Maxillaria picta

Also known as: The Painted Maxillaria or Bolbidium pictum Maxillaria leucocheile Brasiliorchis rupestris Maxillaria rupestris Maxillaria acutipetala Maxillaria picta var. rupestris Maxillaria picta-major Maxillaria kreysigii Maxillaria hoehnei Maxillaria rupestris var. minor in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Brazil

General Information

The Painted Maxillaria is a sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 28-46cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery thick, erect leaves that grow to 20-38cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2.5-7cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Flowers

A single long lasting blossom appears

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

These orchids thrive in cool, conditions with good airflow. When cultivated they will thrive in a cool, sheltered environment such as a shaded greenhouse, or if grown in cooler climates they can be grown in the garden in areas where they are protected from frost and receive shade throughout the year, though they may be able to tolerate some morning sun during winter.

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 38mm to 239mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 73% to 83%, highest in August and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 10C to 24C, highest in August (16C to 24C) and lowest in January (10C to 17C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.