My first Masdevalia - is it best left in moss?

[cirillonb]

I have 6 that I bought about a year ago. I repotted into sphagnum moss/perlite/tree fern needles and the did poorly. Re potted into loose sphagnum with good revival. I have transferred one to mesh pot and plan to do the rest once I see how this one does. Have only lost 1 of the bunch and 2 have bloomed.
I know that Quarter Acre Orchids puts some calcium (probably oyster shells) in their Paph mix.
Nick

[Tom-DE]

Originally Posted by Ross

My Masdies are in a south window where they get full (northern latitude) sun and are supplemented with Compact Florescent fixtures for when the sun isn't shining. They sit in with the Paphs and Phals -- maybe 2000-2500 foot candles or so. I don't think the browning is from too much light. I think that is too much heat.

That is a lot of light for most of Masdevallia. Few actually need higher light to grow and bloom, but 95% of them only need 800-1000FC light, a few may like less than that.
For under-light growers, more light means more heat...

That is my

BTW, I grow most of my Masdevallia on mounts but I will use straight moss in clay pot if I grow them in pot. If you use moss, try to repot them every year or 1.5 years...