Oh, I didn't see you posted a message! I read on Orchids for the People that some don't really need a substrate?

Alex, yes, that is correct. I just anchor them with a bit of coconut fiber if needed in a small pot, essentially growing them without medium.

I love Tolumnias, too. But they haven't been easy for me.

They're very small plants, usually 3in or less, but the slender flower stems are amazingly long, and such beautiful, long-lasting clusters of flowers.

I saw that Orchids of the People uses coco fiber as their medium. Ursula, since you mentioned using it, what do you think of it as a substrate? I watched their video on it, and it seems great. I'd like to hear multiple inputs, though

Coconut fiber? I buy it by the foot and use it a lot. I pull it a bit apart, so it isn't too thick and soak it as one would soak bark. Many times I wrap the roots somewhat, place the orchid into the pot and then top with appropriate size medium mix. Many times I also place it over the hole in the pot, or line a basket. I like it a lot, especially instead of Sphagnum moss.

Good idea about using coco fiber to cover the hole in a pot. I always use spanish moss but I won't be able to go outside and pull a wad off a tree when we move to NC.

Tolumnia are so cute 🥰..but like Ursula mentioned very difficult to keep the bugs off of. I see them grown just set in a tiny clay pot, without anything in the pot. They attach quite happily to the pot.


I found this B. Jimminey Cricket blooming on the bottom bench this morning.
And a plant that was brought in for judging at our show a couple of weeks ago. It was awarded . I think it was a Bulb. echinolabium (sp?)


It made me smile.😊

sugarcane said: Tolumnia are so cute 🥰..but like Ursula mentioned very difficult to keep the bugs off of. I see them grown just set in a tiny clay pot, without anything in the pot. They attach quite happily to the pot.

[lightbox] And a plant that was brought in for judging at our show a couple of weeks ago. It was awarded . I think it was a Bulb. echinolabium (sp?)


It made me smile.😊

LOL First thought: a Hillbilly w/handlebar stache' (que "Deliverance" theme music)

I love that Bulbophyllum!
I am looking at this, echinolabium is surely in its parentage?
B. echinolabium is a bit more slender, I think? Cute!

I first thought handlebar stache also but then it looked more like an elf.

Ursula said: I love that Bulbophyllum! :smily:

Not a fan of Bulb. because of their noxious scents BUT. Did learn of one that you might like... that smells of soft Jasmine & Gardenia:

Bulb. "Jim Clarkson" sold by Krull-Smith. really pretty orangey/cranberry spotted.

Glenn, nice one!
I used to grow Bulbophyllum graveolens, if I remember correctly, the blooms smell like candle wax!
I guess, not all are smelling like a rat peed into a corner and died there! Not that would have experienced that!😄😄

Same here, much prefer those stinky ones to see in pictures rather than in person. But they sure are cute.

Bulbophyllums are some of my favorite orchids. I have never noticed a smell (even when smelling flowers up close and personal) and would assume something is wrong with my nose except I do smell the pleasantly sweet blooms. This week, Hausermann's Holiday Christmas - blooming 3 months early!

Lucy, that is a really famous Orchid and it is absolutely gorgeous! Well done!💕💕💕

Ursula said: Lucy, that is a really famous Orchid and it is absolutely gorgeous! Well done!💕💕💕

I didn't know it was famous but it is one of my favorites. So much so that when I split it a few years ago, I kept both halves.

Typically, large flowering Bulbophyllum are pollinated by large flies and nothing attracts large flies better than the smell of rotting meat.🪰🤢
The small flowered ones are pollinated by gnats and fruit flies and are much less disgusting smelling.
Lucy, the colors on your Hausermann's Holiday Christmas are incredible


Lc. Miss Wonderful is opening up this morning.

Another true favorite, Miss Wonderful!

Home from my visit to the grandkids, and I have a couple of new blooms as well as some still hanging on from before I left, Oct. 3rd.
Last vestige of my wonderful specimen Bl. Renate with a generous bloom. The plant only has about 4 leaves, but it is putting up new growth, so there's still hope for it.

B. Yellow Bird opening a couple of new flowers. I love them at this stage.

My amazing old bargain NOID Den in the deep, dusky purple.

The little NOID Den with lovely graceful flowers and a neat picotee edge, in full bloom.

How lovely to come too, Elaine! I like that!