masdevallia decumana bud!!! is it?

Something started as a new growth(I thought), but then got separated from the rest of the leaves.
Looks like a bud to me:



It definitely wasn't there when I purchased the plant a month ago. I posted pic with questions here.



What should I do (or don't) to keep it from blasting?
For now all I was doing - watering when moss is totally dry.

Thanks a lot .

[WhiteRabbit]

looks like a spike/bud! congrats!
I'm just beginning to wade into Masdies, so can't offer any advice

[ezil]

I wouldn't do anything different. If you are afraid of losing the spike, stake it with a bamboo skewer, or a very light weight metal wire. I like to water my masdies from the bottom. Each plant has an individual container. When the top starts to feel moist, I lift them out, and let them drip off before putting them back. This avoids a lot of problems. I'd love to see the pictures of the blooms.

[bellini girl]

Definitely a spike. Way to grow. Ditto what Ezil said, stake the spike

[ronaldhanko]

I'd get it off the edge of the clay pot. The porousness of the clay can sometimes cause the spike to die where it touches the clay.

Thanks a lot!
I will try to take the spike off the pot edge (although am afraid to break it, it looks very thin and fragile).
Ezil, I was just watering under the tap, but will try your method. I only have few masdies.
Do you fertilize them?
I usually use 20-20-20 at 1/4 suggested serving for other orchids, but not sure how masdies would like it.
Thanks again.

[ronaldhanko]

Originally Posted by orchideya

Thanks a lot!
I will try to take the spike off the pot edge (although am afraid to break it, it looks very thin and fragile).
Ezil, I was just watering under the tap, but will try your method. I only have few masdies.
Do you fertilize them?
I usually use 20-20-20 at 1/4 suggested serving for other orchids, but not sure how masdies would like it.
Thanks again.

In my experience Masdevallias are rather light feeders - I use a "pinch" of fertilizer in two gallons about every 2 out of 3 waterings.

[ezil]

As Ron says: they're light feeders. I NEVER fert. full strength: always 1/2 - 1/3 strength, every other watering. I use my pH and my TDS meters. (I'm still quite new to pleurothallids, so I'm still learning.) In winter I fertilize even less, when in doubt: DON'T.

I just wanted to share this update on my Masdevallia decumana bud. It is still here, not blasted and starting to show pink color.




Obviously I am loosing my patience. How long until it opens?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Within a week. 2 - 3 days at the soonest.