maxillaria

Maxillaria is a quite well known orchid genus but certainly not one of the most popular . Only a fraction of a total of its 300 species boast large,showy flowers thar, however ,grow on short spikes ,which makes the plant useless in gardening . Furthermore,collectors are put off by the considerably large proportions of many Maxillaria species . Several small or otherwise attractive species can ,naturally ,be found even within this genus ;some of them are introduced in the photos . An overwhelming majority of Maxillaria orchids form pseudobulbs ranging in shape between ball-shaped and elongated egg-like varites and attached to a trailing or ascending rhizome . Spikes bearing one flower each grow out of the bases of the pseudobulbs and do not surpass the leaves in length. Typically ,the lip of the flowers is arched and tongue- shaped ,usually bearing three inconspicuous lobes. The other tepals are also elongated , protruding widely into space and positioned in a similar manner as those of Lycaste orchids. Maxillaria orchids are epiphytes growing in medium elevations of tropical areas. Cultivation rules can be deduced from this. The plant should be mounted on branches or bark,while some large flowered species can be placed in a small wooden basket containing an epiphytic mix. If you want the orchids to flower well ,put them on a well-ventilated place with as much diffused light as possible. The genus Maxillaria is known to grow only in tropical America.