Masdevallia Care with on coming spikes

[fred]

I just done some work with on of my species Masdevallia;s that I thought that I would share with you.

here you will see where the flower spike has been halted with growing because of the dead sheath on the plant.
you will see with the pics the spike freed as well.
I split and removed the dead sheath with a pair of tweezers.

[patlee]

Neat trick I just got my first Masd. and I may need to know that down the road. Thanks

[Tobi]

Thanks for posting that Fred. I've done the same thing with one of my Oncidiums that
was caught in the dried sheath. It works great.

[orchid_girl]

I'll have to keep that in mind because I am about to buy some. Thanks for sharing Fred!

[evagentry]

Thank you Fred, it's always nice to learn tips from experienced growers.

[solay]

That's so hard to see the little spike. I'll need to keep a close eye on my Masdevallias. That's a good trick there Fred.

[patticake]

Fred! I just got my first Masdie, and now I know what to be watching for!

[fred]

as we all have seen with my first post the flower spike was halted by the old sheath
here is a pic of the same flower spike taken a few hours agao.

[pikevi]

Looks good, fred.

What size do they begin to flower?

[fred]

good question pikevi as I have not flowered this one before
I was given this division ummm i think it was a few weeks ago from my friends at the orchid nursery they were re potting and dividing there own private collection.

all I know is the flowers are held high above foliage just how high I will have to wait and see

[tom499]

It really depends on the species. I have one thats quite small that is flower consistently, being it one flower at a time. My other massy is much bigger but is only finally starting to put out a spike.

Fred's technique is very useful for helping stuck spikes, but I would be careful doing it before the spike has really put on some growth.

I have terminated massy spikes by removing the dead sheaf too early, I'm not sure why it stops them growing, but I just get left with a nub on the bottom of the leaf, and it does little else.

This may just be a problem with my one plant, but I think its worth passing it on just in case.

[dipasquo]

I have had a lot of problems growing Masd. in my apartment conditions and am about to look for a new home for the one that I have. I've had a lot of spikes and new growth that got similarly stuck, a lot of wrinkled leaves, a lot of growth die off, and earlier this spring, 2 of 3 spikes that grew to bud only partly opened. My conclusion with advice from Orchidgeeks is that humidity is just too low here, despite sitting in a little humidity bed. Maybe someday I'll have a small greenhouse in which I can get the humidity up and try again with these guys.

[jbigio]

I do believe that the problem with "stuck" spikes is in correlation to the amount of humidity around the plants. To low and the sheaths dry sooner then they should, causing the spike to have to brake free from a stem that’s drier then it should be.

[pikevi]

That is OK, fred.

I have a few , I think 5 , Masdevallias and I see new shoots (?) coming off of them. Just wanted to make sure that they are NOT spikes.

These are the ones I have:
Masdevallia caudata,
Masdevallia pinocchio
Masdevallia rosea
Masdevallia dalessandroi
Pleurothallid restrepioides

A couple of them are almost 20 cm (8 inches) high.

I hope I will see them flower soon.

[fred]

they sounds good pikevi
I can not wait to see some pics.

here is an update of the flower spikes

[patticake]

Oh, Fred!! That's looking good!

I have my one Masdie, -Masd. (White Swallow x Minaret), and I just bought a new one to keep it company! (miniature- Tinkerbell) - waiting for her to arrive! ) I lost my first leaf right away and the second got burned under my lights.-

Learning is very hard sometimes!!! I bought a clip-on fan, and installed it a bit away from the grow-lights to help with air flow... My basement is about 72 degrees- (24 or so C) I put the Masdie at the "dark end" of the lights, behind a Paph. It seems to be doing much better!! I'll keep my fingers crossed. I can't wait to give it a new friend!

for all the info... You're the best!!!

[fred]

the fan will help patti
that was a good idea to move the Masd to the darker end of the lights
I will keep my fingers crossed for you as well

[tom499]

Looking good Fred! Only thing better than one bloom is lots of blooms! =)

[fred]

I live in hope tom

[pikevi]

fred: The spikes look great. At least two of mine are almost the same size as your one. I see a few new growths ( may be spikes?) and I am happy that they are not dead, let alone bloom....yet!!.

patticake: The clamp-on fans are pretty strong even at the lowest settings. I bought a couple of them too but they are too strong. Now I use regular small (table) fans ,placed on the floor about a metre or so away from the plants and with a tray of water in front of it. Seems to be working alright, so far.

[jay]

Almost there. I can't wait to see it bloom.