Masdevallia - General Questions - Orchid Board

Royal · #1 03-11-2010, 10:49 AM

Hi Everybody,

I'm thinking about stepping out of my comfort zone (and temperature zone) and getting a couple Masdies. I have one that I got in an OB trade that is doing ok. It declined a bit when I got it but it's bouncing back well.

My first question is about vendors. I've scoped out a few and I have an idea of who I may go with. Just thought I'd see what others think.

My second question is really open ended. Anyone have any tips or tricks beyond the culture sheets? Any techniques or cultural practices that make all the difference? My biggest issues will be warm temps and low humidity. Any help is appreciated.

Tindomul · #2 03-11-2010, 11:15 AM

I live in NYC. When its cold, its dry, when its winter, its skin crackling dry inside our homes and places of work. So how do I manage?
I keep my masdies hanging in their pots around a partially filled aquarium. Then I placed the aquarium next to a window for temp control. Lots of cold air in the winter, lots of ac in the summer.
Then I placed ultrasonic mist makers in the tank so that the local humidity was near to 100 percent. And it does look like a cloud forest hehe. Then I started using a cool mist humidifier in the room where this is. It makes a giant difference. The room is small so it get plenty humid after a few hours.
Also, I gambled and allowed direct sunlight to shine on the Masdies and other pleuros for a few hours a day (3-5). And I have seen marked improvement on growth and flowering. So far just the pleuros, but my M. tovarensis is showing a tiny sign of being in the mood.
Its tough. Getting the right lighting, the right temperature, the right humidity, and the right amount of watering. Take a lot of trial and error, and I think if you keep at it, you will eventually make a happy place for them.

CoolPhrog · #3 03-11-2010, 11:29 AM

Hey Royal! Welcome to the dark side

...

I have a great cross that you'd like - it's Masd. floribunda x impostor. I've had them growing in my greenhouse all summer and they are STILL in bloom - they are also squential bloomers. I've been growing these in 2" plastic pots with spag moss and they are kept fairly moist year round. The flowers are purple on the top and yellow on the bottom...really neat and long lasting too!

Masd. Angel Tang is another good one, this one is also in my greenhouse and it grew like a weed but didn't bloom until I moved it to my Southeast facing kitchen window. This one is growing in a 2" plastic pot with spag moss and is kept moist all year. The flower is mainly yellow with bright pink hairs!!

Masd. Copper Angel is a very cool (as in far out) plant. This one is also in my kitchen window and is growing in an 3" plastic basket in moss...as the flowers matured, they went from yellow to almost orange red...really wild!

I've noticed that I have better luck maintaing the plants moisture requirements if I plant them in plastic. I have some other masdies in clay pots and ceramic but I have to work a little harder to maintain the humidity for them.

Hope this helps...good luck!

Royal · #4 03-11-2010, 11:35 AM

Thanks Tindo and Dana. I knew I could count on the OB to get tips you can't find on a website or culture sheet. Is water quality an issue for you?

harrywitmore · #5 03-11-2010, 11:37 AM

I think in general, hybrids are more forgiving temperature and humidity wise. So, I think they should be the ones you try first.

Royal · #6 03-11-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolPhrog

Hey Royal! Welcome to the dark side

...

Hey Dana,

Good to see you again. Is CoolPhrog still up and running? I've been getting a web error. Forgive me if this has been explained already. I'd love to support another member and add to my collection at the same time.

Tindomul · #7 03-11-2010, 11:39 AM

I use distilled water, but thats because I have free access to tons of it. I don't know if I would otherwise. They seem to like it though. Or at the very least, they don't dislike it.

CoolPhrog · #8 03-11-2010, 11:42 AM

I use RO water for my masdies and others in that group - I have not had good luck using tap water on these plants AT ALL!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

Thanks Tindo and Dana. I knew I could count on the OB to get tips you can't find on a website or culture sheet. Is water quality an issue for you?

CoolPhrog · #9 03-11-2010, 11:43 AM

It's good to see you too, Royal! No, I took CPO offline temporarily...I thought I'd bring it back up though...what do you think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

Hey Dana,

Good to see you again. Is CoolPhrog still up and running? I've been getting a web error. Forgive me if this has been explained already. I'd love to support another member and add to my collection at the same time.

harrywitmore · #10 03-11-2010, 11:47 AM

I would not plan to use anything other than RO, Rainwater or distilled water. I would also use a fertilizer formulated for this type of water.