Masdevallia davisii is found in Peru. It occurs on rocky outcroppings in pockets of soil or on bare rock at the tree line in wet cloud forests at elevations of 2600 to 4000 meters.
Masdevallia davisii also called as Davis' Masdevallia, The orchid of the sun, is a species of the genus Masdevallia. This species was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1874. This species was named by Reichenbach in honor of Walter Davis, a young Scotsman employed as a collector by the Veitch firm.
IDENTIFY MASDEVALLIA DAVISII ORCHID PLANT
Masdevallia davisii is found in Peru. It occurs on rocky outcroppings in pockets of soil or on bare rock at the tree line in wet cloud forests at elevations of 2600 to 4000 meters. In 1873, Davis had been dispatched by Veitch to collect large quantities of the highly coveted Masdevallia veitchiana from southern Peru. During this journey, Davis discovered many other Masdevallia species, including this striking species. These plants rapidly gained favor and were widely cultivated in Europe for many years, although they eventually disappeared from collections, joining the ranks of other “lost” orchid species. Masdevallia davisii were recently reintroduced by David Welisch of San Francisco (1978) and by Berthold Würstle of Spielberg, Germany (1980).
The orchid of the sun is a miniature to small sized, cold growing terrestrial or lithophytic species with a very short ramicaul enveloped by several, scarious, basal sheaths and a single, apical, oblanceolate, tapered to a short petiole, coriaceous leaf that is slightly tridenticulate at the apex.
Davis' Masdevallia blooms in the late spring and summer with fragrant, singular flowers on an erect, slender, 25 cm long, successive inflorescence with 3 distant, scarious, thin, tubular bracts that holds the very showy flower above the leaf. The showy flowers are 6.5 to 9 cm, brilliant yellow.
MASDEVALLIA DAVISII 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 davisii 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.
Davis' 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:
The orchid of the sun 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 davisii 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:
Davis' 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 davisii 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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