Growing a Maxillaria Tenuifolia

[peeweelovesbooks]

Hello there. I just purchased the above-named orchid. I would like to grow it in a pot.....wanted to know what the best potting mix for it would be. Also, any other culture information is welcome.

[kiki-do]

Hi Peeweelovesbooks, That's a huge name!
I have a Maxillaria variabilis 'Grace' that is starting to open for the first time. All I've read is they love good air movement and need medium to bright light. I have mine in a wooden slat box surrounded in coconut husk chips, a little perlite, and fir bark. I keep mine misted and fairly moist as a young plant. I know they are cuties! with potting.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Hi Peeweelovesbooks, That's a huge name!
I have a Maxillaria variabilis 'Grace' that is starting to open for the first time. All I've read is they love good air movement and need medium to bright light. I have mine in a wooden slat box surrounded in coconut husk chips, a little perlite, and fir bark. I keep mine misted and fairly moist as a young plant. I know they are cuties! with potting.

LOL. I know!! Peewee is my nickname (althought at 36 and 5'7 tall, it's definitely a misnomer) and I love books. Hence the very long id.

So, what ratio of potting mix ingredients would you say? There is a dearth of orchid supply stores in South Florida and I have to order online. Thanks.

[StonieOats]

What's not peewee about that ?

[kiki-do]

I am the type of person who goes by guess and by gory.
I use coconut chips as the bulk of it, and a little perlite, firbark, and charcoal...but just a bit. These are tiny plants, they don't call for much. I read somewhere that they don't like being disturbed, so you may experience a period of a protesting lull after you pot them up.
I also read that orchids only need something to be braced up....in their natural environment they are very liberal with the specs of potting medium. That's why I am so lax about exact proportions.

[kiki-do]

Oh, check out Mauro's (under Rosim) Max. tenuifolia in a previous post. She is a stunning bloom. I guess I need to find this one. Pretty pretty pretty. Where did you get yours???

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Oh, check out Mauro's (under Rosim) Max. tenuifolia in a previous post. She is a stunning bloom. I guess I need to find this one. Pretty pretty pretty. Where did you get yours???

I got mine from oak hill farms for 20.00 (I think). One of the nurseries that I frequent has a specimen sized one for 250.00 and although sorely tempted, that's just too much for me!!

I can't wait to get it. I also purchased a Mini-Mark (I got a bonus at work and have been going a teensy crazy with the shopping!!)

Thanks for the information.

[Don Perusse]

My Max Ten (referred to as the coconut orchid, because of it's smell) just opened in the last couple of days. I have mine planted in a general bark mix that came out of Lowes. It does have some charcoal and perlite mixed in with the bark. Fairly bright light as I have mine hung just below the cats. I also have one mounted on tree fern block. Both doing very well. I'm SW Georgia near Tallahassee, Fl.

[Ray]

I have grown them in 50% large CHC, 25% each large charcoal and spongerock, in a slat basket of CHC, and in semi-hydroponics.

Pewee, OFE, one of the largest vendors of orchid-growing supplies is in Miami.

[Dorothy]

This is the thread Ki-ki is referring to -
The coconut scented Maxillaria tenuifolia
Here is another informative thread - maxillaria tenuifolia