Maxillaria sophronitis - bumpy undersides of leaves

[harpspiel]

Just got this in a trade. The undersides of some leaves are bumpy, some aren’t. Is this normal or a problem? No other signs of pests and the plant looks healthy, it’s just odd that it’s only some leaves.

[Orchidtinkerer]

I wouldn't worry about it. It's still very small so either its genetic or it will grow out of it

[harpspiel]

Do you mean small as in immature? I believe this is a division from a blooming size plant - Maxillaria sophronitis is a small plant that shouldn’t get much more than 3-4” tall, although it does form large mats.

[Roberta]

I haven't ever seen that on mine. (Just went outside to feel the leaves to be sure, mine is becoming a beast. it's a rambler.) I would consider that to be something to watch. It could be some environmental or insect attack that has been dealt with and is old business, or could be something that could progress. It does look like it's just on older leaves. I would suggest keeping it separate from other plants while you determine whether it is old or something active.

[Orchidtinkerer]

oh sorry I assumed it was a seedling as it does indeed look small. I am not too familiar with this species but I have seen bumpy leaves like that before, have you looked at pictures on the internet to compare what they should look like?
Like you say its not likely to be pests or bad care so just carry on and see what happens, it could be that all leaves develop bumps as they get older or this was a one off leaf that developed a bit differently.

edit: I tried to reck my brain where I have seen this before - can't find anything but this comes close - it shows leaves don't always develop perfectly but maybe there is a reason as I am still learning too

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[harpspiel]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I haven't ever seen that on mine. (Just went outside to feel the leaves to be sure, mine is becoming a beast) I would consider that to be something to watch. It could be some environmental or insect attack that has been dealt with and is old business, or could be something that could progress. It does look like it's just on older leaves. I would suggest keeping it separate from other plants while you determine whether it is old or something active.

I checked with the person I traded with, it is indeed blooming size, and she said some of her leaves look like that as well. She said it gets very dry between waterings for her, and I’ve seen mixed advice on the plant but the balance seems to suggest it wants to stay moist at all times. Could drying out cause the bumps?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by harpspiel

I checked with the person I traded with, it is indeed blooming size, and she said some of her leaves look like that as well. She said it gets very dry between waterings for her, and I’ve seen mixed advice on the plant but the balance seems to suggest it wants to stay moist at all times. Could drying out cause the bumps?

Very possibly... I'd just keep it under observation. I have mine in sphagnum (in a plastic basket) and it stays pretty wet. Hopefully, yours will get some roots going quickly. By the way, this is one of those where you don't want to "tidy up" old bracts around pseudobulbs... it builds growths on top of growths, roots run along the internodes and then down into the medium.