MASDEVALLIA problems. Help!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by NeoNJ

Hey Philip:

I've had these 2 Masd. decumana for exactly 2-days. They arrived on Tuesday from ANDY'S.

That's suspect...

Spotting shouldn't be that quick if it's from short term shipping stress! This kinda stuff happens when they're recent imports from out of the country or from plants with severely compromised root systems.

I can show you a photo of some of my Masdevallias that come from roughly similar elevation ranges. None of them have blemishes.

Like I said, the ones that I own that are from elevations starting from around 2,200 m are the ones suffering.

Originally Posted by NeoNJ

One of them was in full bloom when I unpacked it. Gorgeous.

Well, that's one plus, at least you got to see a bloom, but like I've always said, flowers are not always indicative of overall plant health.

Originally Posted by NeoNJ

Within 24-hours the leaves started to spot, yellow, pit and obviously become stressed.

That is incredibly suspect, like I said, spotting like that is most likely caused by disease. This is the kind of stuff I see from fresh imports coming from Ecuagenera.

Originally Posted by NeoNJ

It's been the same with every mounted Masdevella I've ever grown - a few years ago I had 4 mounted Masdies arrive from ANDY'S. The same thing happened. I lost all 4 plants. And it was a huge financial loss, as the plants were not cheap.

I know the feeling. But like I said, you might wanna try getting something potted. Try J&L Orchids, they're closer to you. They let you choose mounted or potted plants for certain species. They also carry Masd decumana.

Originally Posted by NeoNJ

Problem is I think I need to stay clear of SPECIES and stick with more 'reliable' Masdevallia hybrids that are potted and not mounted !

PATRICK

Hybrids. Species. Doesn't matter. Having difficulties with Masdevallias is having difficulties with Masdevallias.

I don't think species is the issue. I've had species Masdevallias grow just as vigorously as hybrid Masdevallias.

I recommend a thorough disinfection of your plant asap.

Check for root damage. Like I said, I tend to not like how much moss the mounted Masdevallias from Andy's has. You could afford to remove a few strands.

If you're watering everyday, I recommend cutting back on your watering.

[NeoNJ]

Philip -
Thanks. You've been a big help - can you email me at Denman55@yahoo.com so I can continue this conversation with you .....

I received (2) Masd. Highland Fling yesterday from J & L Orchids. They are potted.

I grow predominantly Paphs and Phrags, with Aerangis and Angraecum. I got the Masd. decumana because I really am determined to find a Masdevallia that will grow in my enviornment, and refuse to believe there isn't one out there, species or Hybrid.

I will try and seek out the roots on the mounted decumana, but like you said, they are tight, heavily mossed plants and the roots aren't even visable.

I think initially here, the "Cold and Wet" didn't do the plants alot of good when they arrived. Being on a windowsill presents all sorts of problems with cold drafts, adding fans and humidity, with wet moss = disaster, I think. Don't you agree ??

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Cold and wet is no good for any Masdevallia.

Cold and moist is great for higher elevation Masdevallias that come from 2,200 m and up! Of course warmth will kill these in a heartbeat.

Masd. decumana actually appreciate cool - warm temperatures! Your Masdevallia decumana is actually more warmth tolerant than my Masd andreettaeana.

I finally figured out what went wrong with the first few tries with my Masd. andreettaeana, and it exhibited the same problems yours did...

After thorough disinfection, both specimens of Masd andreettaeana are in fact fairly warmth tolerant and very hardy! This thing never seems to stop blooming!!!

[NeoNJ]

Like I said, Philip, I really do not understand what happened so quickly with these 2 plants ..... I cut off the 'diseased' leaves.

I guess moving forward, I'm not exactly sure how to grow these two plants ......in terms of Temps, Humidity. Any ideas?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. Try and find one that is potted. Clay pot is preferred, just in case warmth can cause an issue. Cold temperatures that don't approach freezing obviously won't phase Masd. decumana.

2. Once you can locate a potted one, see if you can spot if the roots are damaged or not. Even reputable sellers can unwittingly sell a plant with a terrible root system.

3. Humidity should be around 60% - 100%. As you can see, that's a pretty forgiving range!

4. Temperatures depend on your Masdevallia species!

Which ones are you really interested in? I'm also assuming you want to pick ones that don't need to be grown in a refrigeration unit during the warm summers!

