Maxillaria tenufolia. How to get it to bloom

[mimigirl]

I am so confused. jcec1 you make it so simple: keep it wet and can tolerate full sun. AOS says water only when dry, and light similar to phals. I have had mine since May 2014 and see very little growth. So which is the way to go? Outside isn't possible because of a huge (3"-4") plant eater we have. Now what?

[Raqsharqi]

I got mine last year, almost at this time. It started to bloom in April and is still blooming. I had it outside in the shade when I first got it, and it is hanging in the brightest part of the greenhouse now. I water it almost every day.
I read on another orchid site that it can take full tropical sun as long as you give it tons of water. I'm not willing to go that route, since our sun is pretty brutal...not to mention the lack of humidity. But in somewhat gentler places, I'm sure full sun would be fine. Just don't forget to give it lots of water!
In the winter, cut way back on the water...maybe once a week.

[mimigirl]

OK. Southeast window with several hours of full sun. Dont let dry out. Spaghnum, bark or mixture? I have a bark mix from Ray's that is for retaining moisture. Is that enough? Pot size? I am determined to get her to her full beautiful potential.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by mimigirl

I am so confused. jcec1 you make it so simple: keep it wet and can tolerate full sun. AOS says water only when dry, and light similar to phals. I have had mine since May 2014 and see very little growth. So which is the way to go? Outside isn't possible because of a huge (3"-4") plant eater we have. Now what?

Sorry I just copied Katrina's post, who gave the cultural instructions I'm sure she will clarify.

[tarev]

My Max ten bloom usually in early to mid Spring. But this year, with our cooler May, it is just starting to bloom. But I have been mean, I think it got dehydrated, but to its credit it is still giving me a couple of blooms, just not enough energy to push it out nicely. It can tolerate our mild winter, but I keep it drier when temps are cool, and I think that is how I got it a tad dehydrated this year. So will try and correct that.

I think I will try and sit it in water too..maybe it will perk it up a bit more. I have mine in bark mix and container is coir. It is outdoors in my growcamp, lots of cross breeze, gets some sun around 11 am to 1 pm, but it is filtered by the growcamp screen cover a bit. And it gets just dappled light in the afternoon, since we get a lot of shade from city trees.

I just use Miracle Gro Orchid Mist for fertilizer, if I even remember to do it.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by jcec1

Off topic - Katrina, what is the lamp and fixture that you have in the pic behind the maxillaria ? I've been looking for something like that for my vandas, that doesn't look industrial or that I have an illegal crop growing.

I don't have that light anymore but it was a full spectrum fluorescent desk lamp. It wasn't bright enough for a vanda...I only used it for phals. I actually had 2 of them and they worked nicely for phals on that shallow shelf. I think I got it at walmart years ago.

Originally Posted by mimigirl

I am so confused. jcec1 you make it so simple: keep it wet and can tolerate full sun. AOS says water only when dry, and light similar to phals. I have had mine since May 2014 and see very little growth. So which is the way to go? Outside isn't possible because of a huge (3"-4") plant eater we have. Now what?

I can't speak for what others do...only how I grew it for several years. Being further south your sun is stronger than mine so you probably won't need full sun like I did but give it as much light as you possibly can. Of course, if it's been growing in too dark of light then gradually increase the levels so you don't burn the leaves w/the sudden increase.

I found it to be a very thirsty plant...hence all the water. If your pbulbs are shriveling then you aren't giving it enough water.

Sometimes it just takes a bit of trial and error. It really is an easy plant to grow so I'm sure you'll eventually get it but remember...if you aren't getting blooms then it's most likely a lack of light.