Masdevallia infracta - spikes going south!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You know what...

Now that I think of it...

Get the larger Pleuros first.

Maybe the minis later. Just to get the hang of growing Pleuros.

The minis I suggested are pretty easy to grow, but I'm thinking maybe ease into them a little and see how you like growing them.

[Country Gramma]

OK, now you should give me 4-5 larger ones to try
Karen

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I suggested some of the ones you chose. I also added more than just 4 or 5 suggestions for medium to large species and a few small ones (there are no true minis in this mix).

Pleurothallis:

1. Plths adeleae: Grown these. About 8" to 10" tall. Leaves are pretty small compared to how tall they are though.

2. Plths cardiothallis: Never grew these, but I've seen these guys at the check out counter at SBOE and at Andy's Orchids. This one's pretty good sized. I'd say about a foot tall. Nice sized flowers for a Pleuro. Flowers I'd say are about 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter.

3. Plths chamensis: Never grown these either, but they shouldn't be difficult to grow. Check out the photos. I think you'll like these better than their cousins Plths caespitosa. I've grown the other cousin Plths cogniauxiana.

4. Plths circumplexa: Now I've grown these. They're cake, just don't mess up the roots. They grow a bit drier.

5. Plths martheae: These are always popular, I've never grown them, but I'm sure you'll find someone who can vouch for them.

6. Plths palliolata: Cute. Another one that kheikis often if you're growing them cool. Grow intermediate and they bloom instead.

7. Plths praecipua: Blooms often and easily.

8. Plths pterophora: Smells like ripe bananas. Flowers resemble the white variant of Plths grobyi but with a crest on the dorsal sepal. Has spotted leaves. Many sellers grow these too wet or over pot them. Watch the roots.

9. Plths restrepioides: Should bloom with high humidity, but very easy to grow. Not as easy to flower as some of the other Pleuros I'm mentioning. But the flowers are nice. Got a pic of it too if you wanna see.

10. Plths viduata: Flowers are similar to Plths praecipua but these are white. Blooms easily. I'm growing these right now. I've decided to give you info on this one because there just isn't enough information out there. I remember trying to research this plant's culture and habitat, and it was no walk in the park. The person who collected this species lost his/her collection data. Despite what you hear, this is not a cool grower. It grows intermediate. I nearly lost this plant because I was testing to see if it grew cool or intermediate.

Restrepia:

1. Restepia muscifera: Some people here on the OB have these. Obviously popular and easy. Blooms readily. Smells like raw potatoes.

I saved these babies for last, cause they're titans.

I mean they're gigantic for Pleuros.

1. Plths gargantua: These are gigantic even from 1st yr seedling size - as tall as a mature small Pleuro.

2. Plths teaguei: I've seen mature specimens and each leaf is about 3 ft in diameter. If you ever hear Ivan Portilla talking about this one at an orchid show, he's not joking.

3. Plths titan: I've read they can get to be 6 ft tall. Never seen one in real life.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Now if you like flowers that look like Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors...

Scaphosepalum verrucosum is the easiest to grow. Not to mention, out of all the Scaphs, this one's a show stopper.

[Country Gramma]

Thanks King, They are all so neat. I'm definately gonna try a few of them.

You are a plethora of information. Do you just know this stuff off the top of your head?

I can't grow really big ones. My Phals are about as tall as I can get. I could use probably about 2 mour mounts that are small though. I have a Gastrochilis acutifolius and a Aerangis biloba now and they could use some company. LOL

[Ray]

I'll have to echo King on this one, Gramma.

The ones in the greenhouse (75-85% RH) are fine, but the one I brought into the house is doing the same as yours.

[Country Gramma]

Hi Ray,
I was just so scared that I'd mishandled the beautiful Masd.you sent. Now I see I need more humidity. Did you put yours back in the GH?
My plants in S/H look great and it's been 3 days. I hope to get more in S/H as soon as they are ready!!
Karen

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Country Gramma

Do you just know this stuff off the top of your head?

I can't grow really big ones. My Phals are about as tall as I can get. I could use probably about 2 mour mounts that are small though. I have a Gastrochilis acutifolius and a Aerangis biloba now and they could use some company. LOL

Well...I don't take down notes. I go from memory. Although I should start writing cultural data down.

It's kind of a pain to go back and forth to change little bits of information based on more recent and more accurate findings, (now imagine this for over 500 species of orchids), so I don't write things down, yet...

Once you get the hang of growing Pleuros, and you decide you like them, you can try a few of the minis I suggested. That way your Gastrochilus acutifolius and Aerangis biloba can have some company.

[Country Gramma]

Well your brain must be a lot younger than mine. I can't seem to remember anything anymore. Lists are the way I live. OH and STICKIES.

I think we will try to go to J+L Orchids next week. They have many of the ones you suggested. It's a two hr drive but will be worth it.

Karen