Got a new Masdevallia Machu Picchu, help please

[escualida]

Hi all,

I just ordered a Masdevallia Machu Picchu which should arrive in the next few days. I don't have any experience with Masdevallias, does anyone have the culture sheet for this plant?

Any other advice would be appreciated.

[silken]

I have one that grew well in pure sphagnum moss in a clear pot. The roots did fabulous! However it really suffered this summer when we were under renovation and I couldn't keep it cool and humid enough. It was fine for a year before that tho. They don't like heat or too much sun when its warm. Lots of humidity is good and I have read they don't like tap water. I use rain water. A clay pot might help keep the roots cooler and I did set my plastic one into clay. I re-potted it this fall in new moss and into a clay pot and I hope it can make a come back this winter in the cool greenhouse. It bloomed fairly freely as well and I think would have been fine if not for the excess heat and sun this summer. I now have a swamp cooler for next summer and it will take up a position near that as they supposedly like cool moist air. They don't like drying out completely either. It's a beautiful flower.

[escualida]

Thanks Silken, I know I couldn't resist it when I saw that color on it even though I have no experience with these. But you think it will be ok indoors? I can probably keep it fairly cool and stick a humidifier near it.

[silken]

I think it should be fine. They are not real high light plants and mine get as much or a bit more than the Phals normally. Even though a lot of my leaves died, the roots were still real good so I hope mine will generate some new growth and return to its former glory! Some people say they let the moss go a bit crunchy dry on top before watering so I am trying that rather than watering before it gets that way. However as said, my roots were not rotten and in great shape anyways. It was the leaves that got all spotted and stressed and fell off.