is this M. tenuifolia a goner?

[kkdcalgary]

Dear All;

I got this M tenuifolia about two years ago and it has just never thrived. Now all the pbulbs are shrivelled up and the roots are a medium brown, not black and rotten but pretty miserable looking. Should i cut the remaining roots off and hope for new growth? I have it sitting in just loose sphagnum right now hoping it'll recover....

I have two others stalks that I've potted into S/H, similar root system but somehow pbulbs are not shrivelled.. hoping they'll like it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They are very much alive.

They need more light than what you're providing them with.

The roots on these are not green like those of Phals. They are brown and they have yellow-green tips. The roots essentially look like they're dead, but they're not.

Max tenuifolia likes lots of water.

[kkdcalgary]

should I put them all together in the S/H container then? I'm in idaho and keeping them moist enough is definitely a challenge....

[Rowangreen]

I'm curious, how do you know they are short of light? I've recently got a max ten, and I want to make sure it's getting enough.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by kkdcalgary

should I put them all together in the S/H container then? I'm in idaho and keeping them moist enough is definitely a challenge....

No, keep each division separate. They grow extremely fast. You do not want to untangle them when they start getting unruly.

You may use SH. You may also use moss or CHC.

If you use moss, don't pack the moss in too tightly.

Spring/summer is growing season. They will start to take off very quickly. You will start seeing new root growth within the next few months.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

I'm curious, how do you know they are short of light? I've recently got a max ten, and I want to make sure it's getting enough.

His divisions are darker green than my Maxillaria tenuifolia are.

[camille1585]

Don't cut off those roots, this orchid has deceptively dead looking roots! Max tenuifolia needs lots of water when in active growth, otherwise the bulbs shrivel. Grow it in a moisture retentive mix, or if it's bark I know one person who leaves a bit of water in the saucer after watering.

Rowangreen- Seems this plant needs lots of light to bloom. It was a project plant 2 years ago, and since hardly anyone got blooms last year (first blooming season in the project) everyone is increasing the light levels this year. In January I moved mine to a south window at work, where it gets full sun most of the day (shade cloth automatically comes down though when the sun's very strong). Hopefully I should see some blooms soon...

[isurus79]

I wonder if s/h is good for this species. It tends to grow up and away from the media, which would bring the roots away from the semi-hydro.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I wonder if s/h is good for this species. It tends to grow up and away from the media, which would bring the roots away from the semi-hydro.

It does grow upwards, but from what I understand the roots of the bulbs higher up snake dozn along the stem (under the bract type things covering it) and down into the media.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by camille1585

It does grow upwards, but from what I understand the roots of the bulbs higher up snake dozn along the stem (under the bract type things covering it) and down into the media.

Oh I see, good to know! Thanks Camille.