Growing a Maxillaria Tenuifolia
 

Hello there. I just purchased the above-named orchid. I would like to grow it in a pot.....wanted to know what the best potting mix for it would be. Also, any other culture information is welcome. :) :scratchhead: :scratchhead: :scratchhead: :scratchhead:

Hi Peeweelovesbooks, :whew That's a huge name! :)
I have a Maxillaria variabilis 'Grace' that is starting to open for the first time. All I've read is they love good air movement and need medium to bright light. I have mine in a wooden slat box surrounded in coconut husk chips, a little perlite, and fir bark. I keep mine misted and fairly moist as a young plant. I know they are cuties! :goodluck: with potting. :)

LOL. I know!! Peewee is my nickname (althought at 36 and 5'7 tall, it's definitely a misnomer) and I love books. Hence the very long id.:)

So, what ratio of potting mix ingredients would you say? There is a dearth of orchid supply stores in South Florida and I have to order online. Thanks. :)

I am the type of person who goes by guess and by gory.
I use coconut chips as the bulk of it, and a little perlite, firbark, and charcoal...but just a bit. These are tiny plants, they don't call for much. I read somewhere that they don't like being disturbed, so you may experience a period of a protesting lull after you pot them up.
I also read that orchids only need something to be braced up....in their natural environment they are very liberal with the specs of potting medium. That's why I am so lax about exact proportions.

Oh, check out Mauro's (under Rosim) Max. tenuifolia in a previous post. She is a stunning bloom. I guess I need to find this one. Pretty pretty pretty. Where did you get yours??? :)

My Max Ten (referred to as the coconut orchid, because of it's smell) just opened in the last couple of days. I have mine planted in a general bark mix that came out of Lowes. It does have some charcoal and perlite mixed in with the bark. Fairly bright light as I have mine hung just below the cats. I also have one mounted on tree fern block. Both doing very well. I'm SW Georgia near Tallahassee, Fl.

I have grown them in 50% large CHC, 25% each large charcoal and spongerock, in a slat basket of CHC, and in semi-hydroponics.

Pewee, OFE, one of the largest vendors of orchid-growing supplies is in Miami.

This is the thread Ki-ki is referring to -
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...enuifolia.html
Here is another informative thread - http://www.orchidboard.com/community...enuifolia.html

Peewee,

I've got mine mounted on cork bark with a pad of shag. These will grow new p-bulbs both horizontally, and vertically. I figured a mount would be perfect for this type of rambling growth. Most I have seen have been in pots, and it seems like a pretty easy grower.

You got some good advice on light and media. Bark mix will work, a CHC based mix will too. I don't have access to many suppliers either, but I've found that you can "grade" some commercial mixes yourself. I get the stuff from lowe's too. I just take hand-fulls of the "crumbs" in the bottom of the bag to add to my CHC for aeration. I take the bigger chunks off of the top for my airy dryer mixes.

I got mine from oak hill farms for 20.00 (I think). One of the nurseries that I frequent has a specimen sized one for 250.00 and although sorely tempted, that's just too much for me!!

I can't wait to get it. I also purchased a Mini-Mark (I got a bonus at work and have been going a teensy crazy with the shopping!!)

Thanks for the information.