Masdevallia

[jbigio]

Since so many of the members have been struggling with Masdevallias that they have either recently acquired or that they have had for a while; I decided to do some “research” on their care and to see if I can find a definitive answer as to why so many “shed” their leaves for no apparent reason.

I discussed this with several members of the pleurothallids society, as well as some hybridizers and orchid nurseries. Here is a summation of what I found.

Temperature

Masdevallia can be broken down into several temperature groups:

• Cold Night 40 to 45 Day 50 to 60
• Cool Night 45 to 55 Day 50 to 65
• Intermediate Night 55 to 60 Day 55 to 70
• Warm tolerant Night 63 to 70 Day 70 to 80

Most of the breeders today are concentrating on crosses within the last two groups in order to produce more of the warm tolerant ones. One breeder said that he has a new cross that he has grown and bloomed at 80 + degrees.

Light

Most Masdevallias grow in shady areas at about 1200 foot candles. Some however prefer as high as 3500 foot candles. The rule of thumb to follow is the plants with small thin leaves require the lower light levels while the plants with thick and larger leaves can tolerate more light.

Humidity / Air

The ideal humidity for Masdevallias is around the 70 percent level. This can be achieved with a room humidifier or keeping the plants on humidity trays. They really aren’t much different then most of the other orchids we keep in this regard. But along with the humidity levels is air movement. To munch humidity and to little air movement is a breeding ground for fungus. Give them as much air circulation as you can. I keep a large ceiling fan, a pedestal fan and a room humidifier going 24/7 in the room with all my orchids. This is especially true for newly acquired plant that will be stressed whether they show it or not, going into a new environment

Pests and diseases

As far as pests go they are affected by and treated as you would any of your other plants. However do not use Neem oil they react badly to it. Aphids seem to like the new leaves and buds/blooms especially on outdoor grown plants and they should be check regularly for them.

Now for the $64,000.00 dollar question why do they shed leaves? The answer most often given is stress due to temperature fluctuations. This will causes them to react by shedding leaves. When the plants are stressed and shedding leaves, often we tend to water them more; this is just the opposite of what should be done. They should be allowed to stay on the dryer side till they stop losing leaves and or new growth is seen. To munch water cause the roots to develop fungal and bacterial infections. It is possible for plants that have lost all their leaves to send up new growth and in time look as good as new.

Next we have the black spots on leaves often seen on green house grown plants. These also are most often a sign of stress, either form temperature or humidity. However bacterial infections will also cause these kinds of spots. The easiest way to see if the problem is enviormental or an infection is to look at new growth. If the new leaves are free of spots you can be fairly sure that it’s not some sort of infection. On the other had if they too are spotted then it is most likely bacterial or fungal.

Watering

Masdevallias are mostly found in cloud forest which keeps them in a constant state of dampness. In our culture we tend to equate this to mean they need to be kept wet at all times which is wrong. They like to be damp not wet. I and most of the growers I spoke to grow their plants in moss. The trick with moss is first don’t pack the moss in the pot; you will actually choke the roots. Secondly, water when the top of the moss has changed to a light straw color. Remember that the moss will pull the water down so when the top is dry the middle is still damp. Don’t over water; the common misconception is that you can't over water them, wrong.


I currently have over 175 Masdevallias in my collection and I have found very few problems in keeping them happy. I do however grow then indoors which makes it much easier to control the temperature and the humidity. I can’t stress enough to have as munch air blowing on them as you can to avoid most of the problems associated with them.

I hope this will help some of you with your plants.
joe

[kid a]

Thanks Joe. I only have one Plurothallid right now but love them and want badly to be able to turn the a/c on so it might do something. Unfortunately I am not allowed to until it hits 90 in the house :-( Our temps right now are good for all my other orchids but doing nothing for the plurothallid (restrepia). I want to set up a sepperate room some day that is cooled for masd.

[psyc1210]

Thanks Joe for the info. Mine lost two more leaves today, and that leaves it with 8 leaves remaining. However, I do see two new leaves that are coming up. I hope with some more time, even if it does drop more of the leaves it had when you sent it to me, that the new growths will continue coming through and doing well. My other Masdie that I got about a month or so ago lost two or three leaves when i first got it, and now it's fine. I need to stop worrying

[articuno75]

Joe this is awesome info that I vote to sticky! Remember the first Masdie Celtic Frost that I got? Well poor baby went completely balled except for two leaves.(I over watered in the beginning ) I thought she was a goner for sure. I kept an eye on her and watered only when needed. Guess what? She's spitting a new growth.

Even if these babies completely lose their leaves, they can come back!!!

[jbigio]

I forgot watering so I just added it.
Thanks

[Brooke]

The five I got from you 5-8 are doing great Joe. All have multiple new growths and I've only lost one leaf on one of them since they arrived. They love living in front of the cooler wall :>)

Brooke

[jbigio]

Thats great

[myorchid]

My Celtic Frost lost several leaves when I got it but then when I moved it to right in front of the fan, it stopped loosing leaves and has two new growths!
The new one colossus x bonplandii didn't loose any leaves and seems very happy also directly in front of the fan!

Seems like air flow is the key for me!

[patticake]

My first one I got from you-Roofus- Lost 2 leaves before we decided what he liked the best. Tinker Belles lost one leaf the first day, but so far she's holding onto the rest! They both have new growth, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. They're in my basement, where it's about 70. Thanks for the info, Joe!

[solay]

My first two Masdies, from you Joe, is doing fine with new growths. They lost a couple leaves at the beginning too. As for my poor Tinker Belles, well she is bald now. I am still hoping for a come back. Slime chances but still hopeful. Thanks for the info.

[articuno75]

All of mine are doing really well The Tinker Belle is dropping leaves, but I think it's because my oldest moved the fan....Grrrrrrrr. Also could be the shock from the move. But new leaves are also present, so I'm not too worried.

My Hirasaki cross has two new growths and is doing very well. It's the biggest of the six that I now own Tink is the smallest.

[solay]

Jenny that's a cute picture there. I'm hoping to have a girl when we decide to get pregnant next year. Boys are OK too but girls are just too cute. Especially when they are toddlers. I know, you don't get to pick. My husband wants a boy. Sheesh!!!
Ya, I hope your Tinker does better than mine. I'm going to have to look for another mini one of these days.
Joe if you find another one by chance please PM me. I want to buy a replacement.

[jbigio]

I have been and will keep you in mind
Thanks