Masdevallia coccinea is native to Colombia. This species is widespread in the Eastern Cordillera, from the area of Ocana in the Norte de Sandander department and south to the Santa Barbara area in the Cundinamarca department...
Masdevallia coccinea also called as The Scarlet Masdevallia, The little flag, Masdevallia coccinea var. harryana, Masdevallia denisoniana, Masdevallia denisonii, Masdevallia harryana, Masdevallia harryana var. atrosanguinea, Masdevallia harryana var. decora, Masdevallia harryana var. miniata, Masdevallia lindenii, Masdevallia lindenii var. grandiflora, Masdevallia lindenii var. harryana, Masdevallia militaris, Masdevallia venusta, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Jean Jules Linden ex John Lindley in 1846. The Latin word coccineus means a bright, deep red color, which describes the flowers of the more common color form of this species.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA COCCINEA
Masdevallia coccinea is native to Colombia. This species is widespread in the Eastern Cordillera, from the area of Ocana in the Norte de Sandander department and south to the Santa Barbara area in the Cundinamarca department. They grow at heights of 2440-3600 m in forests, sometimes described as rare, and along roads. It was first discovered growing terrestrially on the southern slopes of high mountains near Pamplona, Colombia (elevation 2740 m), in about 1841 by Jean Linden, and it immediately became one of the most prized species of the orchid trade. The spectacular beauty of this species caused it to be relentlessly collected for more than a century, yet miraculously it still remains locally abundant in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia.
It is a small sized, cold growing terrestrial, which reaching 15-40 cm in height, with short, 5-10 cm long ramicauls enveloped by 2 to 3 close, tubular sheaths carrying a single, 10-30 cm long, apical, oblong-lanceolate to spathulate, petiolate, rounded and minutely tridentate apically leaf.
The Scarlet Masdevallia blooms in the later spring and summer on a slender, erect, to 30 cm long, slightly flexuous, single flowered, inflorescence with a spotted bract at each node and the waxy, variable sized flowers held higher than the leaves. The large, stately, solitary flowers of this species are quite variable in size and color, and moreover, the stability of the colors may vary with the clone and cultivation conditions. Some populations may produce numerous shades and tints, whereas others are more stable. The colors can vary from the more common bright red-purple to rose, yellow, orange, and pure white. The bloom times of the various color forms also differ. For example, the white forms may bloom somewhat later than the more highly colored varieties. The flower size is also quite variable, with smaller clones having flowers 5 cm tall and larger forms up to 13 cm tall. If the flowers open during warmer weather, the tails and lateral sepals may curve under, although some clones naturally have recurved segments. (The flowers may also be smaller and less long-lasting in the heat.) Heat stress will also cause the leaf tips to blacken. Masdevallia coccinea has been and continues to be a very popular species for hybridizing.
MASDEVALLIA COCCINEA 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 coccinea needs a light level of 8000-15000 lux. The light should be filtered or dispersed, and the plants should never be exposed to direct sunlight. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time. These plants grow best placed within the range of humid, cool air current near the outlet of the cold humidifier.
Temperature:
Throughout the year, the average day temperature is 13-14 ° C, and the average night temperature is 8-9 ° C, which gives a daily amplitude of 5-7 ° C.
Humidity:
The Scarlet Masdevallia needs the humidity of about 70%. If the temperature regime is higher than the optimum, the humidity can be reduced to 60%.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Masdevallia coccinea are usually grown in pots filled with loose, quickly drying substrate. In general, a small granulation bark is used, often with additives such as cut sphagnum moss, perlite and charcoal moss.
It is recommend repotting these plants every year. Repotting should take place in late winter or early spring, but can also be done at any time between autumn and spring, unless it conflicts with the flowering of the plant.
Watering:
Watering is moderate, with 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. The intensity of irrigation 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. De-chlorinated tap water can be used for irrigation.
Fertilizer:
If Masdevallia coccinea grow in the ground with 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 fertilizer for orchids. If grown in a bed of pine bark, fertilization should be applied every 1-2 weeks.
At the beginning of the year, when the plants grow actively, instead of fertilizers with equal proportions NPK, use fertilizers with high nitrogen content. In late summer and autumn, use high phosphorus fertilizers to stimulate the plants to flower.
Rest period:
Masdevallia coccinea has no clear period of rest. Watering in winter can be somewhat reduced, especially in the case of plants grown in dark, short days typical of higher latitudes. However, do not allow them to completely dry out. If the amount of water supplied decreases, the fertilization should also be reduced or eliminated until a normal spring watering schedule is taken.
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