Maxillaria tenuifolia - division time!

[wetfeet101b]

Here's an orchid that probably rivals the Oncidium Sharry Baby when it comes to fast growth.

This Maxillaria tenuifolia was purchased at the Orchid Fair in Santa Barbara last July.
Here is a picture of the plant after I placed it in the greenhouse for acclimate it.
Photo is dated 07/18/2008.


After a couple of weeks, I replanted it into a wood basket with a mixture of small bark with a layer of sphagnum moss on top.
Somehow the plant looks more balanced when in the basket compared to the old plastic pot.
Photo is dated 08/01/2008.


Here is the orchid after almost a couple of months. The leaves started to spread out and flatten compared to the almost upright growths when I originally bought it.
I think that the higher light exposure has caused the plant to spread out and was no longer "reaching" for light.
Photo is dated 09/23/2008.


Here is a photo this morning, after I clipped off some growths to make some divisions. I was able to get a total of four decent sized divisions.
The mother plant does not even look like it lost any growths.
Mother plant is in a 6-inch wood basket, the divisions are in 4-inch clay orchid pots.
Photo is dated 09/24/2008.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Nice growing! I guess I need to move mine into higher light, then. It is growing up and up. I like the look of the steping p-bulbs though. I really admire the basket you put yours into. I think it is time I repot mine!

cheers,
BD

[wetfeet101b]

Bruce,

Right now the maxillarias are placed on the brightest part of the greenhouse along with the cattleyas. They are receiving between 4000fc-5000fc according to my light meter.

If you have a few, try to place them along different light exposures and see which one gives you the best effect.

I was told by the grower that these plants can take anything between phal light up to vanda light and wont miss a beat (but then again, thats a grower trying to sell me the plant lol). The only effect is the behavior of the leaves and growths.
Low light will product long upright, leggy growths, while high light will produce more growths from the base and produce an orchid "bush".

[hera]

Nice job, I love it in the basket.

[ang709]

Wow, good job. What a happy looking family.

[Cjcorner]

So this is one of those I should get cuz it grows like crazy. Are they hard to kill?? They have to be able to take swings in neglect and over tending..... I love the smell, I've seen them all over. I should find one and bring it home to the porch. Just the smell would be great...if it grows easily that would be a bonus.
Connie

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi John,

I only have the one plant. I purchased it back in May during the SWROGA show and sale my society hosted. I put it with my other oncids and mini-catts. I will move it this weekend to the brighter end of the GH. I bet it will do much better there.


Cheers,
BD

[pavel]

Mine doesn't grow nearly that fast-- but then I know mine doesn't have such optimalo conditions.

So this is one of those I should get cuz it grows like crazy. Are they hard to kill?? They have to be able to take swings in neglect and over tending..... I love the smell, I've seen them all over. I should find one and bring it home to the porch. Just the smell would be great...if it grows easily that would be a bonus.
Connie

This one should prove quite easy for you, Connie. IME it is indeed hard to kill.

[ischel1]

Hard to kill?, that's the one for me!