If you think orchids are all about the classic phalaenopsis, let me introduce you to the stunning world of Masdevallia. These exotic and colorful orchids are a true spectacle, offering a dazzling array of shapes and hues that can captivate any plant lover. They are a fantastic choice for growers looking for something truly unique and visually striking.
Native mostly to the cool cloud forests of the Andes, Masdevallia orchids have very specific needs. But don’t let that intimidate you. With the right knowledge, you can succeed in growing these beauties. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Masdevallia – Exotic and Colorful Orchids
This group of orchids is named for an 18th-century Spanish botanist, José Masdevall. What makes them stand out is their incredible flower structure. Instead of large, spreading petals, Masdevallia blooms often feature a fused tube with three elongated, triangular sepals that can end in wild, tail-like extensions. The colors are simply breathtaking—from vibrant oranges and reds to deep purples, spotted patterns, and even clear yellows.
Why Choose Masdevallia for Your Collection?
There are several compelling reasons to add a Masdevallia to your indoor garden:
- Unmatched Visual Impact: The flowers are like little pieces of abstract art. They are conversation starters.
- Compact Size: Many species and hybrids are perfectly suited for windowsills or terrariums, as they don’t take up much space.
- Cool-Growth Preference: They are ideal for homes that stay on the cooler side or for growers in temperate climates.
- Frequent Blooming: With good care, a healthy plant can flower multiple times throughout the year.
The Most Important Factor: Creating the Right Environment
Success with Masdevallia hinges on mimicking their natural, high-altitude home. Getting the temperature, humidity, and air movement right is 90% of the battle.
Temperature: Keeping Things Cool
This is the biggest shift for many orchid growers. Masdevallia thrive in temperatures that would stunt most common orchids.
- Ideal Daytime Range: 60-75°F (15-24°C).
- Ideal Nighttime Range: A drop to 50-55°F (10-13°C is highly beneficial.
- Crucial Point: They struggle greatly if exposed to temperatures above 80°F (27°C) for prolonged periods. Heat stress is a common cause of failure.
Light: Bright But Never Direct
Think of the dappled light under a forest canopy. Direct sun, especially through a window, will quickly scorch their delicate leaves.
- An east-facing window is often perfect.
- A shaded south or west window can also work.
- Leaves should be a lush green, not yellowish (too much light) or dark green and leggy (too little light).
Humidity and Airflow: A Balanced Pair
They love high humidity, around 60-80%. However, stagnant, wet air invites fungal disease. You must provide gentle air movement.
- Use a humidifier in the room, or place pots on a humidity tray.
- A small, oscillating fan set on low and not pointing directly at the plants is ideal for simulating a mountain breeze.
Step-by-Step Planting and Potting Guide
Masdevallia are mostly epiphytic, meaning they grow on trees in nature. Their roots need to breathe and dry relatively quickly. Therefore, the potting mix and container are critical.
- Choose the Right Medium: Use a very fine, moisture-retentive yet fast-draining mix. A common recipe is fine-grade fir bark, perlite, and a little chopped sphagnum moss. Some growers use pure sphagnum moss successfully, but it requires careful watering.
- Select a Suitable Pot: Plastic or clay pots with extra drainage holes are fine. Many growers prefer net pots or wooden baskets, which provide superior airflow to the roots. The roots like to creep and attach, so don’t choose a pot thats way too large.
- Potting Process: Gently remove the old medium. Trim any black or mushy roots with sterile tools. Position the plant in the new pot and carefully fill in around the roots with your new mix. Tap the pot to settle it, but don’t pack it down tightly.
- When to Repot: Repot every 1-2 years, or when the medium starts to break down and become soggy. The best time is just as new roots begin to emerge, usually after flowering.
Watering and Feeding Your Masdevallia
These orchids have no significant water-storage organs (pseudobulbs), so they can’t tolerate drought. However, they also hate sitting in soggy, decomposed mix.
