Masdevallia exquisita

[silken]

I was going to say the same as RosieC - exquisite is an appropriate name!

I have two Masdevalias coming from ecuagenera in the next few days. One is Machu Pichu which has xome coccinea in it and I think the other is vechiana?? does anyone have tipes for these and are they similar in growing requirements to this exquisite beauty? They will be bare root and I need to prepare for potting them. I read somewhere they need a fairly fine potting mix. Does anyone agree or disagree?

Sorry, Maybe I am taking over your thread cyann. Just figured those admiring yours may be growers too!

[RosieC]

Silken, I grow vechianna and it's one of the coolest growing Masdies, I let it get down to 5C in the winter (actually it's been down to 3C already this year). I try and keep it as cool as possible in the summer, we don't generally have really hot weather here anyway but I grow in clay pots which help cool the root zone.

I generally don't grow in moss, but I do grow my Masdies in moss and veitchianna seems to love it.

I grow in pretty bright but indirect light, I think the brightness has lead to quite short leaves for all it's new leaves, but it seems happy with that.

[silken]

Thanks for the tips Rosie. I think I will plant my veitchiana in a clay pot and moss as well. I can keep it cool in winter in the greenhouse, but summers get fairly warm here. But set low near the floor should help. Ecuagenera is in Canada this weekend for an orchid show in Calgary and our society has placed an order with them that they brought with them

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by silken

I was going to say the same as RosieC - exquisite is an appropriate name!

I have two Masdevalias coming from ecuagenera in the next few days. One is Machu Pichu which has xome coccinea in it and I think the other is vechiana?? does anyone have tipes for these and are they similar in growing requirements to this exquisite beauty?

Hi, M. Machu Picchu is a primary cross between M. coccinea and M. ayabacana. The ayabacana should give it some warmth tolerance. I am growing mine in moss in relatively cool temperatures and very bright light. Its actually in spike now. I try to keep humidity high with the use of foggers.

[silken]

Thanks Tindomul. Something I read said Masdevallias prefer shade or very indirect light but it sounds like under lights that aren't too powerful will work. I am going to try keeping my two plants in the greenhouse but then in their own little plastic house on water trays with a fan and above the little house will be two T5- 4 foot bulbs. Hopefully that will work. I've never had any before so it will be a learning experience for me.

[Tindomul]

That sounds good.