Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

One of the largest genera in the orchid family is masdevallia (Masdevallia). It unites more than 500 species of plants of not very large size, which are represented by lithophytes, epiphytes and terrestrial ones. Although there are many species in this genus, its distribution is rather limited. So, in nature, these plants can be found in the southern part of Brazil, in Mexico, Andes, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, as well as in Ecuador.

Representatives of this genus differ from all other orchids in a shortened creeping rhizome, thin, highly reduced pseudobulbs, having 1 hard, fleshy petiole of a dark green color, as well as the shape of the flowers. The development of peduncles occurs at the base of the pseudobulbs, while either a small-flowered inflorescence in the form of a brush or a single flower is located on them. Corolla consists of 3 rather large sepals and 1 small petal (lip). Sepals (often confused with petals) in many species grow together to a greater or lesser extent at the base, most often as a result of this a tube is formed. In this case, the tips of the sepals continue with very long filamentous processes. The only clearly distinguishable petal is the lip, which can be clearly visible and in the form of a tongue, as well as be relatively small and completely hidden in a narrow pharynx. There are also 2 real petals, but due to their scanty size, they are almost invisible. There are species in which the flowers are pronounced zygomorphic, while in others they have triple symmetry. Sepals can be of very different sizes and colors. The plant can bloom for 3-4 weeks (sometimes a little longer).

Masdevallia orchid care at home

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

Each species has some features of indoor care, which is closely related to the conditions in which this plant grows in nature. For example, there are light-loving or moisture-loving plants, or those that prefer a cool content. However, those species that are currently grown by most flower growers have some similar rules for care.

Illumination

Pretty light-requiring. Lighting should be bright, but diffuse. Direct sunlight is not allowed. It is recommended to place the flower on the west or east window. In this case, when placing on the north orientation window, you will need backlighting, and on the south one – shading from the direct rays of the sun. Supplementary lighting must be used in autumn and winter, while the duration of daylight hours throughout the year is from 10 to 12 hours.

Temperature conditions

Most of the species need a moderate-cool temperature regime. At the same time, daily temperature drops are mandatory for the plant. So, in the summer, it is best if the daytime is from 15 to 23 degrees, and at night – from 10 to 18 degrees. In winter, Masdevallia needs coolness – from 10 to 15 degrees.

After there is no threat of frost at night in spring, the flower can be transferred to fresh air (to the balcony, to the garden), but it must be shaded from the direct rays of the sun.

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

Earth mixture

Pots are suitable for growing, as well as blocks. It is better to take the pot from transparent plastic, while additional perforation must be made on the walls, which makes the aeration of the root system much better. The prepared container must be filled with pieces of pine bark, while their size depends on the root system of the plants. So, for example, if the roots are thick, then the pieces of bark can be relatively large, and the fine fraction is suitable for thin roots. It is recommended to mix the bark with sphagnum (optional), and it must also be placed on the surface of the substrate in order to avoid too rapid evaporation of moisture.

Large pieces of pine bark are used as blocks. Having previously made a cushion of moss, the roots are fixed on the surface of the block. A layer of sphagnum should also be placed on top of the roots.

How to water

Watering should be done often and very abundantly. To do this, take soft filtered tepid (about 40 degrees) water. Watering experts advise to carry out the method of immersion. In a basin filled with water, you need to lower the container or block and leave for a third of an hour, until the roots and bark are saturated with moisture. Then the orchid is transferred to its usual place.

Also, the plant will be very useful “hot shower” (about 45 degrees). In the event that the water in the water supply system is not too hard, it is recommended to systematically wash the flower right under the tap in the bathroom. Or you can take a watering can for this, into which you should pour soft filtered water.

It is necessary to water the plant systematically, without waiting for the bark to dry, since there is no velamen on the surface of the roots, which helps to preserve moisture. However, overflow is quite harmful, as it can provoke the formation of rot.