5. Light should be bright shade.

6. I would also try to disinfect your new arrivals, just in case.

---------- Post added at 11:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:59 AM ----------

You know what...

Here's a good suggestion for a beginner's Masdevallia...

It was one of my first species Masdevallias...

Masd princeps

Great large plant, with great large flowers. I think this one should do wonderfully for you.

Second runner up would be:

Masd ayacabana

[NeoNJ]

Ok, well let's discuss my growing area:
I grow all of my orchids in my Bedroom, on 3 large windowsills. I have 50 Paphs and Phrags, and mounted Aerangis and Angraecum. I have SE and SW light exposures - 1 window is SE, receiving morning sunlight - 2 windows are SW receiving Afternoon light - which is Bright Sun and Hot. I have to adjust the blinds accordingly even for the Paphs and Phrags or I will have significant 'bleaching' and 'burning' of leaves.

I like the LARGE Flowered Masdevallia. The problem with the initial (4) Masdies that I got from ANDY's was that they were all quite small-flowered. Only one was I able to see in bloom - Masd. herrardurea (sp).

I think for the most part, the large-flowered Masdies are all Hybrids .....

---------- Post added at 02:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:06 PM ----------

Funny, I just looked at ayacabana and thought...WOW! What a great Masdie.
The princeps I found to be rather unattractive....

But even with that, I have not seen either plant available for Sale anywhere .....

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by euplusia

Masdevallia decumana is among the ´difficult to grow´ Masdevallias in my private experience. Other species like floribunda, barleana, bicolor, tovarensis and many more are easier. And every changing of climate and growing conditions plus the transport is stress for these delicate plants. It doesn´t mean that you can´t grow masdies on your windowsill, but eventually some hardier species will bring you more fun.

I didn't see this until the last second!

NeoNJ - you might want to take what euplusia said into consideration.



Most Angraecoids grow on the intermediate to warm side. I don't usually grow Angraecoids, but I have for certain grown at least 1 species of Aerangis - Aerangis fastuosa.

Depending on the Paph and Phrag, same thing...

Some can be grown intermediate to warm.

I only know of a few Paphs and Phrags that can tolerate cooler temperatures that ere on the side of those similar to Masdevallias. Paph micranthum, Paph armeniacum, and Paph malipoense being a few of them. Phrag bessae being one of the Phrags that I know of that may be able to tolerate Masdevallia type conditions.

As far as I know of your growing conditions, it would help greatly if I knew the numerical values of your temperatures.

[silken]

If you have never tried growing them potted, then maybe you should give it a try. Mine seem very happy in sphagnum moss and a small pot. They should never dry out which I would be afraid of with mounting. Mine send up new growths at a fast rate. Both of mine came from Ecuagenera and were spotless and beautiful until I was at fault 6 months later by letting them get too warm in the summer as it is hard to keep them cool here. I have a fan and I read that the leaves should be moving slightly as an indication of how much moving air. They seem much happier in winter when I grow them at 65F in the day and 55 at night.

[NeoNJ]

I'm a little confused over Masd. tovarensis being listed - as I have read that this is a COOL growing Masdevallia...... No ?

What about HYBRIDS? Can you recommend any?

As for Temps ----> Low of 51-F, High of 78-F
As for Humidity -----> 53% to 80%

[silken]

I just noticed your post that you got 2 Masd. Highland Fling. That is one of the two that I have. It was barely spotted when the other (Machu Picchu) was very spotted from a little too warm I think. They grow side by side. I have only had it since last Feb. but it has grown well and tried to bloom 4 times last summer. The buds blasted (not sure why) and the one that would have opened got bitten off by my cat. At present it has shot up 6 bloom spikes so I am hopeful. This one seems to be fairly robust. It is potted in moss in a plastic pot although next time I re-pot it may go into a clay pot. They hate old potting medium as well.

---------- Post added at 03:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:33 PM ----------

Originally Posted by NeoNJ

I'm a little confused over Masd. tovarensis being listed - as I have read that this is a COOL growing Masdevallia...... No ?

What about HYBRIDS? Can you recommend any?

As for Temps ----> Low of 51-F, High of 78-F
As for Humidity -----> 53% to 80%

I think 78F is too high for many masdies. Mine would have never got warmer than that and the one was horribly spotted this summer.