Maxillaria tenuifolia

RHS Plant Profile
coconut orchid

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Conservatory Greenhouse

An epiphytic, evergreen orchid producing a clump of small, elliptic pseudobulbs growing from a long, upright or pendulous rhizome, completely covered with thin, dry bracts. Each pseudobulb carries one, up to 50cm long and 0.7cm wide, linear leaf. In spring and summer, flowering stems emerge from the base of mature pseudobulbs. Each stem up to 5cm long carries a single, red (occasionally yellow) flower. Coconut-scented flowers measure 3-5cm across.

Position

Partial shade

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, Pendulous weeping, Tufted
Genus
A large, diverse genus of mainly epiphytic, tropical orchids, producing a clump of small, elliptic or egg-shaped pseudobulbs. Pseudobulbs are thickened basal parts of stem, serving as a storage of water and nutrients
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mexico, C America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, free-draining, medium-grade, bark-based orchid mix with addition of perlite, sphagnum moss or coir. Requires day temperatures around 18-20°C and 14-16°C at night. Provide good light levels, but avoid direct sunlight. Water plants thoroughly when compost is almost dry, allow to drain and use orchid fertiliser regularly during growing season. See also indoor orchid cultivation

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in a controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may be divided in early or mid spring, when the plant overgrows its container. Each division should have at least 3-4 healthy, older pseudobulbs with a sufficient amount of stored energy and water, to support new growth and reduce stress after repotting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Poor air movement and soggy potting mix may cause risk of bacterial infections