Masdevallia leaf drop

[The Orchid Kid]

Hi

My Masdevallia paiviana is dropping leaves pretty quickly. I am presuming this is not normal winter behaviour? However, there are new leaves in mid growth or just starting.

I repotted 6 weeks ago as an emergency repot, due to insect infestation throughout the growing medium. The mix was quite wet and a few roots had to go but not many.

Any tips for recovery/cause/general tips for growing? I am using 100% CHC btw.

[WhiteRabbit]

[Bulbofett]

I'm pretty new to Masdevallias. I only got mine last year so hopefully someone more experienced will chime in.

If yours is sending out new growths I wouldn't be too terribly worried. One yellow leaf isn't cause for concern. It could be shock from being repotted and just getting over an insect infestation.

Are you keeping the medium moist? Coco medium dries pretty quickly, and I've found mine likes the medium to stay moist.

[jeremyinsf]

The plant is likely pissed off.

Masdevallia's are sometimes called 'suicidal orchids' because when they are upset they drop their leaves, and then may eventually die. Most Masdies don't perk up. Once the leaves show stress they don't improve. They do, however, grow new ones.

I had one drop all but one leaf once. I thought it was a goner but it made it through and grew back quite a few more. That might be what is happening to you.

Are you trying to grow this indoors? I agree with Bulbofett about the need to keep it very moist. And this isn't a plant I would grow indoors, if that is the case. They really don't do well inside in general, even if they are labeled intermediate.

[MattWoelfsen]

Jeremyinsf, I don't mean to dispute you but I am in Fort Wayne, IN. There is half a foot of snow outside, another half a foot expected to fall overnight. Tonight the temperature will drop to 12*F, tomorrow this will be as warm as it will get. I give you this weather report because I do grow my three Masdevallia plants indoors and I'm pleased to report that they are growing very well. All three plants have finished their blooming. I am growing them in similar growth conditions as my Phalaenopsis but in cooler temperature than the Phals. I let them get almost dry and then water them thoroughly.

[jeremyinsf]

I am happy to hear the dispute! Most every time someone reports growing them indoors I hear they do not bloom and/or grow well. Then again, these plants have quite a range - some, when they say cool growing, they really really mean it. I do also understand that doesn't mean 12*f!

Can you tell us which three these are? And more about how you are growing them? I searched for your username and couldn't find any posts you started about them. I know quite a few people would like to successfully grow them indoors (not just keep them alive - but grow and bloom too) so maybe your insight will help.

[vjo]

I think there is a lot of people who grow them indoors....Jean

[Bulbofett]

I grow mine outdoors, but then again the humidity is usually 90% and day/night temps have been 55F/40F respectively. I bring it inside when it gets below 40F though.

Hoping to hear how these are grown indoors as it will get colder in the next month before warming up again. That means no outdoor time for my coccinea.

[MattWoelfsen]

Sure Jeremy. I have Masde. Falcata 'Golden Gate' FCC/AOS coccinea x veitchiana; Cheryl Shohan 'Red Hot Momma' AM/AOS xanthino-veitchiana x Redwing; and Mary Staal. As I posted earlier, these plants are growing like Phalaenopsis but cooler. I actually grow them with my Neofinetia but I water Masdevallia thoroughly--with luke warm tap water--when they are almost dry and add weak strength fertilizer.

I'm considering getting more of these plants as they have nice leaves and make attractive house plants when not in bloom. Masdevallia seems to me an easy plant to grow--not as easy as Neofinetia but not as difficult as growing warmth-loving Phalaenopsis.

[jeremyinsf]

When you say cooler - what does that mean? Are you growing them windowsill or something of the sorts? Your FCC came from the same place most of my Masdevallia collection came from. They are all gone now... congrats on having one and even more on getting it to grow well indoors! I think it's interesting how dry you keep them. Are they in bark?