Maxillaria variabilis

Also known as: The Variable Maxillaria or Maxillaria variabilis h.f. lutea Maxillaria variabilis h.f. luteo-purpurea Maxillariella variabilis h.f. unipunctata Maxillaria variabilis h.f. atrorubens Maxillaria variabilis h.f. aurantiaca Maxillaria variabilis h.f. rubra Maxillariella panamensis Maxillariella chiriquiensis Maxillaria variabilis subvar. lutea Maxillariella variabilis var. unipunctata Maxillaria revoluta Maxillaria variabilis var. unipunctata Maxillaria chiriquiensis Maxillaria lyonii Maxillaria panamensis in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Chiapas - Mexico Colima - Mexico Departamento de Managua - Nicaragua Durango - Mexico El Salvador Guatemala Guerrero - Mexico México - Mexico Nayarit - Mexico Oaxaca - Mexico Panama Puebla - Mexico Sinaloa - Mexico Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

The Variable Maxillaria is a medium sized sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 4-21cm. Each new growth has a single leathery leaf that grows to 3-15cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1.3-30cm

Flowers

A single long lasting blossom appears

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• 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

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 3mm to 170mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 55% to 75%, highest in September and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 8C to 31C, highest in April (16C to 31C) and lowest in January (8C to 25C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a constant supply of moisture, with a slight drying out between waterings. Saucers can be placed under pots to retain moisture during hot weather, however the saucers should be removed or let to dry every 1-2 weeks to prevent rot. Keep an eye on the plant especially in hot weather and look for cues of under/overwatering and adjust accordingly.

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 year round. Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. 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 can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well. Repotting is best done after the growing season when the plant has died back.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.

 

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. Repotting is best done annually.