Masdevallia caesia is native to Colombia. This distinctive, rare epiphyte is an endemic species found in the southern part of the western Cordilleras. They grow in damp forests at an altitude of 1600-2200 m....
Masdevallia caesia also called as The Blue-Gray Masdevallia, Byrsella caesia, Masdevallia deorsum, Masdevallia metallica, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Benedict Roezl in 1883. The species epithet is from the Latin caesius, meaning sky blue, which reflects the bluish color of the leaves.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA CAESIA
Masdevallia caesia is native to Colombia. This distinctive, rare epiphyte is an endemic species found in the southern part of the western Cordilleras. They grow in damp forests at an altitude of 1600-2200 m. They were also found west of Popayán, near Cali and in several other places.
It is a small sized, pendant, cold to cool growing and flowering epiphytic species, which reaching the size of 15-48 cm, with stout descending ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3 loose, tubular, 2-3 cm long sheaths carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, suffused with bluish purple, narrowly obovate, obtuse, 12-45 cm long leaf that is gradually narrowed into the base.
The Blue-Gray Masdevallia blooms on a descending, 1 to 2" (2.5 to 5 cm) long, purple dotted, single flowered inflorescence arising from near the base of the ramicaul with a basal bract and a tubular floral bract holding the large, stinking flower amid the leaves. The size of the flower is about 5-7 cm with bright yellow color. Dark yellow outer petals are mottled and covered with reddish brown spots. The peak perilla of the outer perimeter is connected to the lateral lobes to form a cylindrical tube. The triangular top passes into a slender, raised orange petiole. The inclined outer petals are connected together, forming together with the rod a kind of a wide funnel. Their tops also go into slender tails. The inner petals of the perianth and the prone are green-white. The relatively large, yellow lip is covered with irregular purple spots. On the upper surface is covered with bulges or spikes, and on the sides from the center of the lip to its end there are fringed or spiky tips.
Masdevallia caesia is known as the "grande dame" of masdevallias because it has one of the largest flowers of this genus and overall makes a very attractive specimen plant. However, the stench of the flower can be detected from as far as 2 meters away and could only attract a carrion fly. One of the best features of this species are the steel blue-gray leaves that can be up to 38 cm long. This is a must-have species if you can live with the malodorous aroma.
MASDEVALLIA CAESIA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Masdevallia caesia needs a light level of 8000-15000 lux. The light should be filtered and dispersed, and the plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
It is a plant with moderate thermal requirements. Throughout the year, the average day temperature is 18-21 ° C, and the night 12-13 ° C, with a daily amplitude of 7-8 ° C.
Humidity:
The Blue-Gray Masdevallia needs the humidity of 75-80% for most of the year, it is falling to nearly 70% for 2-3 months of late summer and early autumn.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Masdevallia caesia is best mounted on the block. The block can be from the bark of cork oak, pine bark, xaxima, or even tree branches. Ceramic blocks are also suitable, but with time they become saline. A block of pressed fern keeps water longer than others. As a substrate, for a greater moisture capacity, you can use New Zealand or Chilean sphagnum or other moss.
These plants can also grow in a hanging pot or basket, but then you need to use airy, quickly drying substrate, which, however, stops the moisture of, for example, chopped peat moss with perlite. Wood charcoal is also often added to ensure the air permeability of the substrate and protection against acidification.
It is necessary to take into account the direction of plant growth, and plant it upside down. It is recommend to repot these plants every year. Repotting should take place in late winter or early spring.
Watering:
Masdevallia caesia needs abundant watering, but with mandatory drying of the substrate. The substrate should not remain completely dry for more than 3-4 days, it can lead to dehydration of plant tissues. At the same time, the plant reacts badly to a constantly moist block or substrate. This can lead to decay of young growths and rhizome. The intensity of watering does not change during the year, because in natural conditions, the plant does not experience a prolonged water deficit. If the plant is exposed to high temperatures, it is better to limit watering and increase spraying. For irrigation, you can use dechlorinated tap water.
Fertilizer:
If the plants grow in sphagnum moss, tree fern fibers or osmunda fern roots, they should be fertilized every 3-4 weeks 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of orchid fertilizer during the period of strong growth. If grown in a bed of pine bark, fertilization can be applied every 1-2 weeks.
At the beginning of the year, when plants grow actively, instead of fertilizers with equal proportions NPK, you can use fertilizers with high nitrogen content. In late summer and autumn, use high phosphorus fertilizers to stimulate the plants to flower.
Rest period:
Masdevallia caesia has no clear period of rest. The physiological period of rest is rather short, about two weeks. At this time there is no visible growth, often this happens before flowering. Watering can be reduced in winter, but the plants should never dry out.
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