Well, I have a few (maybe a hundred) tolumnias now. I love the little
guys, they are rapidly becoming my favorite group and they are very
rewarding plants to grow. I agree largely with the more light
suggestion, but I have a few more suggestions. Proper nutrition is also
important, without the right food it doesn't matter how much light you
give the plant. Some might bloom anyway, but it won't be optimal. I
fertilize with a dilute fertilizer at almost every watering. Also, up
here in the north country tolumnia are somewhat seasonal. I get best
blooming from late February through May, with repeat blooming (off of
old spikes or newly initiated spikes) throughout the rest of the year.
To me this seems to indicate that a brief cool period might enhance
spike formation (but isn't strictly necessary), although that is an
artful guess, not science. You may wish to try a period of enhanced
diurnal temperature range (say, down to 55-60 at night, 80+ during the day).
For me, tolumnias seem to bloom wherever I put them in the greenhouse.
I honestly don't know why, and I don't think it is skill (probably
neglect, benign or otherwise). Most are housed in the 'corner of death'
(TM) which is insanely bright and hot in the summer, and bright and
modestly warm in the winter. But, I also bloom them interspersed with
the minicatts and even on benches which are mainly phrags. I don't
think those spaces are getting nearly as much light as the corner of
death. All that said, there are some plants that never bloom. I blame
genetics. If you have given the plant as much light as you can possibly
give it, it is growing well and is happy, and it still hasn't bloomed
within a year, it is time for the dumpster or the raffle table. As an
aside, I select my 'keepers' based on floriferousness more than any
other quality. If they don't have _lots_ of flowers and multiple
spikes, they don't last long in the collection. Flower size and quality
are indeed important, but even a modest flower is truly spectacular when
presented on 6 or 7 spikes with 20 flowers per.
Rob
Kenni Judd wrote:
I haven't seen your window, but 99x of 100, the reason a healthy mature
orchid grows well but won't bloom is insufficient light.
Sometimes the plants will adapt to the lower light in a couple years and
then resume blooming, but after 5 years, I think you're past that point ...
Kenni
"Chris Ridge" wrote in message
. net...
Hi,
I have had a Tolumnia Golden Glow for probably five years now. It's
growing like crazy but I can't get the darn thing to bloom. Awhile back,
I divided it and put half in a clay pot with Prime Agra clay pellets and
mounted the other half on a tree fern slab. The pot is right next to a
western facing window and the mount is about a foot away from the same
window. They're equally happy. I assume it's a light issue? I like this
window because it's in a place where I remember to water them regularly as
they dry out quickly. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Chris
--
Rob's Rules:
http://littlefrogfarm.com
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit