Masdevallia Measuresiana & Porroglossum meridionale

[Triffid]

So I bought these today, and now sat here just brushing up on the care. Bought both with the mind to home them together.

Masdevallia Measuresiana (amabilis x tovarensis)
Finding it hard to find more specific information on this Hybrid, but the plant seems healthy enough and has plenty of new growth showing at the base of the plant.

Two links for the species that make up this primary hybrid.
Masdevallia amabilis - Orchids Wiki - Wikia
Masdevallia tovarensis - Orchids Wiki - Wikia

and for sale with a little info here:
Currlin Orchideen - Masdevallia Measuresiana

Porroglossum meridionale
Tiny little plant - how could I say no!? This one seems to have a lot more specific information available. Very small with the bulk of the leaf being around 2cm long and 1cm wide.

Porroglossum meridionale - Orchids Wiki - Wikia



With any luck and after what I have read on other threads regarding Porroglossum meridionale, I hoping I will get both of these plants to bloom.

Must ask,
Does anyone else have a Masdevallia Measuresiana (amabilis x tovarensis)? Any quirks I should be aware of?

Though information on either plant is always welcome

[u bada]

Congrats on your new additions to rebuilding your collection!

These two will need as high humidity as you can give them.

The tovarensis in the masdevallis will take it a bit more intermediate growing, even though the amabilis is fairly cold growing. I imagine you can keep them growing outside until it gets around 40C without any problems.

Both can do well indoors, especially the porroglossum. I found it didn't need much of a temp drop at night to bloom (I don't grow it anymore).

The masdevallia will need a temp drop to flower, but I'm sure you'll be able to do that in fall winter even in the house without problems. The masdevallia can use fairly high light indoors, and bright shade outdoors.

The porroglossum can do well with phal light.

If you grow in an aquarium with lights, etc, make sure to provide good air flow.

[Triffid]

Thanks, u bada Very helpful info.

From what you've said and things I've been picking up here and there, the Porroglossum does seem to be the far more tolerant of the two plants.

Not sure it will get to 40C / 104F here - highest temp in UK was 36.7C / 98F down London way. Round here the highest ever was around 33C / 91F. Obviously when it's that warm outside the central heating stays off.

As for a temp drop, I have a few thoughts that should work and will cost little in the way of time and money. Have definite cold spot in the house, a desk fan, or even just make sure the window is left open, should help in the short term. Again good to know it may not be as essential for the Porroglossum.

They will be in quarantine for at least a week, so that should give me time to finalise the housing arrangements.... and give them their pet names.

[u bada]

Sorry I meant 4C! From info On saw on your area looks like it can get down to 2 or 1.5 there in winter... which makes it easier to keep an area cool for them at night in the winter in separate room perhaps...

[Triffid]

Ok, that makes a lot more sense. No need to say sorry
yep, you're right about the lows. it's only gone below 0C a few times over the past near two decades I've been here - never actually for that long either.

The over nightspot is definitely doable - Backdoor under stairs alcove thingy, which we had plans become the cool storage area of the house anyway.... It's going to be a fight though, between Hubby's love of cooking and my love of plants.

[Triffid]

So a couple of weeks down the line and both plants are not giving me any concerns (yet).

For the quarantine I have been keeping them in a small, slightly broken, indoor glass house. It is near a small south facing window, but there is a draft and shade cloth has been provided which is folded over on days when the sun is out.

To drop the temps by a couple of degrees Celsius I have used Ice blocks in a bag and loosely covered the glass house with a plastic sheet at night. The Ice block rests on the home but underneath the plastic sheet at night, the block is left on the side during the day and replaced in the evening. The plastic cover is also removed through the day. Night time temps seem to average between 13 - 15 C (55 - 59F) and day time temps between 16 - 18 C (60 - 64 F).

Both plants are growing. The Masdevallia is shooting up more new growths which is pleasing, and the new growth that were already there when the plant was purchased are also doing well. The Porroglossum is holding it's own, it's new leaf has nearly fully formed and seems healthy enough, though it is slower than the Masdevallia.

For their permanent home I am currently making up a small indoor greenhouse, which will also house an indoor fountain. It is made up of left over plywood and old photo frame glass. Should be able to get it finished this week (including the protective coatings) should all go to plan. The fountain will sit in a box and the greenhouse will rest on top of that structure, so that the base of the fountain will not be seen. With any luck I should be moving them in next week.

The mini greenhouse will be relatively light weight and thus transportable. The fountain box will not be a permanent attachment, just a stable base.

Photo 1: The mini quarantine home
Photo 2: The glass frames and the fountain to be used in the indoor greenhouse.

[Tindomul]

Wondering if you have any updates on your plants. That Masdie hybrid is gorgeous!!

[Triffid]

Plants are growing but no signs of spikes yet.

Been busy over summer, so had to put some plans on hold. Plus got given 6 new orchids to learn about (though I'm obviously not complaining)

Did run into a little trouble with the Masdie, I was keeping it a bit too dark it would seem. The leaves were growing well enough, but the growth was fragile. What looked healthy actually separated and fell away with the slightest touch.
Remedy, increase of light levels.
Result, new growth healthy and strong including signs of new roots. Plus new leaves seemed to appear from some of the sheaths of the fallen fragile leaves - which I didn't expect. Plant coming along nicely, and lesson learned.

Porroglossum got re-potted into two small clay pots one slightly larger than the other. The effect is cooling with a damp cavity between the clay pots. Also seems to help keep it on the cooler side. For my conditions this seems to be working. Growing steadily, with another new leaf emerging.

The plants have since been separated.

But winter is upon us and there may have to be a move around so that I can compensate for lower light levels.

With any luck, I will be able to do what I want to soon enough

[Tindomul]

I hope you bloom it soon.

[Triffid]

Thanks so do I! Though I'll be happy with keeping it alive and getting it to grow for now