Tolumnias, used to be called Equitant oncidiums, are true miniatures. Tolumnias are native to the carribean region and usually have flowers not more than 1cm large and looks very much like miniature Oncidiums. Their colour ranges from white to brown, yellow to purple, and thus is also one of the main source of colours of the many Oncidumnia hybrids today. Tolumnias are ideal as tabletop plants due to their small stature and bright colours.

The Tolumnia that we house has a unique characteristic. Their petals changes colours as they mature. Notice that in the pictures, the newly opened petals are yellow, as they mature, the sides of the petals turn orange. Tolumnia with oncidium hybrids also display this characteristic, but differently. It was observed that newly open petals are entirely yellow and gradually turns white as the petal matures in this Oncidumnia hybrid that we grow.

Tolumnias requires high humdity to grow. These plants are suitable for growing in tropical climate, and will do well in high light intensity. Being epiphytic in nature, thus high drainage media like charcoal is recommended. Misting rather than watering would be preferred by these plant, particularly if you intend to keep them indoors. Overwatering may result in leave rot.

Here at TG, we also house a few other varieties of Oncidiums, Tolumnias & their hybrids. Oncidiums has much large, flat, thin and soft leaves, whilst Tolumnias have smaller, succulent, thick and hardy leaves and their hybrids have something in between.

This is the third time that these plants have flowered and this season, there’s one with a magnificent fourteen stalks of flowers, one stalk just withered but with thirteen stalks, it still just as spectacular! =) We’ve been growing these species for more than three years and each time it flowers, the number of flower stalks increases as the plant matures.

We will be making some seedpods and selling some of it this time to locals in Singapore. Do take note that seedpod formation takes a period of 3 – 6 months.

We house a varieties of colours for this vanda in low quantities. From light green, to yellow to brown. This vanda has a thick jasmine fragrance that can get very strong in hot afternoons. Its flowers last for longer periods if placed indoors than outdoors as its fragrance frequently attract pollinating insects/pest.

This hybrid originates from Toh Garden and was registered by Woon Leng Nurs. on the 7th April, 2006 for the Shangri-La Singapore organization. This hybrid produces straight and neat raceme. Very suitable for display purposes.

This hybrid was registered by Yeoh Bok Choon on 1st January, 1966. Aranda Peng-Lee Yeoh has a distinct vanilla fragrant that children frequently recognize this flower to be ‘chocolate orchid’.