How to Grow and Care for Maxillaria Orchids: Save This Guide Now
The Maxillaria orchid is a very popular small flower. Its colors include white, dark red, orange-red, purplish red, yellow-green, purple-black, as well as compound-color spots and stripes. The flowers have a rich creamy chocolate fragrance, and the blooming period is in spring or summer and autumn. This flower not only purifies the air but can also treat rheumatoid arthritis.What are the growing methods and precautions for the Maxillaria orchid? Let us take a look together below.
I. Introduction to the Maxillaria orchid
The genus is one of the larger genera in the orchid family, with about 570 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions at altitudes of 0-3500 m. Because of its wide distribution, the plants of the Maxillaria genus are also very diverse in form. According to their form, they are sometimes also called Spider Orchid, Flame Orchid, or Tiger Orchid. In fact, its scientific name comes from the Latin word “maxilla”, meaning “jawbone”, referring to the part where the column and the lip meet, which looks from the side very much like the jaw of a certain type of beetle, hence the name jaw orchid. But in the view of more people, this jaw-like part actually resembles a person's armpit, so by common convention it is called “Maxillaria orchid”.
II. Growing methods and precautions for the Maxillaria orchid
1. Temperature
Under artificial cultivation, plants of the Maxillaria genus can tolerate low temperatures of 5°C-8°C, and the suitable temperature for year-round growth is 20°C-30°C. In areas south of the Tropic of Cancer in China, potted plants can overwinter normally outdoors, while in the Yangtze River basin or regions to the north, they should be cultivated in intermediate- or high-temperature greenhouses to avoid cold damage.
2. Light
The Maxillaria orchid needs relatively strong indirect light, but direct strong sunlight should be avoided.
3. Watering
Spring, summer, and autumn are the growing seasons for the Maxillaria orchid. The growing medium should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Water as soon as the substrate in the pot dries out, but watering should be properly controlled during the blooming period. When watering, do not pour water directly on the buds and flowers, otherwise they may wither prematurely.
When growing it, sphagnum moss can be used to retain water. Water when the sphagnum moss is half dry. If wrinkles appear on the pseudobulbs of the Maxillaria orchid, it indicates a lack of water; watering at this time will restore them to their original state.
Every year in spring and summer, the Maxillaria orchid will sprout new shoots from the base of the pseudobulbs, and they grow very quickly. At this time, it is recommended to repot into a larger pot. This not only helps retain moisture, but the pot will also not tip over due to uneven weight distribution.
4. Fertilizer
The Maxillaria orchid likes fertilizer. During the growing period, sufficient fertilizer must be ensured; otherwise the pseudobulbs will not receive adequate nutrients, and they will not only become smaller but also tend to wrinkle and lack a bright, lustrous color, seriously affecting their ornamental effect.
5. Propagation method
Propagation of the Maxillaria orchid is mainly by division, and spring and summer are relatively suitable. Groups of 3-5 bulbs can be used as one unit and planted separately into pots.
6. Pests and diseases
The main diseases of the Maxillaria orchid include damping-off, anthracnose, southern blight, and leaf blight. The main insect pests of the Maxillaria orchid include scale insects, red spider mites, aphids, snails, and slugs.