Masdevallia bicornis is endemic to lowland (700 to 1000 meters above sea level) southeastern Ecuador. It was first collected in 1996 by José Portilla and named Portillae popoviana by Königer and Portilla but was reclassified and included within the genus Masdevallia by Luer.
Masdevallia bicornis also called as The Two-Horned Masdevallia, Portillia popowiana, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Carlyle August Luer in 1997. The species epithet is from the Latin bicornis, meaning two-horned, which refers to the labellum, which is shallowly bilobed.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA BICORNIS ORCHID PLANT
Masdevallia bicornis is endemic to lowland (700 to 1000 meters above sea level) southeastern Ecuador. It was first collected in 1996 by José Portilla and named Portillae popoviana by Königer and Portilla but was reclassified and included within the genus Masdevallia by Luer.
It is a small sized, warm growing epiphyte with short, stout, erect ramicauls that are enveloped by 2 to 3 loose, tubular sheaths carrying a single, apical, erect, thinly coriaceous, narrowly elliptic-obovate, subacute, leaf with the base narrowly cuneate into the petiole.
The Two-Horned Masdevallia blooms with a solitary, nutant flower sometimes followed by a second carried by a scurfy, suberect to horizontal to pendant, 12 to 24 cm long inflorescence arising from near the base of the ramicaul with 3 distant bracts and a tubular oblique floral bracts holding the flower above the leaf. The rather large (10 cm), dark brownish red flower, with raised yellowish veins and lateral sepals that abruptly narrow into long, delicate tails, is held at or above the level of the leaves on upright to horizontal warty peduncles. The successively flowered species is distinguished from all other species of Masdevallia by its scaly inflorescence.
MASDEVALLIA BICORNIS 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 bicornis 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:
The Two-Horned Masdevallia can be grown intermediate (13°C at nights, maximum 23°C at days) to cool (10°C at nights, maximum 20°C at days). 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. Ensure 6-12°C day/night difference to aid flower formation.
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 bicornis can be grown in basket or net pots. An attractive way to grow this species is in baskets; when grown this way the spikes hang downward and are more readily appreciated. 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:
The Two-Horned 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 bicornis 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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