Maxillaria variabilis care ?s

[aliceinwl]

I got a new Maxillaria variabilis, it’s very small and potted in sphagnum. From what I gather about 45 degrees Fahrenheit is a minimum temperature and it likes bright light without sun. How wet should I be keeping it? How good is packed sphagnum as a substitute: would bark be better? I have trouble with Phals in sphagnum under my growing conditions but Paphs do fine.

How does it stack up against Maxillaria tenuifolia in terms of care? I’ve found M. tenuilfolia to do fine outside as long as it doesn’t freeze, with morning sun, and grown relatively moist in bark. I’m gathering M. variabilis is a bit more delicate.