Maxillaria tenuifolia (Project 11 - Summer 2010)

[Call_Me_Bob]

let us know!

[camille1585]

I decided that I couldn't wait until tomorrow, so before leaving I took the plant over to the coffee corner and inspected it. Sure enough, there are some roots under the dead bracts. Looks like that go down the entire length of stem down to the pot? Or do they just stay in the stems?

[Call_Me_Bob]

im not sure how long the roots are.. i cant tell with mine.

[nenella]

Good News Camille
I noticed I had under watered mine & started dunking it (whole plant) every couple days and was/am amazed how this plant can come back! just my :2cents: worth If it were mine I would also add some rooting hormone to the soaks.

[camille1585]

I had a closer look at the roots (brought the plant home tonight for a closer inspection) and it seems that there are more healthy ones than I thought: They're just really ugly brown.

I'll try watering it much more often, hopefully that will help. It's a challenge watering at the office though, I can't leave the water basin in a corner like I do at home, and if I water in the coffee-corner sink the pots drip all over the floor when I take them back....

Colleagues love my desk though, I have a bunch of blooming orchids on there and I frequently get questions about them.

[Call_Me_Bob]

yeah they scared me when i repotted!

[Connie Star]

Mine continues to sit, looking reasonably healthy and putting out the occasional new pb. It was outside all summer, getting lots of rain. It's been inside for about 3 weeks. We'll see.

[Call_Me_Bob]

hey connie! how ya doin? havent seen you in a while

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I decided that I couldn't wait until tomorrow, so before leaving I took the plant over to the coffee corner and inspected it. Sure enough, there are some roots under the dead bracts. Looks like that go down the entire length of stem down to the pot? Or do they just stay in the stems?

I remember Philip (King of Orchid Growing) telling us early on in this project about the roots doing that. I've not looked on mine but have assumed that is what it was doing. He also said the roots can look pretty brown and dead but still be good.

I was amazed how many roots mine had inside the old mount. I had only seen a few old looking ones just under the moss at the front, and not realised how many were inside the mount.

[camille1585]

I've seen definite improvements in my plant in the 4 months that it's been living at the office. It loves the sun (on the very rare sunny days here in winter), and ever since I increased watering to twice a week, it's thriving. All the new bulbs are plump and smooth, and the older ones look much better. Now, if only it would bloom this season!