Suggestions for a Masdie setup?

[FairyInTheFlowers]

As I've been looking more into Masdies lately, I've been wanting to grow them more and more. The only issue is that I feel like I will do nothing but kill them with my current setup, so I was wondering if any of the minds out there might have ideas to help solve my problems. The two issues, of course, are the basic temperature and humidity. Right now the temperature peaks at about 26*C (79*F) during the day, and drops to around 20*C (68*F) during the night. From what I've read, these aren't too bad for some of the more warmth tolerant Masdies, but I don't want them tolerating my conditions, I want them to thrive. Besides intermediate temperature, I have terrible humidity. Right now what I have is four plastic trays filled with leca pellets that I fill with water. I have a sheet of eggcrate over top of the trays, and my plants sit on the eggcrate. At most I can use this to hit 60% humidity, when I know Masdies would like a comfortable 80%. I currently use two T5's for light, so maybe I could consider using LED's if that will drop the heat output. I could also retrofit my setup with plexiglass so that it is a lot more air tight, and maybe hold in more humidity that way. I tried looking for miniature air conditioning units, but I didn't have much luck. I've also thought about getting a small humidifier and just buying a ton of distilled water. . . *Sigh* The things this addiction can cause a person to do.

[Ray]

There is a guy in our society that grows all sorts of plants in "cool tanks" that either started out as aquariums, or are built using foil-faced foam sheathing and duct tape. With a glass or plastic door to contain the humidity, and small muffin fans to keep air circulation, the environment is great. In all cases he used my LEDs, specifically to keep the heat down.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by Ray

are built using foil-faced foam sheathing and duct tape. With a glass or plastic door to contain the humidity, and small muffin fans to keep air circulation, the environment is great. In all cases he used my LEDs, specifically to keep the heat down.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com

This material sounds quite interesting. . . Does he rely on an outside source to keep it cool inside, or is it basically just that heat-tight that it doesn't need to be cooled.

[801229001]

masdevallia floribunda is a good beginners species
its warmth tolerant and 60% humidity should be good for it.

I also live in a really dry climate (calgary) and have found that the easiest way (for me) to keep the humidity up is to get a few storage tubs and put the plants in them, you can keep the humidity high enough to grow almost all masdies if you mist once or twice everyday.

also if you can, you should move the plants near a windowsill, its usually colder near windowsills so you might be able to grow more species. masdevallias dont need alot of light to thrive so unless it is really dark, you dont need to supplement extra light.

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by 801229001

also if you can, you should move the plants near a windowsill, its usually colder near windowsills so you might be able to grow more species. masdevallias dont need alot of light to thrive so unless it is really dark, you dont need to supplement extra light.

That would work for winter, but summers here in Saskatchewan can still climb to 30*C. . . Maybe filling the set up with ice every morning would be enough to combat the heat.

[AnonYMouse]

DIY swamp coolers?

[silken]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

DIY swamp coolers?

I have one for sale!

Have you seen RosieC's posts yesterday ( I think) of some of her Masdies? She explained how she kept them cool using clay pots, moss and some clay dishes and water. Makes me want have a pother try with Masdies again!

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by silken

I have one for sale!

There you go. Same province, even!

I actually gave up on Masdies. Love'em, can't grow them (even the intermediate growers). I've tried coolpots, pot-in-pot, S/H and everything in between. I stopped my madness when I started looking into swamp coolers (DIY and manufactured). I live in a VERY SMALL apartment.

Now, I might still buy one, only to admire-not to grow.

[silken]

I too tried the temp. Tolerant ones and non were very successful.

[RandomGemini]

With the clay pot and moss method, be sure that you are not keeping them TOO wet. I tried keeping my veitchiana using that method and it didn't work out for me. It was more humid in my growing space than I thought it was I think, and the masdie began to suffer from being waterlogged. Rather than unpot and repot in bark again, I reduced watering and so far, that seems to work. Just be mindful of your conditions before trying that method. I didn't pay enough attention.