This unusual and extremely attractive and showy species of Maxillaria (abbreviated Max.) is native to Costa Rica and Panama in rainforests at elevations of 3,280 to 4,265 feet (1,000 to 1,300 meters). It is a large to giant sized, cool-growing stiffly erect epiphyte with up right growth habit that branches and clumps becoming like a bush. Scalariformis means “ladder shaped,” referring to the leaf arrangement.
Leaves are narrow, 2 to 4 inches long, and elegantly ascend (like a ladder) up the stem with a beautiful leaves having a deep green bronze waxy shine and reddish undersides. Absolutely stunning plants produce dense clusters 2 to 4 times per year masses of bright pink, crystalline, one-inch starry blooms held close to the stem. Blooms better in bright light (grow together with Phalaenopsis), keep moist at all times during active growth period (summer through fall), do not let it dry out, grow it in sphagnum moss only and only up-pot without disturbing the roots. Give it cooler temperature during winter with minimum nighttime temperature of 52° F and let it dry slightly between watering to induce optimum flowering on following spring. Very highly recommended. Rarely available in the market.
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PLEASE NOTE: Since this is a Seedling Population (not a Mericlone which produces exact duplicates), the picture is for illustration purposes only. No two plants will be the same from this cross, and they will flower in a range of possibilities coming from the two parents.