Masdevallia potting experiment

[The Orchid Boy]

I've also kept a masdevallia alive for just over a year. I had this idea before I even saw this thread or Ray's site. I asked a little about it and Ray said he had talked about if before to expand temperature limits so I am going to try it in a few days. My RH ranges from 65% to 75%, this should be plenty humid I hope. I LOVE masdevallias and would love to have lots more but I afraid because of my intermediate to warm temps, so this should help me stretch my temperature bounderies.

[AnonYMouse]

I leave the fan on 24/7. I've been told that masdies like/need air circulation, just enough to flutter the leaves. Never had any indication of problems above the media line. Before the fan, had fungal and bacterial problems.

I live on the lower part of the SF peninsula, I don't think my RH drops below 50% and on average is in the 60's. Not humid enough but I try.

[The Orchid Boy]

I always hear people talking about problems with rot, mold, fungal and bacterial problems. I've never had any such troubles myself. I have a confession to make, this probably is bad but... I've never sterilized a cutting tool that I used on an orchid and never brushed a cut with cinamon. I must have air movement and humidity balanced and just be a little lucky.

[Polarizeme]

I wondered about using S/H with Masdevillia. I have 3 new plants coming and was considering putting them in s/h. I'll be watching your progress!

[The Orchid Boy]

Do you have white build up on the clay pots? I have mine in a clay pot w/ sphag and water it with distilled water and it still gets the white build up... Maybe from when I fertilize?

[Paul Mc]

Fertilizer will undoubtedly build up over time. I intend to flush frequently with distilled water. As this set up is new, issues such as that haven't cropped up yet, but undoubtedly will.

[billc]

I've had some Masdies in s/h for about a year or so and after some stupid moves on my part they seem to be doing fairly well.
I moved them into containers that raised the level of the leaves about 2 inches and at the same time changed out the bulbs on the T8's I grow them under and didn't think about the fact that I was increasing the amount of light they were getting. I wound up giving them a good leaf burn. But all seems well now.
I have them growing at 72-75F during the day and at about 60F at night. The humidity fluctuates from 55 to 70. They are under T8's at approx 900 foot candles. I have them set up in a tray with a drain hose for ease of watering. I drilled a hole about an inch from the bottom of the tray and siliconed in a hose barb fitting to attach the hose to. It works pretty well.

Bill

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3249/dsc01327bq.jpg
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7478/dsc01328cp.jpg

[Paul Mc]

Bill, that's a neat set up!

[billc]

Paul, After reading your comment about filling your saucer 3X a day, I thought something like this might work better for you.

Bill

[Paul Mc]

Indeed it just might! My wheels are turning as I type, lol...