Maxillaria friedrichsthalii

Here's something a little different than the hybrids that I have been sharing with you. It is a species orchid that grows wild from Central to South America with a unique growing habit and very small blooms. The blooms are about the size of the eraser on a pencil, maybe a bit bigger, and have a wonderfully fragrant scent. In the picture the bloom is as open as it gets, it never opens fully like many others.

I potted this guy completely in sphagnum moss, and have it in a medium-high light area (similar to how I light Cattleya and Schomburgkia- it gets a couple hours of direct light each day). I water it when the moss gets between almost dry-completely dry to the touch, and it sits on a pebble tray for a little extra humidity.

It has, as I mentioned, a unique growing habit and will nearly climb out of the pot, growing and leaning heavily towards a light source.This is the first time I've seen flowers on this orchid, so hopefully it continues to bloom for quite a while.

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