Masdevallia bulbophyllopsis alba

[Pattywack]

Have any of you grown this Masdevallia? I purchased this a couple of weeks ago at Parkside. I don't like buying a plant that I have no idea how to grow and usually stay away from them until I have researched it. However this cutie needed a new home in my opinion so I bought it.

At the time I asked if this is a miniature and was told no it would eventually grow into a large plant. I decided to buy it anyway and see how I could grow it. The plant was bone dry growing in a 2" pot in small bark. The greenhouse was hot inside and bright. The plant seemed happy with these conditions.

I've found this plant on IOSPE and it is from Ecuador at altitudes of 1800 to 2700 meters. It is calling this a mini-miniature sized cool to cold growing species. It appears to like shade.

Ecuagenera shows this as intermediate cool medium light medium humidity. Hmmm. For now I have it in an east facing kitchen window heavily mist to water it and flush the pot every few days. It is in the same pot with the same bark. Roots look great and there is new growth several new leaves. I really can not find much more information about this plant and there are not any threads about it on any forums.

Anyone grow this? Thank you for any information.

[RosieC]

Not tried this one. All my masdies like cool conditions or cool roots when I can't achieve cool all over. Not sure how this compares to those though.

I get cool roots with clay pots moss and don't let it dry out.

[Pattywack]

Hi RosieC and thank you for replying. I have Masdevallia nidifica and erinacea both intermediate and moist, humid conditions. I would never let them dry out and this plant was bone dry. I'm keeping it moist and it seems to be doing well. I can add it to my tiny greenhouse if it seems to need more humidity but it certainly was not in humid conditions at Parkside.

It's just like me to choose a plant that no one has experience with. But then again that is all part of the fun in growing these.

[RosieC]

I've moved your thread to the Plurothalid section in the hope it might come to the attention of someone with experience of it. You never know it might help

[Pattywack]

Thank you RosieC. I have since repotted into fresh bark with a bit of moss added and I've moved it into my tiny greenhouse. The humidity there is 65-85% and the light it receives is intermediate. It is still growing new leaves and looks better, leaves were a bit wrinkled and dehydrated when I brought it home.

I've continued to search for more information, not much to be found. Oh well, it seems happy so I'm happy. Hope it will bloom one day.