A genus widely distributed throughout Central America; from Brazil to the West Indies. The 200 species v ary great ly sanderiana and g randiflora are representative of those which have short rhizomes and clustering pseudobulbs. Another species of which tenuifolia is typical, has pseudobulbs borne at short intervals on long, scandent, or ascending rhizomes. Maxillaria te nuifolia The culture of Maxillarias is very similar to that given to Lycastes. The plants should be kept moist all year round and be shaded rather heavily during sunny weather. The plants with scandent rhizomes are better placed on blocks of wood or pieces of tree fern. Attention must be given to the airing should a black spot appear on the foliage. This is usually due to stagnant moisture. In a ma nner common to most epiphytes, M axillaria species have their own particular host trees and some will be found o nly on that type of tree and no other. Lithophytes should not be regarded as any different and may grow on only one type of rock surface. It is little wonder when taken into common cultivation that some of the species will thrive where others languish. Alt hough this genus has captured the attention of many orchid growers, it has not achieved the heights of popularity reached by genera such as Cattleya and Masdevallia. All species of Maxillaria are evergreen, most with prominent clustered pseudobulbs. With s uch a large genus it is difficult to generalise as to cultivation practices. However, it can be safely stated that the majority of species tried, have proved to be easy and rewarding subjects to grow. Clumping species are generally grown in pots whereas th ose with a creeping habit can be grown in hanging pots or baskets. In cultivation they should be treated as epiphytes; some pot - grown, some in wire baskets and slat baskets. Most of the genus prefers to grow into large undisturbed plants and small propagat ions are always slow to get away and make up into flowering specimens. Potting material may vary according to cultivation, but generally should be based on bark mixes which will withstand drying out. The rest periods vary greatly. Some require as long as s ix months but others may be in continual growth and flowering phases throughout the year. The root systems of most plants are a little more permanent than some epiphytes and surface growth rather than immersion in potting mixes seems to suit them. This lea ds to cork, tree fern or tree branches. Fertilizes for this genus may be a little different from those applied to other epiphytes. If liquids are used they should be very weak applications in the later growth stages and stopped as the pseudobulbs reach ma turity. Plants mounted on cork slabs or any other type of mount should be immersed in a bucket of water containing one small teaspoon of Aquasol or similar fertilizer for a couple of minutes once a week or less frequently. All sorts of variations may be th ought up but the plants will suffer from over fertilizing just as much as from too little. If the roots are destroyed for any reason the rehabilitation of Maxillarias may take from two to three years and result in loss of most of the leaves. Any potting mi x should be capable of retaining a little moisture, but all excess water should be able to run freely from the pot almost as soon as applied

http://www.bribieislandorchidsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/file/orchidgrowing/Maxillaria-Orchids.pdf

Ricardo Tadeu de Faria^*; Luciana do Valle Rego; Anderson Bernardi and Hugo Molinari

Departamento de Agronomia da Universidade Estadual de Londrina. Caixa Postal 6001, Cep 86051-970, Londrina - PR, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Two native Brazilian orchid especies, Oncidium baueri and Maxillaria picta, were grown in different substrate mixtures. The plants were cultivated in ceramic pots in a greenhouse with 50% of shadind light and watered three times a week. The following substrates were used: 1) de-fibered xaxim; 2)xaxim cubes; 3) vermiculite; 4) carbonized rice husk; 5) charcoal; 6) charcoal + carbonized rice husk; 7) crocks; 8) vermiculite and charcoal; 9) vermiculite + carbonized rice husks; 10) extruded polystyrene + charcoal; 11) pine bark + charcoal + extruded polystyrene; 12) vermiculite + carbonized rice husks + extruded polystyrene + charcoal; 13) pine bark. The substrate ratio was 1:1 in the mixture. NPK 10-10-10 leaf fertilizer was applied every thirty days and castor bean cake and bone powder organic fertilizer were applied every ninety days. A randomized complete block design was used with 10 replications. Growth and rooting were assessed after eight months. The best alternative substrate to O. baueri was vermiculie and the best alternatives substrates to M. picta were vermiculite and charcoal and vermiculite + carbonized rice husks.

Key words: Orchidaceae, Maxillaria picta, Oncidium baueri, growing media

Maxillaria tenuifolia, abbreviated Max. tenuifolia, is a unique orchid that has a strong coconut scent that smells just like a Pina Coloda. According to the American Orchid Society, this orchid has recently been reclassified as Maxillariella tenuifoli.

Here are ten things you need to know about the coconut orchid.

Maxillaria, abbreviated as Max. in horticultural trade, is a large genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae). This is a diverse genus, with very different morphological forms. Their characteristics can very widely. Several species form a complex. All this gives the impression that the current state of the taxonomy of this genus needs a thorough review.

Maxillaria, abbreviated as Max in the horticultural trade, is a large genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae). This is a diverse genus, with very different morphological forms. Their characteristics can vary widely. They are commonly called spider orchids, flame orchids or tiger orchids. Their scientific name is derived from the Latin word maxilla, meaning jawbone, reflecting on the column and the base of the lip of some species, that may evoke a protruding jaw.