Masdevallia caudata is found in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and western Venezuela. It was first collected by French botanist Justin Godot in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia near San Fortunato in 1831 and published in 1833 simultaneously with Masdevallia infracta by Lindley.
Masdevallia caudata also called as The Long-Sepaled Masdevallia, Masdevallia expansa, Masdevallia caudata f. xanthocorys, Masdevallia caudata var. gudotii, Masdevallia caudata var. shuttleworthii, Masdevallia caudata var. xanthocorys, Masdevallia cucutillensis, Masdevallia shuttleworthii, Masdevallia shuttleworthii var. xanthocorys, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by John Lindley in 1833. The species epithet caudata comes from the Latin word meaning with tails, and it refers to the long-tailed sepals of this very showy species.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA CAUDATA ORCHID PLANT
Masdevallia caudata is found in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and western Venezuela. It was first collected by French botanist Justin Godot in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia near San Fortunato in 1831 and published in 1833 simultaneously with Masdevallia infracta by Lindley. Thus, these two species have the distinction of being the second and third species of Masdevallia to have been described. The first living plants, which were more colorful variations than that described by Lindley, did not arrive in Europe until sent by Shuttleworth in 1874. This different color variation was named Masdevallia shuttleworthii but has now been reduced to synonymy. It is relatively frequent in nature and quite widely distributed in cloud forests at elevations of 2000 to 2500 meters above sea level.
It is a mini-miniature sized, cool to cold growing, tufted, epiphyte with blackish, slender, erect ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3 loose, tubular sheaths and carrying a single, apical, oblanceolate, suberect, coriaceous, petiolate, rounded at the apex leaf that is cuneate below into the petiole.
The Long-Sepaled Masdevallia blooms in the late autumn through early spring with an arcuate, short, slender, 12 to 13 cm long inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul, has a bract above the base and a tubular floral bract with a single flower. The distinctive flower, which can measure 17 to 20 cm, is fragrant and variable in color and is held slightly above, at, or slightly below the height of the leaves. All three sepals are furnished with very long, slender tails, as the name implies. More than one flower per leaf can be produced, although not simultaneously. The column, petals, and lips stand erect and exposed in the center of the flower. Typically, the dorsal sepal is white to yellow and veined, dotted, or suffused with pinkish purple or brownish and fused with lateral sepals to form a gaping sepaline cup. The lateral sepals are off-white and are usually densely dotted rose-pink to reddish brown. The rounded sepals abruptly contract into slender yellow tails. Another variety in cultivation is yellow. Some clones of this species are among the most beautiful of the genus, and plants of Masdevallia caudata were some of the first masdevallias to be used as parents in hybridization.
MASDEVALLIA CAUDATA 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 caudata 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 Long-Sepaled 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. 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 caudata 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:
The Long-Sepaled 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 caudata 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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