Anyone else grow masdevallias?

[jeremyinsf]

Most Masdies don't perk up. Once the leaves show stress they don't improve. They do, however, grow new ones.

Masdevallia's are sometimes called 'suicidal orchids' because when they are upset they drop their leaves, and then may eventually die.

My suggestion would be to make the best of it while you have it, learn whatever you can, and maybe something will work out!

[Bulbofett]

It hasn't shown signs of stress yet (that'd be some kind of a record since I've only had it for 3 days). I just figured letting it get some cool night air would do it some good.

If it never gets happy enough to bloom I will understand. I just hope I don't drive it to suicide!

[Maxy24]

I do not have a masdevallia but do have a pleurothallis which grows in similar conditions. I have very, very little orchid experience and bought it on a whim because it was small and the guy I bought it from said it didn't need bright light. That poor thing suffered terribly. For an entire year it didn't grow at all, it's leaves wrinkled and it started dropping them left and right. I only recently figured out a way to make it happy.

I have it planted inside of a clear plastic container now, with sphagnum moss loosely around the roots. I keep the lid on, with a small crack to allow in some air during the day and take the lid off at night for more air flow. Within a week of doing this the wrinkling decreased dramatically (though the leaves are not perfect, they still look a little shriveled). It's been in there about a month and half now and a couple of weeks ago it sprouted new leaves, it has about 5-6 new little leaves growing now. It's literally the first sign of life it's shown.

I still worry about the lack of air flow but so far it seems pretty happy. Of course it's getting cooler here so I am not having to worry about heat. I think I'll probably keep it near the air conditioner in the summer. If I keep the lid the humidity shouldn't be sucked out by the AC.

So if I were you I would probably try some sort of terrarium set up, at least if it starts showing signs of stress.

[Optimist]

Look, I will pay shipping within the USA-- does anyone want a free Masdivalia? It is probably a common one... a Copper Angel Highland. When you said "pitting" on the leaves-- well it has that, but if it was in San Fran or in the hands of someone who knew them, it would probably revive. PM me if you want it. I just know it will die in my situation!

Please NOTE: I am sending this orchid to Jeremy in San Francisco. I am glad that it got a good home with someone who is in a cooler area of the country.

[jeremyinsf]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Please NOTE: I am sending this orchid to Jeremy in San Francisco. I am glad that it got a good home with someone who is in a cooler area of the country.

Thanks so much! I will take care of it and post updates.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by jeremyinsf

Thanks so much! I will take care of it and post updates.

Thanks Jeremy. I do not like killing orchids, but this one was a gonner after June here where I live. It will be so much happier in SF.

[NYCorchidman]

I would like to try some of the electrifying red, orange, or yellow masdies, but I read how they are cool growers and shied away.

Anyone knows if there are any warm growers with brightly and beautifully colored flowers?

[jeremyinsf]

The one plant I had that did well warmer was Masdevallia Dean Haas. The problem is that it's not very free flowering, in general. And those are Dean Haas's words to me directly! Anyway the leaves are super thick, which is a key to warmer temps.

[NYCorchidman]

Well, I have a habit of tossing anything that does not flower well. lol

[Laserbeak]

I started growing Masdevallias and a Dracula a few months ago in New York City. So far they look like happy plants.

I just keep them on the windowsill and mist and water them all the time and adjust the window depending on the temperature outside.

I'm afraid about the summer though, we can have HOT summers. I may have to put them in front of the air conditioner.