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| Masdevallia Culture |
| Masdevallias are a genus of about 350 or so species, which can be found growing throughout Central and South America, as far north as southern Mexico and south to Peru. These plants are generally cool growers, found at high elevations in the mountainous cloud forests where they really thrive on the high humidity. Others though, will grow in warmer & drier conditions where they get to almost dry out between rain showers. These orchids are relatively easy to grow & flower with some flowering two or three time a year, although there are some exceptions, which can prove a little more difficult. The flower shapes, sizes & the colors is absolutely amazing, with some of the colors really needing to be seen to be believed. Potting Mix. These plants can be grown in a number of different media, but those that seem to most preferred are either fine pine bark or Sphagnum moss. The moss that comes as shredded compact pellets works quite well, once soaked in water, as when it is time to repot the media is easily removed from around the roots. For a novice bark may well be easier for to use as the plants dry quicker & this means that the roots aren’t left soggy for long periods. For the thicker rooted plants I use cymbidium orchid bark available from most garden centres. Never use potting mix. Fertiliser: Feed weekly. If non-organic fertiliser is used such as Thrive, Phostrogen or Lush, use at half the stated strength, if using formulated orchid foods such as that used produced by Tudor Orchids, then use at the recommended strength. If you are using moss as a potting medium, the moss will go slimy white if the fertiliser is too strong. For the plants that are in bark I also use Garden Galore (Sheep Pallets) as a side dressing - 2 or 3 on the top of the pot every six months. Shade: I like my plants to have about 70% shade during spring & through to Autumn & then more light, say around 50% shading, for the winter period. If ferns are happy in the light then the Masdevallias should be happy. The leaves should be a good dark green - if the leaves are light green to yellow then increase the shade. Water: Keep the plants evenly moist but never wet. As Masdevallias are in active growth all year around they need water and fertiliser all year round also, but don’t let them become sodden during the cooler months. Temperature: Most Masdevallias can handle the temperature quite low (mine can go down to 0OC in winter- for a short period) provided there is no water on their leaves. Upper temperatures are more critical for Masdevallias as they will not tolerate temperatures over 25OC for prolonged periods. Stressed plants drop their leaves. Air Movement: Masdevallias, like all orchids, like to have constant air movement and the flowers should be in constant movement. I run fans in my shade houses all year round. Remember that frost will not settle if the air is moving. |
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