Anyone else grow masdevallias?

[Bulbofett]

I got this as a bonus plant with my bulb. medusae. I have no idea how to grow a masdevallia, but the photos online make me excited to try and get it to bloom.

So far I know these guys grow up in the andes and are cool growing, high humidity, and low to medium light kind of orchids, but what does that translate to?

Should I keep it in a glass terrarium? It came potted in a fine sphagnum which is probably better for this plant if it isn't drought tolerant. I just don't really know how much I should be watering it in the winter.

I can add pictures if needed.

[naoki]

You'll probably need to tell us the species name. There are some warm tolerant species, which should grow there (SC, right?) I could grow and flower a warm-tolerant species in NC (indoor, under light). But if yours is a cool growing one, the summer could be tough. Most will grow better in the winter (if you can give enough light), so I would water in a normal way, but hopefully others with more experiences with this genus will give you a better recommendation.

[Optimist]

I have the same problem. I got a masdavalia as an Ugly Duckling orchid and I know it will die in the dry desert New Mexico 100+ summer here. I even have to worry about cooling down oncidiums, if you know what I mean. I could potentially bring it down in the basement for a few months where it is cooler.

Right now it is fine in a low light window using an open fish tank as a large humidity tray. The room is unheated. We do not have central heat in our hacienda, so this room can be rather cool. I put white translucent film on the upper part of the window.

If worst comes to worst and it gets stressed, I will try to find it a home here on Orchid boards in the "free" section of the classifieds.

[Bulbofett]

It is a Masdevallia Coccinea. Guess that would probably help lol.

I'm not confident about growing this species, but maybe it will work itself out. Hopefully there will be more Pleurothallidinae growers that can comment about their successful growing methods. I have plenty of humidity to go around here in Charleston, but unfortunately no cold weather to really speak of. It was 83F today.

[jeremyinsf]

I have about 50 of them. I have some in bark but most all are in clay pots with Sphagnum. This wicks the water out and keeps them moist and cool.

What they really need, unfortunately, is a place like where I live - San Francisco. You are right that they grow up in the andes... foggy (yet bright) hills, basically, which is why SF works for them.

Growing them indoors is quite a challenge. The thicker leaf types will live fine and grow indoors but they generally don't bloom very well. I had a few plants inside and recently wondered why I was doing it, so I put them all outside. They like bright lights as a plant, but the flowers hate them and the heat that comes from them. The only time I've heard them being successful inside is when they are on a windowsill (or similar conditions) that keeps them really cool, with bright light. I suppose anyone can build these conditions, if they want to. And some do!

Not trying to be negative or say I know other's experience - this is just what I've seen myself, and heard from others. If people have ways to make it work other ways, I'd love to hear too!

83 at this time of year yikes - I worry when it's 83 for more than a few days here in the summer. My plants start to pit and drop leaves much above 85 or so.

[My Green Pets]

While you all are at it, I'd like to ask the question:

What is it with Masdevallias, Draculas, and similars? Why do you like them?

[jeremyinsf]

Are you asking me that question?

[Bulbofett]

Wow 50?! I hope to have that many orchids one day. San Francisco definitely sounds like the better growing atmosphere for Masdevallias. Where I live I'm right at sea level, so definitely not the Andes over here.

I will keep it inside and try to make it happy with some bright light and a pebble tray.

To answer your question Cambria, if you were asking in general why people like Masdevallias, draculas, etc... My answer is that I don't really like them. This was a free plant though, and I'm never one to turn away a free plant. I just don't have the right growing conditions for this species. It gets overly humid and hot here in Charleston so I like my warm growing orchids. Bulbophyllums of course are my favorite

[naoki]

Hmmm, M. coccinea is cold-cool growing, so as Jermy said, you'll need some dedication to grow it in your climate. According to Gerristsen & Parsons's book, "Masdevallias", optimum daytime temp is 50-60F, and night time temp of around 45F. Other people seem to be able to grow it at a higher temp, but not around 83F. Some of the members here used peltier cooler, reef water cooler, or refrigerator to cool enclosure. They are beautiful plants, though.

[Bulbofett]

83F was what the high today was. I have all of my orchids indoors this time of the year because nighttime temps get into the low 30s and 40s. Inside my house it was still about 74F which probably isn't favorable for this species still.

Since tonight the low is 55F I went ahead and set the plant outside since inside my house its about 66F. Hopefully that will perk the little guy up.