Have you grown a masdavellia successfully? - Orchid Board

jmccoy · #1 12-11-2015, 01:11 AM

I have read some sources and seen some videos that say they are not as hard to grow as you would think and other videos, comments, and sources that say they are quite tricky to grow. I have also read care information for them that is conflicting of one another.

I am just fascinated by these orchids and would love to bring one home at some point but I want to make sure I have an environment that will be pleasing to them.

Currently my temps are 65-72 that is the low and the high temp. Humidity can fluctuate between 50% to above 70% sometimes 80% but I try not to let it get too high cause it creates water condensation on my walls and I don't want mold. Usually though my humidity is around a steady 65% to 70%. I have yet to test my water so see how good it is since in the summer I don't get much rain, in the winter I do. I grow all my orchids under a 4 bulb T5 High Output hanging light set up. Most are potted in bark mix, some with a little bit of moss.

So I am wondering peoples personal experience with these orchids and if their growing environment matches mine in many ways or not. I would not mind watering it every other day or misting it or having it close to my humidifier, or keeping it on a humidity tray, whatever may help it. I just really would love a couple of these guys if I can. The orchids that seem to thrive the most in my set up are well most everything, from paph. or phal. to oncidium, and brassavola. Havnt seen any growth on my bulbophylum though I just got that one and I unknowingly tried to kill my dendrobium so that one doesn't count lol.

Any personal experiences would be wonderful. Thank you.

Greenthumb.5 · #2 12-11-2015, 06:00 AM

I just experimented with Masdevallia floribunda which is a good beginner's Masdevallia to start with. I just potted the plant in New Zealand Sphagnum moss which is in a clay pot. Small size is okay. I sat the clay pot into a saucer with the base of it touching water at all times. This helps to keep the roots cool and moist. So far, it has worked in my hot summers here in Georgia and dry greenhouse in the fall/winter. It's even flowering too!

Subrosa · #3 12-11-2015, 07:54 AM

I picked up several small divisions of hybrid Masdevallia late last winter. I kept them in my cold room (daytime highs in the high 60s/low 70s, nighttime lows averaging high 50s/low 60s, occasionally into the low 40s) in a nw facing window. Humidity ranges from 30%-80%, average toward the low end. One bloomed in short order, but it turned out to be a mislabelled Stelis of some sort. All grew well, adding leaves through the winter. As soon as the trees in my backyard leafed out they went outside in constant shade. Temps got into the mid/upper 90s repeatedly during the summer, but all plants continued growing, and just about 2 weeks ago the Cheryl Shohan 'Red Hot Mama' bloomed. Around mid summer I transitioned them from sphagnum to semi-hydro culture. I made sure to keep them moist during the heat of summer, but during the winter the moss did get slightly dry a couple times. Not crunchy, but definitely dry on the surface. Your current conditions would suit a wide range of species, but the rubber will hit the road come summer. How warm will your grow space be in August?

---------- Post added at 07:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:24 AM ----------

BTW over the past few months I picked up 2 warm growing species, M. tonduzii and M. herradurae. These are growing under lights in a terrarium in my living room. Temps range from the mid/upper 70s during the day, down to the mid/upper 60s at night. Humidity ranges from 70%-90%+. They seem ok so far in that they're not backsliding, but haven't put on much new growth.More time is needed to make a judgement on how they're doing.

wintergirl · #4 12-11-2015, 09:58 AM

I have 4 species masdies, all growing on Kool-logs. Masdevallia uniflora, Masdevallia glandulosa, Masdevallia erinacea, and Masdevallia striatella all near a North window in normal home environment and growing great.

silken · #5 12-11-2015, 10:34 AM

You could likely grow them in your conditions. Or at least some of the hybrids. There are more hybrids available now that are heat tolerant because they are bred with warmer growing species. I find humidity a problem in summer in the greenhouse and the leaves can come out folded because of it. I would be afraid to have over 60% humidity in my home. Maybe in humid climates everyone does, I don't know. Seems too high for drywall etc.

