If you think orchids are all about the classic phalaenopsis or cattleya, let me introduce you to the stunning world of masdevallia. These exotic and colorful orchids are a fantastic choice for growers looking for something truly unique.
They are known for their triangular-shaped flowers and vibrant hues. Unlike many orchids, they thrive in cool conditions, which makes them perfect for certain climates or indoor setups. This guide will help you understand everything you need to grow them successfully.
Masdevallia – Exotic and Colorful Orchids
Masdevallias are a genus containing hundreds of species, mostly from the cloud forests of the Andes. Their flowers are their main attraction, often appearing in brilliant shades of red, orange, purple, and yellow. The blooms have a distinctive structure with fused sepals that form a triangle, and many have long, tail-like extensions.
Why Choose Masdevallias for Your Collection?
There are several compelling reasons to add these plants to your home.
- Constant Blooms: With good care, they can flower multiple times a year, providing nearly continuous color.
- Compact Size: Most species are small, making them ideal for windowsills or under lights.
- Cool-Growth Preference: They fill a niche that other, more heat-loving orchids can’t, thriving in temperatures many homes naturally provide.
- Fascinating Variety: From the fiery Masdevallia coccinea to the intricately patterned Masdevallia veitchiana, there’s a type for every taste.
The Perfect Environment: Mimicking the Cloud Forest
Getting their environment right is the key to success. Think cool, humid, and airy.
Temperature Needs
This is the most critical factor. Masdevallias prefer it cool.
- Ideal Daytime Range: 60-75°F (15-24°C).
- Ideal Nighttime Range: 50-60°F (10-15°C).
- A drop in temperature at night is essential for triggering blooms.
- They struggle in heat above 80°F (27°C) for prolonged periods.
Light Requirements
They need bright but indirect light. Direct sun, especially afternoon sun, will quickly scorch their leaves.
- An east-facing window is often perfect.
- A shaded south or west window can also work.
- Leaves should be a light grassy green, not dark green or reddish.
Humidity and Airflow
As mountain plants, they love humidity combined with fresh air.
- Aim for 60-80% relative humidity.
- Use a humidifier, a pebble tray, or group plants together.
- Good air movement prevents fungal and bacterial diseases, which they can be prone to in stagnant air.
Step-by-Step Planting and Potting Guide
Masdevallias have fine roots that dislike being soggy. Choosing the right pot and medium is crucial.
- Select the Pot: Use a small plastic or clay pot with excellent drainage. Many growers prefer net pots or baskets to maximize air flow to the roots.
- Choose the Medium: A very open, fast-draining mix is best. Fine-grade fir bark mixed with perlite, sphagnum moss, and horticultural charcoal is a common recipe.
- Potting Technique: Gently remove the old medium. Place the plant in the new pot, spreading the roots carefully. Add the new medium, tapping the pot to settle it without compacting it to tightly.
- When to Repot: Repot every 1-2 years, or when the medium breaks down and becomes sour. Spring is usually the best time.
Watering and Feeding Your Masdevallia
Their watering needs are specific because they have no major water-storage organs.
Watering Routine
- Keep the potting medium evenly moist, but not waterlogged.
- It should never dry out completely, but it also shouldn’t stay sopping wet.
- Water with pure water, like rainwater, reverse osmosis, or distilled, as they are sensitive to salt buildup.
- Water early in the day so leaves dry before nightfall.
Fertilizing for Health and Flowers
Use a weak fertilizer regularly.
- Apply a balanced orchid fertilizer (like 20-20-20) at 1/4 strength every week or two during active growth.
- Reduce feeding in the winter when growth slows.
- Flush the pot with plain water once a month to prevent fertilizer salt accumulation.
Common Challenges and Simple Solutions
Even with great care, you might encounter a few issues. Here’s how to fix them.
- Leaf Drop or Wrinkling: Usually a sign of underwatering, low humidity, or damaged roots. Check your watering frequency and the root health.
- Brown Leaf Tips: Often caused by low humidity, high temperatures, or fertilizer burn. Increase humidity and review your feeding schedule.
- No Flowers: The most common culprits are insufficient light, not enough temperature drop at night, or a plant that is to young. Check your growing conditions.
- Black Spots on Leaves: This is often a bacterial or fungal infection. Remove affected leaves with a sterile tool, improve air circulation, and avoid wetting the foliage when watering.
Popular and Beginner-Friendly Varieties
Starting with a resilient type can make your first experience more rewarding.
- Masdevallia coccinea: Known for its spectacular bright pink to red flowers. A classic and relatively adaptable species.
- Masdevallia ignea: Produces stunning fiery red blooms with a striking appearance.
- Masdevallia ‘Angel Frost’: A popular hybrid with white flowers spotted with purple, known for its vigor and free-flowering habit.
- Masdevallia veitchiana: A show-stopper with large, orange-red flowers covered in fine hairs. It needs very high humidity but is worth the effort.
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 old medium from the roots.
- Look for natural divisions where the plant has grown multiple growths (leads).
- Using a sterile knife, cut through the rhizome connecting the divisions, ensuring each new piece has at least 3-4 healthy growths and a good root system.
- Pot each division separately in fresh medium and care for them as you would a mature plant, keeping them in a slightly more humid environment until they re-establish.
FAQ About Masdevallia Orchids
Q: Can I grow masdevallias indoors?
A: Absolutely. They do very well indoors if you can provide enough humidity and the right cool temperatures, especially near a bright window.
Q: How often do these exotic orchids bloom?
A: Many species and hybrids can bloom several times a year, often with flowers lasting several weeks. Some are even everblooming.
Q: My home gets warm in summer. Can I still grow them?
A: It can be a challenge. You’ll need to find the coolest spot in your home, maximize air movement, and consider using a small evaporative cooler. Some hybrids are more heat-tolerant than pure species.
Q: Why are the leaves on my colorful masdevallia turning yellow?
A: Some yellowing of older leaves is normal. Widespread yellowing can indicate overwatering, poor root health, or sometimes to much direct light.
Q: Should I mist my masdevallia?
A: Misting can help raise humidity temporarily, but it’s not a substitute for proper ambient humidity. If you mist, do it in the morning so leaves dry quickly, preventing disease.
Growing masdevallias is a unique and satisfying part of the orchid hobby. By paying close attention to their need for cool temperatures, consistent moisture, and high humidity, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular display of their exotic and colorful flowers. Start with a hardy hybrid, master its care, and you may just find yourself captivated by this remarkable genus.