Pot size for Masdies - clay

[estación seca]

I bought a Masdevallia Maui Lollipop on special that was "overgrown, needs repotting now." It came in old sphagnum in a 2" / 5cm round plastic pot. I unpotted it; the plant is making lots of tiny new growths all the way around. It naturally came apart into 6 pieces of varying size, from 3-12 growths each. These pieces were easy to separate from the old dead core of the plant. Most of these pieces have some living roots but not a lot. The leaves are nice and firm.

I plan on planting into long-fiber sphagnum. I have a lot of small, round clay pots of varying size. My plan is to wrap the pieces loosely in sphag, and set into a clay pot with an air space below the moss. Then I will set the pots in dishes of rain for the evaporative cooling.

Does this sound like a good plan? Should I use the smallest pot into which I can fit each piece? I do have tiny little round clay pots.

[Salixx]

I don't see why it wouldn't work- it sounds good in theory, to me. This one is listed as intermediate growing in a few places, which, from my experience thus far, gives you a little wiggle room with temps as well.

For pot size, I would go with maybe a two inches? Hard to say without seeing the divisions, but you'll want some room for the airpocket without worrying about them drying out to fast. You could also try with a division or two to go straight s/h. The key there is to soak in kelp max or similar and then have them very stable. Actually, whatever you do, that seems important. They are reluctant to throw roots if they wobble too much.

Not to throw too much at you, but I would, personally, take the best division and put it on a kook log or similar. My rootless Masdies bounce back the fastest that way. Mine really like being mounted.

[AJW]

To grow in spag or not to grow in spag or in clay pots or plastic in part are almost the same question. What works best for you. From my perspective I have moved away from spag due to the fertilizers I use I now use a #2 very fine grade pine bark and the Masdies have improved considerably. I terms of pots I have maintained Plastic pots ne because they are cheaper and from round to square as I can get more plants in an area. At the end of the day it becomes a matter of whats works best for you. As yet I have not put any on mounts but notice it is starting to gain popularity.

[Pattywack]

Your idea sounds good to me though I do not grow many Masdevallia, just a few. If the plant came in a 2" pot and you've divided it into 6 plantlets, depending on the amount of roots, you could go to a smaller pot adding packing peanuts to the bottom or some other material. Michaels has 1" clay pots. Hard to say really it depends on the root system.

[AJW]

I use nothing less than a 3 inch pot unless straight out of the flask. Masd. roots like to spread out.

[estación seca]

They'll go into a terrarium or right in front of the evaporative cooler. Evaporative cooling of the roots will be very beneficial here. It came in a 3" round plastic pot. I have tiny clay pots and small clay pots. If a 3" pot is not a problem I could do this as well; that would be less likely to run dry.

[Pattywack]

The larger pot would probably be best, you won't have to disturb them for awhile.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I have also gone to using spagh mixed with tree fern and if the roots are bigger around I also mix in some seedling mix like AJW uses. Some time back someone on here that grew very nice Masdies said use spagh for fine roots and mix in some fine bark for the bigger roots.