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

Humidity

Humidity is in direct proportion to the temperature regime. If the room is cool, then a humidity of about 50 percent is suitable, in a warm room, and even more so in the summer heat, the humidity should be at the level of 80-90 percent. You can increase the humidity in the room with household humidifiers and steam generators, but it is best to use orchidariums for growing. You can also increase the humidity by frequently dampening the foliage with a sprayer. For this, lukewarm soft water is used.

For flowers of miniature species, specialized hanging glass containers are often used. In them, it is relatively easy to maintain a microclimate favorable for plant growth and development.

Transplant Features

Transplanted only when necessary. So, if a plant has grown out of a pot or a block has become small for it, as well as in the case of salinization or decomposition of the substrate. Transplanted immediately after flowering.

Fertilizer

Fertilize the flower 1 time in 3 or 4 weeks. To do this, use a special fertilizer for orchids, take half or a third of the dose recommended on the package. Fertilizer can be dissolved in water for spraying or for irrigation.

Methods of reproduction

In indoor conditions, you can propagate such a flower by dividing the overgrown bush into several parts.

Pests and diseases

If you adhere to the rules for caring for such an orchid, then it will be resistant to both diseases and pests. If the temperature regime is incorrectly selected, as well as in case of untimely watering, with low or too high humidity, various fungal diseases appear, provoking the appearance of decay and leaf blight. Direct sunlight can burn foliage.

Video “How to properly care”

Basic views

Among domestic flower growers, masdevalia is still relatively poorly distributed, and they are rather little known to them. But at the same time, from a huge number of species, you can definitely choose something to your liking.

Masdevallia commodity (Masdevallia tovarensis)

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

It is currently the most popular species in culture. This plant is native to the humid forests of Venezuela and Colombia, while it prefers to grow in cracks in the bark of trees or in their branches. Lanceolate-oval or oval leaves are slightly folded along the central vein. Peduncles are up to 15 centimeters long, and most often they are taller than the plant itself. Inflorescences in the form of a brush consist of 2-7 translucent snow-white flowers, in which dense veins are clearly distinguishable. Pronounced zygomorphic flowers have almost completely fused 2 large sepals located below, only the tips remain free, which turn into elongated thin processes. The 3rd sepal is at the top and is very small in size, but it has a long filamentous process that can be bent back or look vertically upwards, completely overlapping the lower part of the flower. The sepal, together with its process, in length, as a rule, reaches 3 centimeters. The smell of flowers is rather weak.

Masdevallia fiery red (Masdevallia ignea)

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

This type is one of the most spectacular. This flower comes from the forest slopes of the Eastern Cordilleras, which is located in Colombia. Leaflets vary in shape from oblong-lanceolate to elliptical-lanceolate, while their lower part is narrowly wedge-shaped. Long (up to 35 centimeters) peduncles are much higher than the plant itself, and on them there are single flowers of a rather large size (up to 8 centimeters in diameter). The flower is distinctly zygomorphic. The pair of sepals below are half fused. They have the shape of asymmetrical wide ovals and do not have very large cusps at the tips. The color of the flowers is similar to the color of the flame. So, on a deep red background, there are 4 wide orange stripes that come out of the base. The 3rd sepal, which is located in the upper part of the flower, is a filiform narrow tail directed straight downward. It seems to lie on the surface of the flower and at the same time covers its mouth.

Masdevallia glandular (Masdevallia glandulosa)

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

The birthplace of this compact and very beautiful plant is Ecuador and Peru. Inverse-lanceolate leaves at the base are noticeably elongated. Short peduncles in length reach only 4 centimeters, while the leaves are 2 times longer. Since this species has a lodging nature of growth, the peduncles rise above the leaf rosette and make it possible to admire the single bell-shaped flowers. The calyx, which has 3 axes of symmetry, consists of 3 sepals, which are almost completely fused. Their free, rather wide open, triangular teeth end in thin filiform “tails” that are somewhat longer than the sepals. The lip is almost impossible to see as it is deep in the bell-shaped tube. The outer part of the sepals has a light pink color, and the ends of the tails are painted in yellow, as well as the surface in the depth of the tube. The inner surface of the sepals is strewn with a large number of small, protruding balls (glands), painted in purple. If you look at them from afar, they look like very bright spots. The name of this species is precisely related to this feature of the plant.

