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Tolumnia were at one time classified as an Oncidium, more commonly referred to as "equitant Oncidiums". These wonderful plants carry foliage which seldom exceeds 6 to 8 inches in height, and a 4-inch pot can house a beautiful "specimen" plant. The leaves are arranged in pairs overlapping or straddling one another at the base, which is how the popular term "equitant" (derived from the Latin meaning riding a horse) came into being. Most of the species produce growths at short intervals along the rhizomes, resulting in a compact, clumping growth habit. There are however a few which produce elongated rhizomes that create rambling tangle of growths. Flowers are produced primarily in the spring on 12- to 18-inch inflorescences that are often branched on older plants. Some types have much shorter, bouquet-like displays.

Compared to the more mainstream genera such as Dendrobiums and Phalaenopsis, the breeding of Tolumnias has not been very active in comparison with only a recent uptick taking place in the last 10-15 years. It takes approximately 2 1/2 years from pollination to the plant reaching maturity and being able to bloom. This relatively short period of time has enabled breeders around the world 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. 

As with all orchids, to successfully grow Tolumnias, one must first understand their natural habitat. Most of the species are endemic to the Caribbean Basin in intermediate to warm conditions growing on twigs where they are exposed to bright light and excellent air movement. Moisture is provided by high humidity and by daily rain showers or heavy dews. Due to constant air movement by the trade winds, plants never remain wet for long, and this is a key component to their culture, lots of water, but they must never sit wet for more than a few hours.

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