Masdevallia Mishap
 

Hi,

I have a Masdevalia that is finally happy where it is. There are tons of leaves growing and now bloom spikes!!!

However, the bloom turns colour before opening, and then the bloom dies without opening. Does any one know what is happening and how to fix it? I really want to see it fully bloomed!

Thanks!

Danielle

Sounds to me like the bud blasted unfortunately :( it happens. Hopefully somebody with more experience can explain why?

Ben

maybe its too warm and too bright...put it in a tad cooler shadier place.

How is the humidity?
Joann

Sounds exactly like my Masdie. It has been trying to bloom for about 8 months without one success. The spikes get a good height and then before the bud develops much they turn yellow and die from the top down.

I'm sorry I don't have a solution yet, but after losing another 15 spikes in a short time, I have moved it to another location. Mine were growing in a small cool chamber with good humidity and air movement. It seemed like a perfect environment and the plant looks healthy. When that failed I tried misting them but that didn't help either. I have 3 or 4 spikes now and what seems to happen to me is the little transparent membrane that covers the stem and bud seems to not grow or break open and the bud is trapped and finally gives up. So now I have very carefully cut them and freed the bud. Some were bent and twisted from trying to grow in there. I'll see if they survive. I'm trying to catch newer ones at an earlier stage. I just don't understand why it happens.

Is this what yours does?

What kind of Masdevallia is it?

I everyone!

Thanks for the suggestions!

Philip, it is this exact orchid: Masdevallia wageneriana var. pteroglossa -

I have it in a little glass case thing, with a hole at the top for air, to help with humidity, and as soon as I did that it started to bud.

Silkin, I don't find that the membrane isn't opening, it just dies. It's weird.

Thanks!

Danielle

That's an adorable one! Oh well, maybe it's a different issue than mine. A picture of the spike might help. I did talk to Pepe from Ecuagenera just a few weeks ago in Edmonton about my problem and he felt my conditions were really good but suggested more light. Mine are under two HO T5's which you would think is ample but maybe that's your problem. I would think too much would be worse for the bloom and if it started the spike its getting enough, but who knows.

---------- Post added at 11:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------

I just looked on OrchidWiz and yours is a real cool grower with quite low light. even in summer it grows at 67 to 70F and nights somewhat cooler. Is temperature maybe the issue? OrchidWiz says it needs good moving air at all times and humidity around 80%

I was having issues with the masdie buds opening all the way, not blasting like yours seem to be doing. I now try to keep the humidity at 70% or above and the blooms are doing much better. The rest of the plants seem to like it too.

Bill

Thanks everyone!

I have moved my orchid a little bit lower from the light, and I am looking into ways to further increase the humidity.

Crossing my fingers this next bud up is a winner!

Danielle