Such a flower is not only very effective, but also has a strong aroma (smells like clove spice). This species is one of the most fragrant in this genus.

Masdevallia triangular (Masdevallia triangularis)

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

This plant can be found in nature in Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru. The leaves narrowed to the base, have an obovate shape. Erect peduncles are not much longer than foliage and are 15 centimeters long. Single flowers are zygomorphic. All 3 sepals have the same triangle shape, while they are fused to half. In 2 sepals located below, the tops seem to sag due to the severity of filiform, rather long “tails”. At the sepal located on top, such a “tail” looks straight up. If we take into account these “tails”, then the diameter of the flower can be 17 centimeters. It is painted in a deep yellow color and has longitudinally located burgundy stripes located in the central part of the sepal. Also on the surface of the sepals there are small burgundy dots. “Ponytails” are also painted in burgundy color. A tiny lip is difficult to see even in a fully open mouth.

This species is one of those whose flowers smell very bad. They have a strong rotting smell.

Masdevallia davisii

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

The birthplace of the plant is Peru, where the local population calls it solar. Thus, this orchid was named because of its rich yellow flowers. They consist of 3 sepals. 2 broadly lanceolate sepals, located below, are 2/3 fused and have small outgrowth horns at the tips. Separate 3rd triangular sepal located at the top, rather small in size, it gradually tapers and has a filiform thickness at the tip. Single small (up to 5 centimeters in diameter) fragrant flowers grow on rather long peduncles, which can reach 25 centimeters in height.

Masdevallia andreettaeana

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

This is a miniature and very beautiful plant. It comes from northeastern Peru and southeastern Ecuador. The rosette, consisting of leaves, has a compact size of 3 to 5 centimeters. The leaflets are broadly oval, and there is a slight sharpening near the petiole. The peduncle reaches a height of 3–3,5 centimeters. There is a single flower on it, which is relatively large (about 3 centimeters in diameter) and painted white. 2 sepals, located below, completely fused. They have the shape of an isosceles triangle, while their tops are curved outward, and at the tips there are long “tails” of a thread-like shape. The free, oval sepal located at the top is smaller than the lower ones. This sepal seems to hang over the calyx, while covering its part with itself. It has a rather long “tail”, which is strongly bent back and tightly pressed to the flower from the outside. Many glands located on the inner surface of the sepals (outwardly similar to the surface of a dense fur coat), give the flower a special chic. Because of this, it seems that the flower is very fluffy and soft, while the sepals are similar to small fur pads. This species stands out from the rest in that it has clearly distinguishable small true yellow petals that protrude from the open throat. The lip is similar in size to the petals and looks like an elongated tongue.

Masdevallia erinacea (Masdevallia erinacea)

Orchid masdevallia care how to grow at home

The homeland of this flower is the rain forests of Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Colombia. This miniature plant does not exceed the size of a matchbox. Narrow leaves have a belt-like shape, while the peduncles are 2–2,5 times longer than them, and their height can reach from 4 to 7 centimeters. Single flowers have a corolla, the diameter of which is 15 millimeters. All 3 sepals have completely grown together. They formed a not very deep round calyx with a small tongue-lip and 3 threadlike outgrowths. These uniformly thin outgrowths from the base to the middle are colored greenish-white, and then they become rather elongated ellipsoids and have a rich yellow color. The outer surface of the corolla is painted in a deep yellow color, and the inner surface is covered with many reddish spots. On the surface of the entire flower there are sparse protruding glands, somewhat similar to small hairs.

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Anna Evans

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