MASDEVALLIA TROUBLE! - Orchid Board

ryrycochinco · #1 06-13-2011, 05:36 PM

I posted a few days ago( dieing masdevallia) about how my white angels leaves kept dropping. After lots of helpful information( thanks) I concluded that high temps was the problem. To cool her down I took my masdie out of the greenhouse and on a windowsill where it gets good light and temps in the 60's-70's. I think it's working but my orchid is weak and is still losing leaves, It's happening slower but I'm down to three! I need to do something drastic,or I might lose the plant

. Here are pictures

littlefrog · #2 06-13-2011, 06:45 PM

It is tricky when it gets hot. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to keep it really wet when it is hot. That is masdevallia disaster. Better a little dry, when hot, believe it or not.

I'd bring it out of the windowsill entirely until it recovers. It doesn't need direct light of any kind right now.

Vanda lover · #3 06-13-2011, 06:53 PM

I have mine in a clay pot, sitting inside another clay pot, with clay pellets on the bottom. This whole thing sits in a glass bowl, with a little water in the bottom. The evaporation not only keeps it cool, but also provides extra humidity. It loves it! I also figure that if it gets really hot, I could put an ice cube in the glass bowl.

ryrycochinco · #4 06-13-2011, 08:38 PM

could I substitute the clay pellets with shag or something?Also do you cover the glass bowl at all?

ryrycochinco · #5 06-13-2011, 08:44 PM

By the way I keep my masdie moist all the time and at night the sphag gets pretty cold, is wet and cool bad? Should I put it in my greenhouse so it dosen't freeze over night?...... or water less?

Vanda lover · #6 06-13-2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryrycochinco

could I substitute the clay pellets with shag or something?Also do you cover the glass bowl at all?

They need good air movement, so don't cover it. I have the top of the flowerpot slightly bellow the top of the bowl. You could use pebbles instead of the clay pellets. I think moss would be too wet and rot. You want good drainage, and the plant should dry out slightly before watering. I use rain water, though our tap water here is pretty good. I haven't had the nerve to try tap water for the Masd.