Masdevallia tovarensis is endemic to northern Venezuela. It grows epiphytic on trees at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level...
Masdevallia tovarensis also called as The Tovar Masdevallia, Alaticaulia tovarensis, Masdevallia candida, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1849. This species is named for the German colony of Tovar, in northern Venezuela, where it was first discovered in 1842 by Jean Linden.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA TOVARENSIS
Masdevallia tovarensis is endemic to northern Venezuela. It grows epiphytic on trees at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. Although Linden initially called the species Masdevallia candida (which was not validly published), specimens that were sent to Reichenbach a few years later were formally named Masdevallia tovarensis by him. This is a very popular species and has remained so for more than a century. Despite the excessive collection of this species, Masdevallia tovarensis still remains locally abundant, growing in a small area of cloud forest in the coastal mountains of Venezuela.
It is a cool to cold growing, miniature sized epiphytic species with stout, erect ramicauls enveloped by 2 to 3 loose, tubular sheaths carrying a single, apical, erect, thickly coriaceous, glossy green, elliptical, subacute to obtuse leaf that is narrowly cuneate into the stout, basal petiole.
The Tovar Masdevallia blooms in the fall and early winter with 2 to 4 flowers that open simultaneously on each, stout, erect, congested, 8 to 18 cm long, racemose inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul with a basal bract and white, tubular, imbricating floral bracts holding the waxy, long-lived flowers well above the leaves. The flowers are white, about 4 cm in diameter. The lip and petals are very small, and the sepals are joined together in a large circle and have very long tips resembling thorns. If undisturbed after flowering, the peduncle can develop a second set of flowers the following season.
MASDEVALLIA TOVARENSIS 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 tovarensis loves a bright sun without access to direct sunlight, so during the midday, this orchid must be placed behind a curtain or into the shade of other plants. Otherwise, the orchid can get sunburn.
Temperature:
This kind of orchid refers to a moderately cold temperature regime. Summer temperature is 15-21 ° C (in case of high air humidity it can transfer an extra rise up to 30 ° C); Winter temperature at 5-13 ° C. For the successful cultivation at home, it is necessary that the night temperature of the contents always be at least 4 ° C lower than the daytime temperature.
Humidity:
The humidity of the air must be increased together with the temperature, this will help the plant better survive the forced heat. The humidity of the air must be at least 80-90%.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Masdevallia tovarensis is usually grow in pots. The substrate must be very well breathable, therefore, in its quality, the best pieces of bark of coniferous trees are suitable. The best time for repot is the period immediately after flowering.
Watering:
Throughout the year, the plant needs frequent and abundant watering. Excess water during watering should flow freely out of the pot, as the stagnation of water both inside the pot and in its pan can very quickly lead to decay of the roots and the lower part of the plant. The substrate between the irrigations should dry relatively well, but do not dry completely.
Fertilizer:
Throughout the year, this type of orchids is fertilized every 3-4 weeks in 1/2 or 1/3 of the concentration of fertilizer indicated on the package. Too concentrated fertilizer negatively affects the tender roots of the plant, they turn black, become slimy and die.
Rest period:
To stimulate flowering Masdevallia tovarensis does not need a period of rest. The inflorescence, after blooming, should be left alone as they will rebloom later or the following year.
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