Maxillaria Tenuifolia growth/bloom timeframe - Orchid Board

OrchidNewB · #1 02-08-2009, 01:45 AM

Hey everyone. Wondering if someone could enlighten me on the typical time of year to expect my max ten to grow new pb's and bloom. It was in bloom when I bought it last year, but don't remember when I got it. Duh.

When purchased it had 9 pbs, maybe 5 flowers which didn't last too long. Is currently making new pbs atop almost every old pb (15 pbs now I think). Do flowers come right after pbs? It blooms from just above each pb right? One flower per pb?

I read in another post that this plant is easy to keep alive, not so easy to bloom... true? If so, why?

Sandy4453 · #2 02-08-2009, 07:18 AM

Not sure exactly when to expect blooms but throughout last summer, these were in every store here, in Fla., most of them, blooming.

TikiGeorge · #3 02-08-2009, 10:04 PM

Mine usually starts blooming in March and will continue on for another 3 months or so with another little burst in summer. Just give it your brightest spot and keep it moist enought to prevent the p'bulbs from shrinking and it will bloom reliably for you too!

SP2340 · #4 02-08-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TikiGeorge

keep it moist enought to prevent the p'bulbs from shrinking and it will bloom reliably for you too!

Is it best to grow it in Moss?

TikiGeorge · #5 02-08-2009, 10:52 PM

I grow mine in sphagnum moss.

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #6 02-08-2009, 10:56 PM

I think I need to put mine in sphag. It has been drying out too fast.

I have a maxillaria with about the same number of pseudo bulbs as yours OrchidNewB. I just got it a month ago, so I'm also curious about bloom times and growing requirements etc. I'm new to maxillarias.

Becca · #7 02-08-2009, 11:31 PM

I am new to these as well and I got mine from Jerry (Leisurely). It came potted in tree fern fiber and upon Jerry's recommendation I put a layer of spag moss around it. I water it once a week by letting it soak in a container of water but the moss stays moist throughout the week from my misting system. I give it high light and it seems to be growing like a weed. Hopefully it will bloom for me someday!

OrchidNewB · #8 02-08-2009, 11:43 PM

Thanks for all the tips! I just recently moved mine out of its original bark mix to S/H. It put out quite a flourish of new growth after the move. I had a little trouble initially with what looked like rot on one or two pbs, but it's looking good now. Pbs are definitely staying plumped up better in S/H. We'll see...

I can't grow anything in sphag moss. I have proven to be a serial killer of orchids in sphag with a definite tendency toward overwatering. Poor babies!

PleuroPal · #9 03-09-2009, 11:53 AM

I had mine for years in a bright sunny window and it seemed very happy, just growing and growing, but no flowers. Last summer I hung it outside the exact same window and it flowered almost immediately. I think the temperature variance between day and night is what did the trick. Good luck. BTW, mine is in a basket with green tree moss, which is how it arrived from Andy's. I just make sure it doesn't get too dry. One other thing: I understand good water quality is very important with this one.

nynighthawk · #10 03-12-2009, 08:22 AM

Thanks for all the good tips on this thread.

I also bought a max. ten. last fall. It was in flower, which didn't last too long. It's putting up a few new pseudobulbs and is looking happy, but I wasn't sure when I might new flowers or how to make it extra happy.

It came in a bark mix, which looks kind of broken-down. So, based on this chat, I'm thinking I might want to repot in sphagnum and give it more light than it's getting now.

Good luck to everyone on trying to get these babies to flower! :-)