Trader Joe's find - Maxillaria Tenuifolia

[mtorchid]

The "sweetened coconut" fragrance, to my nose, is wonderful and not overpowering.

It's my understanding that keeping the roots moist but well drained is important so mine is in LECA pellets only, in a 8" plastic pot, west window exposure. It grows like a weed!

If my ambient growing conditions were more humid, it would be tempting to mount it. The LECA pellets provide a humid environment but give plenty of air for the roots. Also, I'm sold on the fact that with LECA, done correctly, I never have to disturb the roots by re-potting. I don't (intentionally ;-) give it a dry rest.

[Jackie26085]

I found one too at my Trader Joe! Although I love coconut, I just don't dig for this orchid's fragrance somehow. Also, their roots are not as interesting as catts', vadas', or even phalaneopsis.

[SydneyH]

Congrats on the find!

I got one on discount at Lowes several years ago. It blooms every year for me. From my experience, it likes lots of water and light. In the summer it sits on a porch that gets morning light. In the winter it is near windows facing south and west. I probably don't water it as much in the winter but I don't plan it that way. Mine is potted in a bark and sphagnum mixture. It came packed tightly in sphagnum but it didn't seem to hurt its roots at all. It's been easy to take care of.

Sydney

[Stripeyiscool]

Congrats on your find! I recently got a max tenuifolia from them too and have been seeing more.maybe they are having a overstock of them at the warehouse... Happy growing

[astrid]

Originally Posted by Stripeyiscool

Congrats on your find! I recently got a max tenuifolia from them too and have been seeing more.maybe they are having a overstock of them at the warehouse... Happy growing

I think it's more to do with the time of year. They release dens in winter time, and dendrobium kingianums specifically come out in jan/feb/march because of their blooming season.

That said, I have seen a few more at the TJ's, and they had broken flowers just like mine! I didn't get to smell it!

[Stripeyiscool]

Originally Posted by astrid

Same with my TJ's, but sometimes you find a winner there. I got my den kingianum and nobile from there. I also have gotten a paph there <3

Yes! Everytime I go to trader joes I always check the orchids first. Some of my greatest finds was an encyclia cordigera v rosea and some NOID green and white bulldog Paph. I have also gotten my nobiles and a den kingianium hybrid I think?
Anyways, tj has great deals and it's always fun to discover something cool!

[jwpotter]

Great info, thanks!!! I have two Max Tenuifolia. At one of our meetings recently, a man who spoke mentioned really bright light, even to the point of burning the leaves. However, I thought he said to let it dry between watering, which I have been doing, however, the bulbs have really withered. I will start giving it daily doses of water. As I have 2, I think I will try mounting one. Have to look further to find out the best way to accomplish this.