Masd veitchiana "Prince de Galle" AM/AOS

[Snowden]

Anyone growing this?

I'm a little confused. When I bought this plant a little over a year ago, I was told that it was warmth tolerant. How warm is warm for this plant? Everything I've read about Masd veitchiana says it's a cool grower.

Since I grow outside, I left it out during our last heat wave a month ago. I think it suffered a bit. Now, we are going to get a few days in the 90s and I have brought it in where it is cooler. Does anyone have more exact information as to its temperature range?

[Dorothy]

Check out the cultural info here - IOSPE PHOTOS
and this past thread from the archives -
Masdevallia veitchiana

as you wait for others to respond

[Snowden]

Thanks Dorothy for your help.

IOSPE said exactly the same thing as all of my books in my library. No surprise there.

The archive was interesting, however. While outside, I did have it in indirect light, it's growing in S/H, so moisture isn't a problem, and air movement has been pretty good out there.

During the last heat wave, it did throw a leaf, which I took as a sign of heat stress. It also has five new growths coming up and I'm hoping to get flowers out of them, and the less stress on the plant, the better my odds will be that it will bloom. It's now indoors under much cooler conditions.

I would still like to know what a vendor means by "warmth tolerant" Does that mean it's cool growing but will tolerate intermediate conditions? Or that it's a cool to intermediate grower that will tolerate warm conditions? Will this vary from cultivar to cultivar within the same species?

You'd have to admit that "warmth tolerant" is a very vague description at best. There must be others out there who have grappled with its implications.

[cb977]

I bought a number of warmth-tolerant Masdies from I.N. Komoda orchids a few months ago. Warmth-tolerant and the heat we get here in Florida aren't necessarily a great mix One of them is a hybrid with your plant as a parent.

I keep them in my Exo-Terra tank and the temp in there is about 78 degrees with a fan blowing.

I recently moved them into the cutest containers I found at Big Lots. They're actually votive holders but are perfect for orchids! I only got two and then went back the next day and picked up another six when I realized their true potential

They're made of soapstone and I can feel how well they hold the coolness...and so can the Masdies! They are loving it!

[Snowden]

Very Cute!! I love your "pots" and your setup!

I've been toying with the idea of converting a 29 gallon fish tank that's being retired in lieu of a larger one into a terrarium and have been lurking in the terrarium forum.

Can I ask what lights you are using?

[cb977]

That's a great idea! It's the only way for me to grow stuff that normally wouldn't do well down here. It would be an opportunity for you too

My tank is the small version, 12x12x12, and I am using one of the "daylight" compact bulbs. I know it's not what I'm 'supposed" to be using...but it works

You should really check out what they have to say in our Terrarium forum...lots of folks there have much more experience with tanks and equipment. I'm sure you'll learn more from those folks than you will from me

[Snowden]

Thank you! If it works, it works.

I've already learned a lot from the terrarium folks. Now it's just a matter of having the time to set something up. And don''t sell yourself short - you really have a nice little setup and it serves as a good example. I even like your pandas!