Lifespan of a Maxillaria Bloom?

[RSJ]

How long should a max. flower last?

My Max. Brunnea #1 developed a new spike (3rd from the leading pb) but when the flower opened it only lasted 2 days.

It probably got too dry, but how long should a well-cared-for bloom last on these species?

RSJ

[TundraKev]

Of course, we must wait for the "Mad Max Master" (Mike) to give the definitive answer, but in my modest 6 plants collection 2 weeks has been the shortest time, the others have lasted 3-4 weeks. I tend to underwater.

What do you think of brunnea? It's kind of on my list, but some pictures make it look rather dull, others kind of cool.

[Piper]

This what?

Julie

[mde]

My Max. tenuifolia blooms have been going for at least 6 weeks already, but are starting to fade off. Don't have any experience with any other species of Max.

Matt

[MikeWA]

It all depends on the species, RSJ. I have a few Max where the blooms only last two days and some that last weeks like Matt said. If I remember correctly that species flower is shortlived but 2 days is on the short side.

[RSJ]

Julie, it is this plant: http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...ead.php?t=1968

Mike and Matt, thanks for the input. The first two blooms lasted longer than this, about a week I think, but this is the third spike off the same pb and also this plant is not fully mature yet. Add a day or two too dry, and I think it just said, "the heck with it".

Kev, I'm undecided about how much I like it. I like that it's not overly common on the market (not hard to find, but not everywhere either), easy to grow, and it's not the ugliest thing in the world, but it also isn't especially spectacular. Particularly if it proves to have fairly short-lived blossoms over time. I'll give it a few more years to grow up a bit more and see how it performs when mature, and then decide.

RSJ