My first Masdevalia - is it best left in moss?

[RosieC]

I've just recieved my first Masdevalia, it's a Masdivallia veichiana.

I have no idea if I will be able to grow it in my enviroment, but I decided to give it a go anyway.



It came potted in sphag and I've never grown anything in sphag before. I know lots of Masdi pics I've seen have been in sphag and I wonder if it is the best medium for this sort of orchid, but at the same time it's not a medium I am used to.

The pot is one of those plastic mesh type, where there are more holes than there is pot. The sphag is also very loose looking and seems quite fresh.

When I got it the sphag was really dry and the pot was so light it kept falling over. I put it in an outer pot mainly to stop it falling over, but once I watered it it was standing up better anyway.

So what do you think... should I leave it in the sphag or should I repot in fine bark like I am used to for other types of 'chid.

I was planning on pulling it out the pot in the next few days anyway to get a look at the roots, but not sure if I should then return it to the sphag or try it in bark.