blooming maxillarias

[Sawdust]

Another orchid is blooming, this one is a Maxilaria, not certain of its other names. lots other blooms coming. I guess that since we are under lock down from this covid 19 (here in Kingston Ontario, I am taking more care with watering and carefully checking the orchids. It is paying off.
thanks to all your help they are starting to bloom and one is out now

[Roberta]

Well done. That looks to me like Maxillaria tenuifolia. Flowers have fragrance that smells to me like coconut. Other people smell vanilla, or come combination of the fragrances. (Zero-calories coconut creme pie??) When the sun comes out, give it a sniff.

[Sawdust]

Hi Roberta you are right that what it is, I have 4 plants and 3 are starting to have blooms so all is good here

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Sawdust

Hi Roberta you are right that what it is, I have 4 plants and 3 are starting to have blooms so all is good here

Nice flower!
Max tenuifolia is a nice one to have in any collection, providing you have the space for such a large orchid. Do you have 4 Max tenuifolia, or 4 different Maxillaria?

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Well done!! I've got the same orchid but it refuses to bloom. Whats your secret? I am in Michigan so if it blooms in canada, it should bloom here.
Again, congrats!

[Sawdust]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Nice flower!
Max tenuifolia is a nice one to have in any collection, providing you have the space for such a large orchid. Do you have 4 Max tenuifolia, or 4 different Maxillaria?

I think they are the same but will know more once the others bloom

---------- Post added at 04:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:45 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Rhonda Svoboda

Well done!! I've got the same orchid but it refuses to bloom. Whats your secret? I am in Michigan so if it blooms in canada, it should bloom here.
Again, congrats!

I have them in south facing window and after advice here I try to be sure to water them as needed, before I would forget and they would be very dry. They are about 14" back from the bay window.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Rhonda Svoboda

Well done!! I've got the same orchid but it refuses to bloom. Whats your secret? I am in Michigan so if it blooms in canada, it should bloom here.

In addition to very bright light and lots of water in the growing season, it seems that this species may need a sort of winter 'rest' to bloom well. I drastically cut back on watering between october and late march, letting the bulbs wrinkle slightly between waterings. On average I'm watering every 2-4 weeks depending on light and temperature. No or very little fertilizer either.
Size may be an issue as well, while some bloom off smallish plants, others need to bulb up a bit first.