Masdevallia in S/H?

[Fishmom]

In 2008 there was a thread started by s. kallima which mentioned starting a masdie in S/H. I'm curious about this myself; does anyone grow masdie's in
S/H? What has been your experience? Any special tips? I've checked on Ray's site and there is no mention of masdies specifically, but since they like moisture, I'm thinking it should work. Any advice?

[rcb]

Masdies in summer

Masdie plan, advice needed

[Fishmom]

Perfect! Many thanks, Renee! Tons of good info here.

[rcb]

Fishmom, a couple more details I've learned that I don't think are included in there.

First, I've had to change the containers a few times, trying to figure out the type that works. I've found containers that are at least as wide as tall are working the best. Basically if the top pieces of the LECA dry out, the new roots don't like it.

And the solution was a pain trying to figure out. I've ended up using 1/8th strength. That is 1/8 tsp of a 20 - 13 - 14 per gallon of water. It seems to be the best strength with the fertilzer I'm using right now. And I flush with plain water every day, then add the fertilizer solution.

That's probably more work than most people considering S/H want, but remember my goal was to get them to grow in FL, anyway at all.

I've been told that Masdies don't do well in S/H, and I have to admit my plants look like crap. But since I've adjusted the details I mentioned here, root growth has been great, and the new leads coming out are much stronger, and growing well. And three of them are spiking.

Unfortunately, I wasnt able to keep the temps inside the house as low as I planned, so they are getting into the 80s during the day, some of which is due to the sunlight at the window they are on. But they seem to be carrying on. lol

[Ray]

Renee has found some good learnings, but I think it's important to make sure they are interpreted properly.

I have also heard that masdevallias don't do well in S/H culture, despite the fact that I have lots of customers who grow them successfully that way. That confirms what I've said time, and time again - "S/H" does not fully define all of the parameters of orchid culture. In fact, it's a relatively small part of the overall picture, and only addresses water and nutrient delivery, while playing no part in temperatures, light levels, humidity, or air movement - all of which are critical to successful orchid growing, especially in sensitive plants like masdies.

The fact that Renee has some spiking is a testimonial to her understanding of that, despite her inability to adequately provide the humidity and temperatures they prefer.

[Anisa]

Hmm... i didnt know they dont do well in S/H. Mine are growing and blooming... in S/H! I do have to spray top of the LECA regularly and, to think of, mine are growing in a "low" containers just like Renee's and regularly flushed.
However I did loose some Masdies by transfering to S/H. My answer is - try transfer them to S/H. The ease of care of plants in S/H is worth of the risk.

[Ray]

Since devising the culture method and discussing it online with thousands and during speaking engagements with hundreds, I have heard or read "I was told <insert your favorite genus or species here> don't do well in S/H" countless times.

I really don't understand why anyone would think that using that culture method should make growing anything "automatic", but it is apparently the case. I go out of my way to stress that is an alternate culture method, not the only or best one.

Just as it is unlikely that any single grower has the capability of growing everything in a single culture method under their conditions - and folks know that - it is unlikely that semi-hydroponics will be a panacea, but they insist on thinking so.

As part of my presentation, after listing which genera do well in the method (A BS slide, as pretty much any plant can be grown that way - and I say so), I have a short list of plants to unsuitable for the method:

DEFINITELY NOT - tolumnias
PROBABLY NOT - plieones (and other terrestrials that grow corms underground)
MAYBE NOT - vandas

Let me add that I have heard - rarely - about folks being successful with tolumnias, but I doubt that it's a long-term thing, or it's really not "true" s/h culture.

My corm-plant recommendation is based upon personal experience - they grew and bloomed, but later tended to form corms on top of the medium in a jumbled mess, not sub-surface as they are supposed to.

As to vandas, I cannot grow them that way in my environment; folks having dry, in-home scenarios have told me many times that they are successful.