Description
Tolumnia variegata
Also known as Oncidium variegatum, Tolumnia variegata (note the change in gender with the change in genus) is an equitant miniature species from Cuba that loves plenty of air and warmth. Flowers are small but showy, like an Oncidium, and they are also long-lasting a fragrant. Flowers appear on and off year round.
Culture
Plants like to dry out, so benign neglect is your best bet with this species. Grow mounted or in an open pot with a little coarse material. That said, the biggest ones I’ve seen are grown by my friend who has a very humid, not too bright greenhouse, and he waters every three days. If you have struggled with Tolumnias in the past, try a little less light and little more frequent watering. If your air circulation is good, frequent watering is fine. I water them every day in my greenhouse.
In case you wondered, “equitant” means “on the back of a horse.” In the case of equitant oncidiums, the clasping nature of the leaves makes it look like one leaf is riding on the back of another. Aren’t orchid people imaginative?
