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🌸 Tolumnia 'Purple Speckles' Care Sheet (Closed Terrarium Setup)

A dazzling miniature orchid with butterfly-like blooms and bold purple speckling—perfect for bright, airy terrarium displays.

🔍 Quick Info

  • Type: Miniature epiphytic orchid (Oncidiinae)

  • Size: 5–12 cm tall

  • Flowers: Purple or magenta with speckles or blotches; blooms on wiry, upright spikes

  • Bloom Season: Spring and summer (can bloom more than once/year)

  • Growth Habit: Fan-shaped, with thin roots and pseudobulbs

🌡️ Temperature & Humidity

  • Day Temp: 22–30°C

  • Night Temp: 16–20°C

  • Humidity: 60–80%

    • ✅ Suitable for closed terrariums only if airflow is present

    • 💨 Tolumnias require a drying period—airflow is non-negotiable

💡 Light

  • Requirement: Bright, filtered or indirect light

  • Natural Light: East- or north-facing window

  • Artificial: LED grow light (10–14 hours/day)

  • ⚠️ Needs more light than most terrarium orchids—lean toward brighter setups

💧 Watering

  • Method: Soak roots, then allow to fully dry

  • Frequency: 2–3× per week during warm months, 1–2× during cooler periods

  • ✅ Follow a wet-dry cycle

  • ❌ Never allow roots to stay wet—very rot-prone

🌱 Potting & Mounting

  • Best Method: Mounted on cork or driftwood with minimal moss

  • Optional: Small mesh basket with coarse bark or LECA

  • ✅ Needs excellent drainage and airflow around roots

  • ❌ Avoid fine media or compact pots

🌬️ Air Circulation

  • Critical for survival

  • Add a mini USB fan or open the terrarium lid 2–3× per week

  • Prevents root rot, fungal spots, and encourages blooming

🌿 Feeding

  • Fertilizer: Diluted orchid feed (1/4 strength)

  • Schedule: Once a week during growth

  • Flush: Once a month with pure water to remove salts

⚠️ Terrarium Tips

  • Do not treat like moss-dwelling orchids—Tolumnias are closer to mounted cacti in their watering needs

  • Position close to the light source in the terrarium

  • Avoid overcrowding or stagnant conditions

  • Remove dry or dead growths to encourage fresh fans

Best For

  • Bright terrariums with controlled humidity and airflow

  • Growers who enjoy hands-on watering routines

  • Orchid collectors looking for bold, speckled mini blooms

Tolumnia Purple speckles (8) on Bark

R245.00Price
Quantity
Only 8 left in stock
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    All pictures are just for demonstrative purposes.

    For instore pick up please read  T&C

    © 2019 by Aquatic Plants SA.

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