Tolumnia velutina is native to Haiti and Cuba. Occurrence seems concentrated on Haiti and to a lesser extent on the territory of the Dominican Republic...
Tolumnia velutina also called as The Velvety Tolumnia, Oncidium variegatum f. purpureum, Oncidium variegatum var velutinum, Oncidium velutinum, Oncidium velutinum var. purpureum, is a species of the genus Tolumnia. This species was described by Guido Jozef Braem in 1986.
IDENTIFY TOLUMNIA VELUTINA
Tolumnia velutina is native to Haiti and Cuba. Occurrence seems concentrated on Haiti and to a lesser extent on the territory of the Dominican Republic.
It is a miniature sized, hot to warm growing epiphytic fan shaped species, which reaching 16 cm in diameter, with 8 cm long and 0.7-0.8 cm wide, sharp, leathery leaves.
The Velvety Tolumnia blooms on an erect, wiry, racemose to paniculate, 30-50 cm long inflorescence with a few flowers. The flowers are about 1.8 cm in diameter. They are white, pink or white with pink stripes and are covered with delicate, tiny hairs. The dorsal petal has the shape of an inverted heart. The lateral outer petals are connected to form a synsepal, the top of which has 2 teeth. The 3-segment lip has small, longitudinal side plots at the base, which curve back and have rounded corners. The ridge narrows rapidly to form a short, rather narrow isthmus with a deep, narrow U-shaped extension on each side, after which it expands suddenly creating a middle plot. The large, wide central plot has a heart-shaped shape at the base, rounded edges and a significant V-shaped indentation in the center of the apical margin. The whole middle section of the lip is covered with small, tiny hairs, giving it a velvety texture.
TOLUMNIA VELUTINA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Tolumnia velutina needs a light level of 20000-30000 lux. These plants require relatively bright, diffused light, but they should be protected from the direct rays of the midday sun. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
The average summer temperature is 25-26 ° C during the day, 12 ° C at night, with a daily difference of 14 ° C. In winter, the average daytime temperatures are 23 ° C and the night 8-9 ° C, with an amplitude of daily fluctuations of 14-16 ° C.
Humidity:
The Velvety Tolumnia needs the probable average humidity of 75-80% throughout the year.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Tolumnia velutina grow best in small, empty clay pots without a substrate. They are also grow well attached to pieces of cork, wood or twigs. Such cultivation requires, however, maintaining high humidity in the summer of daily watering, and in the case of hot weather even several times. It is also possible to grow in small pots filled with a loose, permeable substrate that allows the roots to dry quickly after watering.
They should be repotted or divided as rarely as possible, because they react adversely to violating the root ball. Necessary repotting or dividing plants should be done when the growth of new roots begins. This allows the plants to acclimatize in a relatively short time and provides them with the least stress.
Watering:
For most of the year, rainfall is moderate to heavy, but in winter, for 3-4 months, the conditions change to a little more dry. Tolumnia velutina should be watered regularly from spring to autumn, but the roots should always dry quickly. The plants grow in dry and humid conditions, so they tolerate complete drying between subsequent waterings, but it is best not to dry them for a long time.
Fertilizer:
During the active growth, the plant should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. A fertilizer with a high nitrogen content from spring to full summer has a positive effect on the development of new increments, and a fertilizer with an increased amount of phosphorus administered before the period of rest improves their flowering and maturation.
Rest period:
In winter, the Tolumnia velutina need less water and the substrate should dry slightly between waterings, but it should not be allowed to completely dry out. Fertilization should be reduced or eliminated until new growths appear and the abundant watering starts in the spring.
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