I killed most of mine in my last attempt. I have had one for 9 months now. It has some folded leaves but also has a good sized spike. I think next summer I might take it out to a shaded part of the flower garden. They don't need really high light.

wintergirl · #6 12-11-2015, 10:44 AM

I agree with silken, your humidity is too high for a home. If you keep it around 50% it is better for your home and your plants will be fine. Hybrids are easier to grow. If you get a Kool-log your problem will be solved. You just put the water in the chamber (I like to use rain or distilled), it cools and wets the plant... so easy. Kool-Logs

silken · #7 12-11-2015, 10:49 AM

The Kool logs sound like a good idea, or at least setting a potted one in a clay pot to keep the roots cooler. It can be potted in an unglazed clay pot also.

Tindomul · #8 12-11-2015, 01:59 PM

I would like to define "successfully", as having a plant for more than 5 years and getting it to bloom on a regular basis during at least the last 3 out of those 5 years. And that you still have the plant alive and well at the end of those 5 years. Thats just my personal definition.
I have attempted to grow so many species and hybrids of Masdies, I can't remember them all. None have met my definition of successfully grown. I have tried terrariums, out in the open, keeping them moist, bright, shaded. A problem always seems to arise.
My advice to you, you seem to have a good starting point for growing these. I suggest you find some Masdies that like what you can provide and that you would like to see in bloom in your home. Take it from there. You may find that Masdies are really easy for you, or that you may have to work at it for a while longer, like me.
There are so many things to look for, temperature and humidity are just for starters.
Then there is growing media/habit. Mounted, potted. If potted make sure its not too wet so roots get sufficient ventilation. If mounted, make sure roots get sufficient moisture and not dry out.
Ventilation is a big issue for orchids, especially these guys.
I find Masdies do better for me under lighting that is brighter than recommended, not full sun or anything that strong, just brighter than what's written on the box if you catch my meaning.
Then there are bugs. They come and then you have to deal with it. I have lost entire collections of Masdies due to them, so you have to stay vigilant. Its not all about the environment, can you devote the time to making sure they stay healthy. I guess the same as any pet.

Hope this helps. Definitely give it a try, don't hold back from fear of not having the right conditions. Some spots of your grow space may be right for Masdies, and other spots only a few feet away may not. It takes lots of experimentation, and don't give up if you kill a few, or a lot.

César

AJW · #9 12-11-2015, 05:53 PM

This info was given to me by an internationally respected orchid grower since past away: (George Fuller MBE)
"Some times its good to go back to basics with our orchid growing by this I mean those key elements.Light, Temp, Water, Fert, Air movement."
The temps described in the above text all seem to be right on the low side but getting a bit high when they go above 75f. mine tend to sit within 40 - 70f. Light recommended needs to be such that you can hold your hand around 1 foot from the plant and not see a shadow. The plant medium is best when fine and moist remembering that misting mainly impacts on the flowers or leafs. I use a fine grade 2 pine bark. Ferts should be weak (about 1/6th strength) and applied when plant medium is wet . The element we often forget being air movement. A light draft should be flowing over the plants at all times a a strength that can be felt but not make the plant foliage move, this tends to take care of humidity. High humidity tends to cause black spots to appear on the leaf of Masdevilla I have attached a couple of Masdevilla photos from my collection

silken · #10 12-11-2015, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJW

This info was given to me by an internationally respected orchid grower since past away: (George Fuller MBE)
"Some times its good to go back to basics with our orchid growing by this I mean those key elements.Light, Temp, Water, Fert, Air movement."
The temps described in the above text all seem to be right on the low side but getting a bit high when they go above 75f. mine tend to sit within 40 - 70f. Light recommended needs to be such that you can hold your hand around 1 foot from the plant and not see a shadow. The plant medium is best when fine and moist remembering that misting mainly impacts on the flowers or leafs. I use a fine grade 2 pine bark. Ferts should be weak (about 1/6th strength) and applied when plant medium is wet . The element we often forget being air movement. A light draft should be flowing over the plants at all times a a strength that can be felt but not make the plant foliage move, this tends to take care of humidity. High humidity tends to cause black spots to appear on the leaf of Masdevilla I have attached a couple of Masdevilla photos from my collection

Judging by your photos, you have figured out how to grow them!