Masdevallias and humidity

[Kevinator]

So the other day, I was on the phone with Andy asking a few questions about my rootless Rossioglossum. I went ahead and asked him a few more questions about his highland masdevallias (eg veitchiana, coccinea). That was a big mistake. Now I'm pretty much hooked on to these plants as apparently they are able to withstand my warm temperatures as long as they're in porous clay pots. I seem to meet the conditions of his growing area except for one thing. I asked him about the humidity of his outdoor cool area and he said around 18 percent. But I had to take into consideration that this was due to the Santa Ana winds that we get around this time of year. The last time I tried to grow a masdevallia hybrid in these conditions resulted in leaf pleating and the death of the plant. But then again, I was using our tap water which is at around 350 ppm and it was one of the less heat tolerant hybrids. That was six years ago. Would these be able to grow in humidity from around 25-50 percent?

[Subrosa]

I don't know, but one thing to consider is if it's only through evaporative cooling that you can maintain temps low enough for the plants. The lower the humidity, the more cooling you get.

[wintergirl]

I use Kool logs for my masdies, filled with rain or distilled water. The humidity in my home is 50%. They are doing great. There is less water usage now than in the summer.

[Ray]

I think it will be a challenge. Those highland species tend to be bathed in fog a lot, and the RH they see rarely goes below 80%. Orchidculture.com states that veitchiana might see as low as 55% for a couple of months during the dry season...

[silken]

I guess you could get a small fogger if you just have a few.

[wintergirl]

I don't grow veitchiana or coccinea but I have been having good luck with:
Masdevallia uniflora
Masdevallia glandulosa
Masdevallia erinacea
Masdevallia striatella

[Kevinator]

Wait, you have success with glandulosa? How are you growing it? I've heard they are a little picky and I had my eyes on that one for years!

[wintergirl]

It is mounted on a large Kool log with sphag moss around roots. I have it on the bottom shelf, I figured it would be cooler low in the room. It hangs in a North window, set back away from the window. I refill the Kool log every morning with distilled or rain water. I have not fertilized much, but you can put a bit inside the Kool log. I took this picture tonight and the moss is soaking wet and cool. I love the Kool logs, it makes it easy to take care of this type of plant.





I also open a window or put a fan on everyday for at least an hour or all day depending... I keep my humidity at 50% using a humidifier.

[Kevinator]

Wow that is a HUGE glandulosa! I'll put this one back on my wish list the next time I go to Andy's. Thanks so much for the info!

[Tindomul]

That's it! I'm getting cool logs! Where have I been?? Under a log or something, never heard of them until today.