Tolumnia guttata

Also known as: The Spotted Tolumnia or Tolumnia cuneilabia Tolumnia apiculata Xaritonia elegans Tolumnia cunelabia Oncidium tricolor Oncidium cuneatum Epidendrum acinaciforme Oncidium boydii Cymbidium tetrapetalum Cymbidium guttatum Oncidium apiculatum Oncidium cuneilabium Oncidium tetrapetalum Oncidium intermedium Tolumnia berenyce Oncidium berenyce Tolumnia tetrapetala Oncidium guttatum Oncidium quadripetalum Oncidium pulchellum f. cuneilabium Oncidium luridum var. guttatum Oncidium pauciflorum Oncidium pulchellum f. berenyce Oncidium guttatum var. auriculatum Oncidium luridum var. intermedium Oncidium guttatum var. dodgsonii Oncidium guttatum var. intermedium Oncidium pulchellum f. apiculatum Epidendrum tetrapetalum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Jamaica

General Information

The Spotted Tolumnia is a miniature sympodial intermediate to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Jamaica.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 37-65cm. Each new growth has numerous thick erect leaves that grow to 0.6-15cm long

Care Notes

These orchids have a fine root system that can quickly die back if left dry for too long, but also does not like to be kept wet, so water regularly but ensure that the mix is dry before watering. 

Climate

The orchids are well adapted for hot weather, accompanied by sporadic, unpredictable rainfall and a generally dry climate. They can tolerate a lot of neglect as they are quite used to it, however they can be prone to underwatering and may collapse in cold, wet weather.

For this reason it's best to dedicate a sheltered, protected area for them where the watering can be controlled, such as a corner of a greenhouse or in a sheltered balcony. They can also do well hung near the roof of a shadehouse or sheltered greenhouse where they receive the extra heat but not as much water as other plants. 

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 15mm to 180mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 71% to 79%, highest in October and lowest in July. Temperature ranges from 17C to 31C, highest in July (22C to 31C) and lowest in March (17C to 28C).

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,