Maxillaria tenuifolia Not Blooming

[JohnVP]

I purchased a Maxillaria tenuifolia 3 years ago. At the time it had a few flowers, however it has not bloomed since. I water it every 3 or 4 days, and it is in the shade, in a brightly lit window. I am located at 6800 feet above sea level in central Mexico. The plant was transplanted into a pot using a commercial orchid mix of wood chips, pebbles, and charcoal pieces. The plant appears healthy but has browning at the tips of some of the leaves, which was not the case at the time of purchase. Otherwise the orchid seems quite healthy.

Can anyone give me some advice as to why my orchid is not blooming.

[raybark]

A little more light, maybe?

[K Barrett]

Even though its from the tropical rainforest of Chiapas it wants more light. Othrwise you sound like you've got the watering and potting medium OK. At 6800 ft you may need to watch your winter low temps at night. My greenhouse gets down to 55-60F at night. If you get colder than that you may have trouble.

[JohnVP]

Thanks for the replies.

I do not have a window that is brighter, short of full sunlight, so I have moved my Maxillaria outside, into a much brighter shade than it had inside on the window sill. Even though I am at 6800 feet the night temperatures do not go below 55 or 60 degrees at this time of year in central Mexico, although they can go down to 55 degrees at times.

I will wait to see if it blooms with this light increase.

[K Barrett]

Here in California mine are just finishing blooming. Since you are at higher elevation we'll have to see how that translates to your bloomtime. You may have to summer it outside (as you are doing now) and wait for blooms next year. Or maybe the past year's pseudobulbs will bloom for you this year at your elevation with the increased light. Either way, fingers crossed.

[JohnVP]

I will post back here if it blooms this summer.