Masd. care question

[Judi]

I just got my first noid Masd. and need some care advise. From what I could find it needs medium light, likes it cool conditions, and 60-80% high humidity. Does this seem reasonable? I also have the following questions:

It is in a green slotted plastic pot with live moss growing on the surface of the pot so I have no idea whether the roots are fine or larger. When I repot, what medium should I use?

About how long does a flower last, and does it have only one flower on a spike?

When I bring it into the house for the winter, would it be happier in the living room which has a humidifier but is warmer or in a spare bedroom that is cooler but has lower humidity?

[RosieC]

I bought a NoID one like that earlier in the year. Can't be certain it's the same, but certainly very similar looking flower.

Some of my masdies stay in a 40F min greenhouse over the winter, but I plan to bring this one into a cool room as the information when I bought it indicated it was more of an intermediate growing Masdie. Without being sure yours is the same as mine it's difficult to advise on temps as they can range from those that like it really cold, to those that tolerate house temperatures.

I don't like growing in moss usually, but for Masdies I grow them all in moss. A slotted pot would be good for air flow. I use porous clay pots if I can find small enough ones. The porous clay helps cool the roots as the water evaporates, and my Masdies seem to like this. You have to be careful about it not fully drying out though as it can get warmer than a plastic pot if that happens.

Masdie flowers can vary in how long they last. My veitchianna species can last over 4 weeks when happy. My NoID like this lasted about 3-4 weeks after I bought it with a flower fully open (so I don't know how long it was open before I bought it).

I would probably go for cooler rather than higher humidity over the winter. Ensure it is kept watered (not sodden, like any orchid it needs to have enough air around the roots, but water just before the moss dries out completely), and maybe mist once a day to help it if it's really dry humidity.

Roots on these things are fine compared to something like a Phal, but thicker than some orchids. Perhaps about like Oncidium Alliance roots.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Your looks like a hybrid that can handle cool to intermediate conditions. Temperatures should be 36 F to 90 F. Ideally it should be cooler than 90 F. All the other major parameters, you hit on the nose.

For yours, like I said, cooler is better, just put the humidifier in the cooler room if the humidity is too low.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The roots are thin btw.

[Judi]

Thanks Rosie and Philip, your comments were most helpful. I think I will put my new baby in the spare bedroom and monitor the humidity. I don't plant in moss, but I will try it. Rosie, how often do you repot your Masdies that grow in moss?

[Paul Mc]

I can't answer for Rosie, but somewhere I read yearly as moss breaks down and becomes acidic and clumps together. I took rosies advice on my new masdies and they have recovered nicely!

[RosieC]

Yes, re-pot yearly when using moss.