Masdevallias: Small Size, Mega Charm

These are two masdevallias we had in the shop recently. Many orchid varieties have pseudobulbs that hold nutrients and waters. Masdevallias don't. Forgetting to water them can be fatal. That said, don't treat these little jewels like creatures of the bog. In the wild, these Victorian favorites grow on trees. Let the potting medium dry out slightly between waterings. 

The Man Who Wrote the Book on Masdevallias

Ron Parsons stopped in the shop while on a lecture tour of the East Coast. He not only co-wrote but took all the photographs in the definitive book on masdevallias. These vibrant orchids originated in the cool mountainous regions of South America. To keep them happy, keep them cool and moist with good drainage and good air circulation.