My first mounted orchid and first Tolumnia

[nross]

I got this little tolumnia last year from Norma's orchids on eBay. I never had a mounted orchid or a tolumnia. It's very tiny and really cute. I made her a special place in my kitchen window so I would remember to mist her several times a day. I also clamped a light on a shelf near her. She's been doing well and has a little new growth and recently got a flower spike. I'm dying to see the flower when it opens.
I recently added a little moss to the top that I tied on with dental floss. I dont have the mount hanging but inserted the stick into a small pot filled with bark.
I've been reading a little in the threads and see that some people said not to use moss...that's what it's growing on. If not moss, what? I live in Brooklyn, NY .... not a little of humidity here, esp. in Winter. I spray it a lot. I wondered if I should be doing more and when I should put it on a new or bigger mount.
I don't want to lose her. Will attach some photos.The first one is earlier..the second two were this week.

[Filb]

I think that if the plant is doing well for you and doesn't start to decline with the moss addition, don't worry about it AND don't change your routine.

You just have to be careful to monitor its moisture since the moss will hold water longer.

[koshki]

That is really cute! I've got moss on some of my mounts as well. I just run them under the water faucet once a day (I skip the misting). I'll bet my humidity is about the same as yours. But as Rachel said, since you've added the moss, be careful not to overwater it.

As an alternative to sphag I've also used coco fiber, but that's been mostly with mounts that have thicker, tougher roots than what I see in yours, so I would have chosen the sphag too.

I can't wait to see your photos of the bloom! The plant looks a little like a neo or an angraecum leonis.

[katrina]

I agree w/filb...if the plant is doing fine then I wouldn't worry about it.

I initially had my Tolus mounted and could NOT keep them from being dehydrated so I put them in net baskets w/cork chips (which everyone said would kill them) and they took off. LOTS of new growth and roots. I think the key to it is making sure they aren't wet when they go to "bed". Especially near the crown areas.

I'm growing them like gangbusters...now if I could just get mine to flower.

When I've had to remove something from a mount that has attached itself really well...I try to time it w/new root development. I'll soak it for a few hours and then try to work the roots loose w/out doing too much damage. At least I try...sometimes you end up w/ripped roots though. After that, it's just putting it on the new mount.

Also, when I mount a plant I do my best to mount it on something large enough to hold the mature plant. I prefer...if possible...to not remove them unless I absolutely have to.

Congrats on the spikes!!

[orchids4me]

I agree with everyone above me here. If it works and its happy don't change anything just keep up what your doing. I did see you said it already had some moss and you added some more, like they mentioned just watch how wet it gets and keep the crown/top dry at night when temps drop.
It looks good! And congrats on the spike there!! can't wait to see this one in bloom
Emmaye