Maxillaria tenuifolia

Maxillaria tenuifolia Lindl. 1837

Synonyms: Maxillaria gracilifolia Kraenzel 1927

Tribe: MAXILLARIEAE

Subtribe: MAXILLARIINAE

Temperature: I.

Distribution: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Niacaragua and Costa Rica

This is the famous Coconut Orchid, named for it's distinct scent which will waft around the entire growing area with the most deliciously pleasant fragrance.

It is a medium sized, epiphyte or terrestrial with an erect growth habit found on trees in open or dense forests at low elevations up to 1500m. The flowers are well displayed and numerous on a large plant.

Grow these in bright light with plenty of fertilizer and water in the warmer months but rest through the winter months with no fertilizer and less water. Best grown on a slab of cork or treefern but will tolerate a pot if a coarse bark mix is used and given plenty of opportunity to climb vertically.