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Maxillarias heat tolerance

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by Raven, Jun 1, 2023.

  1. Jun 1, 2023 #1
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    Hi all,

    I grow several large-flowering Maxillaria species and while some (M. speciosa, M. nigrescens) are constantly in the temperature-controlled grow tent, the others (M. luteograndiflora, M. striata, and M. sanderiana) are in the greenhouse. The greenhouse gets rather hot during summer (nights are 62-70, days are 80-90, depending on how warm it is outside). I wonder what is the heat tolerance of these three species (M. sanderiana, luteograndiflora, and striata). Has anybody tried or heard of someone growing them warm or warm-intermediate? Are there any tricks I'm not aware of?
    Thanks.
     
  2. Jun 2, 2023 #2
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    That is an interesting question. Since I started with only a cool house, I've never tried them any other way. I will be interested to see if anyone has an experience with them warmer.
     
    Raven likes this.
  3. Jun 29, 2023 #3
    tenman

    tenman Well-Known Member

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    I tried to grow them "intermediate' in the GH. Unfortunately nights here have gotten successively warmer over the last ten years and when the nighttime lows started failing to go below 70, they declined rapidly and died within a few weeks. IF you can get your nights down to 60 or below, they have a better chance of surviving the hot days. Clay pots help with cooling if kept moist and you have enough air movement, as does a mister being blown acroiss the air moving over them. But if those nights are too hot they will not survive.
     
  4. Jun 29, 2023 #4
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Baker's data for Max. sanderiana and striata shows a range of low-, to mid 50's min and low 70's max, very little seasonal variation.
     
  5. Jul 10, 2023 #5
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    Thank you all, these maxillarias were moved to a grow tent for July and August and will go back to the greenhouse in September. :)