Tolumnia aka Hispaniella henekenii

Unique and rarely available we havent had these available for nearly 30 years. the flowers mimic native bees nearly exactly.

This Tolumnia enjoys good airflow and warm temperatures. It is native to Haiti and the Dominican Republic at elevations up to 500 feet, with average humidity around 50%. It is primarily found in dry, desert-like conditions, growing on small branches of trees or cacti.

It features compact, V-shaped leaves and does well on slabs (when grown in high humidity with frequent watering) or in small unglazed clay pots with charcoal or New Zealand sphagnum moss.

What makes this plant truly extraordinary are its deep burgundy, hairy flowers bordered in yellow, which remarkably resemble a female bee, complete with wing- and head-like details. The flower spike continuously extends, producing up to 15 blooms over several months. Flowers typically appear in spring but may also occur in fall.

Care Tips:

Water: Every 2–3 days; adjust based on humidity to prevent leaf shrivel. These must dry completely at the roots between watering. If potted in moss and clay pots, this is critical.

Mounting: Best grown on slabs (mist lightly daily) or in unglazed clay pots.

Fertilizer: Once every 1–2 weeks.

Flowering: Do not cut the spike until it turns papery tan, as blooms will continue to emerge successively until the spike is spent.

These are mature, flowering-size miniature plants with a 6 cm leaf span.