Large Maxillaria tenuifolia - Orchid Board

Rosim_in_BR · #1 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 12:00 PM

Here's my tenuifolia flowering again! The flowers smell so good that you want to eat them!

cb977 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 12:17 PM

WOW! It must smell yummy at your place, Mauro!

Rosim_in_BR · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb977

WOW! It must smell yummy at your place, Mauro!

You bet, Susanne!

RosieC · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 04:58 PM

It looks gorgeous, wish I could smell it as well!

stefpix · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 06:14 PM

great! i have a small division of 4 PB. how do you grow it so succesfully?
any tips?
thanks
stefano

Jeff9 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:12 PM

I think these guys really take off if you plant them in sphag.

If your hesitant about putting them in full sphag put them in epiweb blocks and wrap some sphag around the top.

stefpix · #7 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:22 PM

In sphag like a Masdevallia? do they have to be always kind of moist never dry out? and light?

now i have it in bark mix and i either keep it on southern window but as days are getting shorter I may move it on a shelf a few inches from shop lights+CFL

stefano

Jeff9 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:27 PM

I used to have mine in bark and it totally died off.
I cut off three backbulbs which are now in sphag hoping for them to sprout in a few months.

Whats rest of the plant is a small 4 bulb tiny plant and the newest bulbs are dwarf like small almost as if i took it right out of a flask.
Its roots are completely gone, so i put it in a really small seedling pot with tightly packed sphag and it started growing some new roots.

I don't know if it will ever recover but if it does it will take a few years before it blooms.

All i can say is i prefer potting my plants in Epiweb/lavarock/leca/limestone/pebbles basically anything that doesnt degrade and i use sphag for some plants aswell, mainly for backbulbs and plants that like to stay moist.
I barely ever use bark, if i do use it i use large chunky pieces in a transparent pot to allow good air flow and it seems to work well.

Max. Tenuifolia seems to do well for me in sphag.

stefpix · #9 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:47 PM

yeah I am using LECA as well converting most stuff to SH or anyway use LECA mixed with a little bark.

All seems OK except a Den formosum that was thriving and after a few weeks in LECA no new roots and yellowing leaves. put it back in bark and now I hope for the best.

I have Sphagnum and I would repot the Max in it if it is better. since i got t seems ok but no new growth...
wonder if it has to be moist all the time.

Jeff9 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:50 PM

I dont really use s/h that much really, i was really excited about it a while back but i stepped back as i enjoy more traditional ways of growing more.

I do have a few plants in S/H including a max. i got for free a while back to try out.

I mainly use leca to keep humity up around and under pots