maxillaria tenuifolia growing tips - Orchid Board

Mastiff · #1 06-08-2009, 05:30 AM

I've got this new chid in my collection, just arrive with an emerging spike (I'm raring to smell her coconut fragrant flower!). Have you got any particular tip about how to grow her?

Ray · #2 06-08-2009, 06:48 AM

I treat mine just like a cattleya.

cabbo · #3 06-11-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

I treat mine just like a cattleya.

I do too, but give a little more water than my catt's.

jensan · #4 06-12-2009, 07:41 PM

Has anyone grown this in s/h? Do you think it would do okay?

SP2340 · #5 06-12-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jensan

Has anyone grown this in s/h? Do you think it would do okay?

I've heard of several people who grow it in SH. I just put mine in SH about a week ago. I, for some reason, am having difficulty growing this plant. And it bugs me because I hear everyone else saying how theirs is growing like crazy!

cabbo · #6 06-13-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP2340

I've heard of several people who grow it in SH. I just put mine in SH about a week ago. I, for some reason, am having difficulty growing this plant. And it bugs me because I hear everyone else saying how theirs is growing like crazy!

Dont feel bad, mine isn't doing much either. I just repotted to see if that helps. It is frustrating to hear it's an easy plant to grow and not have the same experience. At least I haven't killed it yet.

Donald · #7 06-15-2009, 10:02 AM

I had a slow growing specimen until I came across a post with pics, not sure what site, of someone who was growing theirs in sphagnum moss. The plant was magnificent. I transplanted mine in February and the difference is amazing. It was previously in bark and not allowed to dry out.

Donald · #8 06-15-2009, 10:17 AM

Check out this post from earlier in the year on this site.
Maxillaria tenuifolia

SP2340 · #9 06-15-2009, 12:42 PM

You know, I had mine is sphag in a clay pot and it started growing, but the the pot started getting all this white film on the outside of it. I sprayed it with Physan, a cinnamon/alcohol spray, a fungicide spray and it wouldn't go away. I was scared it would affect the plant so I put it in S/H. Get this, after I moved the plant I soaked that pot in Chlorox, and that white stuff is still there!! I'm wondering if it's the pot, because it's the only on I bought from Lowes, or the fact that I put Sphag in a clay pot, which this is the only plant I've done this to.

Here's a pic:

Matt · #10 06-15-2009, 03:09 PM

a few possibilities with the white coloring on your pot:
1. mineral deposites from hard water
2. fertilizer salts that seep thru the clay and deposit as they dry on the outside of the pot. MORE THAN LIKELY THE CAUSE
or3. efflorescence. this is caused mainly by calcium seeping thru the clay.(maybe from fertilizer or sometimes just the clay itself.) Many cheaply made house bricks will also show this discoloration. as well as brick paving bricks.
hope this helps