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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Dendrobium gracilicaule Dendrobium gracilicaule
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Viola striata Viola striata
Tolumnia has some common insect problems:
Greenhouse Thrips
Boisduval Scale
Hemispherical Scale
Tolumnia has some other problems:
False Spider Mites

Dancing Lady Orchid Tolumnia

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Braasiella
  • Hispaniella
  • Jamaiciella
Phonetic Spelling
toh-LUM-nee-a
Description

Tolumnia is a genus of 27 species of tropical, epiphytic herbaceous perennials in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). They are native to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and islands in the Caribbean. One species, Tolumnia bahamensis, has a foothold in the US, in Florida. The genus name is probably derived from Tolumnius, a character mentioned by Virgil.

In nature, these miniature plants are twig epiphytes, growing in exposed conditions on the twigs of shrubs and trees. Mimic these conditions by mounting the plants on small bark mounts or growing them in restrictive, small, terracotta pots. Dancing lady orchids need bright light (a south-facing window is ideal), warm temperatures and regular watering throughout the year. The roots of dancing lady orchids need frequent watering, but they must dry out quickly. They should not be allowed to stay dry for too long, as they need rapid wet/dry cycles. 

These species were formerly included in the genus Oncidium as the “equitant oncidiums.” The term equitant refers to the way the fan of sheathing leaves “ride” one another (like an equestrian straddling a horse). Many irises have a similar growth form. The plants have a fan of leaves and produce new plants as offshoots on short rhizomes. The inflorescences arise in the axils of the leaves. They produce sprays of elaborately marked and patterned flowers. The dorsal sepal and petals are free and narrow. The lip is very large and semicircular, obscuring the lateral sepals. The lip is like the skirt of a dress and the callus on the lip is like a bodice. Consequently, these orchids (and many Oncidium species) are called dancing lady orchids. Flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, red, or white, with contrasting markings.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Dancing lady orchids are susceptible to the usual pests of houseplants and greenhouse plants, including mealybugs, scale insects and thrips. Roots can rot if the growing medium does not dry out rapidly. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#epiphytic#spring flowers#dappled shade#specialized bees#orchid#partial shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#epiphytic#spring flowers#dappled shade#specialized bees#orchid#partial shade tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tolumnia
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico, C. America, northern S. America, Caribbean, Florida
    Distribution:
    cultivated worldwide
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers are pollinated by Centris errans bees.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/2 inch flowers in Spring. Up to 50 flowers per raceme. Lower lip is flared (like a skirt) and variously colored, banded and spotted. In nature the flowers are pollinated by specialized, oil-collecting bees.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are simple, alternate, have serrated margins with 4-8 leathery leaves in a fan shape. They are lanceolate with acute tips.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Humidity