dieing masdevallia - Page 2 - Orchid Board

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #11 06-10-2011, 07:57 PM

I just looked up the cross of your problem plant.

Masdevallia coccinea is in there (according to the IOSPE it is found at elevations of 2,400 m - 2,800 m).

There is 1 other cooler growing species in the cross as well - Masdevallia vietchiana (according to the IOSPE it is found at elevations of 2,000 m - 4,000 m).

If these two species are in the cross, it could be temperature related.

ryrycochinco · #12 06-10-2011, 08:24 PM

once a week. I'll water sooner if medium drys out, like to keep it moist

ryrycochinco · #13 06-10-2011, 08:28 PM

Good, I took it out of my greehhouse and placed it by a window. The temp is around 60's-70's

kavanaru · #14 06-10-2011, 08:52 PM

I kind of have a master killing Masdevallias... and I would say this is too much lught and to high temps... IMO it really looks like stress due to these two factors...

ryrycochinco · #15 06-10-2011, 09:45 PM

Thank you all so much for the advice, i think you've solved my problem.

RosieC · #16 06-11-2011, 04:45 AM

One thing you can do to help with temps is to pot in porous clay rather than plastic. If the clay is porous the moisture evaporates and cools the root zone.

My Masdies seem to love it and my greenhouse can probably get up to similar temps as yours. I have a veitchanna which is a real cool loving one and that seems happy (4 flowers just now that have been open a couple of months as well as new growths all over).

Another thing Ray advises is I think similar to what Gin was talking about with nested pots. Take a look here. I've not tried it yet, keep meaning too. See the idea at the bottom of this page.
"Stretch" Your Growing Conditions

ryrycochinco · #17 06-11-2011, 01:28 PM

Thank you RosieC, thats such a clever technique. I'll definetly try that.

greenbean · #18 06-11-2011, 06:22 PM

Not to hijack the thread, but Rosie, do you just use the regular clay pots like what can be found in any garden center? Or is there a specific brand or type that you've found works best? I realize that what you have available in the UK may not be the same as what is available in the US, but any info is helpful.

RosieC · #19 06-12-2011, 05:24 AM

They are just some standard pots. So long as they are porus that's what matters.

The first ones I tried were 'frost resistant' and when I tried them the water did not soak into the clay even though they looked like standard clay pots. I found some more where it was obvious from the colour change that the water was soaking into the clay and those are the ones I use.

greenbean · #20 06-12-2011, 08:12 PM

Thanks Rosie!