S/H for Masdevallia? - Orchid Board

Tindomul · #1 04-02-2008, 04:12 PM

Hi,

Has anyone tried or heard of using S/H for Masdevallia species and or related genera? I would assume that a small sized prime agra would be needed for this alliance. Any input much appreciated.

kavanaru · #2 04-02-2008, 04:13 PM

Hi Tindo!!

I would also like to read other's experience about this. I am trying now M. Amazone Samantha in S/H, and looks good so far (but its only 2 weeks!)

Tindomul · #3 04-02-2008, 04:15 PM

What size media are you using?

kavanaru · #4 04-02-2008, 04:16 PM

a mix of 50% fine 50% "normal" size (8 - 12 mm) LECA

Tindomul · #5 04-02-2008, 04:21 PM

Any reason why you mixed the two as opposed to only using the fine? I've never seen fine, how small is it?

Becca · #6 04-02-2008, 07:54 PM

Well I am sure Ray will have some advice for you, but I was wanting to switch a fine rooted dendrobium to the small sized prime agra and he said the only thing he recommended the small sized prime agra was for African Violet plants. He said the smaller sized decreased the amount of air circulation....I am sure he will have more input then what I can contribute!

kavanaru · #7 04-03-2008, 03:25 AM

Hi Tindo, the reasonfor mixingit is that:
1.- I have found I can keep the humidity level in the pott up to the top this way.
2.- I had not enough big sized LECA

the small one is around 4 mm

Ray · #8 04-03-2008, 10:49 AM

I am not a big fan of masdies, but have grown a couple of the warmer hybrids (Copper Angel, for example) using coarse PrimeAgra.

Mixing sizes of potting media (all of them, not just LECA) actually reduced the amount of open air space compared to using a single size. Particle Packing

Tindomul · #9 04-03-2008, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the input everyone.

Ocelaris · #10 04-05-2008, 01:45 AM

I didn't have any success with the 1 Masd. I had... well, I take that back, it did fine until it caught scale from another plant, and I just couldn't get rid of it... then mold came in, and it couldn't put up new shoots fast enough to keep up. I think a lot of it isn't necessarily dependent on WHAT you put it in, S/H is a perfectly good medium, I just didn't have the culture that it required. I run a tad too warm and bright for masd... my mini catts love it though

Given the right climate and culture, I think Masd would be a good candidate for S/H, the small roots seem to do well enough staying fairly moist.