maxillaria buchtienii question

[Dollythehun]

Two years ago, at the MOS show, I saw a stunning Maxillaria buchtienii. I bought one from Andy. He said to keep it constantly moist. It was in moss and when I repotted I put it back into moss and s net pot. It hangs in a south window which in Indiana maybe sunny or bright, usually.

I had trouble with pleased foliage and scapes stuck in the leaves. Ray commented that no one should have to water that much in moss. I tried to cut back but noticed some root loss. It summered outside and grew a little.

Inside it's flowering but even keeping it moist, I have the same problems as the previous years. How do I provide enough water without rotting? I considered repotting in medium coconut chips. Maybe lose the net pot? Less sun? (Andy was growing it at the top of his greenhouse).

It's not dying but, it's not thriving either. Your thoughts?

[Dollythehun]

[Ray]

Every maxillaria I have every grown was either in S/H culture or loose sphagnum in a basket, i.e., constantly moist but very airy.

Orchidspecies.com says "Found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia in wet montane forests at elevations of 800 to 1400 meters" but with a dappled to partial shade symbol.

Personally, I'd make sure the moss is loose, and cut back on the light level. I'd bet that Andy's greenhouse had evaporative coolers running like crazy, which can compensate for brighter conditions.

[Dollythehun]

So, no on the coconut husk? When it gets done blooming, I'll repot. Frankly, that light was never enough to make Catts bloom. I did read up on it last year. I remember the constantly moist part. But Andy had told me high light and when I had problems the lady there told me it was hanging at the top. Still, I see your point, with an evaporative cooler it would still be swampy. Thanks, Ray. Maybe someone else will weigh in too.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Still, I see your point, with an evaporative cooler it would still be swampy.

I was thinking more in terms of cooler temperatures compensating for more light, not humidity.

[Dollythehun]

Yes, I got that idea too. I've been looking at where to move it.

[Dollythehun]

Update: I moved this away from the window about 2'. It's still quite bright but not do warm. It looks greener and perkier but it bloomed low in the fans and I have a slightly pleated growth or two. It's in a moss mix in a net basket.

New growth is showing so I'm going to repot. Should I switch to a class pot with corks in the center and moss mix or leave it in this basket? It seems only marginally happy as is. It likes you be damp but airy. Your thoughts?

[Dollythehun]

[Roberta]

Ray -
Andy just waters a LOT. I have spent a fair amount of time in his greenhouses and shadehouses. and the whole place is pretty much a rain forest.

I'm not familiar with this particular Maxillaria species. If labeled "I" and grown in his intermediate house, it likes "wet" ... Carol, out of curiosity, does this one have a QR code on the tag? (I think he started using them routinely a year or two ago) If so, if you scan it with your QR code reader of choice on your phone, you get a link to his database - more detail than the codes on the tag, and photo. Also, Andy is very responsive to emails... he can help you tweak conditions based on symptoms.

[Dollythehun]

I think so, Roberta. I'll scan it tomorrow. I wonder if there's a better medium/pot combo? Ray was right about the distance. I've looked it up and called Andy's, I haven't found either helpful. I'll keep you posted.