Maxillaria variabilis (Bateman ex Lindl. 1837) – a small-sized botanical species from Mexico (Chiapas, Colima, Durango, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México), Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, where it inhabits terrestrial, lithophilous, or epiphytic stations on deciduous species, especially oak, or at their base, on isolated trees in pastures and meadows, in open or dense forests with high humidity, at altitudes from 500 to 2500 m.
Described by Bateman after Lindley in 1837, the taxon has the following valid synonyms: Maxillaria angustifolia Hooker 1841; Maxillaria chiriquensis Schlechter 1922; Maxillaria lyoni Lindley 1845; Maxillaria panamensis Schltr. 1922; Maxillaria revoluta Kl. 1852; Maxillaria variabilis subvar. lutea A.H.Kent 1893; Maxillaria variabilis var. unipunctata Lindl. 1838; Maxillariella panamensis (Schltr.) Szlach. & Sitko 2012; Maxillariella variabilis (Bateman ex Lindl.) M.A. Blanco & Carnevali 2007; Maxillariella variabilis var. unipunctata (Lindl.) Solano 2011. Maxillaria curtipes is another frequently cited synonym, but it is advisable to treat it with caution until solid validations and revisions are made. The species is distinguished from similar species M. Caespitifica by its different flowers – the latter having smaller, green flowers – and from the species Costaricensis by its green-cream flowers spotted with red, and by the latter species’ preference for much wetter areas.
The small-sized species (4 - 21 cm in height) features solitary leaves, somewhat resembling blades of grass, linear or linear-oblong, acute to obtuse, 3 - 15 cm long, inserted apically on spaced aggregated pseudobulbs, ellipsoid, 1.3 - 6.4 cm long, covered with several sheaths, emerging from linear or branched rhizomes. Flowering occurs throughout the year, with fibrous sheaths at the base of the flowers surrounding the delicate floral petioles, 5 cm long, with single flowers, surrounded by a few thin, translucent, lanceolate acuminate bracts. The color of the flowers, which persist for long periods, varies from almost black, indigo, violet, white, yellow, with or without central red spots, yellow-green, and their diameter is generally 2 cm. The appearance is glossy, almost waxy, and the labellum can be red in light-colored varieties, while in dark-colored specimens, its color is similar to that of the corolla.
The recommended light radiation level for this species will be between 18,000 - 30,000 lux, with moderate, well-diffused light, as direct sunlight can cause burns that will damage the plant. Efficient ventilation is recommended.
The recommended growth temperature will be in the range of 25 - 28 ℃. It is preferable for the plant to be placed in an environment that allows a natural temperature drop at night (a balcony/terrace, etc.) - temperature differences help the plant and stimulate flowering.
During summer and early autumn, it is recommended to maintain air humidity at 60 - 75%, which can be achieved through periodic misting or using a humidifier, then from late autumn until spring, this should be reduced to 55 - 60%.
For cultivating the species, containers with efficient drainage are preferred - for example, plastic baskets or pots with sufficient perforations that allow quick water drainage and proper aeration of the substrate. The growing medium will consist of medium or even large-grain conifer bark, large-diameter coconut fiber pieces
Irrigation is done moderately to abundantly (in the context of a well-draining substrate), starting from the second half of spring until early autumn, then rapidly and significantly reduced over the next 5 - 6 months to correspond to periods of heavy rain followed by drought in the natural environment. The watering schedule will resume with the passing of the first half of the following spring.
Fertilization will be carried out at a concentration of 25 - 50% of the recommended dose on the bottle during the active growth period, using a balanced fertilizer throughout the year; however, a nitrogen-enriched variant can be used from spring until mid-summer, which will later be replaced by a phosphorus-rich formula from mid-summer until the end of autumn. Fertilization will be stopped during the cold period.
The resting period in winter will be ensured by reducing water administration and stopping fertilization, but care will be taken not to allow the substrate to dry out completely. At the same time, occasional spraying is recommended in the morning and rare, shallow watering only if necessary. Spraying should provide all the necessary water during the resting period.
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