"Cool pots"

[Becca]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

What kind of Masdevallias and Draculas do you own?

Not all of them are all that cool growing.

I'm growing a couple Draculas outdoors and so far no problems, yet...

Ever since the weekend hit, it's been over 100 F (I think it was 117 F at one point during the day today).

Sorry I haven't had a chance to reply sooner, I'll get the info tonight after work!

[Becca]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

What kind of Masdevallias and Draculas do you own?

Not all of them are all that cool growing.

I'm growing a couple Draculas outdoors and so far no problems, yet...

Ever since the weekend hit, it's been over 100 F (I think it was 117 F at one point during the day today).

Ok...here is my list....my very very short list...and I just realized that out of the 4 Masdivellia's I own, the last one I bought was a duplicate species and I didn't even realize it

Masd. striatella (potted in moss and doing ok but has not bloomed)
Masd. Sunset Jaguar 'Solar Place' (potted in moss and is alive but that is all I can say for it)
Masdevallia discoidea 'Grape Juiced' (just bought a month ago, potted in moss, arrived in bloom but the blooms blasted, is currently about to bloom again)
Masdevallia discoidea 'Orchidanica'
Dracula lotex (potted in the cool pot in a fine bark mix, hasn't rebloomed and all leaf tips turn brown on me eventually and every once in a while a leaf will turn yellow and die)
Dracula inaequalis (potted in moss all the older leaves dried up for some reason and I have three tine leaves starting to grow, keeping my fingers crossed)

Sorry for the long post, see what happens when you ask me a question!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I've grown:

Dracula inaequalis
Dracula lotax

These two are the smallest and more warmth tolerant ones of the whole bunch.

I don't think it's the heat, you may be over potting them.

If I'm not mistaken, those cool pots come in no smaller than 3".

Dracula lotax and Drac inaequalis are usually much smaller than that.

Unlike what most people believe, Draculas can take very brief (no longer than a few hours) of being completely dry without a problem. But if they're grown too wet, they get root rot.

I'm not recommending you dry them out completely, but I wanted to illustrate the point that too much moisture is not necessary to keep Draculas (and Masdevallias for that matter) happy.

Try using a small net pot for these two, and use some small grade bark mixed with some sphag.

Another thing to watch out for is the fertilization. Half the strength of what you provide for your other orchids is good enough.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I think your Masdevallias can tolerate some warmth as well.

Try looking to see if the roots are okay.


Don't worry about the Masd discoidea blooms blasting, they all do it upon first purchase to some degree or another.

Some Masdevallias can grow in light as bright as those for Oncidiums, btw. Be aware of how dark the green is on the leaves.

Remember...not all Masdevallias are the same. Some can grow in moderately bright indirect light, others in bright shade. Not all Masdevallias are epiphytes. Some are actually terrestrial or lithophytic!

Here's something I just found out to illustrate what I mean...

Masd davisii is actually a terrestrial Masdevallia that grows in open grasslands amongst dry or somewhat dry scrub in very high elevations (around 3,000 m). Cool isn't it? (No pun intended)

[Becca]

Hi Philip! While the information you have provided to me is wonderful, I don't want to hi-jack this thread so I'll respond to you via a private message!

[Vanda lover]

Ray's idea would also add a lot of humidity. It is very simular to an idea I had, but better.