So a month ago we had this epic hail storm that destroyed almost everything in terms of orchids...no, it did destroy every orchid, and badly damaged everything else outside. Well when I got my original max it was in bloom and I'll admit I was loving the flower but moreover the amazing scent that accompanied it. So when I came across a 4n variety on orchids.com, I went for it.

The plant is huge!!!



I know maxis like a ton of light and a ton of water so I have it outside now with my Oncs. I think I need to give it more but I wanted to acclimate the plant to our highland sun. People may not think the sun is that much stronger here but I assure you, at 6500' it's pretty intense! So I want to be sure my new max doesn't get fried.

So the question is, will a 4n variety bloom more readily and more robustly than others? Clearly it grows very robustly.

Any idea if Norman and Co said they confirmed it's a 4n? If it is, they just tend to be a bit bigger, grow a bit better, and flower bigger (size and number). But I'm speaking of Phals in general, and don't know if this'll hold for a Max.

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>> Jarad <<
You know it's a great forum when you search for "bellina" and it returns this from the server:
"The following words in your search query were ignored because they are too common words: bellina."

They sell it as 4n specifically and it is labeled as such. I have a regular max and can tell you the bulbs are at least twice the size of the regular bulbs. You can tell the plant is vigorous in general. It'll be interesting to see if it'll do well for me as I'd love to have it's sweet scent filling the house!

Waht a beauty!!! I've been looking at these for a while now. Temptation...

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Hugh

Flush, wash, and SAY NO!!!
(Except for buying/growing orchids)

I think it was 35 for the whole thing. And imagine I spent that much on my previous plant that was a stick compared to this one.

That's a nice one!! I think the 4n is more fragrant too.....just my opinion. Make sure you post pics when it blooms!

Uh yeah that would be awesome if it's a max on roids!

Good luck, Ryan and please post when it blooms.

This plant just went into sh today! I did so because the moss it was in was always soaked but actively growing. In such a condition, the transition to sh is really easy.

Ah, your capable hands it will thrive and bloom soon!

Aw...look at you being all supportive of me. Thanks . I hope it will bloom soon. The thing is huge and my first hail eaten max bloomed and was the size of one of this plants bulbs! So I'm assuming it has the ability to bloom!

I also have it in full sun...6500' in elevation, boil your brains out sun....seems its had no ill affect thus far. Same as with my tolumnia. I accidentally left them in full so with no acclimation and they didn't care. Who knew!

Here is the max in all her sh glory.



And yes, that is a very parched landscape behind it in my very non landscaped land... We bought the place thrilled to live in the country and excited to do so much with it but it take a long time and a lot of energy and plenty of cash to do it. So for now, it gets to look like this.

it will LOVE semi hydro! a few weeks after i moved mine over, it bloomed! and i hadnt been able to get it to bloom for the 2 years i had it! until now!

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~Martin

Ryan, How is your Max. doing in SH. I got mine not long after you did, and now after several months in SH, the pseudobulbs are shriveled, with vertical ridges. It seems to be growing roots OK, but I am a bit concerned. Any suggestions?

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Hugh

Flush, wash, and SAY NO!!!
(Except for buying/growing orchids)

my maxillaria always looks liek that too. even when it wasnt in s/h. i read somewhere soemthing about how this is a species that will bloom when its like this and isnt necessarily dehydrated, it just naturally likes to keep wrinkled psuedobulbs

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~Martin