Masdie with Indented Brown Spots

[Emma Grey]

Hi guys,

I purchased this plant from Andy two weeks ago at a nearby show. A few days after I purchased it it began to show indented brown spots, so I emailed. Andy called me right back and suggested that I put the plant in higher light as Masdies often spot when the light is too low.

I moved the plant near an East facing window so it gets direct morning light and indirect bright light the rest of the day. I've also been watering the plant with filtered water from my refrigerator, per Andy's advice. I also run the fan on my orchids for a while every day.

Unfortunately, the plant keeps getting these brown spots. I've emailed Andy again asking his opinion, but I thought I'd ask you guys as well. I've looked and don't see any pests on the plant, so I don't know what's going on.

Any thoughts?

[BGGraham1]

I had something similar on my Enc. Garciana, and Andy said it was not enough water. Have you tried that?

[tom499]

During my stint with massies I would get these. I never really got to the bottom of it.

Could be water droplets sitting on those spots, that get cold at night, and causes cell shock beneath. Do you mist them?

I thought mine may be due to low humidity, but I could never back this up.

[Emma Grey]

I don't mist them. I can try watering more often and see if it helps.

[koshki]

I'm giving this thread a bump because I have a whole collection of masdies that look just like that, and I have no idea what causes it.

[Emma Grey]

Thanks! That's really strange.

Hopefully someone can give us an answer.

[tangers40]

my masdies look like this too. it only seems to happen on mine to the older leaves. i associated it with a small fungal-type spotting as the plant ages. it never seemed to hurt the plant so i didn't put much more thought into it.

[kmarch]

I have a few questions:
1) what is your humidity level?
2) what are your day and night temps?
3) are you misting?
4) what is your watering regimen?

[katrina]

Unfortunately, unless your growing conditions are PERFECT and consistently perfect masdie growing conditions...these guys will get spots. I see them when the temps get too high, I goof and let them geta little too dry, humidity changes dramatically, change in light, change in postion/location of the plant...any time anything changes and/or isn't exactly perfect I will see spots. Some get them more than others and some only get it on the oldest leaves. I have yet to discover any one reason for them except that I know people who grow masdies under ideal conditions and they don't experience them very often.

I've learned it comes w/the territory since my conditions aren't perfect. The plants don't seem to suffer much at all...if any...from these spots so I don't worry about them anymore.

I have started sticking w/only the warmest growing of these plant (none of which is actually a "warm" grower...just more tolerant of warmer temps) and it's reduced the spotting. BUT, it's still a common sight in my collection.

[Emma Grey]

Hi again -

I knew when I took on a Masdie that my conditions weren't perfect, but I liked them so much I had to try one! This one is supposed to be more tolerant of warm temps though I know it doesn't prefer them. I'm guessing right now that the Masdie is telling me it doesn't love my conditions.

Kmarch - In answer to your questions: My humidity levels are between 50-60%+ most of the time. It sometimes gets down into the 40%+ range.

Right now our day temps are in the 70s and the night temps are in the high 50s/low 60s.

I don't mist my plants, and I've watered the Masdie three times a week since I got it two weeks ago by either letting it sit in some tepid filtered or by running the same water through it until the pot (clay) felt heavy.

[Brooke]

Looking at your pictures it looks like the oldest leaves are getting the spotting and the new foliage looks great and very upright. Masdie foliage as it ages is ugly. I very seldom get old foliage that turns yellow and falls off like a Phal leaf. Some Masdies appear more susceptible to this type problem than others even when they sit side by side.

Your temps are great - most Masdies suffer from high heat when the over night temps don't cool off. I would keep the fan running 24/7.

Brooke

[Emma Grey]

Brooke - I hope you're right that it's just the old foliage. I really want this little guy to be happy here. I'll keep that fan running!

[Orchidementia]

I grow my masdevallias much different from the way others here do, since I live in a coastal area. They're outside in fairly high light with constant air movement. My temps get as high as low 100s (but cool nights) - and I grow coccineas - and I water with tap water at least once a day. My infract had some gross leaves when I got it, but hasn't developed any since being put outside, so it's not from water on the leaves - all mine get their leaves hosed down pretty often. Mine are in pretty bright light - I have odontiodas and nobile-type dens on that rack - with the only side-effect being that they bloom now.

I'd suggest more light and more air movement, and loosen the sphag in the pot.