April 8, 2024 – Greg Griffis / Longwood Gardens – The Genus Tolumnia: Small Wonders of the Caribbean

Joining us for April will be Greg Griffis, orchid grower at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Greg was grower and manager of Parkside Orchid Nursery, and has also worked for Hilo Orchid Farm fin Hawaii, spending a large amount of time working with Paphiopedilum, as well as Intergeneric Oncidiinae, and Miltoniopsis. He arrived at Longwood Gardens in 2015.

At Longwood, Greg has helped to develop a collection of terrestrial orchids from across the globe, and has initiated a number of breeding programs. Among these are breeding lines in the Habenariinae, Cattleya Alliance, Intergeneric Oncidiinae, Paphiopedilum, Masdevallia, Disa, and more. He continues to work on improving and expanding the collection, as well as networking with growers and hybridizers across the country.

According to the American Orchid Society, “the group of orchids now called Tolumnia were at one time called Oncidium section Variegata or commonly referred to as “equitant oncidiums”. The foliage seldom exceeds 6 to 8 inches in height, and a 4-inch pot can house a “specimen” plant.

Compared with most mainstream genera, the Tolumnias have been hybridized for a relatively short time — about 50 or so years. The short time it takes to reach flowering size (approximately 2 1/2 years from pollination to bloom) has enabled breeders to make significant advances in just a few years. Today’s hybrids offer an astounding array of colors and patterns not seen in the species. Their petite size and ability to adapt to a fairly wide range of conditions make them suitable for growing spaces under lights or on windowsills.”

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., at our usual meeting place, the Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester. The Show Table will be back, so don’t forget your blooming orchids. We’ll see you there!

Rodrumnia The Hollow’s Promise ‘Caversham’ (AM/AOS) - Photo ©Cyril Kastner

Rodrumnia The Hollow’s Promise ‘Caversham’ (AM/AOS) – ©Cyril Kastner

Map to the Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester