Repotting my Masdevallia?
 

Hi! I got a Masdevallia 'Redwing' from a fellow member of my orchid society. Based on the picture below, does it look like it needs to be repotted? If so, what media do you suggest I use?

It looks like it could use a repotting. I use New Zealand sphagnum moss for all my Masdevallias and Draculas on advice from here (sorry, don't remember who).

I also use baskets. I like octagonal wood Vanda-type but you could use plastic ones, sometimes the flowers (especially on the Draculas) come out the bottom not the top.

I'm going to be a newbie at these because I have just ordered my first one and am going to order a couple more this morning. So I picked a fellow at Seattle Orchids brain and he said he plants them in New Zealand Spag just like Laserbeak say's, he also told me he puts them in terra cotta pots and puts packing peanuts in the middle.

Yours looks really nice.

Redwing is a great choice, it can do well in a wide range of temps. I use CHC with my masdies.
Is that one of Dennis' plants? He tends to let them get real potbound. That's probably why his plants do so well.

Bill

Hi Bill! Yes, it was Dennis' plant. How big of a pot should I go up to? The current pot is 2" x 2"

Wintertime is the best time for repotting Masdies, which should be carried out as long as the medium and the roots are still in good condition. Give 2-3 centimeters more in potsize.

Yes, unglazed and untreated (this is important) clay pots with fresh NZ Sphag.

Re-pot again when the sphag breaks down. It will break down faster than bark, but it's worth it as a medium for these plants. They can be re-potted at any time. It's more important to keep the media fresh than to worry about the calendar.

If you use seaweed, I suggest a dose when you move pots at least once. I've seen a big difference in stronger roots when using seaweed on my masdies.

Did you just get this plant or has it been in your collection for several years? If it is a new plant then I suggest patience. It is quite large, meaning it has established a working solution to whatever environmental irregularities it has experienced in the past. Now that it is in your collection it faces its ultimate challenge. My advice is to just leave it in the pot for 6 months and observe it. If it is in active growth, then a bigger pot will be appreciated. Pleurothallids tend to like a constantly moist medium and long fiber sphagnum moss is the best choice.

It's beautiful! What a nice sized plant.

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All of my masdies are in growth phase or throwing spikes. I'll repot any that need it when spikes are gone and growth is evident.

I have several small seedlings/divisions that have really not done much. I'm considering a variation on the potting mix and going with all clay for them. I want to eventually get them all in clay pots.

Jeremy, what's been your experience with CHC? Have you ever tried it?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and tips.

I repotted my Masdevallia 'Redwing' into a 3x3 inch aircone pot, with a mix of fine sphagnum moss, fine fir bark, perlite and charcoal. The roots were in great shape. I've been watering with Reverse/Osmosis water and very weak fertilizer.