Masdevallia newbie question
 

I've recently bought my first masdevallia- M.coccinea. I've read extensively culture notes but I'm still confused. My coccinea spends the nights in the garden where temperatures are now around 44-47F and RH >90%, so it should like it. But the day temperatures are not much higher, maybe 50-52F and I've read it needs a big day/night difference to flower. So I'm confused- should I bring it inside to expose it give it the day/night difference and then move out for the night? Or will it be fine outside all the time?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I think leave it outside. As the weather gets warmer with arrival of spring, you will get the bigger day-night differential. I don't think it would be happy getting moved all the time. But those temperatures should be fine. In the fall you will want to bring it in once night temperatures get down toward 40 deg F (4 to 5 deg C) but if danger of frost is past, now is a good time to have it outside.

I'm with the other 2, leave it.

Thank you all for your help. I wanted to leave it out but we had an unexpected spell of freezing temps so I had to take it in. Now it's back outside, it's 50F (10C) during the day and only 40F (4C) at night so I'm a bit worried it might be even too cold but as you said temps will only be rising now.

Tindomul humidity during the day doesn't drop below 65%. I live by the sea, the climate is mild, it rains often, 70-80% is very common, with >90% on rainy days. Many people complain that we don't get proper hot summers but maybe masdevallias will like it here ;)

This sounds like ideal Masdevallia conditions. (I live on the southern California USA coast, it gets just a little too warm to keep them happy though I keep trying, and I am envious of people in San Francisco to the north of me who grow the most gorgeous Masdevallias - where summer can be almost as cold and damp as winter)

I really hope so. But even though the climate seems right I still have issues with these plants (I have 2 pots of coccinea). They tips of some leaves are blackish, there are black spots underneath some leaves etc, so unless they are acclimatising, I can't get the substrate/watering regime mix right.
I've been also lustfully eyeing draculas, but as they are very expensive here, it probably makes sense to wait and see what happens with these masdevallias first.

I keep thinking the same thing but have not gotten a Dracula yet. I do have a cross of the two.

This thread is at least 2 months old, but I would like to throw my 2 cents in here if I could.

My Masdevallia house is in the mid to upper 40's at night in the Winter months and 50's during the day. This is not a problem for them, but the amount of light in Oregon is. The spots happen when the plants are too damp and a lack of air movement around them. Be careful watering your coccinea in the Winter, this is one species that can be over-watered easily. During the Winter months I usually let them go until they are almost completely dry before watering them again. The humidity is so high here they aren't going to dehydrate. It sounds like the OP has similar conditions. Also the cool damp conditions in the winter are perfect for molds, fungus and bacteria to flourish. Moving the air makes an amazing difference for these plants. Finally, don't overcrowd these plants, the lack of air circulation between plants is problematic.
That is all, thanks!
Liana :biggrin:

Liana it's good to see you back.