Masdevallia caudivolvula is found in the western cordillera of Colombia. It grows in the high mountain wetlands at elevations of 2000-2800 meters...
Masdevallia caudivolvula also called as The Convolute Cauda Masdevallia, Streptoura caudivolvula, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Friedrich Fritz Wilhelm Ludwig Kraenzlin in 1922. Although in bud the sepal tails are straight, upon opening the three orange-yellow sepaline tails twist like corkscrews and hence the name caudivolvula, derived from the Latin cauda for tail and volvulus for twisted organ.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA CAUDIVOLVULA
Masdevallia caudivolvula is found in the western cordillera of Colombia. It grows in the high mountain wetlands at elevations of 2000-2800 meters. This species is quite common in the cloud forests of these areas, but it is difficult to cultivate.
It is a mini-miniature sized, cold growing epiphyte with blackish, erect, slender ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3 tubular, thin, up to 4 cm long sheaths and carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, obtuse, cuneate below into the petiolate base, 11-13 cm long leaf.
The Convolute Cauda Masdevallia blooms in the winter and spring on a slender, erect, 5 to 11 cm long, single flowered inflorescence arising from lower on the ramicaul , with a bract below the middle and a tubular floral bract. The flowers are 2.5 cm in diameter.
Hybrids of this species have produced various offspring with curly tails, and some of the grex names reflect this feature, such as Masdevallia Curly George (Masdevallia notosibirica x Masdevallia caudivolvula) and Masdevallia Whirlygig (Masdevallia caudivolvula x Masdevallia caesia).
MASDEVALLIA CAUDIVOLVULA 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 caudivolvula needs a light level of 9000-11000 lux. The recommended photoperiod is 12-13 hours.
Temperature:
It is a cold thermal requirements species and it adapts badly (or nothing) to the intermediate conditions. Temperatures must be kept constant throughout the year: 21-23 ° C during the day and 10-11 ° C at night.
Humidity:
The Convolute Cauda Masdevallia needs the humidity of 70-75%.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
It is easier to grow Masdevallia caudivolvula in a pot, using the coarse fiber sphagnum with perlite as a substrate (1: 1 or 2: 1). It is also possible to grow it on a raft, putting a generous layer of sphagnum above the roots.
Watering:
This orchid gets water regularly, the substrate must never become completely dry. Find its optimal position when it is placed in front of the fresh and humid flow of a humidifier.
Fertilizer:
It is to be fertilized once every 3-4 weeks adding 1/4 of the indicated dose on the bottle of a special liquid fertilizer for orchids to the watering water.
Rest period:
Masdevallia caudivolvula does not have a rest period. In winter, watering and fertilization can somewhat reduced but don't let the plant stay dry for long period.
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