Maxillaria Pleated Leaves

[violetta]

I suggest you check the roots for rot ... as others have said, this indicates lack of water/ moisture.

[Kevinator]

I think I may be overwatering due to many sources suggesting a dry period with watering reduced to once every 2 to 3 weeks. I'll keep up the watering schedule and I may in fact reduce it until the end of this month. I'll keep you all updated.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I had to think about the whole dry spell that you were advised, just a little...

I did do some really light research on one of the general areas where Max tenuifolia was found in the wild, (somewhere around the Vera Cruz area in Mexico). It turns out that in the wild, yes, they do experience a dry spell in the winter.

However...

I have grown mine as dry as how some people have recommended you grow them during the winter.

I have also grown mine as wet as I said I have grown them during the cooler months - (once a day, everyday).

This is such a forgiving species, I have not noticed much difference when treated either way. However, if they were watered significantly less during the summers, it will definitely show in the subsequent growths in the manner of either pleated leaves or stunted pseudobulbs.


Btw, this species is difficult to tell which roots are alive or dead. They don't show the classic signs of healthy roots you'd see in a Cattleya or a Phal, (you know, the whole silvery white velamen with the green tips thing). The roots on Maxillaria tenuifolia are naturally light brown to dark brown in color. The dead give away as to whether they are alive and growing are the yellow tips when the roots are in active growth, (even when the plant is grown in a clear plastic pot and the roots receive light, they are still light brown to dark brown with yellow tips; in some instances, the roots have brown tips).

[camille1585]

I agree, the first time you have a look at the roots you'll think everything is dead, because they sure do look all dead. But no, like Philip says, watch for the yellow growing tips.

[Ordphien]

My maxillaria's roots turn silvery green when wet.
These are the roots crawling out of the medium though.... not the actual ones in the medium.

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[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Yes, they do turn green when watered. When dry they are not silvery white like the ones on Catts or Phals, it's more a very light brown. Catts or Phals have those porcelain white looking velamen. The roots on Max tenuifolia doesn't look like that.

[RosieC]

Good advice above. I had one do this and I'm certain it was dehydration. That one was potted and I didn't dare water enough, my other was mounted and I watered every day and it didn't have the same problem. I now have both mounted so I can water every day without worry.

[Kevinator]

Alright peeps and the victim is................................................ .................................................. ............OVERWATERING.
There's a small amount of fungus on the bark where there are drainage holes and the leaves are turning black! I'm not so sure if plastic, clear pots work with these guys...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Kevinator

Alright peeps and the victim is................................................ .................................................. ............OVERWATERING.
There's a small amount of fungus on the bark where there are drainage holes and the leaves are turning black! I'm not so sure if plastic, clear pots work with these guys...

Hmmm...

I wouldn't necessarily come to the conclusion that clear plastic pots don't work with Maxillaria tenuifolia because you see fungus on some pieces of bark. I am currently growing Maxillaria tenuifolia in a clear plastic pot, and I've been growing it this way for over a year now.

Whatever roots grow towards the inner surface of the clear plastic pot, I can see quite clearly. I can even see if the media is dry.

If it hasn't been done already, I'd recommend changing out the bark. Maybe the bark went bad.

You can even severely reduce watering during the cooler months and slowly ramp up the amount of water it receives by summer.

Try and find a brightly lit area that receives indirect light to grow the plant in.

Then try checking the temperature of the area where the Max. tenuifolia is growing and see if you can grow it no lower than 55 F for the winter season.

[WhiteRabbit]

It's possible the back stuff you see is algae