape helped the plants adapt to short dry periods in their habitats. Tolumnia do not have bulbs, so their leaves serve as a reserve resource, just like phalaenopsis.
Care for tolumneya
Watering: This is the most important part in tending to tolumnias. These orchids should be watered when the plant needs it. Since the leaves are thick and accumulate reserves of nutrients, then by the state of the leaves you can determine whether you are watering the plant or not. If the leaves are sluggish and deflated, then the gap between watering should be reduced, otherwise, when the plant runs out of nutrients, it will dry out. Between watering, the root system should completely dry out! Tolumnia, like all orchids, is best not watered or sprayed at night to avoid hypothermia and decay. Watering water should contain a minimum of salts. Since the roots are prone to decay, they are usually planted in a quickly drying substrate, so they will have to be watered often. But the main indicator of the state of tolumnia is leaves. If they are thick and dense, then the plant is normal, and if brownish and wrinkled, then it's time to save.
Lighting: These small orchids can also be grown under artificial lighting, the main thing is to choose the right spectrum. They also grow very well on the windowsill. They are very fond of bright diffused light and the morning direct sun, but the daytime sun should be shaded. If the leaves began to redden, then this is the first sign of a starting burn, you should remove the plant in the shade.
Fertilizers: During watering, while wet roots should be watered with a fertilizer solution. Fertilizers need to be added less than 2 times than recommended for other orchids. Never fertilize a plant that is not watered. Fertilize twice a month.
Flowering: Peduncles form on old or new rosettes. Flowering occurs 2-3 times a year. After flowering, do not remove the peduncle, flowering may continue after some time. If the peduncle is brown and dry, then it is dead and can be removed.
The coconut is sawed into halves. Holes that are drilled in coconuts will be used for the loop on which these blocks will hang.
We take the plant itself. See that the roots are healthy, without rot.
A substrate that allows air to pass well and prevents the roots from immediately drying out - palm fiber that can be removed from sticks to attach monsters or climbing plants.
Wrap half of the coconut with coconut fiber and fasten with fishing line, which we tie. 
We put the plant on top of the coconut.
And we apply a layer of coconut fiber, which we also wrap with fishing line and also fix.
This is how tolumnii grow on my balcony handle.
The main thing is not to open the window when it is cold.Transplant: The main factor is the porosity of the substrate, which would allow air to pass through and allow it to circulate. Tolumnia can be planted in the bark, large pieces 2-3 cm, or planted on a block.
I planted my tolumnias on coconut halves, which, in my opinion, is the easiest way to plant, since coconuts are cheap and can be bought at any supermarket.
A substrate that allows air to pass well and prevents the roots from immediately drying out - palm fiber that can be removed from sticks to attach monsters or climbing plants.
By the way, there is no need to lay anything inside the coconut half, the tolumnia should be tied to the convex side of the coconut half. If you mix moss-sphagnum with fiber, then you can water it every 4 days, and I spray it every day. The fiber dries very quickly, but in tolumny roots they are prone to decay in a moist substrate, if you do not mix moss, you will have to heat coconuts every other day and spray every day.
Equitant Oncidiums or Tolumnia.Author: Linda Fortner Published on: September 1, 2001
Author of the article Anyanya