I got the wonderful chance today of going to a garden show and was able to get myself a new orchid Unfortunately the man who usually runs the booth couldn't be there so another fellow was taking care of it, but he had his orchid names mixed up so I'm not sure who this is I was told its a mini, the leaves are only a few inches tall and very thick and stiff. I'm in love with it whoever it turns out to be!

It looks like a Tolumnia.

He also had the most gorgeous Odontoglossums there for only $45, 6" pot and loaded with spikes...I would have gotten one put I ended up getting a great deal on a 3 tier lightstand.....which will of course provide room for more orchids!

this ones a bit blurry. I can't bring myself to use flash on it.

Thanks Ursula!!! You're so quick with your replies!

Heres a close up of the leaves

Tolumnia and sometimes called Oncidium.

Thanks Kathy, don't you just love the colour? I should have taken a pick of his Odontoglossums, they must have had 6 spikes on each one! My knees got weak when I saw them

There's always mail order......

Ondcdm. Sunlight "Pacific Punch", a gift in need of a re-potting. I hope I can save this one.

Albert, I have never seen an Oncidium with those colours, its beautiful!!!


I'm probably going to place an order with Paramount once the weather warms up a bit...........need to go see if they have 'Pacific Punch'..........

Ondcdm. Sunlight "Pacific Punch"
Before repotting, Sphag. removed.



I repotted useing materials for full drainage. After applying root hormone, I keep my fingers crossed for the new growth.

Looks really good now!! Fingers xed here too!

Looks great Albert!

I picked up a mini phal on sale a while back and just checked the roots since they are in sphag and they are a firm but a bit mushy.......got to get some more bark so I can repot it.
Also the Tolumnia is in sphag too, should I wait till its done blooming to repot and what should it be potted into? I'd hate for it to rot, its just gorgeous!

How often do you water?

What's the humidity level in your growing area ? That should be a factor, how fast is the water going to evaporate?
If it's a high humidity level, I would remove the top layer of moss, exposing the roots for air. Check to see how moist the medium is, condition of and any signs of black roots or fungus.
Ideally,is to leave the inflorescence and enjoy the bloom. Hope this helps

I sometimes lose flowers repotting, but in my conditions and watering schedule I would lose the plant if I didn't repot out of sphagnum immediately. That's why we are asking questions. No pat answers in the orchid growing world. Lots of greys!

Sorry for not getting back sooner! I usually water my orchids about once a week since the growing area is on the cooler side. I mist several times a day though to help keep humidity up. Its been almost a week since I got it and just watered today for the first time, just a tiny bit to keep the moss moist. I'll remove the top layer of moss and see whats underneath!

I water everyday, the humudity is getting very high as is the ambient air Temp. To avoid fungus (Big Prob. Here) I have planted all my specimens in non water absorbant materials. 2 Hrs. after watering, the fans go on. Watering lasts for about 2 Hrs.

Today was watering and fertilizing day here, they get fert the beginning of every other week. Its amazing how adaptable orchids are to all these different conditions!