Maxillaria rodrigueziana

[WaterWitchin]

I've had two different tenuifolia. Note the word "had." I think I'll give it a go. My problem isn't being able to water enough (probably do SH) but in the past I was never disciplined enough to bring inside when temps got into high eighties, nineties, 100. They really don't like that. I have a few other genus now that I bring into air conditioning in the summer. A slow learner here on tolerating heat. Plus I set an alarm on my calendar.

---------- Post added at 09:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:09 AM ----------

PS In summer I had always figured the really high humidity would be better than the high heat. I pushed the envelope too far.

[Jeff214]

I think it is the temperature/humidity as well. In Atlanta, I had the AC on all the time and humidity was constantly high. In San Diego, I only turn it on if it goes above 85. It's so dry and windy here that the temperature swings rarely bother me. M. tenuifolia probably disagrees with that. Since transplanting myself to San Diego, most of my 'easy' Odonts, Oncidium, miltoniopsis hybrids have perished... probably also liked the AC.

I've switched between tap and RO water and it hasnt made a difference either.

So I've put my rodrigueziana in a cool part of my home, on the floor with tile, hoping that it might be better than a windowsill... so far so good.

[WaterWitchin]

Good to know Jeff. Yeah. Same problem with Ondonts now, and some oncidium. Changed my grow space from basement in winter, deck in summer a couple years back. Now on a back inside sunroom (sleeping porch) upstairs where it's MUCH hotter in summer. Really set back some nice Bellearas big time. Took me a whole year to figure it out. Wasn't paying close enough attention to the changes.

The change took place because we couldn't carry them in and out anymore and up/down a flight of stairs. I don't mind heating the space in the winter, since it's an old two-story house and heat rises anyway. Trying to AC that space in summer would be killer on the electric bill. I've spent this winter trying to figure out an easy way to have an upstairs inside space that could still be easily watered without hassle. Ch ch ch Change. Ugh.

[Jeff214]

I forgot about my Bellearas. They went down very quickly here too. Ahh... it's coming back to me haha...

The homes in SD aren't built for insulation and the AC/Heater bills have been crazy here (not even getting into the rate hikes here in San Diego!). I've sort of given up on cool growing onc hybrids here. I just open all the windows in the home and submit to the elements here (which is fine for humans).

I'm sure you've tried it, but having two window fans on opposite sides of the room (inlet and outlet) can help cool down a room a bit. Whether that actually brings down the temps enough and justifies the added electric cost, I dont know.

It just reminds me of growing up in Cleveland, OH where most homes and schools lacked AC (how could that be?). Schools would close if the highs were in the 90s. we'd have enormous window fans everywhere to help with air flow. I recall that sort of helped...

[DirtyCoconuts]

i think you guys are talking about a different max tenuifolia....i have that plant (in SH) growing in full florida sun and never move it.

i treat all the other maxilaria i have as shady wet plants but not senor coconut!

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

i think you guys are talking about a different max tenuifolia....i have that plant (in SH) growing in full florida sun and never move it.

i treat all the other maxilaria i have as shady wet plants but not senor coconut!

It grew like a weed in GA. It just stopped growing in SD. I bought another tenuifolia and it's just in stasis. I grow it in sphagnum moss, constantly moist. I had it growing amongst the cattleyas.

---------- Post added 02-23-2022 at 12:05 AM ---------- Previous post was 02-22-2022 at 11:59 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Dimples

San Diego is touted as an ideal growing climate (it is), but it does require some adjustments compared to growing in other parts of the US. The sun is much more intense because of the drier atmosphere. Most of SD is more like Arizona but with lower temps and higher humidity at night. We are a coastal desert, after all!

Lovely plant, btw.

Jeff, where about are you?

Thanks! Yes, I've noticed that the summer sun is quite intense. I mostly move my plants around the summer to avoid direct sun.

I'm in Rancho Penasquitos. you?

---------- Post added at 12:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:05 AM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

I don't have much trouble with supposedly cool ancestry Oncidium hybrids in my sunroom in summer. I have an evap cooler running all the time, and humidity is almost always over 60%. Temperatures rarely exceed 85 F / 29C.

I have been able to grow a few Maxillarias and Pleurothallids for a while, but they die when I'm not able to water them often enough due to working.

Jeff, how far inland are you? The other side of the coastal hills? Maybe your issue is humidity and not temperature.

WW, have you considered trying RJSquirrel's moss potting method for Maxillarias? Look for his post in this thread:
Growing masdies/draculas in glass bowls?

I live near the top of hill, where I get both coastal and inland weather. i.e. morning fog and desert sun by afternoon. humidity varies accordingly.

I grow the tenuifolia indoors where humidity is generally 50-60%. The only things that have perished are Onc hybrids (not sphacelatum) and sophronitis.

[Dimples]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

I'm in Rancho Penasquitos. you?

I'm in Fallbrook, also at the top of the hill, so we catch the breeze. So long as the temps are under 85F and there's a good breeze, we can also open the windows and avoid using the AC. Folks lower on the hill or the east side of the mountain aren't so lucky. Once temps start pushing 90F, there's no amount of breeze that can keep indoor spaces feeling comfortable.

Do you see temps near or over 100F, or does your part of RP have enough coastal influence to moderate temps?

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by Dimples

I'm in Fallbrook, also at the top of the hill, so we catch the breeze. So long as the temps are under 85F and there's a good breeze, we can also open the windows and avoid using the AC. Folks lower on the hill or the east side of the mountain aren't so lucky. Once temps start pushing 90F, there's no amount of breeze that can keep indoor spaces feeling comfortable.

Do you see temps near or over 100F, or does your part of RP have enough coastal influence to moderate temps?

I haven't been up to Fallbrook but it sounds like it's cooler in RP. It's generally in the low 80s during the summer but it has gone up past 100 a few days. but I think it's near freezing tonight...!

[Dimples]

San Diego is touted as an ideal growing climate (it is), but it does require some adjustments compared to growing in other parts of the US. The sun is much more intense because of the drier atmosphere. Most of SD is more like Arizona but with lower temps and higher humidity at night. We are a coastal desert, after all!

Lovely plant, btw.

Jeff, where about are you?

[estación seca]

I don't have much trouble with supposedly cool ancestry Oncidium hybrids in my sunroom in summer. I have an evap cooler running all the time, and humidity is almost always over 60%. Temperatures rarely exceed 85 F / 29C.

I have been able to grow a few Maxillarias and Pleurothallids for a while, but they die when I'm not able to water them often enough due to working.

Jeff, how far inland are you? The other side of the coastal hills? Maybe your issue is humidity and not temperature.

WW, have you considered trying RJSquirrel's moss potting method for Maxillarias? Look for his post in this thread:
Growing masdies/draculas in glass bowls?