Maxillaria variabilis (dark) question

wogga · #1 05-21-2006, 04:59 PM

I recently acquired this plant from ________________________, and i have noticed in the past few days a bit of root growth on the deciduous (?) portion of one of the secondary pseudobulbs. this is my first endeavor with anything from this genus, but i do know that they are often mounted rather than potted. ive attached a couple pictures. if anyone could tell me if this is something splitable, or have any other information i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

wogga · #2 05-21-2006, 07:43 PM

sorry, didnt realize i was advertising - certainly didnt mean to. here are the second two pictures, edited to be non-commercial.

ALSO - didnt think to mention it at first - there IS new activity on those roots. theres about 1 mm. of fresh growth on each tip.

anyone mounted this variety on cork?

Thanks,
Colin

Brutal_Dreamer · #3 05-21-2006, 08:16 PM

Hi. What you have there is the new growth. That growth will eventually grow as large as the other ones and that is where this particular plant will bloom. The old growths do not re-bloom, but they are important to the health of the plant. They store energy for the new developing growth. Do not divide this plant. Keep it happy with fert, water, and light and you will see the new growth mature and hopefully bloom.

Cheers!
BD

wogga · #4 05-21-2006, 08:25 PM

Right on. thanks for the advice! always nice to have someone else's experience to rely on before i take on experiments that could end up ugly, haha.

is there a point in the growth of this species when it becomes a good idea to divide it? its certainly in a rapid growth right now - the new growths have each grown 1-3 mm in the past 3 days (since i started measuring).

i've heard of several instances where this species is mounted on cork. it's currently in a cocount bark mix. any ideas on pros and cons of mounting it to cork? sheet moss, sphagnum, bare, dont do it at all, etc?

Brutal_Dreamer · #5 05-21-2006, 08:34 PM

It is not big enough (enough growths) to divide safely. I am of the opinion that if the orchid is growing well, don’t change what is going on. It has a bloom in your first photo and from your report it seems to be growing very well. Unless you just really want to try this little guy mounted, I would leave well enough alone. My 2¢ . Maybe another member with more experience with this particular type of orchid will have a different opinion. Until then…

Cheers!
BD

Molly Taco · #6 05-21-2006, 10:02 PM

I can't even claim to have any where the knowledge that BD has but I will send along a picture of my Maxallaria Tenuflora that has been really happy in it's basket for 3+ years and I am keeping it there till it is unhappy, I agree that if an orchid is happy leave it alone.
C

Brutal_Dreamer · #7 05-22-2006, 07:28 AM

Beautiful, Molly!

Cheers!
BD

Tikva · #8 05-22-2006, 07:47 AM

Gosh Molly, I think I'm envious of you.... you pretend to be a NON expert but you grow some amazing orchids! So full and happy and healthy! *sigh*

Just last week I could say I wished I had a plant large enough to divide, but as I came to realize... I don't WANT to divide any plant - I want big huge full amazing plants rather than more of the same thing.... maybe someday I will have one huge enough to be generous and give some away as a gift to a dear friend or something hehe! But now I want big huge amazing plants... what was I thinking? Wanting to divide up my scrawny little plants?! LOL!!!

Piper · #9 05-23-2006, 10:28 AM

That's a gorgeous, and happy, plant, Molly! And I love the flowers!

Great growing!

Julie

Molly Taco · #10 05-23-2006, 02:58 PM

Just to put it over, the top the flowers are not only pretty they smell like toasted coconut.