Masdevallia infracta - spikes going south!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Country Gramma

fgvh

Sorry not too keen on internet lingo what does this mean?

[Country Gramma]

Sorry, It was a mistake

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Country Gramma

Sorry, It was a mistake

No problem. I thought you meant to say "forgive her".

I probably should. That's another story...

[Country Gramma]

Been looking at pics online of the plants you recomended. I would love to find a Restrepia muscifera, Pleurothallis restrepioides, Pleurothallis ornata for starters. I noticed in my research that they need medium to high humidity. Is that correct? If so, how will that help my relatively not so high humidity get higher?
Am I missing something? Karen

[Country Gramma]

Has anyone gotten any 'chids from this place "Santa Barbara Orchid Estate" and do you recommend them? They seem to have a lot of the plants on King's list.
Karen

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Moss and Pleuros like water. The amount of water you're providing for them and the transpiration will raise the humidity.

Think about your garden. Let's say you've got a lush lawn. You gotta water this lawn right? Well of course you do. That water is going to raise humidity. So is the transpiration from the grass. Then add on the flowers from the flower bed. Then add on the shrubs. Add on the trees.

You get the point.

You're creating a made up mini ecosystem.

The moss. The orchids. The humidity tray. Watering your orchids. If you have to get a humidifier, that too...

Little things add up to big things.

[bodaciousbonsai]

35% -50% is way to low for a masdevallia.even under t5 lights is probably to much light also. my humidity for my masdies is usually 80%-100% humidity. as far as fc in lighting i keep in the range of 300-500fc they grow and bloom just fine in these conditions. temps are low 55 high 70.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Oh yes! Of course I've purchased from Santa Barbara Orchid Estate! If you get a chance, you should pay them a visit if you're local to that area. The owner's father is an elderly gentleman who is always a pleasure to talk to and hang out with. Yeah, I know he's trying to sell plants, but who cares it's fun!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Since you're looking into SBO Estate, check out:

Plths grobyi, whatever variant you like.

These are neat little things! They flush bloom! That's right they bloom pretty much at the same time.

Karen...

I just realised you're in Massachussetts, so oops...my bad.

Guess you can't pay SBOE a visit so easily...

But they've got great stuff. Especially their Pleuros! Many of them are so lush!

[Country Gramma]

OK King now I get the idea. Just didn't think of it that way. Thanks for the info about Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. I'm from Mass. but if I ever get out there I'll visit. Maybe ordering on line since you endorse them will have to do for now.

So Bodacious, maybe they're getting way too much light??? 300-500 fc seems like very little and I don't have a light meter.

I did get that humidifier that I found working though and the humidity is about 47% right now and going up!!! Yeah on that point.

Karen