New orchids! Now what?

[Dorchid]

I went to the St. Paul winter carnival orchid show yesterday. It was awesome, and I came back with 2 new additions. I'm so excited!
I have lots of questions, maybe some of you can help me. I tried to post pictures, but I can't get it to work, sorry.
I finally got a masdevallia! It's masd. angel frost. My house stays very cool, so I think it should be happy with the temp, but I'm wondering about the humidity, it's too low in the house out in the open, so I did the double- boiler thing I read about here, where I put it in a larger container on top of wet sphag. If that doesn't keep the humidity up enough, what kind of warning signs should I look for in the plant?

I also got a gomesa crispa seedling in a 2.5 inch pot. I got it because it said on the tag that it's a cool grower. I did a lot of looking online and in my giant encyclopedia of orchids, and I got a lot of mixed information. Some say it needs cool temps, some say I-W. Some say high light, and others say medium. I couldn't find any info on how I should water it. Do I let it dry out partially or completely before I water? I'm so confused! Does anyone else have one of these? If so, how do you care for it?

[Dorchid]

Ok, let's see if this worked. These should be pictures of them. The one of just the masdevallia won't upload.
[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[LauraGR]

I'm sorry I missed you! I was at the raffle table until about 1pm. I also got a Masdie Angel Frost! I also got about 20 others, including 14 I pre-ordered from Oak Hill Gardens for 10% off - plus they brought them to St. Paul! It is really fun working the show, talking to lots of people who know their orchids, and talking to people who came to learn.

[Dorchid]

That's so cool! I also bought mine from Oak Hill Gardens. I didn't make it as far as the raffle table before 1:00. There was so much to see, I could have stayed all day. I was one of the people being thrown out by security
Thanks so much for letting us know about it. I would have missed it otherwise. Do you know what signs my masdie will show if it doesn't have high enough humidity?

[Dorchid]

Does this forum move really slow, or is it just me?
Do I stink?
Maybe just a stupid question.

[rcb]

Dorchid - It's probably just many people don't grow Gomesas.

I did a quick check at Kew for you, Gomesa is a nice sized genus, with about around 100 different species - I did not do an actual count.

Apparently, the genus is from S. Trop America to N. Argentina, which probably indicates that the culture of the genus is varies, and will have to be species specific. (As with most genera)

crispa is from SE & S Brazil

Whenever I have conflicting culture advice for an orchid, I start it out medium temp, watering and light. Watch how the plant reacts, and then adjust accordingly.

[Dorchid]

Thank you. I'm mostly worried about watering it. I don't know if I should let it dry a little or completely between watering. It kind of seems like it would be at least a little bit flexible, since it has pseudobulbs like and oncidium, right? I guess I'll do some more digging online, or maybe I should just call the grower I bought it from. That might be easier.
Thank you for your reply.

[Filb]

Dorchid, you could always try and contact Oak Hill to ask them what kind of culture they give the Gomesa and even the Masdie. They are a big operation but I would think they'd make time to talk to you about it!

I would agree though, this forum does sometimes move on the slow side.

[Dorchid]

I'll try to call them tomorrow.

[Brooke]

I looked it up on Orchid Wiz and it is grown in high Phal light, intermediate temps and LOTS of moisture in the summer and less in winter but it doesn't want to dry out for long.

You will know your in trouble with the Masdie if the leaves fall off or you get black marks on the leaves.

Brooke