The following is my experience with Masdevallia in the Northwest (Oregon)
Firstly, I consciously acquire plants that will grow in the conditions that I keep my greenhouse. My highs can reach 80 in the Summer, but not for long periods and my lows are generally 50 in the Winter, sometimes dipping to 40. (All temperatures listed are Fahrenheit) The humidity ranges from 60-99 %. I have a fair number of Cold, Cool and Intermediate growing species and hybrids. I keep them in different areas of the greenhouse to accommodate their needs.
There are 2 general groups of Masdevallia:
Thin rooted
Thick rooted
The thin rooted plants are generally kept in sphagnum moss and clay pots. These plants would dry out quickly if put in a bark type mix. The clay pots help to keep the moss from staying soaking wet as clay wicks water. This type is generally your miniature sized plants. FYI Sphagnum moss should never be tightly packed into a pot. This leaves no air space for the plant roots and the moss in the center will dry out.
Thick rooted plants are potted with a bark mix that contains a quality small sized fir bark with perlite and chopped sphagnum to help retain moisture. These plants grow big fat hairy roots that will cling to the bark pieces. These are typically larger Masdevallia like coccinea, Heathii, vietchiana etc. Many of the smaller species/hybrids like bark mixes as well, Masd. infracta, Cassiope, panguiensis to name a few.
Pull a Masdevallia out of a pot full of sphagnum and have a look at the root growth. Does it penetrate the moss all the way through, even in the middle? Or do the roots run out to the edges and grow along the pot wall?
If the roots are growing into the medium, even in the middle, then you can safely assume that it likes the moss and continue potting it this way.
If,however, the roots are not in the middle and only running along the pot walls, chances are that it would prefer something more airy and slightly drier. I have found this to be the case in many of the Masdevallia I grow.
Presently I am using Osmocote with essential nutrients about every 6 months. Use smaller amounts with the sphagnum moss pots and a little more in the bark mix pots. The plants seem to do well with this regime. I have never seen fertilizer burn on any of the plants and growth is good.
I use unfiltered tap water and rain water when the rain water system is functioning and full. Our city water supply is sourced from the Samtiam river. It's really nice water that runs about 7.7ph
These plants, especially the hybrids, can be successfully grown indoors. If the humidity isn't very high, then keep it moist by watering more frequently and
misting. Keep them
moist but not sopping wet. Place them in a window that receives bright light or heavily dappled sunlight. In the winter put them in a window that is cooler at night, or if you allow the temperatures in your house to cool down to 55 at night, they'll be happy.
My best advice, leave them alone! Observe them but don't obsess. Stop picking at them. I am constantly amazed at how resilient Masdevallia are! Stop re-potting them every time you read about some cool new potting mix. Potting once a year is plenty, some plants in bark can go longer. There is no miracle plant supplement or nutrient. If watering is a chore, don't acquire Masdevallia, they won't like the arid conditions.
That was my
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