Maxillaria tenuifolia, a botanical species that finds its place in any orchid collection, was discovered near Veracruz, in Mexico, by Karl Theodore Hartweg, and described by John Lindley (February 5, 1799 - November 1, 1865, English botanist, horticulturist and orchidologist ) in 1837.

Young plants remain compact, but at the same time they can be grown as impressive specimens in relatively short periods of time. Due to its grass-like foliage, Maxillaria tenuifolia is an attractive apartment species even outside the flowering period. Its vernacular name of " Coconut Orchid " alludes to the strong fragrance of the flowers, reminiscent of the aroma of coconuts.

Due to its considerable geographical distribution, Maxillaria tenuifolia easily adapts to a wide range of environmental conditions. From a taxonomic point of view, the genus has gone through major changes compared to how it was known for a long period of time. A new classification system was proposed by PhD. Mark Whitten and Mario Blanco in the February 2011 issue of ORCHIDS Magazine , Bulletin of the American Orchid Society, in an attempt to clarify the relationships of this comprehensive and diverse genus. Thus, the genus name of the species was changed to Maxillariella , but the species name remained intact. Accepted synonyms are Maxillaria gracilifolia Kraenzel 1927; Maxillariella tenuifolia (Lindl.) MA Blanco & Carnevali 2007. Plants with solitary epiphytic or occasionally terrestrial leaves, with ascending growth habit, can reach up to 60 cm high, are found on trees in open or dense forest areas, at altitudes of up to 1500 m. It has a rhizome completely covered by non-foliaceous nested bracts, with oblong-elliptical to oblong-obovate pseudobulbs, laterally compressed, 2-6 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, with a single apical, linear leaf , attenuated.

The 5 cm long floral stems, covered with basal bracts, start from the mature pseudobulbs, and bear single flowers, which rise up to about half the length of the leaf. Flowering takes place in spring and summer , and afterwards the plants require a period of vegetative rest during the winter months, in which watering will be drastically reduced. The delicate, solitary, fragrant flowers of 3.9 - 4 cm, red in color, but wearing yellow or brown spots, which form a pattern reminiscent of leopard fur, can vary slightly in color, but, in general, the petals wear a color marbled dark red and light red or dark yellow.

The concave labelum (lip) is dark, blood-red from the base, up to almost half of its length, while the apical part is dark yellow with pigmentation consisting of purple-red or red-brown spots.

Maxillaria tenuifolia belongs primarily to the lowlands of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, at altitudes up to 1500 m, in tropical forests with deciduous or semi-deciduous tree species, and sometimes in ravines in warm forests of oak trees.

Cultivated at temperatures above 10 ºC, both day and night, it belongs to the intermediate to warm thermal register . As a general rule, however, it is a thermophilic species, preferring the average temperature in summer days around 28 - 29 °C, and 19 °C in warm nights. In the cold season, the recommended temperature during the day is 23 - 24 °C, with minimums of 13 - 15 °C at night.

Maxillaria tenuifolia requires light intensities of 15,000 - 20,000 lux, but it prefers filtered or dispersed light, associated with air currents. From the point of view of light intensity, Maxillaria tenuifolia requires the same conditions as species of the genera Cattleya and Phalaenopsis .

Air humidity must not fall below 50%, and its average should be around 80% throughout the year, the use of humidifiers or trays with gravel and water being extremely useful in this regard. In its natural habitat, the species receives plenty of water during the rainy season, but December marks the beginning of the dry season, which lasts until May. During this period, in the case of cultivation in the apartment, it is necessary to reduce watering, so as to allow the culture medium to dry before administering a new water supplement. However, some authors recommend applying the treatment to reduce watering between the months of November and March.

As a general rule, it will be ensured that the pseudobulbs of the plants do not wilt visibly and quickly. It is possible to water the plants at a distance of 2-3 weeks. A basic rule for an easy and successful cultivation of the Maxillaria tenuifolia species is to ensure adequate humidity and effective ventilation .

The culture substrate recommended for Maxillaria tenuifolia is similar to that used for species of the genera Cattleya and Phalaenopsis , consisting of medium to large grain bark, dry ferns, and other similar materials, ensuring their abundant moistening during the growth period. It can be mounted, ideally, on pieces of bark, or it can be grown in wooden or plastic baskets.

It is necessary to administer a charcoal amendment in the culture substrate, to prevent its acidification and to increase its air permeability. During active growth, weekly fertilizations with orchid fertilizers will be administered, at dilutions of 25% - 50% of the recommended dose. At the beginning of the year, when the period of intensive growth begins, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content can be administered, and towards the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content will be chosen, to stimulate flowering.

The rest period , in winter, will be represented by limiting watering, without letting the upper part of the substrate dry excessively. At the same time, fertilizing will be limited or stopped, and it will be resumed when watering resumes.

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