Agri Biz
Care for Tolumnia Orchids
Miniature orchids of the Tolumnia species, commonly referred to as Equitant Oncidiums, are native to the Caribbean and Central America. These little plants are highly appreciated by orchid fans for their stunning, colorful, and long-lasting flowers in a variety of hues, including yellow, orange, red, and purple. Here are some crucial maintenance instructions to make sure your Tolumnia orchids thrive:
Light
Because these orchids prefer bright, filtered light, it’s ideal to put them close to an east or west window that receives several hours of direct sunlight each day. However, it’s essential to keep them out of direct sunlight because it can burn the leaves.
Water
Tolumnia orchids prefer a continuous damp environment that is not soggy. It’s advised to water them once or twice a week, depending on the humidity conditions in your home. The potting mix must be allowed to gradually dry out between waterings; however, avoid letting it dry out completely.
Humidity
High humidity is ideal for tolumnia orchids, with a suggested range of 60 to 70%. If the air in your home is dry, you might want to use a humidifier or put a tray of water close to the plant to increase the humidity.
Growing Medium
These orchids require a potting soil that drains well and holds moisture without becoming soggy. For these orchids, a combination of bark, sphagnum moss, and perlite works well.
Fertilizer
Your Tolumnia orchids require frequent fertilization with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer that has been diluted to half strength. Feed them every two weeks when they are growing and once a month when they are dormant.
Repotting
Every two to three years, or as soon as the potting soil has deteriorated and become compacted, repot your Tolumnia orchids. Select a pot that is marginally larger than the one you previously used, and use a potting mix that drains well.
Air Circulation
Tolumnia orchids need sufficient air circulation to keep healthy and stop the growth of fungus. Place them in a room with good ventilation in your house.
Pruning
To promote new growth and additional blooms, trim the flower spikes back to the plant’s base after the plant has completed blooming.
Propagation
orchids can be multiplied by means of keikis, or baby plants, which develop at the parent plant’s base. The keikis can be gently removed and potted up in their own containers after they have grown roots.
Pests and Diseases
Tolumnia orchids are typically resistant to pests and diseases, however if kept in very moist or humid environments, they may become prone to fungus infections. Making ensuring the potting mix is well-drained and avoiding overwatering will help to lower the danger of fungal diseases.
In conclusion, Tolumnia orchids require minimal maintenance and can provide a magnificent display of blossoms for many years. You’ll be able to enjoy an abundance of lovely blossoms by giving them bright, filtered light, a well-draining potting mix, high humidity, regular fertilizer, and good air circulation. To determine which growing circumstances are best for your plants, don’t be afraid to experiment. If you need assistance, you can also ask other orchid aficionados or gardening professionals for advice. Your Tolumn will last as long as you take good care of it.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked all concerned to find a way out to ensure sustainable export growth and explore new global markets for Bangladeshi goods in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Prime Minister made the call while speaking at the 11th meeting of the National Committee on Export, at her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Monday (20 March).
PM said, “Steps will have to be taken to achieve sustainable export growth after analysing situation steamed from the global economic recession due to the war in Ukraine,” she told the 11th meeting regarding export at her official Ganabhaban residence here.
The prime minister also urged all concerned to diversify the export items and explore new markets for those alongside revitalising the local markets.
“A new scope has been created globally to explore new markets for Bangladeshi items due to enhanced demands for goods because of the war in Ukraine. We have to grasp the markets,” she added.
The premier also called for formulating a new export policy for another 4 or 5 years by revising, changing and improving the existing one going to expire by 2024.
She said the new export policy should be adopted by analyzing the ongoing global economic recession, sanctions, counter-sanctions for the war and the challenges and scopes possibly to be created in Bangladesh after the graduation from the LDC by 2026.
Presently, the consumers will have to spend more money than usual in case of purchasing dates and other fruits—two essential items in iftar during Ramadan, due to importers’ difficulty in opening letters of credit (LCs) on time.
Price hike is a most common phenomenon ahead of the month of Ramadan in Bangladesh, and this year even more due to the LC opening crisis.
Already, the price of dates has doubled in the wholesale and retail markets and it will be more expensive ahead of Ramadan, said some businessmen.
The price of all types of dates has hiked in the local markets ranging from Tk 40 to Tk 160 per kg while different fruits range from Tk 30 to Tk 100 per kg.
Some traders said the prices of these essential iftar items will increase further during the month of Ramadan as they are facing difficulties in opening LCs which will push up the prices of dates and fruits.
According to the sources at Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price of dates increased by 20 percent compared to the last year.
Milton, a shop owner in the Baridhara area, said “The price of dates went more expensive in the past month ahead of Ramadan and I was able to purchase a limited amount of dates due to the soaring price of it.
He also feared that the price of dates would be soared further in the month of Ramadan.
Habibur Rahman, a fruit trader said the price of every fruit has increased.
Whatsoever, ajwa variety of dates is being sold at Tk 750-800 which was available at Tk 600-700 last year. Mariam variety of dates is being sold at Tk 800-850 while the premium variety of dates is being sold at Tk 1000-1200 per kg.
According to the statistics of Bangladesh Bank, the import of dates has fallen by almost half compared to the demands of it but during Ramadan the demand for dates is about 50,000 tonnes.
In the past three months, only 22,000 tonnes of dates were imported which is 46 percent less than the last year. However, the authorities concerned related to import dates have opened LC of 29,000 tonnes dates in January, said sources at Bangladesh Bank.
Sirajul Islam, president of Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association, said the demand for dates increases three to four times during the month of Ramadan. Besides, there is a demand of 50,000-70,000 dates in the country in a year while 40,000-50,000 is needed in Ramadan alone, he said.
Referring to the opening of LC, Sirajul said “This year the traders faced difficulties in opening LCs in time as they had to open it by paying 100% cash margin while it was 5 percent. The small traders are the worst sufferers in opening LCs.”
The dates are being imported from the Middle East and Africa and dates were being stocked five-six months before the Ramadan, he added.
He also said that the price of dates may increase 30 percent in Ramadan due to the dollar crisis and transport cost caused by the fuel price hike.
If the government will take steps in unloading dates in ports on a priority basis, then there will be no instability in the market, said Sirajul.
Contacted, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, said “We’ll take necessary steps so that the consumers can purchase dates, the most essential items in iftar, at a tolerable price.”
He also assured of keeping monitoring the market to prevent volatile price hikes of dates.
Issuing a warning, the minister also said strict action will be taken against those involved in increasing the price of dates after creating an artificial crisis.
The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has taken an initiative to sell 6 essential items to some 1 crore low-income groups of families ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.
TCB will start selling 3 essential items – edible oil, sugar, dates and chickpeas and lentils—among such families from Thursday (March 9). These essential items will be sold in two phases. In the first phase selling of the items will start from Thursday across the nation.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi will inaugurate the sales of essential items formally through a function at Tejgaon in the capital on Thursday.
The cardholders can buy the six goods at subsidized rates from the TCB’s specific sales points and dealers’ outlets. Any cardholder can buy 2 litres of soybean oil, 2 kg lentil, sugar, chickpea and 1 kg date at a time. All the specific card holders can buy sugar at Tk 60/per kg, date at Tk 100, lentils at Tk 70, chickpeas at Tk 50 and soybean oil at Tk 110 per liter.
