Masdevallia goliath

[Bolero]

To me this is a really special species, it's taken me 5 years to flower and as you can see it's a small plant. I had a lot of trouble growing it in coconut and have grown it in sphagnum moss before finally getting it to flower. The cultural information I can find indicates it should grow warmer than many other Masdevallias, maybe a minimum of 55F (although I've been growing it down to freezing). It has thick fleshy and low growing leaves that sort of hang. This is probably a species that might do better mounted but I don't have that kind of luxury. Initially the flower tried to grow downwards like a dracula but it was forced up by the side of the pot......interesting. It is also a very thick flower that has a lot of substance. I am not sure what else to tell you but it's one of the toughest things I've ever flowered and I am extremely proud of it. It's also an excellent flower for a seedling when I compare it to others. It is just a huge flower on a small plant.