Help with my Maxillaria tenufolia - Orchid Board

khill · #1 05-20-2014, 10:29 PM

I don't like messy looking plants. As you can see in the picture the top pseudobulbs are all yellowish. The bottom has great growth and lots of new shoots coming. Can I cut off the top pseudobulbs and not hurt the plant to make it look neater?

HighSeas · #2 05-20-2014, 11:10 PM

I personally would leave them. I think they give the plant "character". Most importantly, those old bulbs are still supplying energy, water and nutrients to the plant.

Really nice plant you have there!

brn_thmbs · #3 05-20-2014, 11:12 PM

+1 for character
also +1 for backbulbs as water/nutrient storage

tarev · #4 05-20-2014, 11:13 PM

I think they are nice..would not cut it either.

NeofinetiaCanada2014 · #5 05-21-2014, 02:05 AM

I got a large Max. tenufolia too and 'trim' the top off occasionally as they get too high. You can do so as long as u do it when they start roots. I notice that the bulbs are really yellow as if the top receives a lot more light than the bottom. Perhaps they are too bright and dehydrated to lose their leaves early. You might want to grow it slightly shadier? I usually trot the plant yearly to encourage new growths, especially after flowering (in a couple weeks as they are in bloom now in May, like clockwork )...

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NeofinetiaCanada2014 · #6 05-21-2014, 02:05 AM

Trot=repot

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khill · #7 05-21-2014, 06:45 AM

Thanks everyone. I think I'll wait to see if I get blooms and then maybe repot as suggested. I do grow it very bright with some full sun (in Florida) so maybe I should put it in a bit more shade. I think I won't cut them as you all suggested.

What medium do you all grow in for this plant?

tarev · #8 05-21-2014, 02:14 PM

My plant is in bark mix, finer grade, roots being thin.

NeofinetiaCanada2014 · #9 05-21-2014, 08:18 PM

I grow indoors in west window so I have it in fine bark/perlite with a top layer of sphagnum moss. I'm also up north in Toronto so conditions are different

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NeofinetiaCanada2014 · #10 05-24-2014, 04:34 PM

Here is my tenufolia ... Getting a bit big now ... Most flowers are done ... I trim and bonsai wire it into this presentable shape lol

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