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| Masdevallia Care |
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Basic Masdevallia CultureFollow these guidelines to grow exceptional Masdevallias
Light should be like that given for Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilums —1,000 to 1,500 foot-candles. Masdevallias can be kept successfully in higher light intensities if the growing area can be kept cool. Plants grow well under standard fluorescent fixtures and can be summered outside in shade. In your home, grow them in an east or shaded south window or under artificial lights.
Temperatures should be cool to intermediate. The plants will grow slowly and eventually expire if temperatures remain high for long periods. Cool nighttime temperatures help reduce the heat stress that happens during the day. By the book, night temperatures of 55 to 60 F are considered ideal with day temperatures of 65 to 75 F. Evaporative coolers or humidifiers are useful in maintaining these conditions. Avoid day temperatures higher than 80 F. Give plenty of shade if there is a hot spell.
Water of good quality is critical for these plants. Masdevallias have minimal water-storage tissue and are generally in a moist environment year-round. Roots should be allowed to become almost dry between watering. If the drainage is appropriate, constantly moist roots are fine. Good-quality water low in dissolved solids is imperative for success. Use RO or distilled water if your drinking water is high in soluble salts.
Humidity is the key factor for success with Masdevallias. A range of 60 to 80 percent would be perfect. Below 50% the plants can dry rapidly. In a home environment, set the plants on trays of gravel partially filled with water. In the greenhouse or enclosed growing area, the humidity can be increased by use of a humidifier, while evaporative coolers help raise humidity and lower temperatures. If plants are summered outdoors, automatic misters under the benches are recommended as is more frequent soaking.
Fertilize regularly with a dilute solution while plants are actively growing. We use hydrolyzed fish, 2-4-.2, at a rate of one teaspoon per gallon every time we water. Never use any fertilizer full strength on Masdevallias. Give them a light dose frequently, as they would experience in the forest homes.
Potting is best done in the winter or early spring, before the heat of summer arrives or as new roots are produced. Plants must be repotted frequently, every one to two years, before the potting mix decomposes. Root health is paramount! A fine-grade potting medium, such as fine fir bark or tree-fern fiber, is often used with plastic pots. Sphagnum moss is also used, especially for establishing plants. We use medium coir and perlite for a very light and free draining mix. The lighter your mix, the more you must water!
The plant should be positioned in the pot so that the newest growth is farthest from the edge of the container, allowing the maximum number of new growths without crowding the vessel. Plants growing in many directions may be positioned in the center of the pot. Spread the roots over a cone of potting medium and fill in around the roots with potting medium to the junction of the roots and the plant. Firm the medium around the roots. Keep humidity high and the potting medium slightly dry until new roots form.
Choose a pot size that just accommodates the roots. Overpotting, or using too large of a pot, can lead to soggy roots and a less-than-healthy plant. Some varieties do well "potting up", or moving up to the next pot size. Be sure to use one of these if you wish to have a specimen plant to display.
Here are some of the fine Masdevallias we grow . . .
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(coccinea x patriciana) Diminutive but tough, cool to intermediate growing variety with a very long bloom season. Easy to grow.
Our price: $12.00
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Hardy, cool to intermediate growing variety with a very long bloom season. Easy to grow.
Our price: $12.00
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(coccinea x uniflora) This grex dates to 1991, during the second "golden Age" of Masdevallia hybridizing. This particular clone is a very fine, large, symmetrical flower of a brilliant pink with underlying purple stripes and fine, white hairs.
Our price: $12.00
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The very best white Masdevallia coccinea (in our opinion, that is). Tall spikes, very large flowers and growth as strong an non-alba varieties. We even use this plant to grow cut flowers that we sell locally.
Our price: $25.00
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A fine, rewarding smaller pink Masdevallia coccinea. In our experience growing this clone (almost 2 decades) we have found it to be very free flowering and more tolerant of warm temps than most coccineas.
Our price: $20.00
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Known as "the King of Masdevallias", this is the very best Masdevallia veitchiana (in our opinion, that is). Tall spikes, very large flowers and very strong growth. This is the largest Masdevallia we grow - the largest we have seen in fact. We even use this plant to grow cut flowers that we sell locally.
Our price: $30.00
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