TALK DESCRIPTION: The genus Tolumnia, a captivating group of orchids, enchants enthusiasts with its vibrant colors and unique growth habits. Native to the Americas, particularly the Caribbean and parts of South America, Tolumnia orchids are known for their small size, intricate flowers, and remarkable adaptability. Tolumnias are epiphytic orchids, often found clinging to trees in their natural habitats. Their compact size and vivid blooms make them popular choices for orchid enthusiasts with limited space. The genus includes around 50 species, each displaying a distinctive charm. Tolumnia variegata, for instance, showcases a delightful mix of colors in its petite flowers, while Tolumnia henekenii captivates with its bumble bee appearance. Despite their ornamental appeal, several Tolumnia species face threats due to habitat destruction and illegal collection. Conservation efforts aim to safeguard these orchids and their natural environments, emphasizing the importance of preserving the biodiversity within the Tolumnia genus. As orchid enthusiasts continue to explore and appreciate the beauty of Tolumnia orchids, their conservation becomes integral to ensuring the enduring splendor of this distinctive genus. As many Tolumnias come from the Caribbean, Manny has taken many trips for conservation efforts to his native Dominican Republic to photograph and promote protection of these small but beautiful orchids. This talk delves into the genus and the outstanding hybrids produced.
BIO: Manuel Aybar works in the Technology Industry. He is originally from the Dominican Republic (A grower’s paradise, as he describes it). He has been growing orchids for approximately 26 years. The genus that got him started was Dendrobium in which he specializes (phalaenopsis-type). Member of the American Orchid Society since 1997 and the Greater North Texas Orchid Society since 2000. Manuel Aybar is an Accredited Judge of the American Orchid Society Judging program, and serves currently as a Chair for the AOS Dallas Judging Center. His current research includes the orchids of the Dominican Republic, for which he has gone in numerous orchid collecting trips back to his home country.
He has been extensively involved in the judging of many shows around the US, including the Miami International Orchid Show and most of the southwest region (SWROGA) shows (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Greater North Texas, Fort Worth, Oklahoma, and Arkansas). He has also served as an international judge for Orchid Shows in Taiwan (TOGA 2010,2011,2013,2015,2016), Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia, as well as the World Orchid Conference in Miami (2008), Singapore (2011), South Africa (2014), Ecuador (Judging Chair-2017) He is affiliated with the Southwest Regional Orchid Growers Association (SWROGA), and within this association he belongs to the publications committee and serves as the Webmaster for the organization’s web site. He has given several Orchid Seminars and Potting classes at Smith and Hawkins, North Haven Gardens, and other popular gardening stores. He offered a series of orchid workshopsfor Range Rover, US as a part of the Land Rover Destination Tour. He is a regular lecturer for the local orchid societies and visiting speaker for societies around the country.