Maxillaria tenuifolia (Project 11 - Summer 2010)

[camille1585]

Jeff will probably know what they are, since his is in bloom. If it's growths I hope that doesn't mean that it won't bloom this year. That would be very very sad.

[Jeff9]

It's hard to tell by the picture, but if it is coming from the first sheath against the bulb it is a growth, which i believe it is.

Flowers always come from the second+ sheath

However if it is a growth it doesnt mean it wont flower anymore this year, i've seen them bloom really early like mine and also really late in the year in august and september

[Jeff9]

Go to the picture of my plant on my flickr page, i added two notes to it to show you what i mean.

[camille1585]

Yes, they're coming up directly against the bulb. New growths are nice, but I want blooms!!

I went to your flickr page, but I don't see the notes that you are talking about.

[nenella]

Thanks for the extra info Jeff. Camille if you put your mouse over the Jeffs photo you will see 2 rectangles (left hand side) and the words 'first sheath' & 'second sheath' appear.
Jeff any chance of a pic showing the whole bulb/plant?.Thanks .

[Eyebabe]

Mine has STILL not bloomed!
At the beginning of this project I had an overgrown and dehydrated plant that anemically bloomed a month or so earlier.
She was repotted in S/H after being trimmed way down...(imagine shaving a poodle whose fur had completely grown out).
I have nice growth, plump bulbs and pretty roots.
Plenty of light and water!
Grrrr!
Growing orchids has made me very very patient indeed

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

Mine has STILL not bloomed!
At the beginning of this project I had an overgrown and dehydrated plant that anemically bloomed a month or so earlier.
She was repotted in S/H after being trimmed way down...(imagine shaving a poodle whose fur had completely grown out).
I have nice growth, plump bulbs and pretty roots.
Plenty of light and water!
Grrrr!
Growing orchids has made me very very patient indeed

There's actually nothing abnormal about the fact that it hasn't bloomed. Winter is not the normal blooming period, and even Jeff's plant is a bit unusual for blooming so early in the season. Spring/summer is when you really want to be looking for spikes!

[Jeff9]

Maxillaria tenuifolia "La Tuilerie" by jeff_9, on Flickr


Maxillaria tenuifolia "La Tuilerie" by jeff_9, on Flickr


Maxillaria tenuifolia "La Tuilerie" by jeff_9, on Flickr

It's not that unusual, M.tenuifolia can bloom from february through august, some clones bloom earlier than others.
If my plant does well i might get a second blooming later this summer, i do hope so.

The color is just stunning, i was dissapointed by it when i saw the pictures on the growers site. But they are pretty much phenomenal, i will try to take some better pictures as both buds open.

The smell is also great.

[RosieC]

Cool Camille, keep us updated as it grows. Hope it's a bud , my first thought those was like Jeff said, that the new growths come from about that point.

[RosieC]

Great pictures Jeff!