Determining Light levels

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You game for Masdevallias or Zygopetalums? Maybe Coelogyne or Pholidota?

[miowntime]

Whew! I need to do more research! I've heard that Masdevillias like lots of water which would suit me fine; I like to fuss with my plants.

Based on the advice I've gotten here I bought 4 oncidiums. I also found another orchid enthusiast at the high school where I teach who gave me a slipper orchid!

Soooo I'm pouring over my Understanding Orchids and Orchid Expert books as well as the internet! I think I need more resources

AND I ordered a light meter.

You guys are great! Thanks for all the encouragement.


PS I've been so worried about the light here not being high enough. Today I see that two tips of the leaves on my new dendrobium have turned red. That usually means high light/sufficient light I think? Who knows...maybe I have higher light than I think!

[stefpix]

No matter of what, if you have the possibility to put a Dendrobium outdoors in the spring / summer it is better.

Also a newly cleaned window may let twice as much light in than a dirty window. Also the mosquito screens absorb a lot of light as well

[miowntime]

I'll make sure to get them outside over the summer!

[miowntime]

Dear King,

I went to the Longwood exhibition yesterday and a vendor convinced me to get a masdevallia. I asked him if they're difficult to grow but he said not really.

Should I panic now?

I grow lots of phals - hybrids mostly. I have 500 - 1000 fc, 40-50% humidity, and temps around 80 degrees.

So, why do these flowers have such a reputation for being difficult? Is it warranted? I really don't want to kill this plant or have it languish unhappily. Any pointers?

Thanks for any and all help!!!

Beth

[miowntime]

Oh, and it's a Masdevallia "Morning Glory."

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

No panic needed.

They get a bad rap. Masdevallias are not that difficult to grow if you know what you're doing.

The common misconceptions are:

1. They're all cool growing!

* Eh! WRONG! They're not all cool growing.

There are cold growers, cool growers, intermediate growers, and warm growers. Pick the correct hybrid or species for your growing environment, and you'll succeed.

2. Masdevallias need to be kept wet all the time.

* This idea can be a bit misconstrued. Not wet, it's more like moist.

Soggy Masdevallia roots = dead roots.

Water the media again when the media has dried out to dampness.


Your Masd 'Morning Glory' is most likely temperature tolerant (36 F - 95 F). Masd infracta is in there and that's a temperature tolerant species.

If it gets warm in the summer and you're growing indoors near a shady window, just open the windows a bit or get a little fan (don't blow the fan directly at the plant though).

Got more questions, just ask away.

[Paul Mc]

LOL... Phillip nailed it, and I admit I was guilty of not knowing about the various types of Masdie's available (cold to warm environment).

One thing Phillip did not mention was that Masdie's should do fine in the light given to phal's, but it really depends upon the type you have. I would recommend keeping it at a little lower light for a while and watch the leaves. If they seem to need more light, then slowly move them into more light. My understanding is that they like phal light, or just a little less. Newbie to Masdie's so I'd fall to someone elses expertise.

[miowntime]

That's just what I needed so they like the same type of watering as phals (let them go almost dry before watering again)? And I'll watch the leaves!

Thanks again!
Beth

[miowntime]

Reading your post again, King, it looks like they like to be kept wetter than phals...but just barely. Am I understanding you correctly?