Masdevallia hirtzii care

[ChrisMalaga]

I've always liked Masdevallias and always failed miserably with them, as I live in a warm mediterranean subtropical climate with hot and long summers.

Recently a friend introduced me to the world of intermediate to... warm (?) growing Masdevallias, and she suggested me to add a Masdevallia hirtzii to my order in Ecuagenera. But my friend lives in the UK, so I'm not completely sure if she understands what Masdevallia would really be ok here (my climate is similar to LA).

I'm ok to put it in the shadiest and coolest spot in my patio where temperature doesn't usually go over 78F, maybe 80F in summer and usually doesn't go below 55F in winter. I will also grow it in sphagnum in a terracotta pot, probably keeping some water under the pot in summer as I did in the past with some Miltoniopsis.

Iospe says this one is a "cool to warm grower" which sounds amazing, although this plant should experience cool in the night and warm in the day, not in different seasons. I haven't found so much information about this Masdevallia. Has anyone here grown it in a warm climate? How does it perform?

[Roberta]

Ecuagenera site says it's "intermediate", Baker culture sheet in Orchidwiz indicates elevation of 1200-1500 m, around Loja in Ecuador. So I think that it will, indeed, be pretty warmth-tolerant. If you want to add to your collection of this genus, I have found that Masd. floribunda and Masd. polysticta are also forgiving of warm summers.

[ChrisMalaga]

Thanks Roberta! The floribunda is also very beautiful, it could be my next Masdevallia