Do you cut masdevallia flower spikes when they are done?

[judyzhusf]

In particular, my glandulosa. The flowers were wilting and I felt like the leaves were turning yellow because the nutrients were being spent too much in the flowers. I cut the flowers off but wondered - should I have done that or left them until they turned dry and brown on their own?

I may attempt to fertilize my plant once more since I dont think Ive ever done it in the year that ive had it except for that one time I over did it and never did it again.

[Louis_W]

I think you are fine. It's always safer to cut dried material but as long as the cuts get a chance to dry out a little and callus over you should be ok

[Roberta]

It depends on the Mesdevallia. Some of them are sequential bloomers, where spikes can rebloom many times. The ones that aren't in that group turn brown on their own quickly. Masdies are light feeders, but dilute fertilizer every couple of weeks is still a good idea. Once a year is not enough...