Masdavallia and ice?

[Paul Mc]

I was reading on a website that one person believes if your cool growing Masdavallia seems to be too warm then they suggested putting an ice cube on the top in the morning.

My first thought was, "Are they serious?" Then I thought, well yeah, they are serious. The actual question is wouldn't that harm the plant?

What do you guys think?

[Zoi2]

I don't know if it'd work or not but I would be a bit afraid to do it.
Joann

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Not sure if it works, but instead of ice, try refrigerated water. It's easy, just prep several small bottles worth of water in the fridge. Smaller bottles cool better and faster.

I did that with my Disa tripetaloides during the summer.

But again, it depends on the type of Masdevallia. They've got to be stuff like:

Masdevallia coccinea
Masdevallia cyclotega
Masdevallia ignea
Masdevallia racemosa
Masdevallia selenites
Masdevallia solomonii

Try a terra-cotta pot too.


As a reminder...

It's not necessary to go to such lengths for a good majority of Masdevallias. Some are just not that cool growing.

[Jennyfleur]

Apart from my initial thoughts that the thread was about a new type of cocktail, I wouldn't be happy putting ice on any of my plants, not just orchids. Besides, how much use is an ice-cube going to be if it melts in about 10mins? Now, setting up an 'ice moat' around a plant, that sounds more logical as it'd cool the surrounding air/ environment and, as it melts, would help with humidity as well.

[Tindomul]

An ice moat sounds good. So long as the freezing temps don't actually come into contact with the plant. Thats why I would not put ice on the plant, maybe near to it.

[Jennyfleur]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

An ice moat sounds good. So long as the freezing temps don't actually come into contact with the plant. Thats why I would not put ice on the plant, maybe near to it.

I guess I was thinking of those serving dishes you can get which have a round bit in the middle for dip or fondue or something and then 'compartments' around the ouside for veg/ fruit/ etc. The plant could go in the middle and the ice round the edge and that way they would never come into contact....

[littlefrog]

Seems like a lot of work and it wouldn't stay cold all that long... clay pots, loose sphagnum moss can make the roots a bit cooler. Or double pot, small inner pot, and a larger outer clay pot with some damp sand in between.

Really, as a best option you need to bring down the temperature of the growing environment, not an individual plant. If you like masdevallias but your temperature is too warm, grow warm growing masdevallias... There are a lot of good ones.

I don't think adding ice is a good idea for any orchid...

[RJSquirrel]

double pot, small inner pot, and a larger outer clay pot with some damp sand in between.

excellent!!

works well for keeping plants in windowsills cooled.

Also I use that method to re-pot aerial plants and not disturb the aerial roots.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

How about this approach instead...

What kind of Masdevallias do you have in mind?

Where are you located, and what are the day, night, and seasonal temperatures there?

[Paul Mc]

I actually did buy Intermediate growing Masdevallia's, though originally I was not aware that they existed which was why I never bought one.

I just couldn't believe that the vendor was actually telling people to put ice on them to cool them down. I thought they were wacked for telling people to do that, and thought they could not be serious! Just thought I would throw this information out there and get feedback on it.

LOL... Believe me, I felt is was really gimmicky and would never have tried it myself.