Maxillaria tenuifolia abuse

[flexdc]

In my experience, the warmer the temperature is in the winter, the more willing it will bloom.

[camille1585]

Interesting.... Mine got pretty cool next to the window. It's a bit of a dilemma then, light or heat???

[flexdc]

hmmm... camille, it wants heat and light LOL! That is why I abuse it! I just can't give it all the space and light anymore. I ran out of space.

[camille1585]

Maybe next winter I'll take it away from the window every night before pulling the curtain.

[flexdc]

Camlle, in winter of 2008-2009, I grew this plant indoors under a skylight. Night time temp hovers around 15 to 18 c. The plant bloomed like crazy!

[nenella]

I have been giving it the max light that I can, Inside the house. That is; in summer in front of a W facing window which gets bright light most of the day and direct sunlight for about 3/4 hrs in the late afternoon/evening.
And during the winter months I have been putting it in front of my S facing window I can't remember the details of light levels (should have made a note of it ).But, I do know that it's the brightest 'spot' in my house for winter.
I grow my plants in the lounge either in or out of terrariums and rely only on sunlight. The max lives outside the terrariums.
There is one thing I have a doubt on ..How 'puffed up' or shrivelled up do the p/bulbs need to be ....to promote blooming ?

I too that we are doing it right & that Max will reward us this season.

[silken]

Originally Posted by flexdc

Also Ryan: My tenuifolia doesn't mind dry conditions. We are semi-desert here in LA and I only water once or may be twice a week. Plus as you can see the roots aren't surrounded by anything except for an empty clay pot. So I think it is a dry grower?
Andrew

From my understanding, it is not a dry grower but a very thirsty grower! I just got one a while ago and in doing some research found that people leave it standing in water. I do that now as well.

[WhiteRabbit]

Gotta love it!

[camille1585]

I find the same, that this orchid is a water hog rather than a dry grower. I had it in straight bark originially, but just couldn't keep up with its water needs, o repotted into 50/50 bark/sphag. I'm also going to leave a saucer of water under it now.

[flexdc]

Well this plant must be very versatile! I am surprised I haven't killed it