Masdevallia floribunda - Orchid Board

Tindomul · #1 09-03-2007, 02:04 PM

Had this species in my vivarium for a year now, and this is the first blooming since I placed it there. I'm happy not to be a complete failure with this genera.

Dorothy · #2 09-03-2007, 02:18 PM

Beauty!

cb977 · #3 09-03-2007, 02:22 PM

Yippee!!!

Great job Tin

What a lil cutie

Rosim_in_BR · #4 09-03-2007, 02:26 PM

I like this one. Would like to try it here if I find it. Is it cool or hot grower, Tindomul1of9? Looking at your picture, I see that it is similar to one I grow here, Masdevallia norae, which is warm tolerant (see below).

Tindomul · #5 09-04-2007, 03:00 PM

Hi,
Yes it is similar in color, but the structure seems a bit different. In addition I know I never bought M. norae

so that calms my mind. However I could be wrong with the name. I would say this is a warm to intermediate.

Lindafvb · #6 03-17-2008, 11:31 AM

Hi everyone,
Thought I would use this thread since my question pertains to this plant. I bought this plant for my exo-terra setup in Nov. It has done very well up to this week. All of sudden the bottom leaves, at least 10 fell off in three days. The leaves look green. No visible signs of distress to the plant. I have spoken with Andy from Andy's Orchids. He mentioned this plant may shed leaves in the fall but it is almost spring. I was wondering if anyone else ever had this happen? There is no change in watering. I have sprayed daily and dunk weekly utilizing Orchid Plus 20-14-13. The other plants seem fine. Andy suggested letting the plant dry out more. It may be too humid. I see the humidity is at 60% when the doors are closed.
Do you think since the sun is higher that the room is getting to warm? Temps are at times 75-80 degrees in the exo-terra.
Poor plant looks like it got a bad haircut. Tindo did you ever have this experience with your Masde?
Thanks for any direction and reassurance.
Linda

Tindomul · #7 03-17-2008, 11:37 AM

2 things. Yes, the plants likes to shed leaves. Mine has done on occasion. However, never 10 in two days. I have had many Masdies loose 10 or more leaves in a matter of days, but all those who did eventually died within the month.
This is probably too much moisture. Get more air movement to the roots and leaves. Keep it humid however since you don't want to dry it out either. If its in your tank, mist it and let it dry out before you mist again. Sorry to hear about your probs.

Lindafvb · #8 03-17-2008, 12:04 PM

Thanks Tindo for the fast response. Gosh, I hope this does not lead to a lost plant! Did not think it was that bad. Ok, well that's 2 votes for letting it dry out alittle bit. I have always had a fan blowing when the doors are open but close the doors for a few hours after spraying them. I will keep the doors open and see if the situation gets better. Tricky trying to keep humidity up but getting the air circulated.
One thing I have learned with orchids when things go bad they do go bad fast.

Tindomul · #9 03-17-2008, 03:56 PM

Too true. I have not been able to revive any that got to this point. Sorry to scare you, but here is an idea. Why not place an internal fan so that it circulates the humid air inside the terrarium?

Lindafvb · #10 03-17-2008, 04:31 PM

Install an internal fan???

I am still trying to figure out how to install a mister. My hands sweat just thinking electric. Wish I was more mechanically inclined. I still can't get my orchid pictures onto the site.

I have been spraying by hand and have a fan lightly blowing into the exo-terra. I can feel the fan when I put my hand by the plants, so the air is moving but the leaves do not seem to move that much.
I have another order coming from Andy's, so I hope it is not my growing conditions. I have enjoyed these little ones the past 4 months that I want to add to the exo-terra.
Thanks again Tindo. I will update the thread and hope my Masde is just having a normal leaf drop.