Don't Know the Right Words?

[lornaheath]

I don't understand all the right terminology surrounding Orchids.

This plant I bought mounted on a piece of bark.

I didn't know how to care for it properly so I've now buried it and planted it in Orchid Bark mix.

Is this alright? Can you take one sort of Orchid growing and change it into another sort of Orchid growing?

I know what I mean, I hope you do too?

Lorna
x x x

[MattWoelfsen]

Hello Lorna, nice thing about owning orchids, no matter how you acquired it, you can do anything to it--good or bad!

I have three orchids mounted on wood. I was tempted to put them in pots, but then I realized I needed to learn how to nurture orchids mounted this way, so I have kept them mounted. It is a lot more work.

However, putting this orchid in a pot in bark, is okay too. Just be aware that mounted orchids have different watering requirements (they need more water) and potted orchids need less water, so watch this newly potted orchid carefully and do not over water. Your plant should be fine. I would have planted in a smaller pot, and a little bit higher in the pot.

I noticed in this picture, in the background you have pots that I've been curious about--do you find these crystal pots helpful in keeping your plants alive and growing?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What kind of orchid is it? Is it a Sophronitis?

You can most definitely grow certain orchids, (not all), either mounted or potted. It is a matter of knowing what you're doing.

But the reason why I'm asking you what kind of orchid you have in that photo is because it'll make a difference in how you "bury" the orchid in the pot.

It'll really help to know what kind of orchid it is so that people can help you better.

[lornaheath]

Good Morning Mister King,

The name on this Orchid says: Masdevallia andreettaeana. I bought it from a company in Cuenca, Equador.

That lot means little to me so I hope it helps you Your Majesty.

Lorna
x x x

[lornaheath]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

I noticed in this picture, in the background you have pots that I've been curious about--do you find these crystal pots helpful in keeping your plants alive and growing?

Hello Mister Matt,
You sure give a person lots of confidence Sir. Thank you.

Yes these Pots I use are amazing. I am biased as I sell them, but to me they completely rehydrate the whole plant and I have never seen plumper, juicier greener roots until I used these pots. (and that's just within 48 hours).

Flower spikes have finished flowering and then actually produced another single bud after replanting in these pots.

Can't praise them highly enough.

Lorna
x x x

[MattWoelfsen]

Hello Lorna, thank you for your advice on these crystal pots. I wish you were here in the USA as I would order them from you. I saw these pots on a website somewhere. They showed plants in these pots but there is no better endorsement than from someone who also uses them!

[lornaheath]

Hello again Matt,

Thanks so much for the lovely words Young Man.

I first saw these on the USA site: Orchid Supplies from rePotme.com - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer so I am sure you could order them from them.

It was repotme who referred me and helped me to get started selling them here in England.

Lorna
x x x

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I happen to also own the species you own!

Masdevallia andreettaeana is a cool to intermediate growing orchid (50 F - 90 F/10 C - 32.2 C).

It likes moderately bright indirect light.

It appreciates moderate to high humidity (50% - 80%).

This orchid also like plenty of moisture. You could water it every 2 days.

It doesn't like being potted into a pot that is much larger than 5 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm (2" x 2" x 2").

It is a miniature orchid that grows no taller than 5 cm (2").

Fairly easy to grow. Very easy to bloom.

The roots do not tend to get very long and they are thin (between 1 - 2 mm across in diameter). I'd say the longest the roots will get is maybe about 7.54 cm/3" tops.

As with many other epiphytic orchid, (orchid that grows on trees), the roots can photosynthesize, (aka produce their own food using light).

They are inhabitants of mid-elevation mountain cloud forests in countries such as Ecuador.

[lornaheath]

Oh WOW!! Mister King Sir,

I want to thank you for taking the time to write all the stuff you did about my Masdevallia andreettaeana.

I really had no idea of how special it was and I will sure look after it to the letter following all of your instructions.

I can't believe you did all this for me. Thank YOU sooo much.

I really do appreciate your knowledge and your time. I am really excited with this now.

Hug, Hug, Hug

Lorna
x x x

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I forgot to mention...

Only bury the roots. Do not bury the rhizome or the stem.

A rhizome is a horizontal stem. On your Masdevallia, it connects all the leaves together so that it grows in a clump.

The leaves are actually attached to a very short stem on this species. The stem is no taller than approximately 7 mm (0.5").

Here's a cool thing you might want to know about the flowers of your Masd andreettaeana - the labellum, (aka lip), is red and looks like a serpent's or dragon's tongue. The labellum is also attached to the rest of the flower parts by a hinge. It will bob in the slightest breeze.

Click on the link, and you'll see a closeup of the flower.

http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotd...andrettian.jpg

Each flower is about 2.54 cm, (1"), across in diameter, not including the sepaline tails. The sepaline tails, (they're the long, green-yellow, pointy spikes at the tip of each sepal), are approximately 2.54 cm, (1"), long.

The sepal of this orchid is the most visible part of the flower. They are creamy white and fuzzy.

The actual petals of the flowers are very small, and look like tiny yellow popsicle sticks.