Masdevallia alexandri is found in Western Ecuador. It grows epiphytic in cloud forest above Mindo, at elevations of 1500 to 2200 meters above sea level.
Masdevallia alexandri also called as Alexander Hirtz' Masdevallia, Rodrigoa alexandri, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was named in honor of Alexander C. Hirtz of Quito, Ecuador, who discovered this species and was described by Carlyle August Luer in 1980.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA ALEXANDRI ORCHID PLANT
Masdevallia alexandri is found in Western Ecuador. It grows epiphytic in cloud forest above Mindo, at elevations of 1500 to 2200 meters above sea level.
It is a mini-miniature sized, cool growing epiphyte with slender, erect, 1 cm long ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3 thin, tubular sheaths and carrying a single, apical, suberect, thinly coriaceous, petiolate, elliptical, acute, 4-8 cm long including the 1.5-3 cm long petiole, 1.5-2 cm wide leaf that is cuneate below into the slender, channeled petiole.
Alexander Hirtz' Masdevallia blooms on an erect, slender, to 9 cm long, successively few flowered inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul with thin imbricating floral bracts and occuring in cultivation in the spring and carrying a single flower at a time. The flowers are 1 cm in diameter with sepals light greenish brown with multiple minute bars of dark brown; lateral sepals light yellow-brown toward the bases; petals yellow-green; lip brown; column yellow, dotted with purple-brown.
This species is related to Masdevallia heteroptera and its allies, but may be distinguished by the small habit, glabrous sepals minutely banded in brown, multangular petals with a carina along the lower margin ending in a distinct lobule at the base, and a subpandurate, arcuate lip. The single characteristic of the hinge of the lip originating below the margin of the apex of the column-foot is found in other species of Masdevallia.
MASDEVALLIA ALEXANDRI ORCHID PLANT 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 alexandri like good light, but not direct light. 17000 - 22000 lux is a good amount of light. About 70-90% shade is recommended in summer and 25% shade to full sun in winter. It will flower better if receive plenty of light and leaves are pale green rather than dark green when in heavy shade.
Temperature:
Alexander Hirtz' Masdevallia like cool growing conditions from 5°C to 25°C. Ideally in winter they like a minimum of 10°C in and a maximum of 13°C. In summer the optimum range is 13 to 20°C. The temperature should not exceed 25°C and temperatures consistently above 30°C will weaken the plants and they may drop their leaves.
Humidity:
This orchid prefer high humidity in summer near 75-80% and may need a humidifier over summer. Keep air circulation at all times to prevent water staying on leaves as this will encourage leaf spot.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Masdevallia alexandri can be grown in basket or net pots. They can also be grown in pots or mounted. They prefer a continuously damp medium. Some growers use chopped sphagnum moss mixed with polystyrene chips. Others use a pine bark, polystyrene and coarse perlite mix. A mix of 5 parts bark, 5 parts perlite and 1 part fibrous, not fine, peat moss is recommended. Their roots are small and many and will fill pots very quickly when growing well. Deeper pots are generally used and plants are potted out from being divided into 5cm tubes, 7-10cm pots or 12-15cm pots depending on size.
Repot or divide the plants during the autumn or spring every two years or when they are sufficiently large enough. It is best, as with most plants, to repot when the plants are about to root to minimize disturbance. Huge clumps must be divided as a considerable number of species tend to completely rot from the oldest parts of the clump. Do not bury the base of the plants. Double potting is beneficial to keep the plant roots cool.
Watering:
Alexander Hirtz' Masdevallia will not tolerate dry conditions and should be kept moist but not soggy. Their roots must be able to dry out slightly between waterings. In hot weather they need daily watering but in spring and autumn weekly watering should suffice. Water in the morning so leaves can be dry by midday. The plants should be provided with rain water or distilled water or a very pure water source. It is preferable to provide a humid environment than keeping roots too wet as they are prone to rotting.
Fertilizer:
Masdevallia alexandri are generally active throughout the year although growth may be slower in winter. Use a balanced fertiliser at 1/4 strength throughout the year; feed at every third or fourth watering. If in doubt do not feed. These plants do not like salt so roots will easily turn brown if over fed. If plants need a boost then a dilute foliar feed can be applied. Higher feeding schedules can be used if the grower masters their culture perfectly well. Do not use lime or dolomite lime.
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