Coconut Orchid
Location
Orchid Room
- Common Name: Coconut Orchid
- Scientific Name: Maxillaria tenuifolia
- Family Name: Orchidaceae
- Origin: Veracruz, Mexico
- Height: 1’ – 2’
- Width: 1’ – 2’
- Growth: plant grows up and bushes at the same time, when planted in a wide basket they will grow very wide and when in a pot will grow upwards.
- Zone: 9B – 11
- Light Needs: Full sun – Partial shade or Dappled shade
- Salt Tolerance: Low – None
- Soil/PH/Texture: This plant is Epiphytic, so being soilless it will grow well in sphagnum moss, osmunda, fir bark, coconut husk fiber or chunks and of course, or fir bark mixes.
- Soil Moisture: It likes to stay moist and will tolerate large amounts of water on its roots for short periods of time.
- Drought Tolerance: Low – None
- Pests/Diseases: unknown
- Growing Conditions: easy to grow, low maintenance
- Characteristics: It has grass-like foliage, fragrant, showy red blooms have a spotted lip, are about 1” – 2”, and appear in March – April.
- Propagation: by division of root ball (as simple as removing a single pseudobulb, some sphagnum and rooting hormone)
- Wildlife: unknown
- Facts: One of the most popular orchids because of its fragrance; the Coconut orchid smells just like a Pina Colada. It is recognized by its long, thin leaves and deep red blooms.
- Designer Considerations: Hang in your trees, in wood displays on patio walls, or in hanging baskets or pots on your patio.