The Watering Routine
- Frequency: Water frequently to keep the medium evenly moist, but not sopping wet. In a warm, dry room, this might mean watering every 2-3 days. In a cool, humid spot, it could be once a week.
- Method: Use lukewarm water, preferably rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis water. They are sensitive to dissolved salts. Water thoroughly until it runs freely from the drainage holes.
- Signs of Trouble: Wrinkled or pleated leaves usually mean underwatering or root loss from overwatering. Yellowing leaves at the base can be normal, but widespread yellowing indicates a problem.
Fertilizing for Health and Blooms
Because you water so frequently, you need to feed weakly but regularly. Use a balanced orchid fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20).
- Dilution: Use 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended strength on the label.
- Schedule: Fertilize “weekly, weakly.” Apply the diluted fertilizer every other watering during the active growing season. Flush the pot with plain water once a month to prevent salt buildup.
- Reduce feeding in the winter if growth slows, but don’t stop completely as many species grow year-round.
Common Problems and Simple Solutions
Even with great care, issues can arise. Here’s how to identify and fix them.
- Leaf Drop or Black Spots: This is often a sign of botrytis (a fungus) or bacterial infection, usually casued by cold water sitting on leaves or poor air circulation. Increase airflow, water in the morning so leaves dry by night, and avoid wetting the foliage.
- Failure to Bloom: The most likley causes are insufficient light, temperatures that are too warm (especially at night), or a lack of regular, weak fertilizer. Review your growing conditions.
- Pests: Watch for aphids, spider mites, and scale. Treat early with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, making sure to cover the undersides of leaves. Isolate any affected plant.
- Root Rot: Caused by old, broken-down medium or overwatering. If the plant seems unstable or leaves are chronically wrinkled, unpot it, trim away any rotten roots, and repot into fresh mix.
Propagating Your Plants
You can increase your collection by division. It’s a straightforward process best done during repotting.
- Remove the plant from its pot and gently clean the roots of old medium.
- Look for natural divisions—clusters of growths with at least 3-5 mature leaves each.
- Using a sterile, sharp knife, cut through the rhizome connecting the divisions. Ensure each new division has a good amount of healthy roots attached.
- Pot each division separately into small pots using fresh medium. Provide high humidity and slightly reduced light until you see new root growth, which indicates success.
FAQ About Masdevallia
Q: Can I grow Masdevallia indoors without a greenhouse?
A: Absolutely! Many hybrids are bred for easier indoor culture. A cool, bright bathroom or a room with an east-facing window and a humidifier can be perfect. Just watch those summer temperatures.
Q: My Masdevallia’s leaf tips are turning brown. What’s wrong?
A: Brown leaf tips are usually a sign of low humidity, salt buildup from fertilizer or hard water, or occasionally, underwatering. Try increasing humidity and make sure you’re flushing the pot with plain water monthly.
Q: How often do these exotic colorful orchids bloom?
A: A healthy Masdevallia can bloom several times a year, often with flowers that last several weeks. Some species are sequential bloomers, meaning new flowers open as old ones fade.
Q: Are they fragrant?
A: While prized for color and form, most Masdevallia are not known for fragrance. A few species may have a light scent, but it’s not a common trait for the genus.
Q: What’s the difference between Masdevallia and Dracula orchids?
A> They are closely related genera. Dracula orchids were once part of Masdevallia. Dracula flowers often have a more “face-like” appearance with a hinged lip, and they generally require even cooler, shadier, and more humid conditions.
Growing Masdevallia is a rewarding journey into a specialized niche of orchid care. By focusing on their core needs—cool temperatures, consistent moisture, high humidity, and gentle air—you’ll be able to enjoy the spectacular display of these exotic and colorful orchids. Their unique beauty is well worth the extra attention to detail. Start with a robust hybrid, master its care, and you may just find yourself seeking out rarer species to add to your own personal cloud forest.