Masdevallia constricta is found in Ecuador and Peru. It grows epiphytically on old trees in cloud forests at elevations of 1500 to 1700 m and is relatively frequent in the Andes from southern Ecuador to central Peru. It was collected by Poeppig during his explorations of Peru between 1829 and 1831.
Masdevallia constricta also called as The Constricted Masdevallia, Masdevallia urosalpinx, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Eduard Friedrich Poeppig & Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher in 1837. The name for this species is derived from the Latin constrictus, meaning constricted, which refers to the constricted sepaline tube.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA CONSTRICTA ORCHID PLANT
Masdevallia constricta is found in Ecuador and Peru. It grows epiphytically on old trees in cloud forests at elevations of 1500 to 1700 m and is relatively frequent in the Andes from southern Ecuador to central Peru. It was collected by Poeppig during his explorations of Peru between 1829 and 1831.
The original specimen was described as having purple stripes, but numerous subsequent collections of plants with yellow or orange sepaline tubes have failed to find one with purple stripes, suggesting the early description may have been in error.
It is a mini-miniature, caespitose epiphytic species with short, inconspicuous ramicauls hidden by basal, tubular, overlapping bracts with a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, oblong-oblanceolate, tapered to the channeled base leaf with a tridentate apex.
The Constricted Masdevallia blooms with a slender, suberect, 8 cm long, longer than the leaves, single flowered inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul with a bract above the base and a floral bract holding the flower just above the leaves and all occuring in the fall through winter. Flowers of the smaller forms can be 6.4 to 7.6 cm and up to 12.7 cm in larger forms. The sepals are white, variously suffused, or veined with orange or yellow, particularly so in the middle third of the tube. The sepaline tails are thickish and a beautiful yellowish orange.
MASDEVALLIA CONSTRICTA 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 constricta 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 Constricted Masdevallia is best to grown with intermediate cool growing conditions (13°C at nights, maximum 23°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 constricta 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 Constricted 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 constricta 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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