Welcome to the OB.
Masdevallia barleana is the cooler growing one of the 2 species of Masdevallias you have. I don't recommend this species for a beginner. It needs to be kept around 75 F - 80 F at the very warmest at any given point throughout the year! Ideally, this plant should not experience temperatures in excess of 75 F, 80 F is actually pushing it to its limits.
Masd. rolfeana can take it a bit warmer. 85 F - 90 F will not hurt this species.
Dracula erythrochaete is actually a cool to intermediate grower. The temperature range it does best in is around 50 F - 90 F.
These are not the best beginner's orchids, imo. Particularly since you've never grown any other orchids before - as you claim.
You are free to ask any questions you may have for however long you feel it takes for you to get it right, but should you
not succeed, I recommend and encourage you to put the endeavor of growing these 3 species aside for the time being and try growing some easier, but still highly exotic species. Later on, when you feel more comfortable with what orchids are about and how to get the basic maintenance of these plants down, then I can recommend at least 2 of the 3 species you mentioned, (namely Masd. rolfeana and Dracula erythrochaete).
Should you ever need to compile a list of orchids that are best grown by a beginner, all you need to do is ask.
If you are still intent on growing Draculas and Masdevallias from the get-go, then all anyone can do is provide a short list of species within those 2 genera that people feel should be good introductory species.
In the meantime, I have to say I have currently not had any success growing Masdevallias or Draculas in an enclosure yet, that may be something you may want to be a bit more persistent in asking about with other members here who also grow Masdevallias and Draculas.
Growing Masdevallias in straight up moss is a common practice as they need to have a lot of moisture around their roots. Same goes for Draculas.
The difference between cultivating Draculas and Masdevallias is that most people use net pots for Draculas, and clay pots for Masdevallias.
Clay pots tend to keep the roots of the Masdevallias cooler than the ambient air temperatures. They also dry out faster.
Net pots provide a lot of air movement to the roots of Draculas, but they dry out much, much faster than any other pot out there. They are much akin to growing plants in a wood slat basket. The reason why people use the net pots is because they are smaller, and fit the plant's roots closer. Orchids need small pots to facilitate proper moisture/air levels to their roots. Too wet, and the roots rot. Too much air to the roots, and they desiccate.
If you are ever in question as to how high up in elevation these orchids come from, a good starting reference point would be to use Jay's Internet Orchid Encyclopedia (
Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia). He will usually have the elevations of where these orchids are reported to come from. Be forewarned though, that even Jay puts up a disclaimer that the info on his website may not always be 100% correct. So, to be certain, you may have to cross reference certain information for certain plants.
It would also help to post pics if you have any specific question regarding the plants, it makes it easier than describing it, since those who are new to orchids don't always get the terminology for orchid anatomy correct.
Mas'd terrarium
Linear Mode
