Maxillaria tenuifolia, the delicate-leafed maxillaria or coconut pie orchid, is a species of orchid ranging from Mexico to Nicaragua and possibly Costa Rica. These plants are easy to grow if kept moist and given good air movement in a high-light windowsill of any orientation but North.
Avoid over watering as this can lead to root rot. Position your orchid in a bright windowsill facing east or west.
Fertilize regularly. A fertilizing routine is just as important as a watering routine. Anita recommends feeding orchids with water-soluble fertilizer that's formulated for orchids. Mix at the rate recommended on the package.
After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node. Withered stems won’t produce flowers. Removing the stem will direct the +plant’s energy toward root development, which makes for a healthier plant and increased chances for new bloom spikes.
A container that is about one-third as tall as the plant (measured from the soil line to the highest leaf) often works best.
